The Best Mattifier for Oily Skin – 2023 Top Picks and Reviews
At A Glance: Our Choices for The Best Mattifiers for Oily Skin
If you are looking for a tried and tested product, we highly recommend Murad Oil-Control Mattifier. It's clinically tested to control oil by 78%.
It leaves a matte finish that can last for 8 hours.
Peter Thomas Roth Max Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel, on the other hand, leaves a satin to matte finish. It isn't as long lasting as the first product but it can absorb both sweat and oil.
One of the affordable mattifiers in the market today is Mary Kay Oil Mattifier. It has a hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic formulation your oily skin will surely love.
OC Eight Professional Mattifying Gel can keep your skin oil-free for 8 hours. It's fragrance-free and lightweight, too.
It does, however, leave a white cast which means that it may not be the best choice if you’re into photography.
Having a citrus scent, Anthony Logistics for Men Instant Fix Oil Control isn't just for men. Despite the gender-based marketing, the product is also effective in controlling oil on female skin.
2021’s Reviews of The Best Mattifiers for Oily Skin
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Murad Oil-Control Mattifier is free from harmful synthetic ingredients. It’s clinically tested to reduce oil by as much as 78%.
The best thing it is that the test has been done on humans and not animals. If you are into cruelty-free products, then this one’s it.
This mattifier offers oil control for 8 hours. And it isn’t only good in keeping shine away; it also has properties to protect your skin against UV damage.
Take note that the sun protection it offers is broad-spectrum. It has a matte finish as well which makes it great for people with oily to extremely oily skin.
And it doesn’t end there.
The product has willow bark and argan extracts. These two ingredients work to clear your skin of impurities.
They can manage your existing skin breakouts and prevent new one from forming.
The consistency of the product is thick but it thins out as soon as you blend it on your skin.
One thing you might not like about the product is its cinnamon bark extract which can be quite irritating for some. Another factor is its scent.
What We Like:
- Has SPF 15
- Oil control for 8 hours
- Clinically tested
- Can prevent breakouts
What We Didn’t Like:
- Has irritating ingredient
- Scent can be off-putting
Peter Thomas Roth Max Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel is formulated to absorb oil as well as sweat- all without disrupting your skin’s natural barrier and moisture.
It has a satin to matte finish and glides smoothly on the skin. It doesn’t leave any residue which I find really nice.
However, with the lack of potent absorbent ingredients, this one may not be able to give you long lasting results.
The consistency is a bit thick. So, when you get to the bottom part of the tube, it can be quite difficult to get to the last drop.
Because of its consistency, I suggest you really work the product on your skin. Apply it in layers if you need to use more of it to avoid flaking by midday.
The mattifier works well under makeup, given that you apply it evenly.
What We Like:
- Can absorb oil and sweat
- Gives a matte finish
- No residue
What We Didn’t Like:
- Thick consistency
- Not that long lasting
Mary Kay Oil Mattifier has a hypoallergenic and non comedogenic formulation which is really helpful for oily skin. On top of these two properties, this mattifier is also lightweight.
It gets absorbed as soon as applied on the skin so you won’t have to worry about residues.
For oil control, it has the solvent isododecane and silicones. You can also find alcohol in its list of ingredients but its amount isn’t that great to make you worry about irritation.
The product works well under makeup. You won’t have to constantly reach out for your blotting paper just to ensure that your makeup won’t wear off quickly.
One issue I find with this product is its lack of additional skin benefits. It has no SPF or even antioxidant properties.
Its price, however, is affordable.
What We Like:
- Good oil control
- Hypoallergenic
- Noncomedogenic
- Affordable
What We Didn’t Like:
- Lacks additional skin benefits
- No SPF
Promising 8 hours of matte finish, OC Eight Professional Mattifying Gel has a noncomedogenic and fragrance-free formulation. It’s a lightweight mattifier that dries on the skin instantly.
The matte finish you can get from this product isn’t drying or tight on the skin. What I love most about it is that it doesn’t leave chalky residues so you can rest assured that your makeup won’t get clumpy after several hours.
Take note that the product can leave a white cast on your skin so I suggest that you use it on your most important occasions- when you have properly adjusted your makeup routine to camouflage the cast.
The product, however, is very specific about its instructions. You have to apply the mattifier after your moisturizer and before your oil-free makeup.
That’s right. To get the most out of this product, you have to use oil-free makeup.
What We Like:
- No fragrance
- Provides oil-control for 8 hours
- Helps makeup stay longer
What We Didn’t Like:
- Leaves white cast
- A bit expensive for its size
Anthony Logistics for Men Instant Fix Oil Control contains silica which mainly works to absorb the excess oil on your skin. Aside from its mattifying and oil control properties, the product can also reduce the appearance of your pores by diffusing light.
This mattifier has a gel-like consistency. It’s translucent white in color and comes with a citrus-y scent.
Its finish is matte, which is something your oily skin should look forward to. As for longevity, however, it isn’t an entirely long wearing product.
It’s more of a quick fix so you can reapply as necessary to make sure your skin stays shine-free.
If you are wondering if it’s only for men, I’d have to say no. Whether you are a man or a woman, the product works well in controlling oil and shine.
What We Like:
- Leaves skin soft
- A small amount goes a long way
- Absorbs easily
What We Didn’t Like:
- Does not work for long hours
- Scented
Reviews and Comparisons of The Best Mattifiers for Oily Skin
Rankings | Best Overall | 2nd choice | 3rd choice | 4th choice | 5th choice |
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Top-Rated Mattifiers for Oily Skin 2017 |
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Quantity | 1.7 oz | 1 oz | 0.6 fl. oz | 1.58 oz | 3 oz |
Packaging | Squeeze tube | Squeeze tube | Squeeze tube | Squeeze tube | Squeeze tube |
Claims | Controls oil build up, boosts comfort and skin health | Absorbs oil in skin, gives the appearance of smaller pores | Instantly absorbs oil and controls shine | Reduces shine and improves the appearance of foundation | Instantly absorbs grease on contact and keeps shine at bay all day |
Scented | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Finish | Matte | Satin-Matte | Matte | Matte | Matte |
Get Started |
What Exactly Is A Mattifier?
Mattifiers aren’t as popular as primers are. If this is the first time you’re hearing about them, I’d say they are the best things that can happen to your oily skin. Well, sort of.
Mattifiers are different from primers.
For one, primers are primarily used to create a smooth canvas for your makeup. They can give you a more flawless finish and can keep your makeup longer on your skin.
They are good for oily skin, but they aren’t exactly the best.
For oily and acne prone skin, your best bet is a mattifier. It specifically works to control your skin’s oil production so you get less shine throughout the day.
Mattifiers have three benefits for your skin type:
- They absorb oil.
- They minimize the appearance of pores
- They blur out your skin’s imperfections so that they’re less noticeable.
Mattifier can also be used as a primer. However, if your mattifier’s consistency makes it hard for you to blend your foundation well, you might want to apply a small amount of primer after the mattifier to create a smoother base.
Things You Can Do To Keep Your Oily Skin From Ruining Your Makeup
While mattifiers and primers can help lessen your skin’s excess oil production, you still shouldn’t rely solely on them. Keep in mind that how you take care of your skin and the way you use your products have a great effect on how your skin behaves.
- First thing you can do is to stop washing your face too frequently. Although constant grease and shine can be frustrating, you should limit cleansing your face to twice a day to make sure that you don’t dry your skin out.
- When washing your face, it’s a good idea to use lukewarm water. Cold or hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils which, in turn, can make it more prone to irritations and injuries- and we don’t want that.
- Never skip your moisturizer. Since there’s too much oil, a lot of people think that moisturizers aren’t that necessary anymore.
- Frankly, if your skin is producing more oil than necessary, then there’s big chance that it’s not hydrated and moisturized enough. Think of it as a way for your skin to compensate.
- Apply a primer or a mattifier to instantly absorb the excess oil on your skin. Aside from oil control, these products also help you get a smoother canvas for your makeup.
- Instead of constantly touching up with powder, use blotting papers instead. Powders tend to clump together which can make your foundation look cakey by midday.
Conclusion
Having oily skin is frustrating, especially when your makeup keeps sliding off of your face. It won’t only affect the way you look, but it can also affect the way you feel about yourself.
For these exact reasons, we’re recommending Murad Oil-Control Mattifier as the best mattifier for oily skin. It’s clinically tested and promises to keep your skin shine-free for 8 hours.
Other than oil control, the product also offers sun protection and ingredients that can help clear your skin’s impurities.
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