The Sweat-Proof Makeup Products That Made Me Forget I Have Oily Skin

• Absorbs oil and sweat

• Not ideal for dry skin

Securing your glam starts from the very beginning. To ensure your makeup lasts through every sweat bead, the One Size Secure The Sweat Waterproof Mattifying Primer provides up to 12 hours of oil resistance, visible shine control, and mattifying power. Ingredients like bamboo marrow powder and sage extract absorb excess sweat and oil, while squalene prevents your skin from drying out underneath.

Shades: 1

Sephora rating: 3.2/5

An ELLE editor says: “I put this primer to the test during Coachella, and I was blown away by the results. After a (very) long day of dancing in the over 100-degree desert sun, my full-glam look stayed perfectly in place. I’ll admit that it did feel a little harsh on my dry, sensitive skin upon first application, but my makeup didn’t melt off immediately as it did the day prior—and that’s all I could really ask for.”—Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty e-commerce writer

• Non-comedogenic
• Budget-friendly

• Can make a bit base patchy

If a mattifying primer isn’t your cup of tea, then a hydrating gripping primer may be your perfect match. Briceno loves the E.l.f Power Grip Primer because it’s “affordable and amazing at locking makeup down.” The gel-based product leaves a dewy, tacky finish on the skin that “grips foundation like glue,” Briceno adds.

Shades: 1

Amazon rating: 4.6/5

An ELLE editor says: “The E.l.f Power Grip Primer has been a staple in my makeup kit for years now. I love how lightweight the gel formula feels on my skin, and appreciate the dewy sheen it provides. The finish is seriously sticky, so my makeup never slips and slides no matter how hot it is outside.”—Emma Aerin Becker

• Lightweight

• Shade range could be better

Milk Makeup recently took the iconic gripping power of its Hydro Grip primer and turned it into an equally grippy skin tint. The Hydro Grip 12-Hour Hydrating Gel Skin Tint boasts a unique gel formula that clings to your skin for all-day wear without clogging your pores. With light-to-medium coverage, the dewy base is super buildable, lightweight, and hydrating, thanks to its hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and squalane formulation.

Shades: 15

Amazon rating: 4.3/5

An ELLE editor says: “My love for this skin tint took me by surprise. It’s the perfect amount grip without feeling sticky, and provides a stunning hydrated glow that screams ‘second skin.’ I wore the product all day and wasn’t left with any terrible creasing, nor did it settle into fine lines. I’m also a sucker for a skincare-infused formula.”—Emma Aerin Becker

• Waterproof formula

• Not ideal for dry skin

Urban Decay changed the waterproof makeup game when it released its Face Bond Self-Setting Waterproof Foundation. The lightweight, serum-like formula dries to a medium coverage, matte finish that pairs well with other formulas.

Shades: 40

Sephora rating: 4.4/5

A Sephora reviewer says: “This product is going to be hard to beat! I wore it for 12 hours without setting spray, with the final hours including a trip to the gym and it still looks amazing. No separation, no clinging to dry patches, and I don’t look too shiny. The only touch up I’ve done is a bit of loose setting powder before the gym, and the foundation still looks skin-like and amazing. It’s a nice medium coverage (I don’t mind my dark marks peeking through a bit) and has a natural finish. The only places it wore away some was around the hairline where I had my scarf (that’s to be expected with any product) and the slightest bit of creasing in the smile line. Definitely would buy again!”

• Oil-Absorbing

• Not great for mature skin

A weightless, high-coverage concealer that doesn’t budge despite the heat? Yes, please. The Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer melts into the skin, blurs texture, conceals imperfections, and provides powerful oil control for up to 24 hours. It even utilizes unique InvisiFlex Technology, which allows the product to move with facial expressions throughout the day.

Shades: 30

Sephora rating: 4.8/5

An ELLE editor says: “The Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer has become my go-to for spot concealing any pesky pimples that pop up on my face, especially in the summertime. It’s super high coverage, yet still lightweight and breathable. I can always count on it to stay perfectly in place all day long.”—Emma Aerin Becker

• Transfer-resistant

• Light coverage

Briceno calls the Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer “iconic for a reason.” The powder formula provides a gorgeous natural warmth that’s easy to blend and transfer-resistant. “This bronzer lasts all day, even in hot weather,” Briceno says.

Shades: 6

Bloomingdale’s rating: 4.9/5

A Bloomingdale’s reviewer says: “I have been using this bronzer since 1985 I think if not sooner. I love the color and gentle shimmer it gives when applied. It’s worth every penny and I like that it doesn’t run out fast like other brands. It’s my favorite for life!”

• Blurring

• Very pigmented

I’ve always heard that blush is the first makeup product to fade. YSL has solved this dilemma with its Make Me Blush powder blush. The velvety smooth pressed powder provides a blurred, satin finish that’s lightweight and waterproof, allowing for 24 hours of perfectly flushed cheeks.

Shades: 11

Nordstrom rating: 4.9/5

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “This is worth every penny! Very pigmented so you don’t need much and it lasts forever! The color is amazing! I’m ordering more colors!”

• No flashback

• Shades

The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is a cult-favorite for a reason. The lightweight, sheer pigment powder sets makeup in place for up to 16 hours of wear and 24 hours of shine control. It melts into the skin for a blurred matte finish that’s never cakey.

Shades: 4

Sephora rating: 4.5/5

A Sephora reviewer says: “I’ve been using the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder and now I totally get the hype. It’s honestly a game changer. It sets my makeup without feeling heavy or looking cakey, and I love how it keeps shine under control all day. My skin looks smooth, my foundation stays put, and there’s no flashback in photos, just a flawless finish every time.”

• Micro-precision tip

• Runs out quickly

When it comes to budge-proof brows, Make Up For Ever has you covered. “Even in the sweatiest situations, the pigment lasts all day,” says Briceno. With a micro-precision tip, dual-ended spoolie, and 24 hours of waterproof, transfer-proof wear, there’s not much this brow pencil doesn’t do.

Shades: 6

Sephora rating: 4.4/5

A Sephora reviewer says: “The quality of the pencil itself is fantastic—the size of the tip is perfect for fine detail, the color is great, it blends well and really stays on ALL day!”

• Pro-approved

• Dries down fast

It can be extra tricky to find sweat-proof eyeshadow, especially when you have oily eyelids like mine. For shadow that doesn’t slip and slide, Briceno recommends the MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot. “It’s a cream shadow that does not crease. It’s great for sweaty lids,” he says. His go-to shade of the water-resistant product is Groundwork, but there are tons of hues to choose from.

Shades: 16

Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “It is probably the best one I have ever used. The long-wearing, highly pigmented eye color goes on creamy and dries to an intense, vibrant, pearlized finish. Seamlessly covers without weight or caking and blends smoothly over the lids.”

• Buildable

• Drying on lips

As of late, it seems lip and cheek stains have become the most sought-after way to add a lightweight flush to your face. The Benefit Cosmetics Benetint has been my go-to for about a year now and Briceno loves it just as much as I do. “It gives a sheer flush that lasts through sweat and humidity—plus it’s multi-purpose,” he adds.

Shades: 8

Sephora rating: 4.2/5

An ELLE editor says: “If there’s one product I can’t go a day without, it’s this one. On my no-makeup-makeup days, I’ll swipe some across my lips and cheeks for a slight flush of color—just enough to give my face some life. For a full beat, I love to overline and fill in my lips with the tint before applying my lip products on top. This ensures my light pink lip lasts all night long without any touch-ups necessary.”—Emma Aerin Becker

• Glides on smoothly

• Tip breaks easily

Nothing is worse than spending what feels like forever perfecting an extra-sharp wing, just for it to smudge down your face a minute later. Chanel created the Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner—a precise pencil resistant to water, humidity, and oil. “It glides on smoothly, stays sharp, and doesn’t budge—even if you’re sweating,” says Briceno.

Shades: 18

Nordstrom rating: 4.4/5

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “These eyeliners are simply the best. They apply on so smoothly and the colors are perfect. My favorite is Espresso and I’ve been using it for years. Recently I started to branch out and try other colors. I’ve purchased other brands every now and then, but really, there’s no point. They’re either cheaper and the quality not as good, or more expensive and the quality is the same as Chanel. So no thank you, I’ll just stay with my perfect Chanel eyeliners.”

• Breathable finish

• Nozzle gets clogged

The One Size On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray is perhaps the most viral sweat-proof product for creating a strong barrier against sweat and humidity. The dermatologist-tested formula doesn’t clog pores, while the ultra-light, mattifying polymer film locks in makeup for fully waterproof wear up to 16 hours.

Shades: 1

Amazon rating: 4.5/5

An ELLE editor says: “I’m scared to know how many bottles of the One Size On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray I’ve run through. The unique mattifying formula seals my makeup in place without creating a cakey film or drying out my skin. With a quick spritz, my glam is sure to last through any heat without budging or smudging.”—Emma Aerin Becker

• Affordable
• Hydrating

• Not a fine mist

Sometimes you can find the key to sweat-proof makeup sitting in the aisles of your local drugstore. The Milani Make It Last Setting Spray and Primer is an amazing and affordable product that doubles as a primer and setting spray. Just take it from Briceno, who calls it “a budget-friendly spray that sets your makeup for up to 16 hours and helps prevent sweat and oil from breaking through.”

Shades: 1

Amazon rating: 4.4/5

An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve tested this spray during long days, and I was surprised at how well it keeps makeup in place without feeling sticky or overly shiny. The product quality is quite good. The formula with niacinamide provides an extra boost of hydration that feels refreshing on the skin from the first use. It’s 3-in-1 functionality (prime, set, and hydrate) really works, especially if you’re looking to simplify your makeup routine without compromising results.”

When it comes to selecting sweat-proof products, you’ll of course want to look for waterproof and long-wear claims. But a general rule of thumb is that matte finishes tend to hold up better than dewy finishes, because “dewy formulas often break down in the presence of moisture,” according to Briceno. On a similar note, powders usually stay on longer than creams in sweaty environments. “Especially in humid conditions, powder products (such as blushes, bronzers, and shadows) help absorb moisture.” Additionally, water-based products are better suited for hot weather than oil-based ones. Briceno notes that this rule is especially useful for primers, foundations, and concealers.

According to Briceno, it’s important to know what formulas work for your skin. He suggests looking for:

• Lightweight textures that don’t feel heavy or greasy.
• Non-comedogenic formulas that won’t clog pores when sweating.
• Breathable, flexible finish that moves with the skin.
• Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or aloe, so your skin doesn’t feel parched.
• Layering potential: Buildable products that allow you to touch up without looking cakey.
• Transfer-resistant and smudge-proof labels.

Christian Briceno is a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City.

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Emma Aerin Becker consulted a celebrity makeup artist to learn about the best sweat-proof makeup products. She also tested them out, read through countless customer reviews, and evaluated each product based on its unique features.