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The Best Powder Foundation

Last updated on August 22, 2022

We looked at the top 9 Powder Foundations and dug through the reviews from 23 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Powder Foundations.

Our Review Process

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Are you looking for the right product to help your skin look completely smooth, matte and poreless? If so, powder foundation may be the right choice for you. Adding this beauty product to your makeup regimen can help you achieve the look of flawless skin. Unlike liquid or cream foundations, which are ideal for those with dry skin, powder foundation works really well for people who have oily skin or skin that is prone to acne or sweat.

Powder foundation can actually suck up excess moisture on your face, ensuring you have even coverage. Plus, powder foundation is an easy way to get rid of unwanted shine. Powder foundation typically comes pressed, so you can use it on the go. Just keep your powder foundation in your purse or gym bag and apply it whenever you need it.

If you want to take powder foundation to the next level and get a picture-perfect blurring effect, then opt for products that contain dimethicone. This silicone-based ingredient helps you look like you’ve got an Instagram filter on in real life.

While getting the right kind of powder foundation is important, you also have to apply it correctly. Make sure you use the right tools, which can include sponges, brushes or your fingers, and buff the product into your skin. Powder foundations are buildable makeup products, so you can add on more layers of the same product or use concealer, highlighters, blush, bronzers and more.

Our Picks For The Top Powder Foundations

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Buildable Powder Foundation

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Maybelline

Fit Me Matte + Poreless Buildable Powder Foundation

This long-lasting powder foundation leaves a natural finish. It also controls shine and hides the appearance of pores. The foundation is allergy-tested and non-comedogenic.

Overall Take

Long LastingGet a natural finish for a matte and pore-less look with this foundation.

Pros
" Blends well. Natural finish. Keeps your face matte all day. Available in a wide range of shades. Buildable coverage. Affordable."
Cons
"Too drying for some skin types. Lasting time may be short in certain climates."
 Runner Up

bareMinerals SPF 15 Paraben-Free Powder Foundation

bareMinerals

SPF 15 Paraben-Free Powder Foundation

This pure, paraben-free powder foundation doesn’t contain any binders, fillers, oils, waxes or fragrances. It is formulated with SPF 15 and comes in a medium beige color.

Overall Take

No ParabensThis SPF-15 powder foundation is formulated with only pure ingredients.

Pros
" Quality powder foundation is a long-time top-seller and works well for most customers due to their pure mineral formula."
Cons
"Product takes some time to settle into skin."
 We Also Like

PÜR SPF 15 4-In-1 Concealer & Powder Foundation

PÜR

SPF 15 4-In-1 Concealer & Powder Foundation

This lightweight all-in-one powder foundation also contains SPF 15 and nourishing skincare ingredients. It is designed to correct skin concerns for a smoother, healthier look.

Overall Take

All-in-OneTo correct skin concerns, this medium- to full-coverage powder works well.

Pros
" If oil control is you top priority in a mineral makeup, this one is worth considering; but it's not practical for all skin types or tones."
Cons
"Not ideal for very sensitive skin."
 Strong Contender

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear 24-Hour Powder Foundation

L'Oreal Paris

Infallible Fresh Wear 24-Hour Powder Foundation

This long-lasting powder foundation gives both oily and dry skin a flawless finish. It is lightweight and covers like a liquid, with no cakey look. It's non-comedogenic, of course.

Overall Take

Flawless FinishThis powder foundation covers like a liquid and is ideal all types of skin.

Pros
" Sits smooth like butter on skin. Long-wearing. Accessible price point."
Cons
"My one and only request from the brand would be to extend the shade range."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
16

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the powder foundations available to purchase.
9

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

23

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, Best Products, Byrdie, The Notice, Beautylectual.

362,983

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 9 Powder Foundations and also dug through the reviews from 23 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Powder Foundations.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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What to Look For

  • If you have the opportunity to try the product before buying it, you may be tempted to try it on the back of your hand. However, this won’t necessarily help you get the right color. Try the powder foundation either on the inside of your wrist or on the side of your face, which is more likely be an accurate match.
  • If your powder foundation is too light for your skin, it will end up looking grey and ashy. If it’s too dark, the difference will be very noticeable when compared to your neck. It’s important to match the shade of your foundation exactly with the color of your skin.
  • Powder foundations come in different coverage levels. If you like the more natural look, then opt for a powder foundation that offers sheer coverage. If you want to even out any skin imperfections and get a smooth and even look, opt for powder foundations that have medium to full coverage.
  • If you have oily skin, then powder foundation is a good choice because it helps to control excel oil secretion from your face. Plus, powder foundations typically have a matte finish; you’ll want to avoid any that offer shine and radiance because that will not work well on oily skin. To help your skin look matte, apply a primer before applying your powder foundation. When you put on the foundation, add an extra layer to your T-zone, which is where a lot of the excess shine comes from.
  • Want a new tip to minimize face shine? Before applying any makeup, get an ice cube and rub it all over your face. This will help to minimize your pores and reduce excel oil secretion.
  • While powder foundation is ideal for those with oily skin, it can also work for those who have dry skin. However, you have to apply it in the correct way. First, use a face moisturizer and put it on liberally. Wait for your skin to soak it up before you start your makeup regimen. Don’t build up layers of foundation if you have dry skin. Instead, just apply one even layer of powder foundation to avoid it looking patchy and flaky. If you have dry patches on your skin, such as around the nose or the cheeks, don’t apply powder foundation to those areas.

Powder Foundation Rankings

2. bareMinerals SPF 15 Paraben-Free Powder Foundation

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 6

3. PÜR SPF 15 4-In-1 Concealer & Powder Foundation

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 6

5. Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Lightweight Powder Foundation

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 5

6. LAURA GELLER Color Correcting Baked Powder Foundation

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 6

7. Ruby Kisses Matte Full Coverage Powder Foundation

Overall Score: 8.2
Reviews Included: 3

8. Mineral Fusion Fragrance Free Vegan Powder Foundation

Overall Score: 7.7
Reviews Included: 5

9. COVERGIRL Clean Simply Hypoallergenic Powder Foundation

Overall Score: 7.7
Reviews Included: 5

More to Explore

If you are inclined to use a powder foundation, it may be because you have oily skin (and yes, you can have dry and oily skin at the same time). Your skin type is caused by different things, such as genetics and age — as you get older, your body creates less collagen and sebum. You may also have enlarged pores due to weight fluctuations, previous breakouts and age. Skin type can also be affected by your local environment and the time of year.

In general, oily skin may be improved by cleansing properly and using moisturizer. That’s because it’s caused by over-production by the sebaceous glands, which can happen when your skin is actually too dry.

More to explore