When selecting highlighters for oily skin in 2026, it’s important to prioritize formulas that provide a luminous finish without promoting excess shine or causing breakouts. Consider options like powders with finely milled textures, sticks that offer lightweight application, and those with oil-absorbing ingredients. Each product should enhance your natural glow while maintaining matte control throughout the day. Understanding your specific skin needs can help you find the best highlighter, but the choices available now offer reliable solutions worth exploring further.
Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighter Powder, Pink Rose Gold
- Velvety-smooth highlighting powder
- Enhances skin with a naturally luminous glow
- Infused with shimmering pearl pigments
If you want a highlighter that makes your skin glow naturally without too much shine or oil, the Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder in Pink Rose Gold is a great pick. This highlighter has a soft, smooth feel and lots of color. It’s easy to put on and blend out, so you get just the right glow. It has tiny shimmer particles that add a subtle shine to your cheekbones, brow bones, and Cupid’s bow. The finish is shiny and bright, making your skin look healthy and radiant. It works well for all skin types, even oily skin. People keep loving this product because it does a good job and looks nice on the skin.
Best for: anyone who wants a light, glowing look. It gives a subtle shimmer and works on all skin types, including oily skin.
Pros:
- Soft and smooth texture that’s easy to use
- Brightens with shimmering tiny pearls
- Looks good on cheekbones, brow bones, and lips
Cons:
- You might need to blend it well so it doesn’t look too much
- It can be subtle on darker skin tones; you may need to build it up
- The packaging isn’t very sturdy for travel
This highlighter is simple to use and gives a natural, pretty glow. It’s perfect if you want a quick way to make your skin look lively and fresh.
LOreal True Match Lumi Le Glass Highlighter Stick
- Lumi Highlighter Makeup Stick: Discover Lumi Le Glass Sticks, a viral reflective glassy finish highlighter stick that delivers instant multi-dimensional glow in...
- Perfect Finishing Touch: Easy-to-apply on-the-go makeup highlighter stick format. Easily buildable and layers well over make up. Lightweight texture melts into...
- Face & Body Makeup: Apply on your cheek, brow bone, forehead, neck or collar bone. Lumi Le Glass Sticks are available in 3 glassy shades for a translucent,...
The LOreal True Match Lumi Le Glass Highlighter Stick is a good choice for people with oily skin. It gives a shiny, glass-like glow without making your skin look oily or greasy. Its shades are see-through and shiny. You can get a bright, shiny look with just one swipe. It gives a natural, glowing finish that looks fresh.
The highlighter’s smooth texture melts into your skin. It feels light and comfortable to wear all day. The formula is lightweight, so it won’t feel heavy on your skin. It’s easy to put on. You can apply it over makeup or on different areas like your cheeks, brow bones, or collarbones. It helps make your face look bright and lively.
This highlighter works well for many makeup styles. It blends easily with other products, so you can create different looks with it.
Best For: People with oily skin who want a natural, shiny glow without extra oil or shine.
Pros:
- Gives a shiny, multi-layered glow with just one swipe
- Feels light and comfortable on your skin
- Can be used on cheeks, brow bones, or collarbones
Cons:
- You might need to add more layers for a very strong highlight
- Few shades are made especially for oily skin
- It can look subtle on very deep skin tones, so you may need to layer it up
This highlighter is simple to use and can give your skin a nice, glowing look without feeling greasy or heavy.
Milani Baked Contour & Highlighter Powder, Made in Italy
- BAKED HIGHLIGHTER: That glow though! Baked on Italian terracotta tiles, Milani’s NEW Baked highlighter takes pigment intensity & illumination seriously next...
- CRUELTY-FREE BEAUTY: This product – and every other Milani product – is never tested on animals. We don’t allow others to test on our behalf, either. Our...
- TIPS & TRICKS: Using a highlighter brush gently sweep highlighter onto the highpoints of the face: bridge of nose, cheek bones, brow bone, cupids bow –...
Milani Baked Contour & Highlighter Powder, made in Italy, is a good pick for people with oily skin who want a shiny, glowing look without too much shine. It has tiny, multi-colored powders that give off a bright, natural glow. You can add more layers to make the glow stronger. The soft, oil-free formula helps prevent pimples and works well for sensitive or acne-prone skin. It’s easy to use with a brush to highlight areas like the cheekbones and brow bones. Plus, it’s cruelty-free and made in Italy, which means it’s built with care for animals and quality in mind. This highlighter works for many different looks and skin types.
Best For: People with oily or acne-prone skin who want a natural, buildable glow without extra shine.
Pros:
- Tiny, multi-colored powders that give a bright, radiant look
- Oil-free and free of parabens, reducing the chance of breakouts
- Cruelty-free and made in Italy, showing good quality and ethics
Cons:
- You might need to layer it for a very bright or bold look
- The powder can be a little messy, so be careful when applying
- Not many shades available, so it may not match all skin tones or preferences
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Highlighter for Oily Skin
When selecting a highlighter for oily skin, it’s important to evaluate whether a matte or dewy finish best suits your needs, as each provides a different look and oil management. Additionally, look for formulas that offer oil absorption capabilities, long-lasting wear, and contain shine control ingredients to help minimize excess oil throughout the day. The particle size of the highlighter also matters—finer particles create a more natural glow and reduce the risk of emphasizing skin texture.
Matte vs. Dewy Finish
Choosing between matte and dewy highlighters for oily skin depends on how you want your skin to look and feel. Matte highlighters are good if you want to control shine. They create a smooth, shine-free look. They also help your makeup last longer and reduce midday grease.
Dewy highlighters give your skin a bright, glowing look. They can make your natural skin shine and look fresh. But if you have oily skin, they might make your face look shinier or greasy later in the day. Dewy highlighters often contain small reflective particles that catch the light and make your skin look luminous.
Think about how much oil your skin has. If you want to keep shine away and have a matte finish, choose a matte highlighter. If you like a shiny, glowing look and don’t mind some extra shine, try a dewy highlighter. Balancing your choice with your skin type helps your skin look its best all day.
Oil Absorption Capabilities
Highlighters for oily skin should focus on absorbing oil. This helps reduce shine and keeps your skin looking fresh all day. Matte or semi-matte finishes usually control oil better than shimmer or glow types. Powder highlighters are good at soaking up excess oil. Cream or liquid highlighters don’t work as well for oil control.
Look for ingredients like silica, talc, and kaolin clay. These help absorb oil and stop reflections that make skin look extra shiny. Products with oil-controlling ingredients also help keep your makeup in place longer.
Choose a lightweight highlighter that fits your skin. A formula that lasts long and feels light prevents oily buildup. This helps your skin stay matte and fresh throughout the day.
Long-Lasting Formulas
Long-lasting highlighters are great for oily skin. They stay on your skin all day and keep shine away. These highlighters usually have ingredients that absorb oil. They also have matte or pore-refining elements. This helps the highlighter stay put and look good longer. Powder highlighters tend to last better on oily skin than creams or liquids. Cream or liquid types might need setting sprays or powders to stay in place. Using a primer or setting spray made for oily skin can help the highlighter last even longer. Pick highlighters with tiny, smooth particles. These give a matte finish that won’t fade quickly. They keep your glow shiny and fresh all day. Choosing high-quality, long-lasting formulas makes your skin look radiant without needing many touch-ups or extra shine controls.
Fine Particle Size
The size of particles in a highlighter matters a lot. Smaller particles make the product go on smoothly. They blend easily and help hide pores and bumps. This makes your skin look even and natural. Using micro-fine particles gives a soft, glowing look. It looks like healthy, radiant skin. If the particles are bigger, they tend to sit on the skin. This can leave an oily or shiny look. Big particles can also make the highlighter look cakey or draw attention to oil spots. Highlighters with tiny particles are better for oily skin. They spread light evenly and create a smooth, polished shine. This helps control excess oil and shine, giving a more natural and balanced glow.
Shine Control Ingredients
When choosing a highlighter for oily skin, look at what’s inside. Some ingredients help control extra oil and shine. For example, kaolin clay and silica can soak up oil and keep your skin from looking greasy. Matte or oil-free highlighters often have powders or pigments that reflect less light. This helps your skin look less shiny and keeps the glow natürlich.
Highlighters with talc or dimethicone help create a matte look. They can also make your highlighter last longer. Look for highlighters with oil-controlling ingredients, like certain complexes or agents that stop too much oil from coming out.
Stay away from highlighters that have added oils or emollients. These can make your skin look shinier, which can be a problem if you have oily skin.
Choose the right highlighter with ingredients that help keep your skin matte and shine-free. This way, your glow will look smooth and fresh all day long.
Versatility and Ease
When picking a highlighter for oily skin, think about how easy it is to use and if it works well with different looks. A good highlighter should match many skin tones and fit many styles, from a soft glow to a shiny, bold look. This helps you use it for many occasions.
Easy-to-use highlighters blend smoothly. You can add more glow as you like, without harsh lines or uneven spots. Powder highlighters are usually best for oily skin. They help control extra oil and make your skin look less shiny. They also give a natural, soft shine. Cream or stick highlighters should be light and not oily. They should not clog pores or add too much oil.
Look for highlighters that let you control how much shimmer you get. This keeps your skin from looking too greasy. At the same time, it gives you the bright, glowing look you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can High-End Highlighters Perform Better on Oily Skin?
Yes, high-end highlighters often perform better on oily skin because they typically have better formulations that resist excess shine and last longer. You’ll notice a smoother application and a more luminous finish that stays put.
Are Cream or Powder Highlighters Better for Oily Skin?
You should choose powder highlighters for oily skin because they set better, absorb excess oil, and provide a matte finish. Cream highlighters tend to slide more, making them less ideal for oily skin types.
How Often Should I Apply Highlighter to Avoid Oil Buildup?
You should apply highlighter sparingly, about 2-3 times a week, to prevent oil buildup. Use a light hand, and consider blotting excess oil beforehand, ensuring your skin stays radiant without becoming greasy.
Do Drugstore Highlighters Have Long-Lasting Effects on Oily Skin?
Drugstore highlighters can last long on oily skin if you choose matte or finely milled formulas and set your makeup with a good setting spray. Proper application and primer also enhance their staying power throughout the day.
What Ingredients Should I Avoid in Highlighters for Oily Skin?
You should avoid highlighters with alcohol, heavy oils, and synthetic fragrances, as these can worsen oiliness and cause breakouts. Opt for oil-free, non-comedogenic formulas with lightweight, mattifying ingredients to keep your skin fresh and shine-free.
Last update on 2026-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API