These MUA-Approved Setting Powders Give Oily Skin a Flawless, Airbrushed Finish
Consider these your shine-control heroes.
When it comes to makeup, nothing is more frustrating than putting in all the time and effort to get ready just for your look to be outshined by oily skin. I struggle with this myself since I get particularly oily around my T-zone, which is why I always keep an oil-absorbent setting powder in my purse at all times. If you have oily skin too, odds are you're well aware of how much of a game-changer these powders can be.
Of course, finding the perfect setting powder isn't a walk in the park. There are many factors at play, including shade ranges available, whether a formula is safe for skin concerns like acne, and, of course, lasting power. There are a few other things to consider, and in an effort to lay out all the most helpful details, I chatted with celebrity makeup artists Mezhgan Hussainy, Nicole Walmsley, and Catrina Breitweiser. Read on to learn more and discover their favorite setting powders for oily skin.
The Best Setting Powders for Oily Skin, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Longwear Setting Powder
- Best Drugstore: Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder
- Best for Touch-Ups: Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder
- Best Long Wear: One/Size Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder
- Best Splurge: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
The Best Setting Powders for Oily Skin in 2026
Best Overall: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Longwear Setting Powder
The Translucent Loose Longwear Setting Powder is an MUA favorite, and it's recommended by not just one but two of our experts. "It’s extremely finely milled, sets makeup beautifully, and helps control shine without looking heavy or powdery on the skin," says Breitweiser. "It’s especially great for the under-eye area and T-zone because it blurs texture and keeps makeup locked in place for hours." Celebrity makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy agrees adding that it keeps skin looking soft and looks beautiful on camera.
Pros: Blurs, absorbs oil, promotes an even complexion
Cons: Honey shade can appear too yellow for some
Key ingredients: Botanical blurring powder, Vitamin C + E powders, skin conditioning powder
Shade range: 3
Finish: Matte
Customer review: "An absolute must have! I have repurchased this powder over 5 times now, and I will always keep it stocked in my kit. It sets the face well and stays on all day! Definitely worth the money and value!"
Best Drugstore: Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder
Anyone who's well-versed in drugstore beauty products will tell you that this finishing powder from Maybelline is a total steal. As someone with combination skin that leans oily in the summer, I use the Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder, but Hussainy recommends this one for those who have oily skin year round. “This is a fantastic, affordable option that performs beautifully on oily skin," she says. "It helps reduce shine and smooth texture while still giving the skin a natural finish.”
Pros: Affordable, sets for 12 hours, safe for sensitive skin
Cons: Not ideal for acne-prone skin
Shade range: 8
Finish: Natural
Customer review: "I've been using this for years and have purchased multiple times. It's great for setting makeup and feels like nothing is even there. I have skin on the oily side, so this helps me set my makeup."
Best for Touch-Ups: Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder
If you're someone who needs a mid-day touch-up, you'll appreciate this pressed powder from Fenty Beauty. “This is one of my favorite powders for quick touch-ups," says Hussainy. "It absorbs shine instantly without adding buildup, so the skin still looks natural. I love that it’s completely translucent, making it great for every skin tone.”
Pros: Absorbs shine, not cakey, works on all skin tones
Cons: Included puff doesn't pick up as much product as a brush
Shade range: 1
Finish: Matte
Customer review: "I have very oily skin. No matter what type of foundation I use, I love bringing this product wherever I go and touching up when I get oily. It really does its job. Took it on vacation in the Florida heat and loved it."
Best Longwear: One/Size Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder
Whether you have a busy day ahead or are doing your makeup for a special occasion, having a powder that lasts all day is a must. Luckily, this one from One/Size delivers on 24 hours of coverage. “This powder is fantastic for oily skin because it delivers strong oil control with a soft-focus finish," says Hussainy. "It smooths texture and keeps makeup looking fresh for hours, which makes it perfect for long events or filming.”
Pros: 24 hours of coverage, blurs fine lines
Cons: Packaging could be messy
Key ingredients: Performance powder microspheres, surface-treated pigments, soft-focus powders
Shade range: 7
Finish: Matte
Customer review: "This is honestly the best setting powder I’ve ever used. Gives me a nice color glow when using the sweet honey shade, and it blurs my makeup perfectly."
Best Splurge: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
I love setting my look with this Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder from Charlotte Tilbury. It reduces shine along my T-zone and has a noticeable blurring effect. "This pressed powder has a silky texture that blurs pores and gives the skin that smooth “airbrushed” look while helping to keep shine under control," says Breitweiser. "It’s great to carry in your bag for quick midday mattifying."
Celebrity makeup artist Nicole Walmsley agrees, noting that it doesn't leave a cakey finish and feels extremely lightweight. "For best results, sweep it on with a fluffy brush like the Charlotte Tilbury Powder & Sculpt Brush," she says.
Pros: Blurs, good for touch-ups, lightweight
Cons: Pricey, doesn't come in many shades
Key ingredients: Light-reflecting pearls, rose wax, almond oil,
Shade range: 4
Finish: Medium coverage
Customer review: "I really enjoy this powder! I have been using it to set my makeup and it lays down flawlessly. Light coverage, but it builds. I struggle with large pores and find that this doesn't settle too bad into them. Seems to give a slight blurring effect as well. This is great for daily use! And the packaging is stunning!"
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: MAC Cosmetics Blot Powder/Pressed
If you ask MUAs for an all-time classic recommendation, it's only a matter of time before they mention this pick from MAC. “This has been a makeup artist's favorite for years, known for its shine-control that doesn't disturb the makeup underneath," says Hussainy. "It’s lightweight and designed specifically to absorb oil, while keeping the complexion looking fresh.”
Pros: Doesn't cake on top, dermatologist tested, noncomedogenic
Cons: May need to be reapplied midday
Shade range: 5
Finish: Sheer, matte
Customer review: "My favorite touch-up powder! I prefer to go one shade deeper for a slight bit of extra coverage. This powder doesn't pile on or make your makeup feel heavy. It blurs everything together really softly, great for a quick refresh."
Best Medium Coverage: Huda Beauty Easy Bake Blurring Loose Baking & Setting Powder
If shade range is a concern, there's no shortage of options with this setting powder from Huda Beauty. "This powder is fantastic for oil control and gives a beautiful soft-focus finish to the skin," says Breitweiser. "It helps smooth pores and texture while keeping makeup looking matte but still luminous."
Pros: Wide shade range, smoothes pores, long lasting
Cons: Some users don't like the smell
Key ingredients: Vitamin E, rice starch powder, micronized powder
Shade range: 13
Finish: Matte
Customer review: "Absolutely love the Easy Bake Powder! It sets my makeup perfectly, blurs my pores, and keeps everything looking smooth all day without feeling heavy or cakey. Best powder on the market!"
What’s the best way to use setting powder for oily skin?
When applying your setting powder, using a light hand is going to keep you in control. Breitweiser suggests only using it where you truly need it. " I recommend pressing a finely milled setting powder into the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) with a small fluffy brush or powder puff rather than sweeping it across the entire face," she says. "Pressing the powder into the skin helps absorb oil and lock in makeup while still keeping the complexion looking smooth and natural rather than heavy or cakey."
Can you use setting powder without makeup on oily skin?
If you haven't been using setting powder on no-makeup days, this is your sign to start. "Setting powder isn’t just for locking in makeup, it’s also a great way to control shine on bare skin," says Hussainy. "I recommend blotting the skin first to remove excess oil, then lightly pressing a small amount of powder into the areas that get shiny." This quick step will blur pores and mattify your complexion while keeping things natural.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best setting powders for oily skin, we leaned heavily on expert insight and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including key ingredients, shade range, and finish. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
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