Makeup for oily skin: Best tips

Oily skin tends to be thicker and usually becomes shiny during the day, particularly in the T zone - forehead, nose and chin, which is why it is important to follow some set guidelines when applying makeup, and to choose very fluid or powder textures, preferably with a matte finish.

Tips when applying makeup to oily skin

1. Be sure to keep to your morning and night cleaning routine, whether or not you wear makeup. During the day the skin on our faces gets dirty from touching it with our hands and also from dirt in the environment. Keeping it as clean as possible is essential. Choose mild cleansers and sebum regulating cosmetics to control the oil your skin produces and to avoid blocked pores. Don’t forget to use moisturising cream because oily skins need it too, and if you don’t use it, this can cause the opposite effect.
2. We recommend using a makeup primer before starting with the rest of your products to conceal your pores, as they are usually much more visible in oily skin, and the primer also evens out your skin.
3. BB cream is a good choice providing that it doesn't contain oils and has a matte effect. Use a suitable sponge or brush to apply it to your face, so as to avoid touching your skin with your fingers and rubbing in dirt which will only produce more oil. If you prefer a thicker cover, choose an oil-free makeup foundation.
4. Always keep some matte effect powder in your makeup bag. This is ideal to keep any shine under control and to ensure the foundation stays on all day.  Use translucent loose powder to apply immediately after the makeup foundation to keep it in place and enhance it. Keep pressed powder in your bag, it covers and gives colour better, and you will be able to touch up your makeup during the day and keep the shine at bay.
5. Finish your makeup process using a fixing spray or thermal water. This will not only fix the foundation in place, but also the rest of your makeup. Spray it on from about 30 cm from your face once you have finished applying your makeup. This will keep it intact all day and avoid it cracking.

The best makeup products for oily skin

• Brushes and sponges: these will be your best allies. They avoid you rubbing your face when applying cosmetics. Rubbing your skin over stimulates your sebaceous glands, causing more oil to be produced. We advise using sponges, powder puffs or brushes during your cleaning routine and when you apply makeup or cream, gently dabbing them on. Apart from avoiding oil production, you also avoid dirt being transferred from your fingers to your face.
• Matte effect powder: keep it handy all the time. It combines translucent powder to fix makeup and a coloured matte finish which are ideal for touching up your make up and avoiding any unwanted shine. It is indispensable for oily skin makeup, and since it is compact and usually includes a sponge and mirror, it is easy to keep with you ready to use at any time.
• The best highlighters for oily skin are powders. Liquid highlighters have become popular in recent years, but with oily skin it is best to avoid highlighting the areas where oil tends to build up, such as your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin, with these products. In any event, if we want to achieve this light effect in a specific area on our face, we should use powder highlighters instead of creamy highlighters.
• Avoid astringent cosmetic products. A very common mistake that people with oily skin make is using astringent cosmetics containing alcohol, or directly applying alcohol to their skin, in the belief that it is beneficial because of its disinfecting and drying properties. With oily skin though, the opposite happens, since it enhances production of oil and also dries out our skin.