As someone who suffers from both eczema and extremely dehydrated skin, getting my makeup to last all day without flaking or smudging seemed impossible until recently, when I started adding a setting powder to my entire makeup routine. Whether you prefer a “no-makeup” makeup look or a face full of glam, a setting powder is the key to locking in your liquid foundation and base products and letting them last all day.
However, if you have dry skin like me, you’ll be well aware that choosing the wrong setting powder can feel like a disaster. In fact, if you choose the wrong powder, it can have the opposite effect on your makeup, just like setting powder does.
And with so many powders available in the market meant only for people with oily skin, how do we know what will actually work for us? Well, to make things easier for those of us with dehydrated skin, I decided to contact Jordana TissiaMakeup artist and founder of Jordana Tissia CosmeticsTo answer my burning questions about how to find the best setting powder for dry skin. Keep scrolling to see what he had to say.
What does setting powder do?
(Image credit: Who Wears What in the UK)
Tisia says, “A setting powder is designed to lock in your liquid base products, such as foundation and Concealer, in place, helps extend all-day wear. It works by absorbing excess oil, reducing unwanted shine and smoothing the appearance of the skin.”
“For me, it’s never about making makeup last longer. While that’s a huge benefit, there’s no point in having long-lasting makeup if it doesn’t actually look good; if anything, it just tempts you to take it off even sooner. It’s really about how the skin looks up close and feels throughout the day. The best powders should blur the texture and soften fine lines, never be heavy. Without being visible or sitting on the skin. I find that powders automatically look dry or cake-y, which is not possible anymore.”
Should people with dry skin use setting powder?
“Absolutely! I actually think a lot of people with dry skin avoid applying powder unnecessarily for fear of looking dry. When the formula is right, it shouldn’t emphasize texture at all; it should simply enhance the overall finish and help keep everything in place more seamlessly. Where people make a mistake is using a powder that is too heavy or overly mattifying. I always believe powder should be something you can control and that’s lightweight. Using a finely ground formula and applying it only where needed makes a huge difference in keeping the skin flawless”, says Tisia.
Which materials are best?
“When I think about powder for dry skin, I focus less on ‘matte vs. glow’ and more on how the formula interacts with the skin. Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerineAnd squalane Can definitely help maintain moisture levels, but the texture of the powder is equally important. The ultra-fine particles and soft-focus pigments really elevate a formula because they allow the powder to melt into the skin instead of sitting on top of the skin.”
“I would also avoid formulas that rely heavily on drying ingredients, especially high levels of alcohol, as these are what create that tight or uncomfortable finish that people often associate with powder,” reveals Tisia
With that information in mind, I set out on a quest to find the best setting for dry skin that would help my makeup last all day without flaking or smudging. If you’re also interested in knowing which setting powders get the nod of approval from experts and editors alike, keep scrolling.
Best Setting Powder for Dry Skin
1. Best Overall Setting Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, £39
2. Best Loose Setting Powder: Makeup by Mario SurialSkin Soft Blur Setting Powder, £38
3. Best Pressed Setting Powder: Vive Modern Powder Perfector, £33
5. Best Shade Range: Jordana Tiscia Set and Brighten Powder Duo, £30
6. Best for Mature Skin: By Terry Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder Setting Powder, £42
6. Best Luxury Setting Powder: Hourglass Veil™ Translucent Setting Powder, £50
7. Best Affordable Setting Powder: Elf Cosmetics Halo Glow Setting Powder, £9
1. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Tisia says, “Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder is a cult classic for a reason. It’s one of those powders that has stood the test of time because of how finely milled it is. It’s very light on the skin, so it sets without building up or feeling heavy, which is important when you’re dealing with dry skin.”
2. Makeup by Mario SurialSkin Soft Blur Setting Powder
Loose powder can seem intimidating at first, so it’s important to find a formula that will help set your face without looking clumpy or heavy. Makeup by Mario’s SurrealSkin Soft Blur Setting Powder is a finely milled formula that’s designed to brighten and smooth skin without looking cake-y, which means it’s a great loose setting powder to use for beginners.
3. Check Out Modern Powder Perfector
If you’re still unsure about trying loose powder on your dry skin, pressed powder is an easy-to-use alternative. Vive’s Modern Powder Perfector allows for easy, controlled application without applying excess powder to the face. I also love that the compact comes with a mirror, making it ideal for top-ups.
4. Jordana Tiscia Set and Brighten Powder Duo
Jordana Tissia
Set and Brighten Powder Duo
Main Ingredients: Argan Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Vitamin E
finish: airbrushed
Number of colors: 9
Talc-free?: No
Tisia Says, “Jordana Tiscia’s Set and Brighten Powder Duo offers a more flexible approach to setting the skin, combining lightweight loose powder with pressed brightening powder. I wanted to create something that would give more control when setting the skin. Having both loose and pressed powders in one compact means you can be more targeted with application rather than applying a formula all over the place. Both are designed to be lightweight and finely milled, so They blend and set without feeling drying or heavy. Not to mention we have a wide shade range that will suit a wide range of skin tones and undertones.’
5. By Terry Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder Setting Powder
by terry
Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder Setting Powder
Main Ingredients: 8 types of hyaluronic acid, mica beads
finish: matt
Number of colors: 1
Talc-free?: No
I don’t have mature skin, but I often find myself turning to mature skin recommendations because of the blend of ingredients and formulas that help combat dryness. Terry’s Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder is designed to blur imperfections and control shine, but it’s also packed with eight different types of hyaluronic acid to boost skin hydration.
6. Hourglass Veil™ Translucent Setting Powder
hourglass
Veil™ Translucent Setting Powder
Main Ingredients: diamond powder, mica beads, synthetic sapphire
finish: airbrushed
Number of colors: 3
Talc-free?: Yes
Tisia says, “I’ve always loved powders that don’t completely flatten the skin, especially for mature skin, and if you prefer a softer, more luminous finish the Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder is a great option. It gives a really soft focus, slightly luminous finish, so it sets makeup without taking away the natural dimension. In true Hourglass fashion, it remains pricey, but I’d say it’s worth the extra expense.”
7. Elf Cosmetics Halo Glow Setting Powder
Yogini Cosmetics
hello glow setting powder
Main Ingredients: Synthetic Sapphire Powder, Tapioca Starch, Mica Beads
finish: soft-focus glow
Number of colors: 4
Talc-free?: Yes
I’m a firm believer that you don’t always have to spend a fortune to get a high-quality makeup product. And after constantly seeing Elf Cosmetics’ Halo Glow Setting Powder on my Instagram feed, I finally decided to try it out a few months ago. And trust me when I tell you it lived up to the hype. It sets my makeup beautifully without making it look dry and keeps it fresh all day long. And at under £10, you can’t go wrong.
