10 Best Powder Foundations for Oily Skin: Shine-Free, Smooth & Stunning Picks!

Is your face shining brighter than your highlighter by midday? Trust me, you’re not alone. Oily skin can be a blessing (hello, natural glow and fewer wrinkles), but it can also mean your makeup does the disappearing act faster than a magician’s rabbit. That’s where powder foundations swoop in like your favorite setting spray—except stronger, mattifying, and made to last.

If you’ve ever dealt with the struggle of makeup sliding off your face by lunchtime or looking greasy in photos, it’s time to make the switch. Powder foundations are your oily skin’s BFF—they soak up excess oil, blur imperfections, and keep everything in place without caking or clogging pores. Whether you want barely-there coverage or full glam, there’s a powder compact out there waiting to be your holy grail.

Let’s dive into the absolute best powder foundations for oily skin in 2025.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation
• Best Budget: e.l.f. Camo Powder Foundation
• Best Luxury: Gucci Poudre De Beauté Mat Naturel

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation – Best Overall

This is your skin’s real-life filter. With 50 inclusive shades and a buildable, non-cakey formula, Fenty’s powder foundation blurs, mattifies, and lasts all day. It resists sweat, shine, and creasing while staying feather-light. Bonus: no flashback, ever.

How to Apply

• For light coverage: Dust on with a fluffy powder brush.
• For medium coverage: Buff in with a flat-top brush.
• For full coverage: Press in with a sponge or layer over liquid foundation.

Pros

• Inclusive shade range (50 total!)
• Longwear and crease-resistant

Cons

• May need blotting in extreme humidity

e.l.f. Camo Powder Foundation – Best Budget

Don’t let the price fool you—this one packs a punch. The e.l.f. Camo Powder gives you buildable coverage with a shine-controlling semi-matte finish. Plus, it’s infused with skin-loving ingredients, and it’s 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

How to Apply

• For light coverage: Use a brush in circular motions.
• For medium coverage: Apply with the sponge that comes in the compact.
• For full coverage: Press on with a damp sponge, focusing on oil-prone zones.

Pros

• Affordable without compromising quality
• Non-comedogenic and talc-free

Cons

• Slightly powdery texture on dry patches

Gucci Poudre De Beauté Mat Naturel – Best for Luxury

Think of this as a matte filter in a Gucci compact. The ultra-thin powder glides on like silk, blurs imperfections, and leaves skin looking smooth—not flat. It’s buildable, lightweight, and lightly floral-scented for that extra touch of glam. Use it solo or as a setting powder—it plays well either way. Bonus: the foldable sponge gets into every nook with ease.

How to Apply

• For light coverage: Dust over bare skin using a fluffy brush.
• For medium coverage: Press on with the included sponge in sweeping motions.
• For full coverage: Use a dampened sponge to build up coverage in layers.

Pros

• Silky texture with a natural matte finish
• Luxury packaging and scent

Cons

• Pricey for everyday wear

J. Cat Beauty Aquasurance Powder Foundation – Best for Oil Control

Who says oily skin can’t be hydrated too? This water-infused powder foundation balances oil while locking in moisture, so you get that smooth, matte finish without the dreaded cake-face. Its silky texture minimizes pores and builds from medium to full coverage with zero creasing.

How to Apply

• For light coverage: Lightly sweep on with a fluffy brush.
• For medium coverage: Use a dry sponge to pat into skin.
• For full coverage: Apply with a damp sponge and press into targeted areas.

Pros

• Full coverage without heaviness
• Keeps skin matte but never dry

Cons

• Compact design can get messy with heavy use

Maybelline Super Stay up to 24HR Hybrid Powder Foundation – Best Drugstore Longwear

This powder is your ride-or-die for long days (and longer nights). Maybelline’s hybrid formula wears like a liquid but feels like a featherweight powder—giving you smooth, medium-to-full coverage that truly sticks. It’s sweat-, water-, and transfer-resistant, so your matte look stays locked in for up to 24 hours.

How to Apply

• For light coverage: Sweep on with a powder brush.
• For medium coverage: Buff with a dense brush.
• For full coverage: Press in using the included sponge.

Pros

• Long-lasting and budget-friendly
• Transfer- and sweat-resistant

Cons

• May oxidize slightly on very oily skin

Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation – Best for Sensitive, Acne-Prone Skin

Sensitive or breakout-prone? This one’s got your back. Cover FX’s talc-free, finely milled formula delivers a natural matte finish that controls shine without drying you out. It blurs discoloration, smooths texture, and won’t irritate even the most reactive skin.

How to Apply

• For light coverage: Sweep on with a fluffy brush.
• For medium coverage: Use a dry sponge or dense brush.
• For full coverage: Press in with a damp sponge for a seamless finish.

Pros

• Non-comedogenic and gentle on sensitive skin
• Smooth, matte finish without caking

Cons

• Slightly less oil control on very oily skin

NYX Professional Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Mattifying Powder – Best for Shine Control

Say goodbye to shine with this lightweight, oil-absorbing powder. The NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Mattifying Powder delivers a smooth, matte finish that lasts all day without looking cakey or ashy. Designed with oily skin in mind, this formula keeps you shine-free while allowing your natural complexion to show through. Plus, it’s available in 12 versatile shades, so you’ll find your perfect match!

How to Apply

• For light coverage: Sweep over bare skin with a fluffy powder brush.
• For medium coverage: Apply over foundation with a dense brush.
• For full coverage: Press in with a sponge, focusing on oil-prone areas.

Pros

• Non-drying and non-ashy finish suitable for all skin tones
• Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear
• Won’t transfer or smudge

Cons

• Limited shade range compared to some other brands
• May need touch-ups in extreme humidity

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blurring Powder Foundation – Best for Airbrush Finish

Get the airbrushed look you’ve always dreamed of with Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Blurring Powder Foundation. This best-seller delivers buildable coverage with a natural matte finish, thanks to its optical blurring powders that smooth over fine lines, pores, and imperfections for that real-life beauty filter effect. Infused with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and Amazonian clay to absorb oil, this powder keeps you shine-free for up to 16 hours.

How to Apply

• For light coverage: Dust over bare skin with a fluffy brush.
• For medium coverage: Buff into skin with a dense brush.
• For full coverage: Press in with a sponge for a flawless finish.

Pros

• Blurs imperfections for a smooth, airbrushed look
• 16-hour wear without caking or flaking
• Includes a touch-up sponge for on-the-go application

Cons

• Slightly pricier compared to other powder foundations
• May feel heavy if too much product is applied

Wander Beauty Powder Foundation – Best for Hydration

This ultra-fine, lightweight powder provides buildable coverage that effortlessly blends to smooth, blur, and even out skin tone. Infused with a potent blend of skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf, and hibiscus extracts, it hydrates and conditions your skin while blurring imperfections without settling into fine lines or wrinkles. Whether worn alone or over liquid foundation, it’s the multitasker your makeup routine has been waiting for.

How to Apply

• For light coverage: Pat on with the included antimicrobial rubicel sponge.
• For medium coverage: Use the sponge to apply and then buff in with a brush.
• For full coverage: Build up layers with the sponge or brush for a flawless finish.

Pros

• Blurs imperfections without settling into fine lines
• Hydrates and conditions skin with nourishing ingredients

Cons

• The sponge may require more cleaning for longer-lasting performance

MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation – Best for Long-Lasting Coverage

Say hello to a flawless, matte finish with MAC’s Studio Fix Powder Foundation. This oil-controlling, sweat-resistant formula keeps you looking fresh for up to 24 hours without caking or settling. Its silky, talc-free texture reduces the appearance of pores while providing smooth, buildable coverage that lasts all day. Waterproof and photo-friendly, it’s perfect for those long days that require reliable wear and a natural, airbrushed look.

How to Apply

• For light coverage: Sweep over skin with a fluffy brush like the 168S Brush.
• For medium coverage: Use the included sponge applicator or a 170S Brush for a more seamless finish.
• For full coverage: Buff Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 onto skin before applying the powder for an extra layer of coverage.

Pros

• 24-hour oil/shine control and long-lasting coverage
• Smooths and blurs skin without streaking or caking

Cons

• May need reapplication in extreme humidity

Whether you want something full-glam like Fenty or a drugstore steal like Maybelline, your skin deserves a formula that works with it, not against it.

Remember: oily skin isn’t the enemy—it’s just the canvas. Now, let’s help you paint your masterpiece.