Quick answer: The best foundations for oily skin in Singapore are ones that don’t slide off by lunchtime. Estée Lauder’s Double Wear gives you all-day matte coverage that laughs at humidity. Fenty Beauty’s Eaze Drop is great for a lighter blur. Laura Mercier’s Silk Crème feels velvety on the skin, and IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream throws in skincare benefits, too. Each brand handles shine in its own way, so you have choices for full glam days and natural errands alike.
Looking more broadly? Best Makeup & Fragrance in Singapore gathers all 27 guides on this, so you can scan the field first.
We put this list together ourselves – nobody paid to be on it. If you run something that belongs here, tell us about it.
Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder sits pretty at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, and if you have oily skin, the Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10 is basically the foundation that refuses to budge.
The oil-free formula gives medium-to-full coverage with a natural matte finish and stretches up to 24 hours without getting cakey – a real trusty sidekick for our weather. It resists heat and humidity so you stay fresh-looking whether you’re dashing between air-con and the MRT or attending a wedding dinner al fresco.
This is the one for anyone who wants their base locked in from morning coffee to a late night out. You know lah, some days just call for that extra confidence.
Address: The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, B2-89/90, Singapore 018956
Phone: +65 6692 9042
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am–6pm; online 24/7
Price: Premium; check with the boutique
Website: esteelauder.com.sg
Also worth a look: Best The Top Aromatherapy Brands in Singapore — for the ones worth burning at home.
NARS
NARS on Orchard Road, tucked inside Takashimaya, does a Soft Matte Complete Foundation that truly lives up to its name.
It’s oxidation-resistant, oil-free, and delivers full coverage with a hydrated matte finish that stays put for 16 hours. The formula feels light, not like you are wearing a mask, and it handles sweat quietly while keeping shine at bay.
If you want that polished, no-shine look but still want your skin to feel like skin, this is a solid pick. The shade range is broad, so you can find a match without the sian patch-testing experience. And if you’re also on the hunt for a toner to prep your skin, our list of Toners for Oily Skin in Singapore might help complete your routine.
Address: 391 Orchard Road, #B1-53, Singapore 238873
Phone: +65 6235 1537
Hours: Daily 10am–9:30pm
Price: Premium; check in-store
Website: narscosmetics.com.sg
Laura Mercier
Laura Mercier’s counter at Ngee Ann City feels a little bit like a backstage pass to a photo shoot.
The Silk Crème Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation is pigment-rich and oil-free, giving you up to 12 hours of a velvety finish that smooths out uneven tone. It resists shine in humid settings and doesn’t settle into fine lines – a big plus when you’re under mall lighting all day.
This one suits you if you love a camera-ready face without heavy layers. The texture is creamy and buffs in easily, leaving behind a finish that looks, well, expensive.
Address: 391B Orchard Road, #09-07, Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238874
Phone: +65 6506 0460
Hours: Daily 10am–9:30pm
Price: Luxury range; inquire at counter
Website: lauramercier.com
Fenty Beauty
You can find Fenty Beauty at Sephora ION Orchard, and the Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint is a real find for oily skin that does not want heavy coverage.
It’s light-to-medium, with a soft-blur effect that minimises pores and keeps shine in check. The formula is sweat-resistant, so it holds up through Singapore’s warm days without sliding off your nose.
This is for the days when a full face feels too much, but you still want your skin to look even and fresh. The blurring effect is damn shiok – it makes you look put-together without looking made-up. We put this list together ourselves – nobody paid to be on it. If you run something that belongs here, tell us about it.
Address: Sephora ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Phone: +65 6509 4988
Hours: Typically 10am–10pm; check Sephora
Price: Mid-luxury; ask at Sephora
Website: fentybeauty.com
Make Up For Ever
Make Up For Ever in Takashimaya Shopping Centre carries the Matte Velvet Skin Compact, a powder foundation that does a solid job blurring pores and imperfections.
It’s water-resistant, gives medium-to-full coverage, and can last a full 24 hours – ideal if you’re heading from the gym to a dinner date and cannot be bothered to redo everything. The compact is fuss-free to carry around for quick touch-ups, though honestly, you probably won’t need many.
Anyone who likes a soft-focus finish and a no-fuss matte look will get along with this. The compact format is convenient for our fast-paced lifestyle; just dab on and go. While you’re building your oil-control kit, you might also want to browse our round-up of Kaolin Clay Brands in Singapore for Flawless Skin to keep excess sebum at bay.
Address: #B1-30A, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Road, Singapore 238872
Phone: +65 6570 3183
Hours: Daily 10am–9:30pm
Price: Professional-tier; check counter
Website: makeupforever.sg
Hourglass
Hourglass is largely an online affair for us in Singapore, but the Veil Fluid Makeup Oil Free is worth the order.
This foundation is oil-free and long-wearing, with a proprietary complex that nourishes the skin while quietly regulating sebum throughout the day. The finish stays luminous matte, never flat, and it does not clog pores – a plus if you are prone to breakouts.
Choose this if you lean towards clean beauty and want your foundation to double up as a skin-caring ally. The cruelty-free angle feels good, and the formula genuinely plays well with our climate, keeping you fresh without constant blotting.
Availability: Online via official site and select Sephora retailers
Email: [email protected]
Price: Luxury; verify on website
Website: hourglasscosmetics.com
IT Cosmetics
IT Cosmetics’ Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte SPF 40 is the one to grab at Sephora Marina Bay Sands if you want full coverage that still treats your skin.
It uses clays to absorb oil and includes niacinamide to calm things down, all while protecting with SPF. Lasts up to 16 hours, so even a long day at the office plus supper in Geylang won’t melt it off.
This is for the practical person who likes their makeup to work double duty. The oil-absorbing power is a godsend in our weather, and the added sun protection means one less step in the morning scramble. For something to soothe and hydrate under your foundation, our piece on Hyaluronic Acid Serums to Achieve Hydrated, Youthful Skin in Singapore pairs nicely. And if sun protection is top of mind, check out the Sunblocks for Face in Singapore guide for extra defence.
Address: Sephora Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972
Phone: +65 6509 4988
Hours: Typically 10am–10pm; verify with Sephora
Price: Mid-high; check at Sephora
Website: itcosmetics.com
How to choose
Picking a foundation for oily skin in Singapore really comes down to how much coverage you want and what kind of finish makes you feel most like yourself. Full-coverage, long-wear options like Estée Lauder Double Wear or IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream give you that unshakeable matte look that sails through humidity. For a lighter touch that still blurs and controls shine, Fenty Beauty’s skin tint or Hourglass Veil Fluid are great daily drivers.
Consider your day. If you’re running between meetings and dinner, a 16- to 24-hour formula buys you peace of mind. If your skin tends to feel suffocated by heavy layers, a powder compact like Make Up For Ever’s Matte Velvet Skin feels breathable and doubles as an easy touch-up tool. Most of these brands sit in the premium and luxury bracket, so expect to invest between S$60 and S$90 for a bottle, depending on the brand and where you buy. It is always worth swatching in-store to check the shade and finish before you commit, especially since Singapore’s lighting can play tricks. Oily skin also benefits from good prep – a mattifying primer and a light setting powder can extend the wear of any foundation you choose. And remember, even the best formula won’t outlast a full day of sweat if you skip the evening double cleanse.
Think about what your skin needs beyond oil control. If you want skincare benefits baked in, IT Cosmetics brings niacinamide and SPF 40. If you prefer a clean, cruelty-free formula, Hourglass is the way to go. NARS offers a broad shade range, which is helpful if you often struggle to find a good match. Laura Mercier’s photo-ready finish suits anyone who is on camera a lot or just wants that smooth, editorial look. For those who prefer a compact over a liquid, Make Up For Ever’s powder format is convenient and lasts as long as any liquid. And if you simply need the most budge-proof option for a long day, Estée Lauder’s Double Wear has earned its reputation for a reason.
Oil control isn’t just about the foundation itself. A gel-based moisturiser or a lightweight mattifying primer underneath can make a huge difference, especially on Singapore’s hottest afternoons. Blotting papers are a lifesaver if you’re out and about, but the right foundation will cut down the number of times you need them. Also, pay attention to the SPF in your foundation – IT Cosmetics’ CC+ Cream packs SPF 40, while Estée Lauder’s Double Wear includes SPF 10, so you can streamline your morning routine. Above all, don’t be afraid to ask for samples at the counter. Wear a shade for a full day in our climate before committing, because what looks right under air-conditioned mall lights might shift once you’re back on the MRT.
| Brand | Hero Product | Coverage & Finish | Wear Time | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estée Lauder | Double Wear Stay-in-Place | Medium–full, natural matte | Up to 24 hours | MBS boutique, online |
| NARS | Soft Matte Complete Foundation | Full, hydrated matte | 16 hours | Takashimaya boutique |
| Laura Mercier | Silk Crème Oil Free Photo Edition | Full, velvety | 12 hours | Ngee Ann City counter |
| Fenty Beauty | Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint | Light–medium, soft blur | Sweat-resistant | Sephora stores |
| Make Up For Ever | Matte Velvet Skin Compact | Medium–full, soft focus matte | 24 hours | Takashimaya counter |
| Hourglass | Veil Fluid Makeup Oil Free | Buildable, luminous matte | Long-wearing | Online, select Sephora |
| IT Cosmetics | CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte SPF 40 | Full, matte with skincare | 16 hours | Sephora MBS, other outlets |
Summary
The top foundations for oily skin in Singapore bring together serious staying power and smart oil control so you look fresh all day. Estée Lauder remains a die-die-must-try for full matte coverage, while Fenty and Hourglass give you lighter, blurring alternatives. Whichever you choose, a good shade match and a solid skincare base make all the difference in this humid little city we call home.
Details can change. Please confirm prices, hours and availability directly with each brand or retailer.
We put this list together ourselves – nobody paid to be on it. If you run something that belongs here, tell us about it.
Frequently asked questions
Which foundation is best for very oily skin in Singapore’s humidity?
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place is a strong choice for very oily skin because it is oil-free, gives a natural matte finish, and lasts up to 24 hours without sliding off. IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte also absorbs excess oil with clays and includes SPF 40.
Are there lightweight foundation options for oily skin that still control shine?
Yes. Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint offers light-to-medium coverage with a blurring effect that minimises pores and controls shine, without feeling heavy. Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup Oil Free is another lightweight option with a luminous matte finish.
Do any of these foundations have skincare benefits?
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream includes niacinamide and sunscreen while absorbing oil. Hourglass foundations use a proprietary complex that nourishes and regulates sebum without clogging pores. These do double duty for skin that needs both coverage and care.
Can I get a powder foundation for oily skin instead of liquid?
Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Compact is a water-resistant powder foundation with medium-to-full coverage that blurs pores and lasts 24 hours. It is convenient for touch-ups and works well in humid conditions.
Where can I try these foundations in person in Singapore?
Most brands have counters or boutiques in Orchard Road malls. Estée Lauder at Marina Bay Sands, NARS and Make Up For Ever in Takashimaya, Laura Mercier at Ngee Ann City, and Fenty Beauty and IT Cosmetics are available at Sephora stores like ION Orchard and Marina Bay Sands.
How much should I expect to spend on a premium foundation for oily skin?
Prices generally fall in the S$60 to S$90 range, depending on the brand and where you buy. It’s best to check directly with the boutique or online store for the latest pricing and promotions.
