12 Best Setting Powder for Oily Skin (Long Lasting & Mattifying)

Updated 5 years ago

A setting powder is a beauty essential; they are handy and versatile. This powder sets your makeup and makes it longer-lasting. It ensures that your makeup won’t slide off your face, even in hot weather.

Not all setting powders, however, will work for people who have oily skin. You need to choose one formulated to deal with oily skin. They should reduce shine, give you a matte finish and increase the longevity of your makeup.

Need help choosing the right setting powder? Keep on reading for our recommendations.

Will Setting Powder Help your Oily Skin?

A big YES! A setting powder is a great way to fight oiliness. Avoid heavy powders, though. They will cake your makeup and clog your pores. This can make you prone to acne and breakouts. Fortunately, setting powders with a lightweight formula can still effectively absorb excess oil on your skin.

Our Top Picks for Setting Powder for Oily Skin

Below are some of the setting powders that are guaranteed to work even if you have oily skin.

Sacha Cosmetics Buttercup Setting Powder

This is specifically formulated with an oil-control formula, so you can be confident of its ability to fight shine. You can also expect zero flashbacks, which means that you will always look good in photos. No more need to be scared of camera flash! Aside from controlling the oiliness of your face, it also helps in masking some of the most common skin problems, including wrinkles, pores, and fine lines. Best of all, if you are unhappy in any way with the use of this product, your money does not have to go into waste! The manufacturer is offering a 100% refund if you are unsatisfied with your purchase.

E.L.F. High Definition Loose Face Powder

It is known for its versatility since you can use the powder not only for setting makeup but also for baking and finishing. For the best outcomes, the manufacturer recommends that you use a powder brush and swirl it over this setting powder. Tap the excess and apply lightly on the face. This powder looks good even when it is used on its own and not for setting your foundation. The formula is vegan, cruelty-free, and PETA-certified, so you can add this to your beauty regimen without the guilt! Lastly, it has also been given words of praises because of its effectiveness in hiding the visible signs of skin aging, which include fine lines and wrinkles.

Mineral Fusion Setting Powder

This is capable of absorbing excess oil on the face, making sure that you are beautiful all day and night without shine. This can be attributed to the use of Kaolin clay and triple-milled minerals as the main ingredients in this compact powder. It is also worth noting that it is infused with skin-soothing natural ingredients, including cucumber, licorice root, and aloe. White tea, red tea, and pomegranate are also found in this powder, which is all effective in defying skin aging. All of these ingredients provide the skin a shine-free finish while still looking natural. For those who do not like talc in their powder, there is another good reason to choose this over other products.

Dermablend Loose Setting Powder

As a translucent setting powder, it is capable of masking oiliness on the parts of the face where most of the oil accumulates. It is also a great choice for long-lasting wear. As the manufacturer claims, it will allow your makeup to last for up to 16 hours, so there is no need for re-application throughout the day. The best thing is that you do not need to choose a shade or color. It has universal application. So, regardless of your skin color and skin tone, this loose setting powder is sure to be effective. It is also worth noting that it has a vegan formula. There are also no chemicals used, including triclosan, phthalates, and sulfates.

Palladio Rice Loose Setting Powder

Do not let the cheap price of this setting powder fool you! It is not from a luxury beauty brand, but it has received positive feedback from many of its users because of its effectiveness in absorbing oil while setting your makeup. It is also unique compared to most of the products mentioned in this post because it is made of rice powder. Rice is known as an exceptional oil absorbent, so you will love how it can control shine. To add, Palladio is a brand that is known for its products that are cruelty-free. It is also free of harsh chemicals that can cause skin irritation, including parabens.

Physician’s Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Correcting Powder

The name of this product says that this is a correcting powder. According to the manufacturer, however, this can also be used as a setting powder, especially for people who have oily skin. This will create a matte finish on the face while also absorbing excess oil. The manufacturer recommends that you use a soft or kabuki brush when applying the powder. More so, it comes with a minimalist formula, using only ingredients that have been carefully selected to make sure that it won’t trigger breakouts or irritation. You don’t have to worry even if you have sensitive skin.  

Laura Geller New York Filter Finish Setting Powder

The sheer finish of this powder will make you look beautiful even without camera filters! It creates a soft focus that will make you look more beautiful in your photos. It has pure pigments, which can effectively blur your skin imperfections to achieve a flawless look. Whether it is pores or fine lines that you would like to hide, this setting powder can deliver an effective job. It does not contain toxic chemicals that can irritate the skin. To use the powder, the manufacturer recommends that you swirl it liberally on the top of your makeup. Unlike other setting powders, this won’t look unnatural even if you use a lot.  

Set for Life Loose Setting Powder

The shade of this setting powder is specifically for people who have medium to dark skin tone. It is effective for all-day wear of your makeup as it effectively locks in the foundation. No need to worry even if you have oily skin since it is known for its oil and shine control. It reduces the production of sebum on the face, making it easy to look your best throughout the day. The powder does not contain talc and silica. To add, it has never been tested in animals. For those who love taking photos, this is also a selfie-friendly powder as it does not result in ashy flashbacks. Lastly, it has a satin matte finish that stays that way instead of making your face look greasy.

Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder

It comes with an oil-free formula, which is the reason why it effectively fights shine. As it controls oil, it does not dry out the skin, so you will look good. To add, it also has French cashmere talc, a premium ingredient that allows the face to have a soft focus, making you look good in photos. The setting powder is in a compact form, so the application will be mess-free. There is a soft sponge applicator that will make it easy to blend it on your face. The translucent color of this powder makes it an ideal choice for people who have fair to medium skin. Lastly, the manufacturer claims that using this setting powder will help your makeup to last for up to 12 hours.

Kiko Milano Invisible Touch Powder

The manufacturer markets this product both as a mattifying and finishing powder. It has a potent formula using skin-safe ingredients. It is also free of talc. The combination of its powerful ingredients allows it to be effective on both young and mature skin. To add, it also effectively delays the visible signs of skin aging, making it easy to show off a radiant and youthful glow even as you age. It also moisturizes the skin but not excessively, so you can be confident that your face will remain shine-free all throughout the day. Lastly, it is also good in making the skin smoother and in brightening your complexion.

Glo Skin Beauty Perfecting Setting Powder

A translucent powder is excellent in controlling oiliness, which makes this setting powder another must-have in your list. It is an oil-absorbing mineral powder that fights shine throughout the day while allowing your makeup to demonstrate lasting power. The matte finish of the powder is another good reason why it fights shine. Take note, however, that this will work for all skin types, not just for those who have oily skin. It is free of talc and parabens. Also, the formula does not clog the pores, making it effective in fighting acne and breakouts, which are common problems among people who have oily skin.

Black Radiance True Complexion Loose Setting Powder

Want to achieve flawless complexion while making your foundation last throughout the day? This setting powder can help, especially if you have oily skin. It has light-reflecting particles, which are effective in giving your skin a soft glow. It also effectively diffuses and blurs your skin imperfections, including fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. Because it is in a loose form, it can be easily absorbed by the skin. Plus, the formula is lightweight, and you don’t have to worry that it will clog the pores. It is the perfect partner for your liquid makeup!

Making the Right Choice

There are tons of setting powders available to choose from. Below are some of the most important factors to consider:

  • Ingredients: As always, natural is best. So, stay away from those with harsh ingredients
  • Sun Protection: You will benefit from choosing setting powders designed with SPF to protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. For more protection, you can use a sunscreen for oily skin.
  • Shade: The goal is to make your makeup look fresh and natural, so pick a shade of the setting powder that is nearest your true skin tone. For people with oily skin, translucent is the best choice because it minimizes shine from the accumulation of oil.

Choosing Between Loose vs Compact Setting Powder

You will generally have two choices for a setting powder to use on your oily skin. Loose powder can be messy to apply, but is preferred for a medium to full coverage. The fine particles are easy on the skin and give a uniform coat.

Compact powders, on the other hand, is a dense counterpart. This is easy to apply with a brush or sponge. It is great for touching up your makeup. If you use more than needed, however, it will inevitably make your face look cakey. Most of them have waxes and silicones that can irritate the skin, so take the time to read the label.

How to Use a Setting Powder for Oily Skin

Now that you know which one is best to choose, let’s quickly discuss the classic way to apply powder.

  1. Apply your foundation first. If you want to have concealer and primer, do this at this point. Before you start, cleanse your face and apply moisturizer first.
  2. Now, apply your setting powder. Make sure not to overdo it. You can always build up later.
  3. As you apply the setting powder, concentrate on the T-zone. It is where most of the oils are excreted by the skin.

4    Don’t apply too much pressure. If you tend to have a heavy hand, use a brush instead.

Tips for Long-Lasting Makeup on Oily Skin

Besides setting powders, there are other things that help with oily skin:

  • Use a primer. It’s great at making your skin a smoother canvas and blurring imperfections, such as large pores.
  • Pick your foundation wisely. The best foundation for oily skin is one that comes with a mattifying finish. There are also foundations with a long-wear formula that clings to the skin despite excessive oil.
  • Pat your skin lightly with blotting papers. You can do this throughout the day. Don’t rub it with too much pressure or else you’ll remove your makeup or foundation.
  • Don’t apply too much powder. Applying powder excessively can cause your pores to open up and make it produce more oil.

Wrap Up

Your makeup kit is not complete without a setting powder, including those listed above. They are specifically formulated to fight oiliness. This means that your skin won’t appear shiny and greasy even during a hot day while making sure that your makeup sets properly on your face.