This blog post is all about the 9 best face powders for acne-prone skin.
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Dewy and glowy looks are everywhere on social media. However, there’s a big difference between a makeup look that is dewy on purpose (usually with glowy cheeks, eyelids, and nose) and a greasy makeup look (usually on your undereye, chin, and forehead).
All skin types can suffer from shiny skin, particularly now that warmer days are ahead. A good translucent powder can solve anything. However, if you have acne-prone skin, you need to be much more careful about the ingredients of your finishing powder.
In this article, you will discover which ingredient to avoid when looking for a setting powder. Finally, you will find the 9 best face powders for acne-prone skin that don’t contain pore-cloggers. Right in time for summer!
Why Should I Use a Setting Powder?
This is an internal struggle I need to face every time I put on makeup. I love glowy looks with dewy checks. However, I hate seeing my undereye, forehead, and chin shiny around midday. That’s when a setting powder comes in handy. Setting powders can be a great addition to your makeup routine because they help with the following:
- uneven skin tone
- setting foundation or concealer while preventing them from transferring to your clothes
- absorb excess shine in some areas of your face
- reduce fine lines
- reduce the appearance of pores
- obtain a matte look with a flawless finish, maybe for a night look where dewy makeup is inappropriate.
Depending on the look you want, you can apply the setting powder to some areas of your face, leaving out other parts where you don’t necessarily need it.
Which Ingredient Should I Avoid in a Face Powder?
Most setting powders on the market contain talc. Talc is a big no when it comes to sensitive and acne-prone skin. This mineral is safely used in skincare and makeup products but could irritate the skin and cause breakouts. It is widely used in skincare and makeup products for its ability to absorb skin oils, grant opacity and a matte finish (all you’re looking for in a setting powder, by the way.).
However, suppose we focus only on the skin-related concerns linked to talc. In that case, it can cause irritations, breakouts, and excessive drying to those suffering from dry skin (it could be suitable for oily complexions that are not acne-prone). Besides talc, fragrances can play a role in skin irritations; therefore, it is better to opt for fragrance-free products.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s explore the 9 best face powders for acne-prone skin. They are listed from drugstore options to more high-end products. (Jump right into the top picks!)
1. REVOLUTION BEAUTY LONDON –
Pressed Powder that mattifies and sets your makeup. This pressed powder is available in four shades and provides a smooth and bright finish. Perfect for a natural matte look.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE
This mattifying powder from Revolution Beauty is excellent value for money. It’s only $6, and high-rate reviewers claim it provides a glowy finish without being too visible. It seems perfect for waking up a pale wintery complexion that needs a glow right before spring. This powder is 100% fragrance-free and mineral oil-free. Therefore, it can be a great low-budget option for sensitive skin. It does not contain any skincare-loving ingredients, which makes sense considering the low price. If you have a low budget available for makeup, this is worth trying.
2. PHYSICIANS’ FORMULA
Mineral Wear® grants a natural-looking finish by gently absorbing excess oils without drying. It helps minimize the appearance of fine lines, for extra sensitive or acne-prone skin.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE
This talc-free compact powder from Physicians’ Formula is rated 4.3/5 with 297/354 4 and 5-star reviews on the official website. Based on high-rate reviews, this powder seems the perfect match for oily skin types, as it quickly absorbs excess oil and does not cause breakouts. Many reviewers use it as a foundation during the warmer months for its excellent ability to provide buildable coverage and cover blemishes. Moreover, it also seems great for dry skin, as it keeps the skin looking matte without drying it excessively. It’s available in 3 different shades.
This pressed powder contains Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, which grant SPF protection. Moreover, the list of ingredients includes Squalane at the top. Squalane is an excellent moisturizer that makes our skin look smooth without being too heavy or greasy. Considering the skincare benefits, I believe this product is an excellent low-budget option.
3. WELL PEOPLE
The perfect lightweight finishing powder that helps set makeup, reducing the appearance of fine lines. Providing a smooth and radiant finish.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE
This loose translucent loose powder from WELL PEOPLE is rated 4.3/5 star reviews with 1,184/1,293 4 and 5-star reviews on the official website. High-rate reviewers praise the ability of this product to mattify the skin and absorb excess oil. It creates the perfect blurring effect, reducing the look of pores while giving dimension to the face. It’s excellent for dry skin types. Even if it’s translucent, it does not create that “ghost-like” look on melanin-rich skin, granting a radiant finish.
The list of ingredients is concise and clean, which is always a green flag for skincare and makeup products. The skincare goodies are Camellia Leaf Extract (Green Tea) and Aloe vera. Green tea is an excellent antioxidant, and Aloe Vera is a great moisturizer with anti-inflammatory properties. This can be the right product for dry, acne-prone skin. It’s priced at $20 on the official website, a fair price for a clean and simple product like this.
4. AMI COOLE’
This product is perfect for finishing and extending your makeup while reducing excess oil on your skin. This powder seamlessly blends and disappears on your skin, granting a natural, matte finish.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE
This loose powder is rated 4.81/5 on the official website with 53 reviews. Most of the reviews are 5-star, and they all praise the product’s ability to seamlessly melt into the skin, providing a matte look with a skin-like finish. This could be the right setting powder for both oily and dry skin types, as it absorbs excess oils and does not leave the skin dry, granting a flawless look from day to night. It is available in 3 shades; one is translucent (for all skin tones), and the other is pigmented.
This product is 100% talc, fragrance, and oil-free. It contains Squalane, an excellent moisturizer that makes our skin look smooth without being too heavy or greasy, Sodium Hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid), and Glycerine, skin-identical ingredients that help the skin retain moisture and look plump and hydrated. Considering the list of natural ingredients and the price of $22 on the official website, I believe this product is excellent value for the money spent.
5. GLOSSIER
Finishing powder that cuts shine, reduces the appearance of pores, and sets makeup. Granting a matte, never-flat finish, you can customize your level of dewiness by applying it to the targeted areas. Great for a dewy makeup look without making you feel cakey or greasy.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE
This loose powder from Glossier is rated 4.2/5 stars with 682 reviews. High-rate reviewers agree that this powder is perfect if you don’t want to look greasy and shiny but still want a glowy and dewy look. This powder does not provide a matte finish, but it’s great if you apply it on those areas of your face where you want to reduce the shine. It gives a natural-looking glow, brightening up the skin. It is available in 5 different shades, covering a range of skin tones.
The product contains Kaolin Clay, which helps absorb excess sebum while gentler and not drying on the skin. It costs $24, which I believe is a fair price for a clean, fragrance- and talc-free powder. This is an excellent option if you are not the “matte-looking” type of girl but still like dewy cheeks without being too greasy.
6. HONEST BEAUTY
Weightless and invisible setting powder that blurs, mattifies, and sets makeup while delivering a soft and smooth finish. It is the perfect final step of your makeup routine for a smooth, effortless look.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE
This powder from Honest Beauty is rated 4.3/5 on Amazon, with 81% of 4—and 5-star reviews. Both on the company’s official website and on Amazon, buyers describe it as a lightweight powder that grants a natural matte finish without looking cakey. It’s great for oily skin, as a little product goes a long way, and it pairs well with foundation and concealer without making it look greasy. It’s a great, long-lasting setting powder.
The list of ingredients is concise and straightforward. It contains zea mays (corn) starch, which could have a high comedogenic rating depending on your source of information. Therefore, I would not suggest it to particularly acne-prone skin that breaks out easily. Moreover, considering the list of ingredients and the price of $25, I would buy other less expensive options that are better formulated, like those listed above.
7. SAIE
This powder helps set up makeup and smooth the skin. It provides a natural, velvety finish. The formula contains hydrating Squalane, which deeply moisturizes skin and leaves it plump and smooth.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE
This loose face powder from SAIE is rated 4.8/5 with 518/539 4 and 5-star reviews. The majority of reviewers (all high-rate reviewers) agree that this oil-control powder is perfect as the last step of a makeup routine. It blends all your makeup without looking cakey. It’s light and airy and lasts long enough not to be reapplied several times. It is an excellent option for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Available in three shades, including a translucent one.
Containing Squalane, an excellent moisturizer that makes our skin look smooth without being too heavy or greasy. If your makeup budget is a bit higher, this SAIE setting powder, at $30, is good value for money. The ingredients list is clean and straightforward and does not contain talc or other potential pore-cloggers.
8. HAUS LABS
A clean, skincare-infused, talc-free loose setting powder that blurs, controls shine and sets makeup.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE
This setting powder by Lady Gaga’s makeup brand is rated 4.7/5, with 1,638 reviews. High-rate reviewers agree that this powder is perfect for obtaining a blurred and porcelain-like finish on your skin. It perfectly sets makeup and lasts long. It’s an excellent oil-control product that does not dry the skin excessively. As a plus, the packaging is designed to reduce product waste, which makes it last longer. It’s available in 5 different shades.
The product is talc-free and fragrance-free. It contains Mountain Arnica Extract, a controversial ingredient, as some studies showed it could irritate sensitive skin. Containing Squalane, an excellent moisturizer that makes our skin look smooth without being too heavy or greasy. Finally, the list of ingredients features Vitamin E, antioxidant properties, and Glycerin, helping the skin retain moisture. Overall, this is, of course, a great product to splurge on. I also think you could find perfect options for half the price.
9. 100% PURE
Translucent to tinted setting powder made with mattifying bamboo silica to absorb excess oil, reduce shine, and refract light for a soft, poreless, flawless finish.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE
Here, we’re talking about 100% natural ingredients. This setting powder is rated 5/5 stars on the official website and 4.4/5 on Amazon. High-rate reviewers praise the fact that this is a lightweight and airy setting powder that makes your makeup last longer. You need some product in your shiny areas and are good to go. It’s perfect for both oily and dry skin, as it controls oils and keeps the skin smooth without that lousy feeling of dehydration. It comes in 4 shades, including a translucent option.
I don’t think I’ve seen anything cleaner and simpler regarding ingredients. It’s formulated with bamboo silica and fruit extracts such as peach pigments, apricots, papaya, and green tea. If you can splurge on makeup and spend 42$ on a setting powder, this is a cuddle for your skin. There’s nothing more 100% pure than this powder.
So, What Are The Top Picks?
These 9 face powders for acne-prone skin listed above are talc-free and fragrance-free; therefore, they are great for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Among the 9, I think some offer great value for money, combining high-quality ingredients without exceeding in price. All considered, my 2 top picks are the AMI COOLE Skin Melt Loose Powder and WELL PEOPLE Loose Superpowder Brightening Powder. I love it when makeup products offer a list of ingredients that are short, natural, and simple. That’s all we should want to put on our skin, which is already attacked by external environmental factors. Finally, If I could splurge on makeup, I would try the 100% PURE Bamboo Blur Powder and SAIE Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder. These four are the best face powders for acne-prone skin.
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