The 16 Best Setting Powders for Oily Skin, According to Makeup Artists & Editors

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Before I knew anything about makeup, I wondered why my skin would always look like an oil slick by the middle of the day. And with all that greasiness on my face, my makeup would slide right off (but actually, where did my blush go??). It was a frustrating and seemingly never-ending cycle. I wish I had known the importance of a setting powder back then because once I found my go-to formula… Mind. Blown.

Setting powders are technically for any skin type, but if you’re one of my fellow oily skin girlies, this makeup product becomes a game-changer. I’ve been through my fair share of trial and error with setting powders and learned that not every formula will check off all the boxes. Some will get close, while others will completely miss the mark (been there, done that). That’s why I consulted four makeup artists to get to the bottom of which setting powders are best for oily skin.

The Best Setting Powders for Oily Skin at a Glance

• Best Loose Setting Powder for Oily Skin: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, $40 (originally $47)
• Best Pressed Setting Powder for Oily Skin: Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder, $36
• Best Splurge-Worthy Setting Powder for Oily Skin: Prada Reset Rebalancing Setting Powder, $90
• Best Drugstore Setting Powder for Oily Skin: Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder , $9 (originally $11)
• Best Brightening Setting Powder for Oily Skin: Tarte Creaseless Loose Setting Powder, $36
• Best Affordable Setting Powder for Oily Skin: Wet n Wild Photo Focus Loose Setting Powder , $5 (originally $6)
• Best Setting Powder with SPF for Oily Skin: Supergoop! 100% Mineral (Re)setting Powder Face Sunscreen, $35

Keep reading to get the answers to frequently asked questions about this product category, along with top product recommendations from the pros who know best. Plus, a few of the following formulas have our shopping editors’ approval.

Our Experts

• Pro makeup artist Lex Smith
• Celebrity makeup artist, beauty expert, and founder of WorthBeautyCompany Michele Probst
• Celebrity makeup artist and entrepreneur Elaina Badro
• Pro/senior artist and investor at Blushington Carter Elizabeth

What should you look for in a setting powder for oily skin?

“When it comes to oily skin, you want to look for a powder that can absorb the oil—not your confidence! Opt for a matte or oil-absorbing setting powder—loose powders are your BFF here. Look for ingredients like silica, kaolin clay, or rice powder, which help you stay flawless and filter-free by controlling shine and creating a long-lasting, skin-like finish,” says Smith. If you want to set your beat and mattify but also brighten and color correct, look for a setting powder in a pink or lavender shade (spoiler alert: Tarte’s Creaseless Loose Setting Powder gets the job done). But, of course, you can’t go wrong with a translucent option for what Smith calls “that set-it-and-forget-it perfection.”

Probst suggests formulas that are talc-free and paraben-free and have a mineral base. She also notes that loose powders tend to offer a more natural look, while pressed powders usually provide more coverage. Elizabeth adds that you should keep an eye on setting powders that feature finer textures, as they’re “best to make the skin still appear as skin without looking too cakey and matte.” Her favorite formulation is a loose powder that she applies to the areas of her face that produce the most oil, like her T-zone and chin. Last but not least, Badro reminds us that some setting powders can help minimize the appearance of pores.

When should you use setting powder if your skin is oily?

When I asked each makeup artist this question, I had a sneaking suspicion I wouldn’t get the same answer across the board. If anything, that just goes to show that makeup is very personal and subjective to your skin type and skin concerns. Everyone’s skin is different and testing varying products and application techniques is part of the process. Trust that doing both will lead you to your dream makeup routine.

Smith: “Lock in your look and shine-proof your vibe by applying setting powder right after concealer. Tarte’s OG Shape Tape Concealer is my ride-or-die (the oily-skin girlies know what’s up!). This technique helps keep that under-eye bright and concealer in place for hours on end. Focus on the T-zone, where oil likes to crash the party, and reapply throughout the day for a perfectly matte, never flat finish. Stay flawless, no filter needed—absorb the oil, not your confidence!”

Probst: “You want to apply the setting powder after your skincare and makeup application. So it’s the last thing you do. Make sure you have a quality large, fluffy brush for application.”

Badro: “Setting makeup with loose powder after you apply your concealer and foundation can help to hold your foundation in place and last longer. I recommend doing it after your blush as well. Dust a little loose powder over your foundation using the Elaina Badro Luxury Powder Makeup Brush.”

Elizabeth: “Powder is best to use after all of the liquid and cream products to not cause any separation in product and have the products last longer throughout the day and evening.”

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The Best Setting Powders for Oily Skin to Shop Now