The Best Drugstore Powder Foundations For Your Skin Type
Drugstore powders have come a long way in the last couple years.
You can find an affordable powder foundation for every level of coverage and skin type, but not all drugstore face powder products are the same.
I’ve done the work for you by finding the best drugstore powder foundations to try.
Trust me, I’ve tried MANY pressed powders and these are my top picks!
Read: The Best Classic Drugstore Foundations by Skin Type & Coverage
What is the difference between pressed powder and powder foundation?
Traditionally pressed powders are used as finishing powders, applied on top of liquid foundations to “set” the makeup look instead of setting powder.
Pressed powder foundations however, provide high coverage, and can absorb excess oil (especially for oily skin types). They can also be worn alone, without a liquid foundation.
What is a Pressed Powder?
- Sheer to Light Coverage
- Used after foundation
- Can be translucent (or white in shade)
- One shade can work for multiple skin tones
- Helps to “set” liquid face products for longer makeup wear time
What is a Pressed Powder Foundation?
- Medium coverage to full coverage foundation
- Can be used after foundation OR as a foundation by itself
- Can hide skin imperfections (ie. marks, scars, acne)
- Works best when matched to your skin tone (and undertone)
- Can last on the skin longer than a regular pressed powder
Is Powder Foundation Better than regular Pressed Powder products?
Powder Foundation is a better option if you want a full coverage makeup product that can be worn by itself instead of liquid foundation.
It can also add good coverage to a liquid foundation that is too sheer or light.
For combination skin types and oily skin, powder foundation can add coverage to the areas where you get shiny throughout the day.
Powder foundation can appear and feel heavier on the skin, especially if paired with a liquid foundation.
If you don’t like layering products, then stick to lightweight formulas like a traditionally sheer pressed powder.
Tips for Powder Foundation that lasts all day!
- Pressed Powder Foundation can last all day, just like the best foundations from the drugstore. Try one or all of these tips to keep that beautiful coverage all day long!
- Use a gel textured moisturizer, avoiding creamy/oil based moisturizers that can create excessive shine throughout the day.
- Apply a smoothing or blurring makeup primer for a flawless complexion.
- Try to keep concealer away from your shiny areas ie. nose, chin, or too low on cheeks.
- Use a setting spray to lock in your powder foundation as you would with liquid foundation.
- Clean your makeup brushes regularly to prevent product build up.
Amazing Full Coverage Powder Foundation:
L’Oreal Infallible 24hr Freshwear Powder in a Foundation
L’Oreal’s Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder ($14.99 in 14 shades) is everything you want in a foundation, but in pressed powder form! It’s weightless texture gives full coverage and a natural, matte finish that “looks fresh for up to 24 hours”!
Why you should try it:
- Evens skin tone with no transfer
- Waterproof, heatproof and sweatproof
- Non-comedogenic
You can find it at: Ulta Beauty | Amazon | CVS | Target | Walmart
Best Powder Foundation For Oily Skin:
Maybelline SuperStay Full Coverage Powder Foundation
The Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Powder Foundation ($11.99 in 12 shades) delivers their highest foundation coverage ever in a powder! The formula gives the coverage of a liquid foundation, with the finish of a matte powder.
Why you should try it:
- Creamy texture
- Matte Finish
- 16 hour wear
You can find at: Walmart | Ulta Beauty | Amazon
Best Cream to Powder Foundation:
Black Opal Mineral Matte Creme Powder Foundation
Cream to powder foundations are simply magic! The Black Opal Mineral Matte Creme Powder Foundation ($11.95 in 12 shades) uses multi-colored chromatic pigments to adjust to your “unique skin tone and neutralize imperfections for a true-to-tone color match”. Plus, the formula includes Aloe, Vitamin C and Vitamin E to nourish the skin.
Why you should try it:
- Mattifying
- Smooth, velvety finish
- SPF 15
You can find at: BlackOpal | Ulta Beauty | Walmart
Top Soft Matte Powder Foundation:
Black Opal True Color Ultra Matte Foundation Powder
Not into Cream to Powder Foundation formulas? Then try the Black Opal True Color Ultra Matte Foundation Powder ($11.95 in 9 shades). This foundation powder is described as buildable and blurring for a skin-like finish. It also the Essence Magazine Best in Beauty Award a few years ago.
Why you should try it:
- Lightweight feel
- Buildable coverage
- Satin matte finish
You can find at: BlackOpal | Walmart | Amazon
Best Powder Foundation for Acne Prone Skin:
Covergirl Simply Clean Powder Foundation
This 2 in 1 foundation covers like a liquid but feels like a powder! You get a smooth and flawless finish with the Covergirl Simply Clean Powder Foundation ($6). Plus, the formula is Hypoallergenic, and Non-acnegenic (great for acne-prone skin) so it wont irritate the skin or clog pores.
Why you should try it:
- Smooth finish
- Evens skin tone
- Wont clog pores
You can find at: Walmart | Amazon
Top Powder Foundation For Dry Skin:
L’Oreal Age Perfect Creamy Powder Foundation
Specially designed for “mature skin”, the L’Oreal Age Perfect Creamy Powder Foundation ($15.99 in 16 shades) is infused with Ceramide Antioxidant Complex. That means no “cakey” looking skin, and a satin, shine-free finish.
Why you should try it:
- Buildable coverage
- Blurs lines and pores
- Wont cake or settle into lines
You can find at: Amazon | Target | Ulta Beauty | Walmart | CVS
Best Powder Foundation for Combination Skin:
Milani Conceal + Perfect Smooth Finish Cream-To-Powder Foundation
The Milani Cosmetics Conceal + Perfect Smooth Finish Cream to Powder Foundation ($10.99 in 22 shades) was reformulated and now its better than ever! It “glides on as a cream and magically morphs into a buildable full-coverage”, with a soft matte finish. Bonus! The formula is infused with Lily and Bamboo extracts to control shine.
Why you should try it:
- Buildable coverage
- 16 hour wear
- Sweat proof and Waterproof
You can find at: Milani | Ulta Beauty | Amazon | CVS | Target | Walmart
Best Adjustable Coverage Powder Foundation:
Ulta Beauty Adjustable Coverage Foundation Powder
Did you know Ulta Beauty carries a full line of its own makeup products? The Adjustable Coverage Foundation Powder ($14 in 20 shades) can be used wet or dry (using the sponge applicator) and provides a luminous finish to the skin. This is the best option for beauties that typically like dewy foundations!
Why you should try it:
- Creamy, moisturizing formula
- Adjustable medium to full coverage
- Features Active Nylon12 to reduce the appearance of fine lines and imperfections
You can find at: Ulta Beauty
Best Natural Finish Powder Foundation:
NYX Stay Matte Not Flat Powder Foundation
With its natural matte finish, the NYX Stay Matte Not Flat Powder Foundation ($10) won’t leave your skin looking flat or dry. The foundation conceals acne blemishes, dark spots and other imperfections while keeping the skin looking “perfectly matte, yet radiant”.
Why you should try it:
- Lightweight powder foundation
- Buildable Coverage
- Natural matte finish
- Vegan formula* (no animal-derived ingredient or by-product)
You can find at: CVS
The Best Drugstore Powder Foundations
More Questions and Answers about Drugstore Powder Foundations!
Can you use Powder Foundation alone?
Yes. Powder Foundation can be used alone. Be sure to look for “full coverage” in the description (or product name). A full coverage Powder Foundation should blur and hide skin imperfections, and wear all day (8+ hours).
What is the best way to apply Powder Foundation?
The best way to apply powder foundation is by using a short bristle foundation brush like the ELF Cosmetics Buffing Foundation Brush or the NYX Cosmetics Cant Stop Wont Stop Foundation Brush. But, you can always use the sponge applicator included in most powder foundation for a higher coverage look.
In general, longer bristle makeup brushes sheer out coverage, while shorter bristles distribute more product to one area.
Should you use makeup primer with Powder Foundation?
Makeup primers can help extend the wear time of your Powder Foundation. Certain makeup primers can add hydration, or keep the skin matte, add SPF coverage, and even color correct the skin.
However, It’s not essential to use makeup primer before Powder Foundation, its up to you!
How do you apply Powder Foundation without a brush?
If you don’t have a makeup brush available, you can use a makeup sponge to apply your powder foundation. Often, Powder Foundations will include a sponge type applicator in the compact.
Powder foundation doesn’t apply well with your fingers, unless it is a cream to powder foundation like Milani Cosmetics Conceal + Perfect Smooth Finish Cream to Powder Foundation or the Black Opal Mineral Matte Creme Powder Foundation.
