We did some research into the best possible choices that can work on dry skin, and consulted with a makeup artist for advice. Some are targeted for those with dry and sensitive skin as well! Our top pick was L'Oréal Paris' Hydra Perfecte Perfecting Loose Powder. It has a lightweight texture that blends well into the skin and will leave your skin looking silky-smooth. Also, the guide following the list of products we recommend for you is a comprehensive one to put an end to your confusion about what you need to choose.
Natalya is a professional makeup artist based in Los Angeles and has been trying new products to find what is best for each individual's skin tone and type. She is self-taught but wanted to raise her education, and she went to a makeup school in Los Angeles to learn the inside and out of makeup. She has tried many makeup brands and products and can proudly say she has found some of the best and longest-wearing products. As a freelance makeup artist, she wants her clients not to worry about their makeup not lasting as long as they need it to.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
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Table of Contents
A good setting powder can work as a barrier between the skin and makeup and retain your look for a long time. In short, it can prevent your skin from drying out and your makeup from disappearing! It can be used alone or to set your foundation and can make you look fresh all day.
A setting powder can also be used to accentuate the under-eye area. The best ones can also conceal fine lines and other imperfections, no matter how long it is worn. You can use it to highlight specific areas of your face or apply a bit of it all over your face for great coverage.
The secret to setting the makeup on dry skin lies in finding the right setting powder and applying it the right way. By perfecting the application, you can sculpt your face and brighten its great features.
Some might have the belief that all setting powders are oil-controlling and mattifying. That's not true! While the wrong product can end up giving you the dreaded cakey look, the right one with hydrating and moisturizing elements can work like a charm. Let's see what to look for while choosing a setting powder for dry skin.
The first thing to determine is whether you need a colored powder or a translucent one. While a colored powder is flash-friendly, a translucent powder can end up giving your face flashback, if not blended well. And if you want to correct some patches or irregularities on your face, a matching tinted or colored powder is the best choice.
If you want a product that can effectively cover any imperfections in your skin, choose a tinted powder. Anything from fine lines to blemishes to wrinkles to scars can be blurred using colored powder. It can also correct your skin tone, even out your complexion, and is a great choice when you need a quick touch-up.
Depending on how much you need to conceal on your face, you can choose a product from light to medium to heavy coverage. The coverage it gives depends on the pigment it contains. As long as the product is lightweight, reapplication wouldn't cause your makeup to look cakey and thick.
Tinted powders are available for all types of skin tones. You need to choose a product that can mimic your skin tone or the one that is a close match to your foundation. And if you are headed for a special photography session, there is nothing that can beat the look that a colored powder can render.
Translucent powders are for almost every skin tone and can be mainly used to highlight specific areas of your dry skin. Blending the right way is the key to achieving the perfect look using a translucent powder.
They are lightweight, so you can safely reapply as required without changing your face's tone. Some experts suggest using a translucent powder for baking or highlighting the under-eye area. It can also brighten your skin and give it a radiant glow, too!
You can also find a translucent powder with hydrating elements to moisturize your skin and keep your face glowing all day! Those with fair to tan tones can benefit a lot from these powders.
Translucent powders don't always work well on darker skin tones as they can leave behind a white cast or cause flashbacks. To prevent this, you can use a setting spray! You can also search for a tinted powder designed for warm undertones or deep skin tones.
Those with oily skin tend to stay away from pressed powders with a thicker texture. While that benefits those with dry skin, loose forms can also work for those seeking only a lighter coverage.
Pressed powders are mostly available in the tinted or pigmented form. They are more pigmented than loose powders and can easily conceal your blemishes such as hyperpigmentation. However, applying too much powder to your skin will make it appear cakey.
Usually, pressed powders are formulated with thicker particles of the ingredients. Emollients such as silicone, oils, glycerin, and wax are added to these products to keep them in a semi-solid state.
Being enriched with emollients, they can keep your dry skin hydrated better than a loose powder. They can give your skin a dewy, glowy look, too! Besides, they are easy to carry around without the worry of dust flying or spreading around once opened.
A pressed powder can moisturize dry skin and control oil at the same time. When your face is extra dry in certain areas, you want a full coverage but not cakey look, so reach for your pressed powders to set the skin without adding too much product.
If you have dry patches, your foundation can cling to it and show its texture. A pressed powder has more ingredients that will blur the skin while adding moisture and a cooling effect. Dehydrated skin needs an extra boost with makeup or we will find our skin to not look so good during the makeup process and won't last till the end of the day.
Most professionals choose a loose powder over a pressed one for several reasons. They are much finer in texture compared to the pressed ones, and can therefore blend nicely into the skin to cover your blemishes.
However, loose powders might settle into your pores and fine lines. Also, since they are less pigmented, makeup professionals can use them on clients with a range of skin tones.
Loose setting powders come with finer particles, and so they can get very messy if not correctly handled. If not closed properly, they can spill inside your handbag and make a mess as well. However, if you are looking for lightweight coverage to your face, a loose powder will be ideal.
A loose powder is meant to mainly set the skin with adding coverage. A setting powder is great for mattifying oily skin and adds brightness to your complexion. A loose powder is meant to buff into the skin adding a velvety finish. Loose powders are great for blending the makeup together. A loose powder can also be used to bake under the eye without creasing or adding dryness.
Using a setting powder for dry skin will get you a flawless finish that is made to last. A good one can also keep your face hydrated and resistant to smudges, besides keeping it glowing and smooth.
First, try to avoid a matte finish product. It usually contains talc, a mineral substance that prevents caking. Talc can also absorb moisture and will leave your dry skin even drier. Even if it isn't for the talc, a matte look can make your skin look and feel dehydrated.
Demi-matte is the look you need for your dry skin. It will give your skin a radiant look without drying it out or making it look too shiny. However, be careful about reapplying demi-matte powders, as they can turn cakey with multiple touch-ups. A bit of dewiness and shine can work great for you, but watch how much goes on your face.
That being said, a product with a glowing finish can also look good on your dry skin. It can give a reflective sheen without making it appear oily. Powders with a natural finish can also work great for dry skin without enhancing the dryness of the skin.
For those living in humid areas, makeup smudging as a result of sweating can be a regular experience. To prevent any accidental smudging, consider a waterproof setting powder!
It can save you from having to do multiple touch-ups to keep the look in place. Likewise, a transfer-resistant product can ensure your makeup stays in place no matter how much rubbing it goes through.
The staying power of a setting powder can vary, but certain powders can last for a long time, such as Urban Decay's All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder, which can last for 11 hours. Make sure to thoroughly check reviews before purchasing!
Those with dry skin will benefit from some additional hydration and moisturizing. Before you click the buy button, have a look at what emollients and other moisturizing elements your makeup has. At the same time, there shouldn't be any ingredient that can clog your pores and result in an unprecedented breakout.
Like matte is for oily skin, hydration is for dry skin. It’s not tedious to find products containing hydrating ingredients. Humectants are nothing but moisturizing agents added to cosmetics - two good examples are glycerin and squalane.
They can attract moisture from the air to your face and keep it hydrated all the time. Hyaluronic acid is another great ingredient that can moisturize your face and give it the perfect luminescence.
Consider oils and plant-based butters like shea butter and jojoba seed oil. It will give your skin some extra moisture and a glowy look, so nobody can tell you have dry skin! Vitamins E and C also have a moisturizing effect on the skin.
When your skin gets dehydrated, the sebaceous glands in the skin might produce extra sebum to fight dryness. And this extra sebum might block your pores and cause acne! So if you find yourself experiencing breakouts, try to opt for non-comedogenic ingredients as they won't block your pores.
An example is salicylic acid, which can prevent pores from getting clogged and cause acne. Jojoba oil is great as it can keep your skin moisturized while not clogging your pores.
Comedogenic doesn't always mean 'back off' for those with dry skin. While oils like coconut oil, argan oil, and olive oil are comedogenic ingredients, they can still suit your dry skin if it's not prone to comedones.
Some setting powders have ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, talc, synthetic fragrances, and triclosan. These components have no good properties to add to your skin. They are used to increase the product's shelf life and improve its texture.
The health concerns speculated to be caused by the presence of talc lead some to call for the use of a talc-free product. There have been no official statements about its adverse outcomes, though. Either way, talc has mattifying properties, and the matte look is what you never need.
Also, we recommend avoiding alcohols, such as isopropyl alcohol and its derivatives such as isopropyl palmitate and isopropyl isostearate. They are strong comedogenic components. If you dread the thought of acne breakouts, a comedogenic product isn’t right for you.
L'Oreal Paris brings you this light-diffusing loose powder to enhance your complexion and texture by minimizing the appearance of pores and other imperfections. It's also formulated with moisturizers to nourish and hydrate your dry skin while giving your makeup a long-lasting hold.
If you are looking to brighten and highlight specific areas, this setting powder is great, too. Yet, some users complained about the overwhelming scent and said the powder irritated their skin. But most users raved about the lightweight texture and the smooth finish it gave. They also mentioned that it blended well with their skin tone.
This four-in-one product can work as a foundation, powder, concealer, and sunscreen. PÜR has included SPF-15 sunscreen in this vegan powder, along with shea butter, pea extract, and bamboo leaf extract to hydrate and condition the skin. The formula also helps brighten dark spots and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Some users had concerns that the product formula had changed for the worse. Some said that it crumbled and cracked. But many loved this mineral powder for its weightlessness, excellent coverage, and smooth application. Some said it worked well and didn't irritate their skin, despite having conditions like rosacea and melasma.
For those with dry skin looking for a dewy and subtle glow, this loose setting powder can work great. The pearl pigments in it are the reason for the radiant glow, but it also gives a sheer coverage to hide those fine lines and pores. Try it on, and your makeup will stay in place for 12 hours!
Some users said the setting powder had a yellow tone and didn't look good on fair skin. But those with medium to deeper tones loved the coverage. Many were also happy that this powder didn't dry out their skin and instead left it looking radiant and youthful. They further added that just a light dusting was enough to get the result.
This setting powder is packed with nourishing elements to give you silky-smooth and bright skin after application. The Olay Amino-Peptide Complex helps minimize fine lines and wrinkles and firm your skin for a youthful look! Also, the lightweight formula won't feel heavy on your face even after multiple touch-ups to hide imperfections.
Amidst the common complaints about the small mirror and the short staying power, there were many great reviews from users who loved the lightweight and radiant effect it left on the face. On top of that, many said it covered their blemishes nicely and blended well into their skin.
This pressed powder comes with a creamy texture, so those with dry skin can easily apply it on the face without worrying about dryness. It can correct, cover, nourish, and protect your face. Particularly, it has a semi-matte finish and contains green tea leaf extract and vitamins E and C to give your skin a radiant look.
Most users were happy with the texture and coverage of this setting powder. They further added that it had a smooth finish and didn't make their skin feel heavy or dry it out. Those with acne-prone and sensitive skin also said this pressed powder didn't irritate their skin or cause breakouts.
If you are looking for an anti-aging product with the right ingredients to pamper your facial skin, look no further! Its shade is translucent, and the ingredients like anti-aging peptides, silk, antioxidants, and collagen can transform your skin to get that perfect finish and a youthful glow.
Some users found the color too light. But most loved this weightless, non-drying, and colorless formula and said it hid their imperfections well and smoothed pores without clogging them. Even those with large pores on their face felt them disappearing after brushing this on!
Here's yet another sunscreen-based mineral powder to keep your makeup in place and protect your face at the same time! Apply over moisturized skin for the best coverage, resulting in diminished imperfections and a face that is satiny and smooth to touch. However, some users found the shade to be too light.
But the formula is buildable so you can apply more layers until you achieve your desired result. Meanwhile, for many users, the lightweight coverage gave a flash-friendly outcome. Plus, it didn't make their skin feel dry. Some also reported it working gently on their sensitive skin and didn't lead to breakouts.
This mineral powder can act as a foundation, concealer, sunscreen, setting powder, and finishing powder. Just use a small amount to set your makeup or correct the problem areas. The non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic formula has a silky texture that glides smoothly on your face, thanks to the finely ground mineral pigments.
Some said that the colors were a bit off and applying more can give a cakey appearance. A few others complained that it was a bit messy to use. But most users attested to needing only a small amount of this weightless product for a flawless finish and excellent coverage. Some were also happy that it didn't cause breakouts.
This loose setting powder can do more than baking and setting your makeup. The vegan and cruelty-free formula can hide blemishes like fine lines and wrinkles and leave your skin with a radiant glow. It's lightweight and won't make your skin look cakey. It's free from potential irritants like parabens and phthalates, too.
Some users said it was messy to apply this setting powder, while a few others complained that it left behind a white cast and caused flashback. But for many others, this setting powder gave a smooth finish. They also loved that it wasn't drying and kept their makeup in place for a while.
This talc-free powder is our top pick for dry skin. The finely milled particles are infused with light-refracting diamond powder to blur pores, fine lines, and other imperfections and prevent flashbacks from happening. Being transparent and weightless, it works well on your dry skin to give an invisible and flawless finish!
One coverage found the coverage too sheer, while the majority loved the light coverage, saying it went on beautifully and felt nice on the face. Some users also raved about the subtle glow and the silky finish it left on their faces. Most also agree that it didn't settle in their fine lines or pores.
In addition to checking our buying guide for accuracy, Natalya took the time to answer some commonly asked questions about setting powders for dry skin.
"Your setting powder should be the same as your foundation shade. Most brands have the same color in the liquid foundation as the pressed or loose powders," Natalya points out.
If you are still unsure what color, you can never go wrong with a translucent or banana powder. Banana powders have a yellow hue can be used to set, highlight or bake the face. For those with fair and pale skin, a translucent would be best, but someone with warm undertones can use this to set under the eye and to dust over the entire face."
Natalya says, "Powder products work best with powder products. Cream products work best with cream products.
If you are contouring with a cream contour, you will want to wait to set your face after applying the cream contour. If you are using a powder bronzer or contour, you would set your foundation with a setting powder and then go in with your bronzer product."
A setting powder is not the complete solution for your dry skin. When you think of advanced care for your dry skin, consider the following product recommendations that we have.
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