Best Pressed Powder for Oily Skin: 4 Shine-Proof Favorites

Oily skin can melt your makeup by lunchtime, leaving you shiny in photos and constantly reaching for blotting papers. The right pressed powder locks in foundation, cuts excess oil, and still looks like skin instead of a flat, cakey mask. This guide focuses on pressed powders that stand up to long workdays, warm weather, and oil-prone T-zones while staying comfortable and realistic.

Quick picks

• Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Powder – Best affordable everyday powder for oily and combination skin. Light to medium coverage that blurs pores and tones down shine without looking heavy. Ideal if you want a soft matte finish on a budget.
• Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation – Best pressed powder foundation for oily skin. Buildable coverage that can replace liquid foundation on busy days, with a smooth, soft matte finish that lasts through heat and humidity.
• Covergirl Outlast Extreme Wear Pressed Powder – Best for very oily T-zones and long days. Grippy, long-wear formula that helps lock makeup in place and keep shine down through commutes, offices, and nights out.
• MAC Blot Pressed Powder – Best touch-up powder to control shine without caking. Sheer, translucent coverage that soaks up oil and refreshes makeup without adding weight, even after several reapplications.

In-depth reviews

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Powder review

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless is a go-to for anyone who wants reliable oil control at a drugstore price. It gives light to medium coverage that evens out tone and softens the look of pores, so it works well over a light foundation or on bare skin for a casual day.

The texture is fairly smooth and easy to blend, especially with a fluffy brush. On normal to moderately oily skin, it keeps shine under control for about 4 to 6 hours before you need a touch-up. It has a soft matte finish rather than a flat, powdery look, which makes it a good pick if you want your skin to still look like skin.

The main drawbacks are that it can cling to dry patches and the shade range, while decent, is not as extensive as higher-end lines. If your skin is very oily, you may find you need more frequent touch-ups compared with a more heavy-duty option like Covergirl Outlast Extreme Wear. Compared with Fenty Pro Filt’r, this is lighter, more forgiving, and easier for quick everyday use, but with less coverage.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation review

Fenty’s Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation is ideal if you have oily skin and want your pressed powder to double as your base. The coverage ranges from medium to full depending on how you apply it, so you can spot-apply where you need more help and keep the rest of your skin lighter.

The formula is finely milled and feels surprisingly weightless for the amount of coverage it gives. On oily skin, it does a strong job of keeping shine under control while staying flexible on the skin, especially when applied in thin layers with a brush. If you prefer a truly polished, photo-ready finish, this powder foundation delivers that more effectively than the sheerer MAC Blot or Maybelline Fit Me.

The tradeoff is that it can emphasize texture or dryness if you apply too much or skip moisturizer. It is also more of an investment price-wise, and the matte finish may feel a bit strong if your skin is closer to combination than oily. If you want a softer, more casual everyday look on a budget, Maybelline Fit Me is the better first step, but for coverage plus oil control in one compact, Fenty stands out.

Covergirl Outlast Extreme Wear Pressed Powder review

Covergirl Outlast Extreme Wear Pressed Powder is built for long, busy days when you need your makeup to stay in place. It is especially helpful if your T-zone gets very oily or if foundation tends to slide off your nose and chin by mid-afternoon.

The formula has a bit more grip than a typical soft-focus powder, which helps it cling to foundation and extend its wear. Applied with a brush, it gives light to medium coverage, and with a puff you can press it in for extra staying power where you get the shiniest. It creates a fairly matte finish that holds up better over time than Maybelline Fit Me, especially in hot or humid conditions.

Because it leans more matte and long-wear, it can look a little heavy if you layer too much or if your skin has dry spots. The compact is very practical for touch-ups, but if you prefer a sheer, invisible look for mid-day blotting, MAC Blot Powder feels more forgiving. Choose Covergirl Outlast if lasting power is your top priority and you do not mind a slightly more makeup-like finish.

MAC Blot Pressed Powder review

MAC Blot Pressed Powder is a cult favorite among artists and oily-skin users because it controls shine without visibly adding coverage. It is designed more as an oil-control powder than a traditional foundation powder, which makes it ideal for touch-ups throughout the day.

The texture is very smooth and sheer, so you can blot it over existing makeup several times without it turning cakey. It has a natural to soft matte finish that takes down shine while still letting your skin and base products show through. Compared with Fenty or Maybelline, it adds the least coverage, but it also layers the cleanest.

The main downside is that if you like your powder to cover redness, scars, or uneven tone, MAC Blot on its own will not be enough. It works best paired with a liquid or powder foundation underneath, then used as your “oil eraser” throughout the day. If you primarily need something to sit on your vanity for quick T-zone touch-ups that never look heavy, MAC Blot is hard to beat.

How to choose a pressed powder for oily skin

Pressed powder is not one-size-fits-all, especially when you are fighting oil. Start by deciding whether you want coverage from your powder or mainly shine control. Powder foundations like Fenty Pro Filt’r can replace or boost your base, while sheer formulas like MAC Blot are best as finishing and touch-up powders.

Look for a finish labeled matte or soft matte, but avoid anything described as overly powdery or chalky if you are concerned about looking flat. Ingredients like silica, talc, kaolin clay, or rice starch can help absorb oil, while dimethicone and similar silicones can give a smoother, pore-blurring effect. If you are acne-prone, seek out non-comedogenic claims and consider skipping powders with strong fragrance.

Shade range matters too. If you need coverage, choose a shade that matches your undertone closely so it does not turn gray or orange once your natural oils come through. For sheer touch-up powders, a translucent or lightly tinted option like MAC Blot can be more forgiving and work over multiple foundations. Think about when you will use it most: everyday all-over setting, full-coverage powder foundation days, or quick purse-friendly touch-ups.

Application tips for shine control that lasts

Start with skincare that suits oily skin so your powder has a good base. Use a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer and, if you can, a mattifying primer on your T-zone. Let your skincare dry completely before you apply foundation or powder so products do not slide around on top.

For setting foundation, use a fluffy brush to lightly press powder onto the skin, focusing on the forehead, nose, and chin. Avoid sweeping aggressively, which can disturb your base and create streaks. If you need extra oil control in your T-zone, switch to a puff or sponge and gently press and roll the powder into those areas for a stronger set.

For midday touch-ups, first blot with a clean tissue or blotting paper to remove excess oil, then go in with powder. A sheer formula like MAC Blot is perfect for this step because it adds very little product while taking down shine. If you are using a more pigmented option like Fenty, apply a tiny amount and keep it targeted to avoid build-up around the nose and mouth.

Use a light hand and build slowly. It is easier to add a second thin layer than to fix over-powdered, cakey skin. If you do overdo it, a quick mist of setting spray or even tapping a small amount of moisturizer over the driest area can soften the look without breaking down all your makeup.

Final thoughts

Pressed powder can be the difference between makeup that melts by noon and a face that still looks polished at 6 p.m. The key is matching the formula to how oily you are and how much coverage you want.

If you want an affordable, flexible everyday option, start with Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Powder. For coverage that can stand in for foundation, reach for Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation. If your main issue is long days and a very shiny T-zone, Covergirl Outlast Extreme Wear Pressed Powder offers serious staying power, while MAC Blot Pressed Powder is the best choice for clean, non-cakey touch-ups throughout the day.

See also

Pair your powder with the right base by exploring our guide to the best foundation for oily skin and our tips on primers for combination skin.

• Best setting powders for oily or mature skin
• When to use setting powder vs setting spray
• Detailed Covergirl Outlast Extreme Wear powder review

FAQ

Is pressed powder or loose powder better for oily skin?

Both can work for oily skin, but they shine in different roles. Loose powder is great for your initial set at home because it tends to be very finely milled and can blur texture beautifully. Pressed powder is much more convenient to carry and is less messy, which makes it better for touch-ups and on-the-go oil control.

Can pressed powder replace foundation if I have oily skin?

It can, as long as you choose a powder foundation with enough coverage, like Fenty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation. On very oily skin, using only powder can actually help because it keeps layers lighter and less prone to sliding. Just be sure to moisturize and prime properly so the powder has something to grip and does not cling to dry spots or emphasize texture.

How often should I touch up with pressed powder?

For most oily or combination skin, one or two touch-ups during the day is plenty. Aim to blot first, then add a very light layer of powder only where you are shiny. If you find yourself needing to powder every hour, consider switching to a more mattifying formula like Covergirl Outlast Extreme Wear or revisiting your skincare and primer choices.

What if pressed powder makes my pores or texture look worse?

If powder is emphasizing pores, you may be using too much or choosing a formula that is too dry and heavy. Try applying with a fluffy brush instead of a sponge, and focus on pressing rather than rubbing. Look for powders labeled soft matte or blurring, like Maybelline Fit Me, and pair them with a smoothing primer to create a more even surface.

Can I use pressed powder if I have oily and acne-prone skin?

Yes, but you need to be selective. Look for non-comedogenic and fragrance-free formulas, clean your brushes and puffs regularly, and avoid piling on thick layers that can trap sweat and oil. A light dusting of a breathable powder that controls shine, paired with a good skincare routine, is usually better for acne-prone skin than heavy cream products that stay tacky.

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