If you're wary of using setting powder out of fear of ending up with skin that looks cakey and chalky, don't be. The latest formulas have a featherweight finish that will lock makeup in place while remaining undetectable. And the best part is you don't have to spend an arm and a leg for this impressive payoff. In many cases, the options you'll find at the drugstore deliver results that are just as impressive as their pricier counterparts.
Some setting powders can absorb moisture and minimize shine for hours, making them highly effective for people with oily skin, while others have formulations that won't flake or clog your pores if you have combination or dry skin. We combined editor favorites and options that performed well in our test of the best setting powders to bring you the best drugstore setting powders. We evaluated each one based on its formula, finish, wear, and shade range. Check out these Byrdie favorites for locking your look in place.
Best Overall
Wet n Wild Photo Focus Loose Setting Powder
Translucent shade is truly colorless
Weightless formula
Creates and airbrushed finish
Mattifies shine effectively
Packaging is a bit messy
Coverage: Translucent/light | Shade Range: Translucent to Deep | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This powder impressed us as much as many of the high-end powders we tested in our lab. We love how weightless the formula is—it's one of the most finely milled powders we've ever tried. It glides onto the skin seamlessly, setting makeup in place and tempering shine while creating an airbrushed finish. It comes in a banana shade to brighten skin and a darker shade for those with tan and deep skin tones. We love that the translucent shade is completely colorless, making it a great option regardless of your skin tone.
Best Budget
Coty Airspun Face Powder
Breathable
Leaves skin smooth
A lot of product in the tub
Has a strong scent
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: Fair/Light | Finish: Translucent, Flawless | Size: 2.3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
This loose powder has been a go-to for women since—wait for it—1935. (We appreciate that the vintage packaging speaks to that old-school history.) The product was ahead of its time before the term 'baking' was used in makeup. As the name suggests, the pigments are blended with air so that this feels totally featherweight. It tames oily spots and sets makeup in place without leaving a heavy or cakey finish. We also like that it doesn't alter foundation color when applied on top of it. It does have a stronger scent though, so it's not a great choice if you're sensitive to that.
Best Radiant
e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Setting Powder
Creates a soft-focus look
Gives glow without shine
Lightly veils the skin
Chalky to some
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: Light to Deep | Finish: Radiant | Size: 0.24 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This is the perfect pick for anyone who wants to maintain a radiant complexion while tempering excess oil. It uses finely milled synthetic sapphire particles to set your skin while providing luminosity. These babies do two things: One, they blur away pretty much every line, pore, and whatever else needs blurring for a gorgeous soft-focus finish (hence the filter comparison). Two, they have just a hint of brightness, making skin look fresh and glowy, though not overly shimmery.
Extensive shade range
Lightweight
Mattifies shine
Powder is fragile
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: Fair to Dark | Finish: Natural matte | Size: 0.21 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We love pressed powders because they're less messy than loose powders (and if you're accident-prone, you know how important that ca be). This pressed formula is mess-free, easy to take with you on the go, and great for all skin types. It does a nice job of mattifying shine without looking chalky, and we appreciate that it feels lightweight and comes in a wide variety of shades.
"I have oily-combination skin, and this powder not only gives me a matte finish but also keeps shine at bay for hours," says Ashley Jimenez, former editorial assistant. "Plus, it has a natural matte finish, which I love."
Best Lightweight
Blk/Opl Finishing Powder
Absorbs excess oil
Airy and soft
Goes on smooth
Feels weightless on skin
Tones may be too dark for some
Coverage: Transparent | Shade Range: Medium | Finish: Velvet-Matte | Size: 0.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This loose powder performed extremely well in our lab test—we were impressed by how weightless it felt on the skin while still doing an excellent job of setting makeup in place and toning down oily spots. It gave the complexion a soft finish that looked skin-like and natural, and while we do think the shades work best for medium and dark skin tones, there is one shade that works with light skin tones, too. If you've been craving a powder that feels undetectable on your skin, this one is totally worth checking out.
Best Shade Range
Maybelline New York Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder
Sets foundation for 12 hours
Sheer hint of color
Extensive shade range
Can get a bit cakey if over-applied
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: Fair to Dark | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
The perfect topper for any foundation, this formula delivers a wash of sheer color that blends in beautifully. It comes in eight shades, which is extensive for a drugstore brand. We loved how well it set the skin without looking dry. If you apply it with a large fluffy brush, it feels lightweight on the skin and looks airbrushed, but it's worth noting that if you over-apply, it can appear a bit cakey. Still, we highly recommend this formula, especially if you're looking for a powder that closely matches your skin tone.
Best for Dark Skin Tones
Mented Cosmetics Skin Silk Loose Setting Powder
Comes in three shades that range from light to dark
Feels lightweight on the skin
Controls shine well
Doesn't look dry
Shades are fairly pigmented so they're not super flexible
Coverage: Light to medium | Shade Range: Light to Dark | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.9 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
This setting spray proved excellent for deep and dark skin tones in our lab test, though there is a light shade that could work nicely for light to medium skin. The two deeper shades range in tone and depth, and the deepest one is darker than most loose powders on the market. In addition to the shades, we loved how well it combatted oil without making the skin look dry or cakey. It's a bit more expensive than most drugstore options, but if you find a shade that works for you, we think it's absolutely worth the investment.
Best With Buildable Coverage
L'Oréal Infallible Powder Foundation
Comes in a wide shade range
Formula is soft and smooth
Can build up to full-coverage
Can look a bit dry on dry skin
Coverage: Buildable/full | Shade Range: Fair to Dark | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Setting powders are often on the translucent side so they don't override your makeup underneath, but if you're looking for one that adds more coverage to your makeup look, we love this one. It's technically a foundation and can be used all on its own, but it can also be layered on top of a liquid foundation for even more coverage. It comes in a large selection of shades that range from fair to dark, and we love that you can build it up for some serious coverage. It's also waterproof, aka, perfect for summer, humid climates, or stressful days.
"If I'm looking to set my concealer or foundation in place on top of a blemish, while also adding even more coverage, this is a powder that I reach for," says Kaplan. "I like that I can customize the coverage—applying it with a fluffy brush creates just a hint of coverage, while tapping it on with a dry sponge adds a lot more."
What to Look for When Buying a Drugstore Setting Powder
- Finish: Choose a setting powder that provides the type of finish you want. Check the label for indicators such as radiant, matte, natural, or airbrushed. If you have oilier skin, you may wish to look for one that is mattifying, such as the L'Oréal Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation In A Powder or the NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop Mattifying Pressed Powder. If you have dry skin, an option with a bit of radiance, like the e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Setting Powder might be better.
- Shade range: Choosing the correct shade for your setting powder will make all the difference to your finished result. A setting powder that is too dark will look patchy and unnatural, while a too-light shade might result in chalky or ashy-looking skin. Some setting powders are translucent and work to set makeup and create a lasting effect without any color deposit. If you're looking for an option that matches your skin tone closely, we recommend checking out the Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder.
- Coverage: If you plan on wearing your powder alone without foundation, you may require more coverage. If you prefer a natural look on top of concealer or foundation, try a setting powder that provides sheer coverage, or a translucent option, like the Coty Airspun Loose Powder.
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.