The 17 Best Powders for Oily Skin That Keep Shine Away

The Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Powder wins the top spot

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Best Powders for Oily Skin

Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang

Makeup can be tricky when you've got an oily complexion. Whether you struggle to keep your foundation from sliding off your face or battle shine throughout the day, a powder might be the answer.

"Powder can be oily skin's best friend," says celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty, noting that the right formulation is key to avoiding a caked-up look. Packed with absorbent ingredients like talc, silica, kaolin clay, and starch, the super-fine substance sops up grease and leaves you with a mattifying finish.

Meet the Expert

Kirin Bhatty is a bi-coastal celebrity makeup artist for A-Frame Agency and a brand ambassador for Catrice Cosmetics.

"People are the oiliest in their T-zone," makeup artist Shay Zeinali tells Byrdie, and recommends pressing powder into the greasiest areas using a damp makeup sponge. With insight from these pros in mind, we found formulas that do wonders for the oily-skin camp.

Meet the Expert

Shay Zeinali is a professional makeup artist based in Los Angeles.

These are the best powders for oily skin.

Best Overall

Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Powder

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Invisibmatte Blotting Powder

 Courtesy of Sephora

What We Like
  • Diffuses skin

  • Versatile

  • Applicator included

What We Don’t Like
  • Expensive

What do buyers say? 1,000+ Sephora reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

Blotting sheets are a tried-and-true on-the-go solution for folks with oily complexions. Fenty transformed the concept into a powder, and we're here to tell you it's damn good. Formulated with inclusivity in mind, the universal translucent finish is truly invisible on all skin tones.

Invisimatte Blotting Powder instantly absorbs shine, then diffuses the appearance of pores and blemishes, leaving you with a filtered look anytime, anywhere. Pat it on after applying your liquid and cream makeup products to extend their wear and achieve a matte finish, tap a little onto your T-zone, or use it for touch-ups while you're out and about.

Price at time of publish: $34

Active Ingredients: Pore-Diffusing Complex | Shades: 1 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Budget

Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder

Rimmel London Stay Matte Lightweight Mattifying Powder

Amazon

What We Like
  • Budget-friendly

  • Extends makeup wear

  • Dermatologist-tested

What We Don’t Like
  • Contains synthetic fragrance

Face powder doesn't need to be anything fancy—or expensive. Rimmel Stay Matte will only run you a few bucks, and you can count on a shine-free finish for up to five hours.

Price at time of publish: $5

Active Ingredients: Natural minerals | Shades: 8 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Drugstore

NYX Professional Makeup High Definition Finishing Powder

nyx professional makeup hd finishing powder

Courtesy of NYX Professional Makeup

What We Like
  • Budget-friendly

  • Color-correcting

  • Extends makeup wear

What We Don’t Like
  • Applicator not included

NYX makes a great budget pick, too. Not only is this pressed powder exceptionally silky, non-cakey, and mattifying, but the color-correcting formula minimizes redness, combats discoloration, and camouflages dark spots.

Price at time of publish: $11

Shades: 3 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.28 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Splurge

Gucci Poudre De Beauté Mattifying Natural Setting Powder

Gucci Poudre De Beauté Mat Naturel Setting Powder

Nordstrom

What We Like
  • Smooths complexion

  • Applicator included

  • Lightweight

What We Don’t Like
  • Expensive

  • Contains synthetic fragrance

If you can swing the steep price, consider treating yourself to Gucci's Poudre De Beauté. Offering lightweight, buildable coverage, this mattifying powder delivers a smoother complexion and a more even skin tone.

Price at time of publish: $64

Active Ingredients: Micro-reflecting lamellar powders, soft-focus pigments, emollient agents | Shades: 16 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Touch-Ups

Bare Minerals Original Mineral Veil Pressed Setting Powder

Bare Minerals Original Mineral Veil Pressed Setting Powder

Ulta

What We Like
  • Mirrored compact

  • Applicator included

  • Travel-friendly

What We Don’t Like
  • Translucent shade leaves white cast

When it comes to powders, BareMinerals knows what's up. The pressed version of the brand's iconic Mineral Veil comes in a slim mirrored compact complete with an applicator puff—an ideal solution for touch-ups and on-the-go use.

Price at time of publish: $29

Active Ingredients: Shea butter, cocoa butter, vitamin E | Shades: 6 | Finish: Soft matte | Size: 0.3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Loose

RMS Beauty "Un" Powder

RMS Beauty "Un" Powder

 Courtesy of RMS Beauty

What We Like
  • Applicator included

  • Minimal ingredient list

  • Lightweight

What We Don’t Like
  • Slightly messy

RMS "Un" Powder is by far the best loose formula. This Byrdie favorite contains silica and mica to tackle grease and shine, leaving you with a mattified, airbrushed finish you can depend on for hours.

Price at time of publish: $36

Active Ingredients: Silica, mica | Shades: 4 | Finish: Natural matte | Size: 0.3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Pressed

Lys Beauty Triple Fix Pressed Setting Powder

5
Lys Beauty Triple Fix Pressed Setting Powder

Lys Beauty

What We Like
  • Diffuses blemishes

  • Extends makeup wear

  • Hydrating

What We Don’t Like
  • Applicator not included

If you're partial to pressed formulas, Triple Fix has your name on it. This super-fine powder effortlessly buffs into your skin, diffuses the look of blemishes, and locks your creams and liquids into place.

Price at time of publish: $18

Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, green tea extract, sodium hyaluronate | Shades: 6 | Finish: Natural matte | Size: 0.2 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Setting

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Setting Powder

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Finishing Powder

Nordstrom

What We Like
  • Award-winning formula

  • Diffuses blemishes

  • Lightweight

What We Don’t Like
  • Applicator not included

  • May require extra blending

The Bye Bye Pores line is full of gems, and this setting powder is no exception. As the name suggests, it blurs pores, diffuses blemishes, then delivers a mattified, airbrushed effect and an all-around smoother complexion.

Zeinali tells us how to get the best results: "I recommend putting setting powder in the T-zone. Using a damp beauty blender, dip into the powder, tap the excess on the back of the hand, and press the powder into the oily areas."

Price at time of publish: $30

Active Ingredients: Silk, hydrolyzed collagen, antioxidants | Shades: 3 | Finish: Natural matte | Size: 0.3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Baking

Beauty Bakerie Face Flour Baking Powder

5
Beauty Bakerie Face Flour Baking Powder

Ulta

What We Like
  • Diffuses blemishes

  • Extends makeup wear

  • Jar has a locking mechanism

What We Don’t Like
  • Slightly messy

If you're on the face-baking bandwagon or are interested in exploring this crease-free, glam-extending technique, Beauty Bakerie's aptly named Flour is your best bet. Stamp on the loose powder with an egg-shaped sponge, let it sit for about 10 minutes, dust it off with a brush, and behold your gorgeously-diffused, seamless complexion.

Price at time of publish: $24

Shades: 6 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Finishing

AJ Crimson Beauty Universal Finishing Powder

AJ Crimson Beauty Universal Finishing Powder

AJ Crimson

What We Like
  • Non-cakey formula

  • Extends makeup wear

  • Great for baking

What We Don’t Like
  • Slightly messy

We also like AJ Crimson's loose powder. Available in an inclusive range of shades, the exceptionally silky, never cakey, and jet-milled formula eliminates shine, sets your liquids and creams, and keeps your makeup in check for up to eight hours.

Shades: 4 | Finish: Semi-matte to matte | Size: 0.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for T-Zone

Etude House Zero Sebum Drying Powder

Etude House Zero Sebum Drying Powder

Amazon

What We Like
  • Budget-friendly

  • Applicator included

  • Can use on hair

What We Don’t Like
  • Doesn't prevent under-eye creasing

If you're only looking to tackle shine in your T-zone, go with Etude House. The Korean brand's Zero Sebum loose powder comes in a little pot with its applicator pouf, which you can use to tap it onto your forehead, down the bridge of your nose, and on your chin.

Price at time of publish: $7

Active Ingredients: Sugar polymer, cotton extract | Shades: 1 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Long-Wear

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

4
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder

Nordstrom

What We Like
  • Extends makeup wear

  • Lightweight

  • Diffuses blemishes

What We Don’t Like
  • Applicator not included

Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Powder was a hit with our home tester, who said the ultra-lightweight, finely milled formula offers a soft matte finish. She liked that it sets your makeup and extends its wear while diffusing the look of pores and texture.

Price at time of publish: $46

Active Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, rose wax, light-reflecting pearls | Shades: 4 | Finish: Soft matte | Size: 0.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Waterproof

Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder

Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder
What We Like
  • Smooths complexion

  • Extends makeup wear

  • Waterproof

What We Don't Like
  • Applicator not included

When it comes to makeup-extending products, Urban Decay is a reigning champ. The brand's waterproof setting powder instantly mattifies, smooths your complexion, and promises up to 11 hours of wear, even in the face of sweat, tears, humidity, or a little rain.

Price at time of publish: $35

Shades: 1 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.26 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Mineral

Catrice Cosmetics True Skin Mineral Loose Powder

Catrice Cosmetics True Skin Mineral Loose Powder

Amazon

What We Like
  • Non-cakey formula

  • Lightweight

  • Easy to reapply

What We Don’t Like
  • Slightly messy

Bhatty is a fan of Catrice True Skin for oily complexions. "It never sits on the skin, targets oil without feeling or looking heavy, and is built to apply and reapply without being cakey," she tells Byrdie. "I apply it with a small, loose fluffy brush where needed, and then in areas that need a little more oil and shine control, I'll use either a foundation brush or a powder puff."

Price at time of publish: $6

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Shades: 1 | Finish: Natural matte | Size: 0.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best With Applicator

Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder

Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder

Nordstrom

What We Like
  • Diffuses blemishes

  • Extends makeup wear

  • Skin-matching pigments

What We Don’t Like
  • Expensive

Brushes and sponges are great, but we appreciate the convenience of powders that come with applicators. Available in translucent and skin-matching pigmented shades, Bobbi Brown's Sheer Finish controls shine, blurs blemishes, and leaves a long-lasting matte finish in its wake.

Price at time of publish: $59

Active Ingredients: Vitamin E | Shades: 10 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Dark Skin Tones

BLK/OPL True Color Soft Velvet Finishing Powder

5
Black Opal Soft Velvet Finishing Powder

Amazon

What We Like
  • Budget-friendly

  • Absorbs oil

  • Lightweight

What We Don’t Like
  • Slightly messy

Formulated with melanin-rich skin in mind, Black Opal's wallet-friendly Soft Velvet Powder shades range from deep brown to medium neutral. There are only four colors, but thanks to the Shade ID technology, multi-colored pigments adjust to match your skin tone seamlessly.

Price at time of publish: $12

Active Ingredients: Shade ID technology | Shades: 4 | Finish: Soft matte | Size: 0.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Clean

Crunchi Translucent Finishing Powder

Crunchi Translucent Finishing Powder

Crunchi

What We Like
  • Single-ingredient formula

  • Diffuses blemishes

  • Plant-based container

What We Don’t Like
  • Slightly messy

  • Applicator not included

Prefer clean beauty? Crunchi's translucent diffusing powder contains nothing more than silica. It comes in a plastic-free container made of renewable, biodegradable ingredients like rice husk, bamboo, and coconut shells.

Price at time of publish: $34

Active Ingredients: Silica | Shades: 1 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.2 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Final Verdict

Our top pick is Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Powder, a universal translucent formula that absorbs shine, diffuses the appearance of pores, and extends makeup wear. But if you're looking for something a little more affordable, Rimmel's Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder is a solid choice.

What to Look for in a Powder for Oily Skin

Formula

Make sure you choose a formula that is finely milled and lightweight. This will help keep your look in place while sitting comfortably on your skin. The lightweight consistency will help make it feel weightless so your skin doesn't feel overburdened, either,

Shade

Looking to add a little bit of extra coverage in addition to shine control? Select a powder that's your skin tone (or one shade lighter) as it may add an extra bit of coverage. Translucent powder is also a great option if you want to absorb any excess oil from your foundation. Both may help mattify, keep makeup in place, or add extra coverage.

Finish

If you want to keep oil at bay, opt for a matte or translucent powder (versus one with illuminating additives). These will keep you shine- and worry-free. Stay away from an illuminating or radiant finish powder as it may cause you to look oilier.

FAQ
  • How can powder help with oily skin?

    A powder may help control shine and even out skin tone. Some powders may also help keep excess oil in check and absorb any unwanted greasiness.

  • Can you use face powder daily?

    You may use face powders daily, but don't use too much. Overdoing it with powder can cause your foundation or concealer to look cakey.

  • Does face powder cause you to break out?

    Face powders are a trusted sidekick of those with oily skin since they help keep excess oil at bay. This usually prevents new breakouts from forming.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a lifestyle writer specializing in makeup, skincare, hair care, and wellness products within the commerce space. For this story, she compiled insight, application tips, and product recommendations from two makeup artists, then considered powders from a wide range of brands before landing on the final selections. From this list, she has personally used Fenty, Rimmel, It Cosmetics, RMS, Bare Minerals, Charlotte Tilbury, and Urban Decay.

Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
  1. Bamford E, et al. Mesoporous magnesium carbonate for use in powder cosmetics. International journal of cosmetic science vol. 43,1 (2021): 57-67. doi:10.1111/ics.12670

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