Keep Your Makeup Fresh & Shine-Free With These 13 Mattifying Primers

Your makeup is supposed to keep up with you through the rest of your day. However, oily-skinned gals, especially in humid Singapore, often struggle to keep their makeup looking fresh even just for hours because of inevitable sweat and grease buildup. The solution? A mattifying makeup primer that will deal with all the oily skin boons.

What’s the best primer for oily skin?

Just like most makeup products, makeup primers are now available in many formulas, textures, and finishes. Some makeup primers come in mist or liquid form, some in cream or balm, or even in silicone (which dermatologists and experts have varying opinions on, but it’s a discussion for another time).

There are also primers that tend to be tackier than others; these help base products like foundation and concealer adhere to the skin more. We also have those that serve more as toners or illuminators that complement the base products’ formula but not necessarily help with adherence or longevity. It’s really all up to preference.

But when it comes to oily skin, what matters is the primer’s ability to mattify and control excess oil without necessarily blocking your skin’s natural ability to moisturise itself. The product should also be non-comodegenic (a.k.a. doesn’t clog pores).

Check out these 13 makeup primers for oily skin you can easily snag in Singapore.

1. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer. (sephora.sg)

Don’t let this primer’s light and cushiony texture fool you. Its heavy-duty formula powered by blue agave extract and blurring powders smoothens and preps the skin for longwear makeup while keeping it shine-free. You won’t need major blotting for the rest of the day.

Another reason to love it: This primer gives the skin a soft-focus appearance that evens out texture and a nice tone-up.

Get it at Sephora for SGD32 per 15ML and SGD57 per 32ML.

2. Rimmel Stay Matte Primer

Rimmel Stay Matte Primer. (watsons.sg)

This primer minimises the appearance of pores and claims to deal with shine for up to eight hours. It’s also ultra-lightweight and fragrance-free. Plus, it doesn’t pill even if you apply it in layers and you can wear it over makeup.

Another reason to love it: This product also has hydrating properties that keep the skin feeling moisturised and looking plump.

Get it at Watsons for SGD23.90 per 30ML.

3. Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer

Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer. (sephora.sg)

This Benefit product has been raved about by beauty enthusiasts on the internet since the early 2010s and for very good reason. It blurs out texture, it keeps you looking shine-free all day, and it also extends makeup longevity.

Another reason to get it: This primer has vitamin E derivatives that ensure your skin is protected from damage, is moisturised, and remains soft even underneath all the makeup.

Get it at Sephora for SGD96 per 44ML.

4. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. (sephora.sg)

This primer has a silky, lotion-like texture that melts effortlessly onto the skin. It has the right amount of tackiness that helps your foundation apply more beautifully onto the skin. It also gives the skin a fresh matte finish.

Another reason to get it: This primer has Broad Spectrum 15 which gives your skin sun protection.

Get it at Sephora for SGD96 per 30ML.

5. Smashbox Photo Finish Control Mattifying Primer

Smashbox Photo Finish Control Mattifying Primer. (sephora.sg)

You’re always photo-ready with this in your makeup routine. Not only does this makeup primer get rid of any unwanted shine and blur out visible pores, but it also creates a barrier against environmental aggressors through its silkscreen complex and zinc formula.

Another reason to get it: This product also contains witch hazel and salicylic acid that help prevent acne and other skin issues often caused by pollution.

Get it at Sephora for SGD67 per 30ML.

6. Banila Co. Prime Primer Classic

Banila Co. Prime Primer Classic. (watsons.sg)

This primer leaves your skin matte while still retaining a natural skin-like glow for a radiant-looking complexion. It also helps minimise the appearance of pores and fine lines, leaving you with a smooth canvas for whatever makeup look you have in mind.

Another reason to get it: The primer is also formulated to help create a protective barrier over the skin and keep harmful elements from penetrating the pores.

Get it at Watsons for SGD39.90 per 30ML.

7. Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Matte Face Primer Partners In Prime

Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Face Primer Matte. (watsons.sg)

This product uses white sapphire to give your skin a fresh but oil-free look. This primer also helps improve base makeup longevity. Plus, it also evens out your textures without the need for too much layering, leaving you with a smooth canvas.

Another reason to love it: This makeup primer also has colour-correcting properties that help even out and correct discolouration.

Get it at Watsons for SGD12.90 per 25ML.

8. Make Up For Ever Shine Control Step 1 Face Primer

Make Up For Ever Shine Control Step 1 Face Primer. (sephora.sg)

The product has a velvet matte finish that gives the skin just the right amount of radiance while still keeping it grease-free for up to 20 hours.

Another reason to love it: This makeup primer also contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that help reduce dark spots and improve skin texture in the long run.

Get it at Sephora for SGD62 per 30ML.

9. Revlon PhotoReady Prime Plus Mattifying + Pore Reducing Primer

Revlon PhotoReady Prime Plus Mattifying + Pore Reducing Primer. (watsons.sg)

This hybrid makeup-skincare product is “spiked with spherical beads” that give the skin a soft-focus finish. It also has artichoke extract that helps reduce the appearance of pores in the long run.

Another reason to love it: The product is also infused with salicylic acid that helps refine skin texture with continued use.

Get it at Watsons for SGD34.20 per 60G.

10. Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer. (sephora.sg)

This water-based primer is lightweight, breathable, and hydrating. It’s infused with microalgae and blurring powders that deliver an improved skin appearance.

Another reason to love it: It also contains antioxidants that soothe and prevent signs of inflammation and irritation.

Get it at Sephora for SGD70 per 50ML.

11. KVD Beauty Lock-It Vegan Pore-Refining Primer

KVD Beauty Lock-It Vegan Pore-Refining Primer. (sephora.sg)

Are visible pores bringing down your makeup game? This radiant-finish primer from KVD Beauty's bestselling Lock-It range promises to minimise the look of pores instantly and over time. Plus, it won't clog your pores or leave a white cast.

Another reason to love it: It's a fragrance-free formula that also provides cooling hydration.

It's priced at SGD54 per 30ML at Sephora.

12. Gucci Beauty Sérum De Beauté Fluide Matifiant Mattifying Primer

Gucci Beauty Sérum De Beauté Fluide Matifiant Mattifying Primer. (sephora.sg)

Have the budget to splurge? This Gucci Beauty primer promises to leave your skin shine-free, matte, and even-toned. Its gel serum formula is infused with a seboregulator complex made of Moambe Jaune Tree extract, salicylic acid, and bamboo powders that help control oil, blur pores, and lengthen the wear of your makeup.

Another reason to love it: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and antioxidant-rich Rose Centifolia distillate round out the primer's list of skin-caring ingredients.

Get it at Sephora for SGD105 per 30ML.

13. Peter Thomas Roth Skin To Die For™ Primer

Peter Thomas Roth Skin To Die For™ Primer. (sephora.sg)

This mattifying primer is powered by a mattifying complex that absorbs excess sebum. It's also enriched with Disa-Pore 20 and Evermat™ which help to reduce the appearance of visible pores, both in size and shape, over time.

Another reason to love it: It has a subtle tint that's made to blend with your skin tone and underneath makeup.

Get it at Sephora for SGD51 per 30ML.