10 Best Setting Powders for Oily Skin

If your midday face-check has you sighing (loudly) at your exposed oily patches, a setting powder can help lock things in place.

Whether you’re wearing a barely there look or a full-on beat face, the best face powder for oily skin will keep your skin (and makeup) looking fresh for longer.

Scared of looking cakey? Not sure what the difference is between pressed and loose powder? We’ve found the formulas and tips that your oily skin will love.

Anyone with oily skin knows the struggle: you spend ages (or at least several precious minutes) getting your complexion to a place you like.

Yet before you’ve even walked out the door, your makeup is starting to slip and slide all over the place - so rude.

So if you're tired of wasting your time and money on good makeup only to have it betray you before the day is even over, it might be time to get your hands on a good setting powder.

What is a good setting powder for oily skin?

A good setting powder will absorb excess oil from your skin and help you maintain a picture-perfect finish. While we’re not suggesting that the best oil control powder for oily skin will replace your favourite Insta Stories filter, instead, it’ll help reduce immediate shine.

From a matte powder foundation for oily skin to a loose setting powder with no flashback, it can be hard to work out what formula will work best for your skin. Obvs, you don’t want a formula that’ll clog your complexion. The best powder for oily acne prone skin will keep you free of shine without adding to your skin problems. A finely milled loose format is easy to build up and rests lightly on your face.

Aside from tackling oily patches, a good translucent powder will blur the look of your pores and set your makeup without changing the shade of your foundation. Face powder can help smooth out the texture of your skin and even help disguise acne scars.

Never tried a powder foundation? Not sure how to apply pressed powder? Scroll down for 10 setting powders you might want to play with.

If you’re looking to mattify your oily skin, Mirenesse Skin Clone Mineral Face Powder SPF15 is here to help. The gentle formula with sun protection is ideal for sensitive and oily skin types alike. Made without artificial fragrances, this vegan face powder has been enriched with some impressive anti-ageing ingredients. Renovage is a Peptide molecule that can help improve your skin’s firmness for a more youthful appearance. Zinc offers a blurred effect and can also calm redness. The last thing you want when you have oily skin is a makeup-related breakout. Is powder foundation good for oily skin? When it’s as breathable and lightweight as this one from Mirenesse, it’s a great option for oily skin.

Made with natural minerals and Mint from Jeju, innisfree Matte Mineral Setting Powder keeps oily skin refreshed and hydrated. Just a few soft dabs will give your skin an even texture, control excess oil, and set your foundation. But it’s also a good product to wear alone or over primer for a slightly smoother look than bare skin. One of the best setting powder for oily T zone, it can also be used as a dry shampoo! Apply a small amount to your roots and bangs, and rake your fingers through to absorb excess oil.

Made to last for up to 12 hours, Benefit Hello Happy Velvet Powder Foundation comes in a good selection of shades. The ideal formula for normal-to-oily skin, its coverage can be tailored to suit your needs. Apply with the sponge to build foundation-like coverage that doesn’t cake. Or apply with a fluffy brush to enjoy a light dusting. The Shea Butter in the blend gives the formula a creamy, smooth texture no matter how you use it. So, smile!

Mineral powder is a great option if you’re dealing with blotchiness and inflammation. Made with a blend of potent antioxidants to help reduce redness, Inika Loose Mineral Foundation gives skin a smooth, healthy-looking finish. The weightless, super-pure formula won’t sink into pores or aggravate existing acne. Apply with a big brush, then work the formula down and out over your complexion to create a smooth and even look. You can also build this powder up for a full-coverage foundation look. Simply buff the product into the skin with a flat brush and circular motions.

If you’re looking for a buildable powder that’ll help cover the look of acne scarring, melasma, and more, you could check out Youngblood Loose Mineral Foundation. The Mica in the formula is a natural mineral with light-reflecting properties that give the skin a healthy glow and a more energised look. Titanium Oxide offers protection against harmful ultraviolet rays. Iron Oxides are a safe, natural pigment to add colour without nasty dyes or any animal ingredients. You can buff this powder into your skin and build it up for a full-coverage finish. Or you can sweep a light dusting over areas prone to oiliness.

Does translucent powder help oily skin? In the case of Maybelline Master Fix Setting + Perfecting Loose Powder, the answer is yes, it does. A good translucent powder helps oily skin by creating a seamless finish and a soft-focus effect. The perfect product to help set your makeup, this finely milled powder keeps your look exactly where you want it: on your face! One of the best translucent powder for oily skin, this formula can be applied for sheer coverage and built up as your day goes on if you start to get shiny. P.S. Follow our guide if you want to know the best way to apply loose powder.

Some powders can leave your skin looking dull and flat. This super-fine blend of synthetic Mica, silicone powders, Silica, and Hyaluronic Acid makes your skin look healthy and radiant. The perfect product to bake, set, or finish your look, MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Pressed Powder -Translucent 01 blurs the look of pores and imperfections. This skin-loving translucent powder leaves a natural, matte finish on all skin tones and no ashy cast.

A blendable powder that applies seamlessly to all skin types, Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation especially benefits those with oily skin. Do you struggle to keep your makeup in place on a hot summer day? This formula can keep a potentially shiny or sweaty complexion fresh, smooth, and matte. If you love a medium to full coverage look, you can apply this powder with a dry sponge. Prefer a sheer look? Dust the product on lightly to help keep shine at bay. If you crave the look of super-soft, velvety skin, this powder will help your skin stay comfortable and covered.

Love a swipe-and-go formula? M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation could be your dream foundation. Crafted to leave oily skin with a matte finish, this blend is popular in part because of its versatility and comfort. Plus, this cult classic pressed powder compact foundation comes in a wide range of shades. Offering longevity, this powder stays colour-true and won’t sink into fine lines as your day wears on. Designed to minimise the appearance of pores, this powder controls shine without looking cakey or flaky. Want to define your cheekbones? Pick up a darker shade and use an angular brush.

Worried that a translucent powder will interfere with the colour of your foundation? That won’t be a concern with this blend. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder-Translucent simply enhances your look and makes it last longer. The ideal formula to mattify skin that’s prone to oily patches and imperfections, this blend actually helps improve the condition of your skin. Just pop the compact in your pocket or handbag for easy touch-ups anytime. Apply over makeup to hold your look down, or wear on its own to enjoy a natural, healthy complexion.

How to apply face powder on oily skin

Curious about the best way to apply powder on oily skin? It really depends on the format you use. If you choose one of our best matte pressed powders for oily skin, you can achieve a silky-smooth effect by using the sponge that comes with the product.

If you’re using a translucent finishing powder, you might want to invest in a big, fluffy powder brush like the IT Cosmetics Jumbo Powder Brush #3. A big brush like this will help to seamlessly sweep pressed and loose powder over the skin and blur the look of your pores.

You can also apply a loose powder to your under-eye area, but for maximum staying power, you might want to try a specially formulated under eye setting powder.

If you find your skin type is more on the combination side, meaning only some areas getting oily, you may want to apply to those areas only (like the t-zone).

Watch the video below for the best foundations for oily skin as Shanthi takes us through how to best prep and prime oily skin...

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