Oily skin, Help!!

June 3, 2009 12:33 PM

What makeup primer is good for oily/acne-prone skin?

My forehead and nose seem to be oily within 3 hours after putting on makeup, it is very irritating. I have used blotting sheets in the past and actually think it makes the problem worse. The more I blotted the more oil that was produced. I started taking fish oil pills and that helped alot in the beginning but now slowly my oily skin is returning. I am also very acne-prone, most of my pimples are all concentrated on my forehead. Any other suggestions would be great!! Thanks.

posted by 1Ariel1 to clothing, beauty, & fashion (21 comments total)

I would see a dermatologist, he might have a prescription that stop the pimples.

You could wash your face half-way therough the day and reapply makeup I suppose, depending on what you do during the day.
posted by Penelope at 12:35 PM on June 3

I've heard good things about Make Up For Ever All Mat Primer.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:58 PM on June 3 [2 favorites]

On penelope's advice: just be careful washing your face a lot. This could cause your skin to produce even more oils.
posted by royalsong at 1:01 PM on June 3

Yes, use something really mild, like Cetaphil.
posted by Penelope at 1:16 PM on June 3

Do you moisturize after washing your face? You definitely should, for the skin-goes-into-oil-overproduction reasons noted above. I have very oily, acne-prone skin, and my favorite after-washing moisturizer is by Korres -- it's actually an after-sun cooling gel, but I use it daily. It's by far the best I've ever used, and a bottle will last me months.

Also, my sister [with similar skin] swears by Philosophy's The Present as a primer.
posted by alynnk at 1:27 PM on June 3

I have been meaning to try the new mineral makeups, on the advice of a few friends. They're more expensive than the run-of-the-mill, but I'm told they work wonders for oiliness and acne.
posted by sunshinesky at 1:32 PM on June 3

I've had good luck with Neutrogena brand makeup- especially the skin-clearing line that has salyctic (sp?) acid in the foundation. Also, try using a moisterizer that has alpha-hydroxy in it. That will help clear up the skin and aid with the oil problem.
posted by Eicats at 1:42 PM on June 3

I will check out a few primers from sephora, if I dont like the results I will just return. Philosophy's The Present seems to have a lot of good reviews.
As for washing my face during work, I do have the option but I think twice a day of washing is good enough. Over doing it might make matters worse. I use the DDF oil-free moisturizer also sold at sephora and this is the only one that has worked for my skin, all other moisturizers I have used make my entire face break out. I have been hearing good things about Cetaphil and will probably give that one a try after my DDF runs out. I used bare minerals last year and didnt do much, I currently use Physicians formula powder seems to be the best one so far since it is non-comedogenic, oil-free, fragrance free and hypoallergenic. My last option will probabaly be the dermatologist. =/
posted by 1Ariel1 at 1:52 PM on June 3

I use Laura Mercier and I really like it, but I use it with her tinted mosturizer so I can't really say how it is on its own compared to other primers.
posted by whoaali at 1:55 PM on June 3

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer in Light is the only thing I've tried that kept my skin feeling fresh til the end of the day. However, I started using it every day and I think it caused clogged pores. I haven't seen any reviews that complain about this, so it may just be my skin and its reaction to the product.

If you're going to Sephora, don't feel shy to ask for samples. They'll give you a sample of anything in a cute little jar and they're surprisingly generous with the amount they give you.
posted by Rora at 2:11 PM on June 3 [1 favorite]

I really like Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Light. It's specifically made for oily, acne-prone skin, and (as the name would imply) it is very light and doesn't leave a greasy or heavy feeling on your face. You can get it at Sephora, Ulta, etc.
posted by rebel_rebel at 2:21 PM on June 3

Oops, forgot to preview. So yeah, what Rora said.
posted by rebel_rebel at 2:22 PM on June 3

I've tried every primer on the market and every last one of them makes my skin even more oily at the end of the day because they all have some sort of silicone in them.

So I tried using Milk of Magnesia - and hilariously, it worked.
posted by elsietheeel at 2:27 PM on June 3 [1 favorite]

Dr. Brandt's Pores No More Pore Minimizer. Warning: expensive.

It's a pore-minimizing primer that contains an absorbent ingredient that really makes a difference with my oily skin. The pump on the tube squirts out what looks like a ridiculously small amount of product, but somehow it covers the whole face. I use it even when I'm not wearing makeup. It comes out of the tube looking orange-y, but it's invisible on the skin.

You might want to check out reviews of all the suggested primers on Makeup Alley The reviews for Pores No More show that people either love or hate it. It sounds like you might be a candidate for "love it."

Also...milk of magnesia really does absorb oil on the skin, and it's very cheap!
posted by wryly at 3:54 PM on June 3

Your skin may have the same problem mine does, which is that it breaks out when it gets dry. Blotting may be wiping away so much oil that your skin makes MORE oil in order to correct itself and then ends up breaking out. I used to have really bad skin until I realized my problem wasn't that it was oily, but that it was dry, and all the products I was using was making it worse.

I recommend a good moisturizer for sensitive skin (I use Oil of Olay Complete) as a base, and a moisturizing makeup remover (mine: Ultra Bland by Lush).
posted by canadia at 5:11 PM on June 3

I use the Smashbox Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer on my whole face with Camera Ready Full Coverage Concealer for more thorough spot coverage. Translucent powder afterwards helps to set the makeup, and I apply the powder several times throughout the day to decrease shine on my nose and forehead. The moisturizer has greatly helped to modulate my skin texture/tone. The translucent powder is great at setting your makeup and insuring that it stays in place and looks good throughout the day.
posted by macska at 5:26 PM on June 3

I have been meaning to try the new mineral makeups, on the advice of a few friends. They're more expensive than the run-of-the-mill, but I'm told they work wonders for oiliness and acne.

Mineral makeup is quite reasonably priced if you buy from one of the well known independents*, especially since all the best places sell samples of nearly all their products.

My favorite primer comes from a small mineral makeup company called Lumiere. I like it because the ingredients are very simple, no gross fragrance, and you can buy a sample size that lasts a long time. I prefer the texture of this primer to Laura Mercier's because it's thinner and easier to get into the pores around my nose.

*Meow, Aromaleigh (which also sells silk powder primer, nice to use with liquid), Everyday Minerals.
posted by oneirodynia at 6:37 PM on June 3 [1 favorite]

Oh, I meant to add that my skin is oily and acne prone (less so when I don't eat out), and has large pores to boot. I find my skin is much oilier if I dry it out, so the naturally hygroscopic nature of silk works well for me. I use Lumiere's primer (which has some squalene and silk amino acids), silk powder dusted on top, and then mineral foundation from Aromaleigh. I end up with some oil right around my nose by the end of the day, but that's pretty much it.
posted by oneirodynia at 6:41 PM on June 3

I use Face to Face Super Matte Anti Shine. Recommended by a TV makeup artist (ie, someone who de-shines sweaty actors wearing lots of makeup under hot lights). I use my fingers to rub a small amount into my forehead and nose before applying any makeup, and it definitely makes a difference. Don't use too much or it will get a little gummy- a little goes a long way. Then, later, I blot with Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:54 PM on June 3

I got the following idea from a fellow Mefite (I don't remember who you are but I love you!): Monistat Anti-Chafing gel. My skin is very oily. This stuff makes my makeup go on more smoothly and goes well with the moisturizer i use which is Bliss Steep Clean. The bonus is that I can use my FSA account to pay for it and it's only $10 and is similar to the Smashbox and other primers.
posted by superkim at 1:02 PM on June 4

I use Milk of Magnesia (generic brand) as a quick mask, and it's fantastic. It sops up the extra oil on your face in less than 5 minutes, and you aren't left feeling dried out and tight after you wash it off. I use it as a primer sometimes too, but because my skin is fairly dark, even a small amount looks chalky. I have to be careful applying my powder foundation or it shows through.
I also like DHC's Velvet Skin Coat*, although I still need to blot occasionally when I use it. Unlike every other (non-MoM) primer I've used, it's never made me break out. Ymmv.

*I've read reviews comparing Monistat Anti-Chafing gel favorably to Velvet Skin Coat. Thanks for the heads up, superkim, I'm going to pick some up tomorrow!
posted by maryh at 6:52 PM on June 5