7 Best Setting Powders For Matte, Shine-Free Skin

Ever looked in the mirror hours after applying makeup, only to see your T-zone shining like a glazed donut? If you have oily or combo skin, you get it. The fix? A good setting powder. But not all are equal—some cake, others vanish. You need one that controls shine, sets makeup, and keeps skin matte without drying it out. Let’s break down the best setting powders that actually do the job.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder: The Classic Everyone Swears By

There’s a reason this powder gets name-dropped by everyone from makeup artists to TikTok influencers. It’s lightweight, finely milled, and goes on like silk. The translucent version works on a wide range of skin tones without leaving a white cast.

What sets it apart is the way it absorbs oil without making your skin feel tight or look dry. It blurs texture beautifully and helps makeup stay in place for hours, even in humid weather.

You can press it into your skin with a damp puff for a more matte, budge-proof finish or use a fluffy brush if you want something lighter. Either way, it works without making you look flat or overly powdered.

Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder: Budget Option That Feels High-End

If you want something affordable that still gets the job done, Maybelline Fit Me is hard to beat. This loose powder gives a soft matte finish that keeps oil at bay and smooths out pores without clinging to dry patches.

Unlike many drugstore powders, this one doesn’t feel chalky or dusty. It has a little pigment, so it adds a bit of coverage—great for touch-ups or for setting light makeup days.

There are several shades, so it's not truly “translucent,” but it blends well and doesn’t oxidize. For the price, it performs like something three times more expensive.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish: Compact And Camera-Ready

If loose powders aren’t your thing and you want something mess-free for on-the-go, Charlotte Tilbury’s pressed powder is a solid pick. It feels like satin and gives a soft-focus finish that blurs pores and sets your foundation without looking powdery.

It’s ideal for touching up around the nose or chin during the day. What people love most about it is the airbrushed look it gives without any flashback or weird buildup, even if you reapply later.

This one is more about a smooth, polished finish than hardcore oil control. But if you’re combination-skinned and want a powder that never cakes, it’s worth keeping in your bag.

Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder: Matte Finish With Extra Grip

Huda’s Easy Bake is not subtle. It’s made for people who want full glam that doesn’t move. This powder has serious mattifying power and is especially good for baking under the eyes, locking down your T-zone, or prepping for long photo shoots or big events.

It’s lightly fragranced (something to note if you’re sensitive), and it comes in several tinted shades to brighten or match skin tones more closely than a single translucent formula would.

It’s more intense than some others on this list, but if your skin gets oily quickly or you need your makeup to last from morning to night, it holds up under pressure.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder: Fine And Flash-Proof

Fenty's setting powder stands out because of how fine and silky it is. It goes on almost invisibly, doesn't give a flashback, and helps your makeup stay looking fresh for hours.

There’s a light scent, but it’s not overpowering. The best thing is how it manages to set makeup, soak up oil, and still let skin look like skin. No chalky residue, no weird texture.

With multiple shades, it blends into different skin tones nicely, especially if you want something that matches your undertone more closely than a one-shade-fits-all formula.

Rcma No-Color Powder: The Makeup Artist's Secret

This one’s been in makeup kits for years. RCMA’s No-Color Powder is exactly what it sounds like—a translucent powder that adds no pigment, just shine control.

It’s especially good for people who wear cream foundations or want to set makeup without altering the tone or coverage. It disappears into the skin and doesn’t reflect under lights or cameras.

The packaging isn’t fancy (think salt shaker), but the product inside works. It’s perfect if you want a no-frills option that’s reliable and lightweight.

One/Size By Patrick Starrr Ultimate Blurring Powder: Instant Filter In A Jar

If you want a smooth, soft matte look with serious oil control, One/Size delivers. This powder lives up to its “blurring” name. It gives your face a filtered finish and minimizes pores without feeling heavy.

The formula is talc-based but doesn’t feel old-school. It’s finely milled, doesn’t settle into fine lines, and has a soft-focus effect that works great on camera or in real life.

Some users say it even helps smooth out textured areas or acne-prone skin, making it a good choice if you want to reduce shine and get that photo-ready finish.

How To Use Setting Powder The Right Way

You’ve got the powder—but how do you get that smooth, natural look instead of ending up cakey?

Start by choosing the right tool. For a light dusting, use a big, fluffy brush. If you want to press the powder into your skin and lock things down, go for a damp makeup sponge or a powder puff.

Focus on oily areas like your T-zone, around the nose, and chin. You don’t have to powder your whole face unless you're aiming for a super matte finish.

One trick pros love: Let your foundation and concealer sit for a minute before powdering. This gives your base time to settle, so your powder goes on more evenly.

And go slow—start with a small amount and build if needed. It’s easier to add than to remove.

What Should You Choose For Matte, Shine-Free Skin?

If you want the best all-rounder, Laura Mercier's loose powder is the safest bet. It sets, controls, and shines across skin tones. For a budget version, Maybelline Fit Me holds its own impressively. If you're always on the move, Charlotte Tilbury's pressed version is great for quick touch-ups.

Everyone’s skin is different, so it’s worth trying a few. But once you find the one that holds up to heat, oil, and long days—trust me, you’ll never leave the house without it again.