6 Best Foundations For Oily Skin, Tried & Tested By Glamour Editors 2026

How I tested foundations:

I’ve been a beauty journalist for six years now, and during that time I’ve tried and tested more foundations than I’d like to admit – definitely over 50 at this point. From lightweight skin tints and barely-there bases to full-coverage, I’ve worn my fair share. For this guide, every foundation was tested in real life, either by me or alongside another member of the Glamour team with a different skin type to mine.

When testing a new foundation, I like to give it at least a couple of weeks and wear it in as many different situations as possible. Think: long days in the office, sweaty commutes, dinner dates, hot weather and even the gym (I’m forever rushing straight to a class after work without time to take my makeup off). For oily skin in particular, we paid close attention to when shine started creeping through, whether the foundation separated around oilier areas like the nose and forehead, and how much of it was actually still there at the end of the day.

We also looked at the things that matter with any great foundation: how easily it blends, how it layers with skincare and SPF, whether it oxidises or pills, and how natural it looks on the skin. Since my own skin is combo – sometimes leaning dry, other times more oily – I roped in fellow Glamour writers with different skin types to get a more rounded view. Ultimately, the foundations that made this edit are the ones that kept excess oil and shine at bay without leaving skin looking cakey, flat or feeling uncomfortable. Find out more about how we test at Glamour.

Why you can trust me:

I know it sounds cliché, but beauty – and makeup in particular – has always been a huge passion of mine. I remember stealing my mum’s makeup bag as a little girl and applying pretty much anything I could get my hands on. I was equally obsessed with magazines, buying one after school whenever I could and reading it from front to back, so I guess becoming a beauty journalist was always on the cards. Six years into the job, testing products is now a huge part of my day-to-day life. No two days look quite the same: one week I’m testing the best hair growth serums and LED face masks, the next it’s hyaluronic acid serums, face sunscreens or the latest beauty device promising to transform my skin. My desk (and filming schedule) is pretty much always hectic, but it does mean I test hundreds of products every year and have a pretty good idea of what’s actually worth investing in.

When it comes to foundation, I’d say it’s easily one of my most-tested beauty products over the years. I’ve tried everything from super-matte, full-coverage formulas to lightweight BB creams and glow-boosting bases. I also have combination skin, which means one month it can feel super dry and the next it can lean oily (yep, a pain), so I’ve learnt exactly what I need from my foundation at different times – whether that’s a healthy dose of hydration or something more matte to keep excess shine at bay.

Of course, like all of the guides we write at Glamour, we want our recommendations to be useful to as many people as possible – so you won’t just see my face or skin type in this edit. I regularly include other brilliant Glamour writers and contributors with different skin types, tones and concerns to help with the testing process and share their experiences, too. That way, you’re not relying on one person’s opinion when deciding what deserves a spot in your makeup bag.