10 Best Loose Powder Foundations For Oily Skin And A Flawless Finish
Get a flawless finish and natural glow with makeup products that are long-lasting.
Expertise: Beauty & Lifestyle
Experience: 5 years
Chaitra has a triple main bachelor’s degree in journalism, communicative English, and economics from St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication fro... more
A full face of makeup on oily skin is a risky business if you do not use the correct makeup products. The best loose powder foundations are most suited for avoiding such disasters. Unlike liquid foundations, these do not have a greasy finish that otherwise start to shine after a few hours. Imagine being in an important event or a date only to realize that your foundation is coming off like an oily mess!
Makeup lovers know the importance of a good quality foundation in their makeup routine. Today’s powder formulas are enriched with ingredients that prevent excess sebum production and are non-comedogenic. They combine the best of skin care and makeup in one product. The loose powder foundations help you get a flawless look without worrying about excess shine or clogging your pores to cause breakouts. Here, we have listed the 10 best loose powder foundations that match different skin tones. To avoid a face full of melted makeup and stickiness, you must try these foundations soon.
In This Article
What Is Loose Powder Foundation?
Loose powder foundation is made of minerals like active zinc oxide, or active titanium that are finely milled to achieve a powder-like consistency. The minerals help in adding a lustrous shine that is subtle and gives a healthy-looking glow to the skin. The powder helps absorb oil and sebum and offer shine control with a mattifying effect. Often, these powder foundations contain kaolin or rose powders that detoxify and brighten the skin to provide added nourishment benefits. Loose powder foundations can also be used to highlight, conceal, and contour the face, as they come in a variety of shades. You’ll find that loose powder foundations give lightweight coverage for a natural finish that doesn’t look too heavy, and hence, they’re ideal for oily skin daily wear.
Get Natural-Looking Skin With The 10 Best Loose Powder Foundations Of 2023
1. Best Full Coverage:Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder – Translucent
For a natural look with a velvety finish, pick up Coty Airspun’s loose powder foundation. While smoothing the texture of your face, the loose face powder also ensures to cover up your fine lines, wrinkles, and spots. Not only can you use this loose foundation powder as a base for your everyday makeup, but it can also double as a loose setting powder, so your entire glam look stays intact all day long. You’ll be surprised to know that this timeless powder also offers full coverage because of its lightweight consistency! Swipe some with a brush to contour, highlight, or set, and you’re ready to go. We think this is one of the best loose powder foundations for oily skin out there! If you want to find out more about this product and its usage, make sure to check out this review on YouTube.
Pros
- Available in 6 shades
- Gives full coverage
- Can be used as a concealer
- Works as base makeup or setting powder
- Controls oil
- Suitable for oily and acne-prone skin
- Smooth application
Cons
- The scent may be overpowering for some.
2. Best For Daily:Maybelline New York Fit Me! Loose Finishing Powder – Fair Light
A worthy mention on our list of the best loose powder foundations of 2023, the loose finishing powder by Maybelline lasts up to 12 hours for a flawless look. Maybelline’s mineral-based powder is non-comedogenic, so don’t worry about it clogging your pores. And since the powder foundation controls oil production, it’s ideal if you’ve got oily skin as it will give you a natural finish. You can use this good loose powder foundation to either set your look or start with it as a makeup base with a smoothing effect. As a plus, it can also be used to contour or highlight your unique features. If you need further convincing, check this YouTuber’s review out.
Pros
- Available in 8 shades
- Non-comedogenic
- Suitable for all skin types
- Controls shine
- 12-hour wear
- Natural-looking, oil-free finish
- Can be used to contour or highlight
Cons
- Provides low coverage and might make fine lines apparent in mature skin
3. Best Hypoallergenic Product:BareMinerals Original Foundation – Medium Beige
Doll up with BareMinerals’ natural loose powder foundation made with all-clean ingredients to protect the health of your skin. Not only do you get lightweight and buildable coverage, but the luminous finish of this loose powder foundation with SPF will ensure you get many compliments! As you use this vegan loose powder foundation over time, your skin barrier strengthens, and you’ll notice a reduction in breakouts, spots, and fine lines. As a cherry on top, this BareMinerals talc-free loose powder foundation doesn’t contain tree nuts, PEG, synthetic fragrance, SLS, or any other harmful ingredients.
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- Buildable coverage
- Paraben-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Includes SPF 15
Cons
- May not be long-wearing
4. Best Drugstore Foundation:Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Loose Powder Foundation – Natural Ivory
Image: Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Loose Powder Foundation – Natural Ivory If you’re a makeup enthusiast, you must be familiar with Neutrogena’s best drugstore loose powder foundation available in 8 shades. With a combination of mineral color and light-reflecting pearls, it will leave you with radiant-looking skin. If this wasn’t all, there’s a blend of vitamins A, C, and E with antioxidant benefits to nourish the skin. For the safety of sensitive skin types, the naturally-derived minerals in this powder give a natural coverage. This one does not contain talc, fragrance, or dyes, making it ideal for sensitive skin and a smooth and even smooth finish. Perfect for everyday use, this loose powder foundation for sensitive skin gives you sheer-to-medium build able coverage.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Breathable formula
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Doesn’t contain talc, dye, or fragrance
- Contains vitamin blend for skin-nourishing benefits
- Smoothes skin texture
- Gives a subtle, natural glow
Cons
- Might not be easy to blend
5. Best For Acne-Prone Skin:Bellapierre Mineral Foundation – MF02
Bellapierre’s all-rounder mineral foundation with SPF 15 is the best loose powder foundation for acne-prone skin. It’s so versatile that it functions as a 5-in-1 product that can easily transition between being a foundation, concealer, finishing product, and setting powder, with the bonus of a sunblock! The versatile powder covers up dark circles, fine lines, and blemishes for smooth skin that doesn’t disappoint all day with an effortless swipe. The pure mineral pigments give you a medium-to-full coverage with a lightweight formula, and you can rock it to work every day as it feels like you’re barely wearing anything.
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
- Hypoallergenic
- SPF 15
- Medium-to-full coverage
- Can also be used as setting or finishing powder
- Suitable for acne-prone skin
Cons
- Might not be ideal for all-day wear
6. Best For Acne Scars:Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Natural Loose Mineral Foundation – Honey
If you’re looking for a lightweight powder that gives you a natural healthy glow, you’re on the right track! Young blood’s Natural Loose Mineral Foundation is suitable for all skin types as it enhances your skin with a build able sheer-to-full finish. You can also use it to conceal acne scars and fine lines because this weightless powder doesn’t clog pores or settle into wrinkles. This non-irritating formula is not only non-drying but made without any harmful ingredients so that you can sport healthy skin with a satiny finish.
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Build able powder
- Suitable for all skin types
- Conceals imperfections
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Doesn’t contain talc or parabens
Cons
- Might end up being cakey if not blended in well
7. Best In Travel-Friendly:L’Oreal Paris True Match Mineral Foundation – Natural Ivory
Say hello to convenience with L’Oreal Paris’ full coverage loose powder foundation. With a built-in brush applicator, getting glammed up on the go is a dream come true! The key ingredient kaolin present in this product detoxifies skin and removes impurities. Its mineral formula improves your skin and glides on gently to smoothen and even skin texture for that flawless finish you’re always craving. With SPF 19, this best mineral loose powder foundation stays put up to 16 hours, so that you can go about your day without worry!
Pros
- Includes SPF 19
- Evens skin texture
- Built-in brush
- Travel-friendly
- Easy application
- Lightweight
Cons
- Might be a bit drying on dry, mature skin
8. Best For Redness:Jane Iredale Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder – Radiant
For skin so smooth it feels like silk, 1 gentle sweep of Jane Iredale’s organic loose powder foundation is enough. The micronized minerals provide excellent sheer-to-medium coverage that is ideal for the everyday natural look, resulting in a luminous finish that will make sure you turn heads wherever you go. Its soft-focus effect blurs out fine lines, blemishes, and redness for an effortlessly clear base. Available in 13 shades with an oil-free and weightless formula, this loose powder foundation is a great catch.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Doubles as a concealer
- Vegan
- Water-resistant
- Paraben-free
- Doesn’t contain synthetic fragrances or preservatives
- Non-comedogenic
- Includes SPF 20
- Made without nanoparticles, GMOs, talc, or mineral oils
Cons
- May require frequent touch-ups
9. Best Organic Formula:Sweet Face Minerals Matte Loose Powder – Warm
Sweet Face Minerals brings to you its organic loose powder foundation suitable for all skin types and comes in 10 ultra-pigmented shades. With a weightless and airy formula, the powder glides on super smoothly and never ends up being cakey. And while you’re looking all gorgeous, the natural ingredients improve skin tone and texture while correcting problem skin. The formula also contains active ingredients like rose powder that helps skin brightening, and kaolin removes impurities by detoxifying the skin.
Pros
- Richly pigmented
- Improves skin texture and tone
- Brightening and detoxifying ingredients
- 100% natural and organic
- Weightless
Cons
- May not be suitable for long wear
10. Best For Fine Lines:Inika Loose Mineral Powder Foundation – Grace
A solid winner in our books, Inika’s Loose Mineral Powder Foundation is made of natural minerals that effectively cover up any acne blemishes, fine lines, or pores. Water-resistant, this matte loose powder foundation will give you a sheer-to-full level of coverage that is perfect for impressing on a first date. The added SPF 25 is super convenient if you don’t like layering on too many products. Without clogging pores or irritating skin, this loose powder foundation with SPF also doubles as a concealer to give your skin a silky finish.
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Works as a concealer
- Non-comedogenic
- Non-irritating
- Buildable coverage
- Contains SPF 25
- Free of chemicals
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
Cons
- May need frequent touch-ups
Now that we’ve gone over the 10 best loose powder foundations, let’s take a look at how you can choose the best one to control shine and give great coverage.
How To Choose The Best Loose Powder Foundation
- Shade according to skin type
Even though loose powder foundations benefit oily skin the most, other skin types can also use them. If your skin type is oily, go one shade lighter than your original skin tone. There is the danger of the oils in your skin oxidizing with the powder and turning darker, so a shade lighter will avoid discoloration. If you have combination or dry skin, you can choose a shade that matches your skin tone, as there won’t be a fear of discoloration.
- Finish
Loose powder foundations with matte finishes don’t give a shimmer, and they’re best suited to oily skin types as they control the oil and excess shine. On the other hand, Velvety finishes come with a subtle sheen to them that look better on dry and combination skin types as they provide a soft glow and cause the skin to look radiant.
- Ingredients
Stick to quality ingredients such as hyaluronic acid for dry skin, salicylic acid for oily, and acne-prone skin types. As a rule of thumb, it is best to stay clear of harsh and harmful chemicals that may cause an allergic reaction or strip your skin dry of its essential oils. Invest in loose powder foundations that do not contain parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, etc.
After you’ve secured a wonderful loose powder foundation, it’s time to learn how to use it to enhance your natural beauty and take your makeup look to the next level.
How To Apply Loose Powder Foundation With A Brush
- Step 1: Swirl your kabuki brush in the loose powder foundation container and press deeply to obtain powder.
- Step 2: Tap the brush against the container to dust any excess off as this can end up making you look cakey.
- Step 3: Dust the powder across your face on the cheeks, forehead, along your nose and on your chin and jawline. Do this while blending gently to achieve a natural matte finish.
- Step 4: If you want heavy or full coverage, repeat the process again.
Loose powder foundations can be the holy grail for oily-skinned beauties that find liquid formulas a hassle. They’re super convenient, and with the lightweight and highly natural-looking coverage they provide, they’re perfect for simple, everyday looks. If looking like you have no makeup on is your idea of makeup (and if you’ve got oily skin!), loose powder foundations will be your best buddy. Some even come with added SPF, so you don’t have to lather on sunscreen afterward. Not only do they control the shine that comes with having oily skin, but they offer a flawless finish that makes you look like you’re ready for the red carpet!
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Chaitra Krishnan, is passionate about makeup and understands how to achieve a perfect camera-ready look by using the best loose powder foundations. She has compiled the above list of the best loose powder foundations for photoshoots based on her expertise and after checking the online reviews from different trusted online forums. These products are cost-effective and help you achieve a natural-looking glowing appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to lighten loose powder foundation?
You can dab on a finishing powder as the final layer of your makeup, as finishing powders tend to be of a lighter color.
What is the difference between pressed and loose powder foundations?
Pressed powders help in setting liquid foundation so that it stays for long without smudging. They are pressed into a compact. Loose powder foundations, on the other hand, are finely crushed minerals like iron oxides, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide to control the oil that oily skin types produce throughout the day. They provide light-to-medium coverage.
What is the difference between compact and loose powder foundation?
Compact powders are pressed into a case and come in the form of a solid block to give a velvety finish. Loose powder foundations are finely milled and give an airbrushed finish with lightweight coverage.
What brush can be used to apply loose powder foundation?
A kabuki brush, which is a fluffy brush, comes with dense bristles in a round dome shape, and can help apply loose face powders well. They also come in different shapes like flat or rectangular and you can choose one depending on your needs.
Can you wear loose powder without foundation?
Yes, you can dab a tiny bit of powder foundation on to of your regular foundation to get a smooth, matte look.
Can you use loose powder on mature skin?
Yes, you use loose powder on mature skin. But avoid powders that sit into the fine lines and wrinkles and accentuate them more.
Can we use baby powder instead of loose powder?
No, most baby powders are not made to sit well with other makeup products.
Can you use concealer with a loose powder foundation?
Yes, you use concealer with a loose powder foundation. It helps set the concealer in place and evens out the skin tone.
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