Best vegan primers for oily skin: Top picks to keep shine in check all day
The best primers for oily skin do more than keep shine at bay. They blur pores, extend makeup wear and create a smooth, matte base that lasts from morning to night.
Discover our vegan favourites that keep your skin looking fresh and shine-free without the constant touch-ups.
Top 5 vegan primers for oily skin
e.l.f. Matte Putty Primer
Created for oily and acne-prone skin, the Matte Putty Primer is perfect if you want to control excess oil and create a shine-free base.
Infused with kaolin and white charcoal, this oil-free primer blurs pores and imperfections, leaving your skin super smooth and ready for foundation.
If you’re not keen on applying makeup with your fingers, you can apply it with the Putty Primer Applicator.
RRP: £11 - Find it on elf
Fenty Beauty Grip Trip Mattifying + Blurring Primer
This is one of those multitaskers that does the hard work for you. The pink-and-white swirl isn’t just pretty, it’s powered by a bi-phase formula that grips makeup for up to 12 hours while keeping shine firmly under control.
Maple sap extract locks your look in place, chia seed extract mattifies without drying and the lightweight, silicone-free texture smooths on effortlessly to create a soft-focus, blurred base.
Sweat, humidity and midday oil slicks don’t stand a chance, which makes this the kind of primer you’ll reach for every single day.
RRP: £29 - Find it on Fenty or Cult Beauty
bareMinerals Prime Time Original Pore-Minimizing
BareMinerals has a knack for creating products that straddle the line between makeup and skincare, and this primer is proof.
With its velvety gel texture, it smooths over skin to instantly blur pores and keep shine under wraps, while over time it works to refine texture and calm congestion.
Makeup sits beautifully on top, staying matte for up to 12 hours, and excess oil is kept in check for a full 24. It’s the kind of base that not only preps your skin but also improves it - a true multitasker for anyone battling shine or clogged pores.
RRP: £32 - Find it on Cult Beauty
ONESIZE Oil Sucker Extreme Mattifying Alkaline Primer
If shine tends to take over your day, this primer means business. Clinically proven to deliver extreme oil control, it keeps makeup in place for up to 12 hours while visibly tightening pores for a smoother finish.
The secret lies in its clever blend: an alkaline pH that absorbs excess oil, a 15% mineral silicate complex to refine the look of pores and micro hyaluronic acid to stop skin from feeling stripped.
The result? All-day matte that feels balanced, comfortable and completely under control.
RRP: £34 - Find it on Sephora
Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer
If your T-zone tends to steal the spotlight, this primer might just be your new favourite sidekick. Milk Makeup’s Pore Eclipse is designed to smooth, mattify and hold your makeup in place all day, all while treating your skin to a clever cocktail of ingredients.
Niacinamide steps in to minimise pores, lentil extract keeps excess shine under control and bakuchiol helps your skin stay even and smooth.
Add in the calming touch of moonstone and you’ve got a primer that feels more like skincare, but with the staying power to keep your base looking fresh from morning to night.
RRP: £35 - Find it on Cult Beauty or Space NK
Latest makeup posts:
This post contains some affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through this blog, however it doesn’t change the price of the item for you. Thank you for your support :)