19 Best Face Powders for Oily Skin Seeking Matte Finish

Written by Sayantani Deb, Makeup & Beauty Writer
Updated on Feb 13, 2024
Face Powders for Oily Skin Seeking Matte Skin Finish
The products curated for this article are independently chosen by the editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links mentioned below, we may receive a commission. Check out our product research & curation process

Face powders truly put your makeup together, allowing it to last for hours. But the best face powders for oily skin soak in excessive moisture and diminish shine, making them perfect for makeup lovers. Celebrity makeup artist Ankush Bahuguna explains, “There are two types of face powders — compact and loose powder.” Furthermore, he explains, “Compact powder provides a more tinted coverage which can be worn on top of foundation, while loose powder or banana powder is almost translucent and less tinted than compact."

Face powders help to uplift the sweaty T-zone and avoid any chance of a greasy look for oily skin. Our contributor Maya Adivi, a certified makeup artist, recommends using face powders for oily skin. She elaborates, “Face powders don't usually actively dry out the skin, but they can emphasize texture and dry patches, making the skin appear drier, thus, suitable for those with oily skin.” 

We devoted hours researching top-notch face powders for oily skin, assessing each ingredient meant to provide a matte effect and we got an array for you. With the powder finish ranging from smooth to radiant, soft, and completely mattifying, our findings have been narrowed down to this extensive list of the most stunning face powders.

19 Best Face Powders for Oily Skin

Sacha BUTTERCUP Setting Powder is the creme de la creme of face powder. With a light yellow tint for brightening the face, the naturally blending powder suits medium to dark tones. In comparison to typical powders, this one dissolves into your skin due to its finely milled form, resulting in a flawless and luminous appearance. This translucent setting powder works as a multipurpose tool in your kit and conceals noticeable pores and small wrinkles, so you don't have to rush to touch up your makeup every time you head out into the sun.

Pros
  • Ideal for medium to dark skin
  • Multiple uses
  • Brightens face
  • No flashbacks
  • Absorbs oil
Cons
  • On the pricier range
  • Best for Mature Skin

    PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Powder

     PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Powder
  • Surprising for a powder-based formulation, this mineral makeup product by PÜR harnesses a rich emollient complex, consisting of shea butter, lactic acid, retinol, and ceramide, which offer multi-faceted benefits to the skin. While topping off your makeup, the product also helps replenish your skin barrier, so it feels supported and strengthened. And, unlike most over-the-counter face powders, this product doesn’t dry out your skin and nourishes it generously. People with aging skin are especially in luck with this product as it offers some help in reducing the appearance of their fine lines and wrinkles.

    Pros
    • Non-drying
    • Lightweight texture
    • Offers sun protection
    • Buildable consistency
    • Medium coverage
    • Rich in antioxidants
    • Wide range of shades
    • Great for oily and acne-prone skin
    Cons
    • Difficult to blend
  • Dermablend Loose Setting Powder - Cool Beige

    Dermablend Loose Setting Powder - Cool Beige
  • Dermablend Loose Setting Powder is the best face powder for oily skin in the summer season as it mattifies even the slightest amount of sweat and grease on the face. With a translucent-soft texture at the core, it minimizes enlarged pores and enhances your facial elegance for up to 16 hours. The powder comes in three shades - warm saffron, original translucent, and cool beige for the convenience of all skin types. Lastly, it boasts a formula free from triclosan, phthalates, and sulfates making it safe for sensitive skin.

    Pros
    • Non-comedogenic
    • Long-lasting
    • No flashbacks
    • Lightweight
    • Oil-free
    Cons
    • Not ideal for a dark complexion
  • Best Splurge

    Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish

    Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish
  • This high-end face powder by Charlotte Tilbury is the perfect solace for oily skin. With a super-finely milled powder composition, the texture feels like soft cotton on your skin, which blurs the look of fine lines with a mild focus finish. Infused with sweet almond oil and rose wax help to promote butter-like smoothness and light moisture on the skin. The face powder works as a finishing or setting powder, ideal if you have a fair skin tone.

    Pros
    • Matte-finish
    • Multiple purposes
    • No clogged pores
    • Softens skin
    • Worth the value
    Cons
    • Too expensive
  • Best for Oily And Acne-prone Skin

    Mario Badescu Special Healing Face Powder

    Mario Badescu Special Healing Face Powder
  • One may not associate “healing properties” with face powders, but this product by Mario Badescu changes the narrative for those with oily and acne-prone skin. The product leverages the properties of its protagonist ingredient — sulfur, effective in treating inflamed blemishes and hormonal breakouts on the skin. To boot, the formula consists of zinc oxide for added sun protection. We highly recommend using this product on troubled, excessively oily skin areas to mattify its texture and prevent future lesions.

    Pros
    • Lean formula
    • Helps decongest pores
    • Cruelty-free
    • No parabens
    • Reduces redness and irritation
    • Suitable for all skin tones
    • Excellent makeup setting product
    Cons
    • Can be drying
  • Dermablend Illuminating Banana Powder

    Dermablend Illuminating Banana Powder
  • As the newest addition to the Dermablend brand, the Illuminating Banana Powder is a great pick for beginners in the makeup community. With a light-tinted composition, it comprises high-performance pearl pigments for no flashbacks. It's made with a banana tone to give your skin a warm radiant gloss while quickly brightening it. This banana powder – available in one shade – gives you that buttery and silky look without being ashy on the skin tone.

    Pros
    • Transfer-resistant
    • Ideal for travel
    • Lasts long
    • Luminous finish
    • Pleasant scent
    Cons
    • Slightly expensive
  • Best for Professionals

    Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder - Vanilla

    Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder - Vanilla
  • A splurge-worthy pick you shouldn't miss this season is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder. With this finely milled setting powder, you can keep your forehead shine at bay while also leveling out your face tone. Our findings show the gluten-free formulation sets and bake the foundation to match your skin's natural highlights. This loose-setting powder - available in five dazzling shades of translucent, vanilla, banana, deep peach, and golden orange- provides a natural finish for a no-make-up look!

    Pros
    • Wide range of shades
    • Natural finish
    • Ideal for professionals
    • No flashbacks
    • Oil-free
    Cons
    • Not buildable
  • Best for Beginners

    Aesthetica Translucent Setting Powder

    Aesthetica Translucent Setting Powder
  • Beloved by makeup artists and lovers, Aesthetica Translucent Setting Powder takes the cake for the best long-lasting matte finish. Ironically, without being "cakey", its lightweight composition settles like a silk sheet onto the skin. As a translucent powder that goes on clear, it handles excess oil on the face and greasy shine effortlessly. The product accompanied by a luxurious velour puff, is ideal for midday touch-ups and absorbs oil on-the-fly for oily skin.

    Pros
    • Ideal for all skin types
    • Vegan
    • Cruelty-free
    • Travel-friendly
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • Might look white on the skin
  • Airspun Translucent Loose Powder

    Airspun Translucent Loose Powder
  • We’re not kidding when we say this — the microspun formula of this product by Airspun feels less like a powder and more like a cream on your skin. Hence, while this product can help absorbs excess oil from your skin, you can rest assured that it won’t over-dry it. The powder formula consists of skin-friendly ingredients such as kaolin clay, oat flour, and tapioca flour that control shine and give a smooth, mattified texture to your skin. Besides, it feels ultra-soft and comforting against the skin.

    Pros
    • Talc-free
    • Ultra-lightweight
    • Great quantity
    • Suits sensitive skin
    • Covers appearance of pores
    Cons
    • Some find the fragrance a bit strong
  • Best Skin-Friendly

    Nyx Professional Makeup Mineral Matte Finishing Powder

    Nyx Professional Makeup Mineral Matte Finishing Powder
  • Keep your pockets full and your face oil-free with this budget-saver pick. The Mineral Matte Finishing Powder by NYX Professional sets your favorite look with an immaculate finish, making your skin look fresh and glowing all day. With the goodness of silica - hydration, and elastin are provided to tighten your facial pores. The minimal coverage and set-to foundation formula is suitable for all skin types and leave a soft-focus finish within minutes of application!

    Pros
    • Ideal for all skin types
    • Suitable for medium to dark tones
    • Budget-friendly
    • Skin-friendly
    • Travel-friendly
    Cons
    • Heavy on skin
  • Best for Facial Pores

    IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Face Powder

    IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Face Powder
  • A definite competition to higher-end make-up brands, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Face Powder is sure to give that air-brush set look from the red carpet. Infused with peptides, collagen, antioxidants, and powdered silk, your skin is doused with skin-softening nourishment. the collagen and peptides help firm up the enlarged pores and support skin elasticity. With three fabulous shades - translucent, rich deep, and tan rich - it opens doors to all skin tones seeking the ultimate setting powder.

    Pros
    • Wide range of shades
    • Contains antioxidants
    • Tightens pores
    • Softens skin
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • Not for pale skin
  • Best Budget Saver

    Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Face Powder

    Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Face Powder
  • Maybelline's Fit Me face powder is a cult favorite for budget-saving girls who want the best with spending the least. This pressed powder leaves a natural, poreless-looking finish with shine control at the T-zone area. It boasts a Perlite Mineral technology that absorbs oil to mattify skin, while pores virtually disappear thanks to blurring micro-powders in the formulation. Not only is it so affordable, but it consists of products up to the brim, making it a total steal for make-up lovers.

    Pros
    • Wide range of shades
    • Non-comedogenic
    • Provides shine control
    • Absorbs oil
    • Budget-saver
    Cons
    • Not vegan
  • Best Drugstore

    e.l.f Halo Glow Setting Powder

    e.l.f Halo Glow Setting Powder
  • This setting powder's satiny, light texture wraps the skin for an ethereal, diminishing, soft-focus look. Created with finely-milled synthetic sapphire particles to give your skin a soft glow, help smooth the appearance of fine lines, and blur imperfections. It helps with oil control and provides a subtle shimmer under the foundation. Our findings show that this powder will give you a revitalized and vibrant appearance while correcting your uneven skin tone. Lastly, the face powder settles with a semi-matte finish for a luminous glow all day!

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Vegan
    • Semi-matte finish
    • Oil control
    • Cruelty-free
    Cons
    • Might dry the skin
  • Focallure Face Loose Face Powder

    Focallure Face Loose Face Powder
  • This Focallure Face's translucent setting face powder is supposed to stay put for up to 12 hours each wear. It promises a shine control formula that absorbs excess oil across the T-zone area, cheeks, and chin. One can even wear the translucent powder independently or use it to set makeup and color foundation. Many customers rave about its breathable coverage across the face that seems to absorb oil and set in lightly.

    Pros
    • Wide range of colors
    • Affordable
    • Absorbs oil
    • Even coverage
    • Breathable
    Cons
    • Contains mineral oil
  • L'Oreal Paris Infallible Loose Setting Powder

    L'Oreal Paris Infallible Loose Setting Powder
  • With almost 5 stars on Sephora, this face powder encapsulates the right amount of tint and sheer coverage any skin would love. Lightweight and loose, the face powder works in three ways of baking, setting, and finishing the look. Available in two primary shades - translucent light medium and translucent medium deep  - it's suitable for all and fits in your purse for an on-the-go touch-up. Those in search of the best long-lasting face powder must choose this!

    Pros
    • No white cast
    • Ideal for all skin
    • Multiple purposes
    • Travel-friendly
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • Might clog pores
  • Beauty Bakerie Flour Setting Powder

    Beauty Bakerie Flour Setting Powder
  • This delicious pick must not be mistaken for a kitchen ingredient but it's your next ultimate face powder. A lightly tinted formula sets the oily face battle to rest for the best and endows you with a captivating, matte finish with no flashback. The cruelty-free ingredients and paraben-free formulation bestow a blurring effect to hide big pores and even out skin texture. Curated in five desirable shades of rice, almond, cassava, plantain, and cacao, it opens doors to all skin tones in search of the ideal transfer-proof face powder!

    Pros
    • Transfer-proof
    • No flashbacks
    • Wide range of shades
    • Free of parabens
    • Vegan
    Cons
    • Not waterproof
  • bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil

    bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil
  • Considered a best seller from the brand, bareMinerals brings to you Original Mineral Veil face powder for a soft-matte finish. Thanks to the super lightweight formula, the powder is loaded with moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E, plus shea and cacao butter. With six eye-captivating shades on hand, you receive a product ideal for setting the makeup or can be worn on its own with a moisturizer. The compact comes with a plush pad for touch-ups on the go!

    Pros
    • Contains skincare ingredients
    • Crease free
    • Sheer coverage
    • Worth the value
    • Not cakey
    Cons
    • Subtle flashbacks
  • Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder

    Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder
  • Last but not least, Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder is the pick for adults seeking ultimate oil-free radiance around the T-zone and cheeks. Enriched with pure gold, 48 minerals, 11 amino acids, and a powerful peptide to deliver anti-aging benefits, the powder comprises everything your skin needs. The patented hydration system of the powder constantly reawakens aged skin and delivers hydration that accentuates your face to look younger. Fine lines and wrinkles are the worries of the past with the ten flattering and radiant face powder shades.

    Pros
    • Radiant finish
    • Anti-aging properties
    • cNo fine lines or creases
    • Hydrates the skin
    • Absorbs oil
    Cons
    • Too expensive
  • By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder

    By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder
  • Who knew that powder formulas could also have hydration benefits — but this setting powder for oily skin proved us wrong! The translucent powder is formulated with hyaluronic acid of a low molecular weight; so when you buff your foundation with a wet beauty blender, it will hold that water content in your skin and keep it refreshed. The fine-milled powder also smooths out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, thereby delivering a youthful radiance to your face.

    Pros
    • Controls excess shine
    • Blurs out imperfections
    • Suits dry skin
    • A little goes a long way
    • Delivers a smooth finish
    Cons
    • Overpriced

    From radiant to matte, all the above-mentioned face powders consist of something unique in themselves. Choose a suitable setting or loose powder from these 15 best face powders for oily skin with the guide written below.

    How to Choose the Best Face Powder for Oily Skin?

    When you’re choosing a face powder for the oily skin type, you should make notes on your skin tone, type, if blemishes or acne, etc help mitigate the process. Though oily skin is a bit difficult to deal with, face powders must contain these factors to provide the ultimate non-greasy matte finish.

    • Ingredients: Look at the ingredients list, for a closer look at what you may be applying to your face. Formulations including ingredients like peptides, collagens, silk proteins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids should be at the top of your list when choosing a face powder. 
    • No Flashbacks: Prefer a flashback-friendly powder to dodge a white cast on your face. Likewise, those with acne-prone skin or sensitive skin must choose a non-comedogenic product to prevent acne breakouts and boils.
    • Oil-control: Oily skin can be affected by many factors be it environment or excessive sweat, the formation of oil on the cheeks and T-zone area can be contained. Opting for super-fine milled powders can be a great way to cover each pore and achieve a seamless grease-free finish all day.
    • Finishing look: Our list mentions and suggests great matte formulations that can set the look for the day. As they are infused with moisturizing ingredients to comfort your skin while giving you that seamless glow. We also have a semi-matte finish (e.l.f Halo Glow Setting Powder) if you need a dewy and radiant look.

    How to Use The Best Face Powder for Oily Skin?

    • First, use blotting paper to remove excess oil from the cheeks, T-zone area, and chin.
    • Apply foundation or moisturizer and then head to the face powder.
    • Second, simply dust or dab the face powder evenly onto the skin, for setting the base makeup on oily skin.
    • Third, if looking for advice for oily skin, one can use a brush to apply the product as it can absorb the oil and provide a long-lasting stay.

    Our contributor Maya Adivi shares a few tips on avoiding face powders from giving the skin a ghostly white look, saying, “Avoid powders with titanium dioxide, which is a pigment known for causing a white cast. Before purchasing, swatch your powder over your skin to make sure it blends in nicely. When using, apply with a fluffy brush that won't deposit too much powder.”

    Setting your make-up look for an all-day event can be easy as it can be with the best face powders for oily skin. These face powders are enlisted above on the basis of their nourishing powers and oil-absorbing abilities that make them skin-friendly for oily skin. And with these fantastic options to snoop around and pick from, we bet you can’t wait to get your hands on one of these precious face powders! Ensure you go through our buying guide and steps to use so you can shop wisely and make the best of your product. Happy shopping!

    Contributor: Maya Adivi, Certified Makeup artist, Click here for blog

    FAQ's

    Is loose powder or pressed powder better for oily skin?
    Loose powder can be a better choice for oily skin as its texture helps mattify your skin as the day goes on, as the formula contains very little oil.
    Can I use powder for an oily face?
    One should not use talc powder independently, but one must opt for face powders enlisted above for oily skin.
    Is setting powder necessary for oily skin?
    Though it isn't necessary, setting powders can be helpful in keeping the makeup look in place for hours.
    Can you use any setting powder for oily skin?
    Yes, you can.
    When should I use setting powder if my skin is oily?
    After applying a oil-free primer, foundation and concealer.
    Can I use setting powder without makeup on oily skin?
    We recommend you to at least prep your skin with a hydrating cream and some primer before applying the setting powder, even if you’re not wearing makeup.
    What powder does not clog pores?
    A non-comedogenic powder that is devoid of sandalwood, mineral oil, talc, oxybenzone, parabens, coarse particles, etc. is less likely to clog pores.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Sayantani, our makeup expert, acknowledges the fact that choosing the right makeup products can be a little tricky for people with oily skin. She advises people with acne-prone skin to go for a gentle and non-comedogenic formula to get a flawless finish without any breakouts. After conducting hours of research on the best face powders with a matte finish, she has enlisted these products that are sure to give the desired results. For people looking for vegan-friendly options, Dermablend Loose Setting Powder - Cool Beige is the best pick. It comes in three magnificent shades and gives long-lasting results. 

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Sayantani Deb
    Makeup & Beauty Writer

    Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More