7 water-based foundations for oily skin that have skincare benefits, too 1. Milk Makeup Blur Liquid Matte Foundation. This full-coverage foundation is made of hyaluronic acid and water as its 2. Stila Aqua Glow Serum Foundation. Just because you have oily skin, doesn't mean you can't achieve a Best Foundation For Dry, Sensitive Skin: No7 Lift & Luminate. Best Luxury Foundation For Dry Skin: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk. Best Drugstore Foundation For Dry Skin: L'Oreal Paris True Match Apply primer before your foundation. Regardless of which foundation you choose, applying a primer first can increase its wear time. If you have dry skin, Tanno recommends using a cream-based primer, whereas oiler skin type should opt for a mattifying formula. Apply a quarter-sized amount of foundation. For many foundations, a little goes a long Omega Water Cream. $11. Shop Now. For an effective water-based moisturizer at a very reasonable price point, look no further than The Inkey List's Omega Water Cream. This lightweight moisturizer is perfect for oily skin types looking for a little added hydration. Retinol exfoliates to keep pores clean and stimulates collagen and elastin production to help smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of scars over time.". Our best overall pick, the Oxygenetix Oxygenating Acne Control Foundation, is a fantastic choice with salicylic acid. $40 Shop Now Bobbi Brown's long-wear formula is perfect for those with oilier skin types. What makes it unique is the high-speed cold fusion process used to create the formula that makes it extra smooth and perfectly balanced. It contains oil-controlling actives and other skin-balancing ingredients that make it feel like a second skin. The primary categories of foundation, in that sense, are water-based, oil-based, and silicone-based. Each of these have different finishes and blend differently, working best on specific skin types. Best Water-Based Primer for Oily Skin Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying + Blurring Makeup Primer. $36 at Kohl's. $36 at Kohl's. Read more. 9. Best Primer for Oily Skin With SPF lio3tKX.