10 Best Powders for Dry Skin

If you struggle with dry patches, you’re probably constantly on a quest for dewy, healthy-looking skin.

And while the majority of powder makeup formulas are made with oily skin in mind— that’s not to say that dry skin doesn't need a little dusting down every now and again.

Though the purpose of powder is often to mattifying the skin, the best face powder for dry skin will help leave your complexion looking smooth and hydrated.

To pick a powder for dry skin you need to find a formula that adds moisture rather than drawing moisture away.

Whether you’re looking for the best under eye setting powder or a loose setting powder with no camera flashback, we’ve scoped out the best solutions and listed the best powders for dry skin below

What is the best setting powder for dry skin?

A good setting powder for dry skin is often a loose formula in a light or translucent finish. Layered over a hydrating primer and a slew of nourishing face products, the best translucent powder for dry skin locks your look in place without draining your complexion of goodness.

A great option for dry skin is a cream to powder base. The best cream to powder foundation for dry skin will usually be a buildable formula that’s made without oil. A good cream to powder mix feels weightless and comfortable on dry skin.

From the best setting powder for dry skin to the best Korean loose powder for dry skin, we’ve got the powder options that will help even out your look.

If you’re on the hunt for the best pressed powder for dry skin, you might want to give M.A.C Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish Natural a whirl. Made with Vitamin E to nourish and protect the skin, this powder for dry skin helps you maintain a natural look. If you’re worried about powder making your dry skin look a little bit ashy, this formula includes pearlised pigments to add dimension and stop the skin from falling flat.

A great pressed powder foundation for dry skin, Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation offers medium-to-full coverage. Build the formula up with a sponge for a more polished look. Or dust it on with a powder brush for a sheer effect. This smoothing powder foundation for dry skin glides on evenly to leave you feeling more confident about your skin. Sulphate-free and super-wearable, this poiwder for dry skin brings out the best in your natural skin rather than covering it up and clinging to dry spots.

Suitable for all skin types, Maybelline Master Fix Setting + Perfecting Loose Powder won’t suck moisture from your skin or leave you looking dusty and ashy. A great option for your ‘five-minute face’ days, this setting powder for dry skin leaves your skin looking naturally healthy and even. Crafted to feel weightless on the skin, it won’t sink into your pores or little fine lines. Sweep it all over your face or apply it just to the areas of your complexion that need it the most.

If you’ve been tempted to try a translucent powder for your dry skin but don't know where to start, you could give innisfree Matte Mineral Setting Powder a go. Easy to use and quick to deliver a natural look, this powder includes a puff for setting your look and mattifying on the go. Running low on dry shampoo? This innovative little product absorbs excess oil from your roots and bangs; simply dust on and massage with your fingers. By nourishing your skin, this silky loose powder enhances your complexion rather than masking it.

If you have dry skin and love full-coverage foundation but not liquid makeup, Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Foundation Stick could be a great solution for you. Free from parabens and sulphates, this non-irritating formula lets you keep the coverage sheer if you prefer a lighter look. Completely weightless and comfortable to wear, this long-lasting stick foundation offers a natural matte finish and suits all skin types. Dot the tube across your face and blend with a sponge or a flat brush. Or dab it directly on problem areas as an on-the-spot quick fix. Apply sparingly to keep your dry skin looking dewy.

Photoshop-perfect skin is for ads and magazine spreads only (and tbh probably doesn’t belong there either). What a good powder can do is enhance the skin you’ve got to make it look balanced and healthy. Koh Gen Do Pressed Powder contains skincare ingredients such as Jojoba Seed Oil, Shea Butter, and Squalane to help dry skin retain essential moisture for a soft look and feel. Your complexion feels comfortable and supple after every application. Apply the pressed formula with a sponge or dust it on lightly with a soft, fluffy brush.

The skin-loving ingredients in Designer Brands Firming Age Revive Pressed Powder help condition and nourish mature skin. The Peptide infusion and Hyaluronic Acid plump and hydrate. Vitamin C and Vitamin E soothe the skin and help minimise signs of ageing. Perfect for dehydrated dry skin, this powder also contains Aloe Vera to help keep your skin soft. And Sericite Mica offers a silky-soft finish. One of the best face powder for dry sensitive skin, this formula puffs gently on to give your complexion a more even edge.

With a little colour-correcting action, IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder applies effortlessly to your skin. If you have red patches and hyperpigmentation, this powder helps you conceal those areas without masking your lovely, natural complexion. Hydrolysed Silk and Collagen help the skin look healthy. Niacin and Peptides nourish and condition the skin.

The ever-popular MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Loose Translucent Powder puts you on the fast track to a fresh face. Some loose powders can look flat on the skin, but because this blend has been so finely milled, it’s invisible on application. The advanced Silica Microparticles in the powder give a satiny, matte finish that won’t cling to dry patches, and helps to diffuse the appearance of pores and fine lines.

The natural formula uses Iris, Rosemary, Sage, Arnica, Witch Hazel, Rice Starch, and Cornstarch to set makeup and absorb moisture without the need for talc. Silica imparts a smooth, silky texture. The Rose Gallica Extract in Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder has been blended with oils and emollients to help smooth and condition the skin. (Rest assured the natural rose scent doesn't overwhelm or overpower.) Flavonoids offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, while Calendula Extract deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin. Also working to clarify and soothe the skin, the powder is free from artificial fragrances, synthetic chemicals and sulphates.

How to apply powder foundation on dry skin

The best way to apply a powder foundation on dry skin, it's good to put in some skin prep first. After cleansing and moisturising, work in a nourishing primer. Let that dry down before you start dusting the skin with powder.

Whether you’re working with a good finishing powder for dry skin or the best pressed powder for dry skin, to get an even finish, you need to apply with a light touch.

When it comes to powdering dry skin, sometimes you need to pare it back a bit. A loose setting powder for dry skin leaves the control in your hands. Apply as much or as little as your dry skin can take. Use a light touch and a fluffy brush to avoid plastering over your skin cracks.

Tapping lightly—only where you need to—apply your powder for dry skin around the nose, under the eyes, and anywhere else your makeup tends to separate as the day goes on.

A great tip for applying a powder foundation on dry skin is to use a hydrating setting spray. This can help stop your skin from looking dull and dry.

Quenching your thirsty skin as the day goes on will stop flaky patches from forming. It’s also a good idea to prep your skin with a nourishing primer before going in hard with the powder foundation.

Is mineral powder good for dry skin?

Often preservative-free and non-comedogenic, mineral powder for dry skin can definitely be a good thing. In a mineral formula, you’ll find good stuff such as Clay, Zinc, Mica, and Iron Oxides.

So, what makes a product the best mineral powder for dry skin? If it doesn’t contain any preservatives, oils, waxes, or bulking agents, you’ve struck gold.

A great foundation formula for dry skin, mineral powder helps keep the complexion nourished. A solid option if you struggle with acne, mineral makeup won’t clog pores, so breakouts are reduced.

Helping you get that your-skin-but-better vibe, the best compact powder for dry skin is often a mineral formula.

Find more of the best products and tips for dry skin in these helpful guides...

• How to Prep My Dry Skin Before I Put on Makeup

• The Best Moisturisers for Dry Skin

• This Is How I Get Glowy 'Instagram Skin', Without Using a Filter

• How to Get Radiant Skin with YSL Products

• This Best-Seller Now Comes in an Eye Cream & My Dark Circles Won't Do Concealer Without It

• The Best Foundations for Dry Skin Over 40

• I'm an Over 40s Makeup Artist - These 10 Seriously Simple Tips Make 'Mature Skin' Shine

• My Skincare Routine For Dry, Sensitive Skin Types

Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.