What is setting powder and should you be using it? What about sunscreen setting powder?? Keep scrolling to learn all you need to know about setting powder so your makeup looks great all day!
What Does Setting Powder Do?
Setting powder is meant to help your makeup stay all day and to help your face from looking shiny and greasy. If you have oily skin, then you definitely want to set your makeup with powder! Setting powder helps absorb excess oil on your face, helping you keep the shine at bay all day!
What is Sunscreen Powder?
Sunscreen setting powder is basically setting powder with added sun protection. It’s killing two birds with one stone…you set your makeup and protect your face from the sun. Win win!
What are the benefits of SPF Powder?
If you have oily skin, then setting your makeup with setting powder is a great way to help your makeup stay all day and to keep the shine at bay! Adding in the sun protection gives you added benefits! Here are some of those benefits:
- It protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays
- It allows you to reapply sunscreen throughout the day
- You can still wear makeup and sunscreen
- It gives a matte look, which is especially great for oily skin gals
How to Choose the Sunscreen Setting Powder
Deciding which sunscreen setting powder comes down to preference and budget. Here is a roundup of some great spf setting powder options:
- Supergoop (Re)Setting Powder– This is 35 spf and retails for $35. It comes with 0.15 oz and has 4 shades.
- Bare Minerals Original Mineral Veil Set + Protect Translucent Powder– This is 25 spf and retails for $36. It comes with 0.17 oz.
- CLEARSTEM SUNNYSIDEKICK– This is 30 spf and retails for $38.50. It comes with 0.14 oz.
- BRUSH ON BLOCK SPF 50 TRANSLUCENT MINERAL POWDER SUNSCREEN– This is 50 spf and retails for $46. It comes with .12 oz.
- Color Science Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Brush-On Shield SPF 50– This is 50 spf and retails for $69. It comes with .21 oz and has 4 shades.
- Roe Wellness SPF 50 Mineral Powder– This has 50 spf and retails for $25. It comes with .21 oz.
Roe Wellness is the cheapest by far and also has one of the highest SPF counts.
What’s My Favorite Sunscreen Setting Powder?
I use and love the Supergoop (Re)Setting Powder. I love that I can buy it on Amazon and get free shipping. It’s easy to use and affordable!
My favorite SPF setting spray is the Supergoop (Re)Setting Spray. My favorite sunblock is the Dime Wonderscreen. (Save 20% on Wonderscreen with this discount code: JOELLEN)
SPF Powder vs SPF Spray or Sunblock
When it comes to choosing between SPF powder and SPF spray or sunblock, it is really a matter of preference. Here are a few things to consider:
SPF Powder Pros
- You can reapply as many times throughout the day for added protection
- It eliminates shine on your face
- You can wear makeup and the powder doesn’t mess it up
- It’s easy to bring with you anywhere
SPF Powder Cons
- If you have dry skin, it can enhance texture
SPF Spray Pros
- You can reapply as many times throughout the day for added protection
- It’s great for dry skin
- You can wear makeup and the spray doesn’t mess it up
SPF Cons
- It can spill in your bag
- If you get it in your eye, it will sting
Sunblock Pros
- It’s easy to get a great overall coverage to protect your entire face
Sunblock Cons
- Once you apply sunblock and then apply your makeup, you can’t apply sunblock again over your makeup without messing it up.
- It can be a bit messy.
What is Setting Powder Made Out Of?
There are a lot of setting powders on the market, so each setting spray ingredients will differ. These are the ingredients of some of my favorite setting powders:
Seint Vanilla Dust Setting Powder Ingredients
Here are the ingredients in the Seint Vanilla Dust Setting Powder: Talc, Boron Nitride, Bismuth Oxychloride, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isopropyl Lanolate, Cetyl Acetate & Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Phenoxythenol, Sodium Benzoate, Iron Oxides, Ultramarines
Coty Airspun Loose Setting Powder Ingredients
Here are the ingredients in the Coty Airspun Loose Setting Powder: Calcium Silicate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Acetate, Zinc Stearate, Fragrances, Stearyl Acetate, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Oleyl Acetate, Propylparaben, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Zinc Oxide
Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Powder Ingredients
Here are the ingredients in the Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Powder: TALC, MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE, NYLON-12, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH, METHICONE, LAUROYL LYSINE, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL, TOCOPHEROL, METHYLPARABEN, SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE, PROPYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN. MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR/(+/-): IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140), ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007)
Makeup Forever Loose Powder Ingredients
Here are the ingredients in the Makeup Forever Loose Powder: Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer.
Is Setting Powder Necessary?
Setting powder is only necessary if you have normal to oily skin and if you want your makeup to stay all day. If you have dry to normal skin and don’t have a problem with your face getting shiny throughout the day, then you can just use setting spray to help your makeup last all day.
If you have oily skin, then setting powder is necessary to help you look fresh and matte all day. Setting powder will help absorb excess oil so you don’t look like a greasy mess by midday.
How to Use Setting Powder
There are a few ways to use setting powder:
- Lightly dust your face with a fluffy brush
- Press the powder with a dense brush
- Pat the powder with a makeup sponge
- Baking method
Lightly dust your face with a fluffy brush
If you want a light coverage of powder, then take a fluffy makeup brush and setting powder and lightly brush your face with the product.
Press the powder with a dense brush
If you want a fuller coverage and more matte look, then take a dense powder brush and powder and press the powder on the spots on your face that you want more staying power. Focus on your forehead, nose, and chin.
Pat the powder with a makeup sponge
You can also use a makeup sponge to apply the powder. Use dabbing and patting motions to apply the powder on the areas of your face where you want more staying power.
Baking method
If you have very oily skin, then you will love this baking method! Once you’ve applied your makeup, apply a heavy layer (and I mean heavy!) of powder using a powder brush or makeup sponge. The powder will be visible. Let the powder sit for 5 minutes. Then take a fluffy brush and lightly brush away the excess powder.
Letting the powder bake and sit for a few minutes will help it absorb excess oil and adhere to your face better.
MAKEUP SPONGE | POWDER BRUSH | FLUFFY BRUSH
The Best Setting Powder to Help Makeup Last All Day
I have very oily skin, so it’s crucial I use a good setting powder to help my makeup look fresh all day! I’ve tried a ton and read lots of reviews. If sunscreen setting powder isn’t important to you, then here are the best setting powders to help your makeup last all day:
Seint Vanilla Dust Setting Powder
Coty Airspun Loose Setting Powder
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
Does Setting Powder Cause Acne?
Setting powder does not cause acne. It is made for the face and is non-comedogenic. There may be other factors that are causing acne:
- A poor skin care routine
- Dirty makeup brushes/applicators
- Touching your face
A poor skin care routine
Having a good skin care routine is crucial to healthy, happy, and clear skin! Commit to cleansing, toning, and moisturizing your skin daily and exfoliating your skin a few times a week. It will help your skin glow!
Dirty makeup brushes/applicators
Using dirty makeup brushes or applicators will spread bacteria on your face and cause breakouts. Clean your makeup brushes weekly to keep the germs at bay!
Touching your face
It’s easy to get in the habit of touching your face throughout the day. You may rub your eyes, scratch your face, or lean your chin on your fist. All of these things are spreading germs, dirt, and oily on your face which can cause breakouts. Commit to not touching your face so your skin can remain clear.
Does Setting Powder Cause Oily Skin?
Setting powder does not cause oily skin. In fact, it helps keep your skin from looking oily! When you have a good skin care routine and you use good makeup, setting powder can help keep your skin looking less shiny.
Hopefully those tips about what is setting powder answers your questions. Knowledge is power! Play around with different products and techniques to see what works best for you.
FAQs
- What is setting powder? Setting powder is a makeup powder that helps absorb excess oil to keep the shine at bay so your makeup looks fresh all day!
- Is setting powder necessary? Setting powder is only necessary if you have normal to oily skin and you want a more matte look to your makeup.
- What is the best setting powder to help makeup last all day? These are the best setting powders: Seint Vanilla Dust Setting Powder, Coty Airspun Loose Setting Powder, Laura Mercier Translucent Powder, Makeup Forever Loose Powder
- Does setting powder cause acne? No. Setting powder does not cause acne. There are other factors that can cause acne: a poor skin care routine, dirty makeup brushes/applicators, or touching your face.
- Does setting powder cause oily skin? No. Setting powder does not cause oily skin but can actually help your skin look less shiny and greasy.
Here are other blog posts you might enjoy:
Unlock Radiant Skin with Oliveda’s Skincare
How to Get Smooth Skin: Best Exfoliator for Face
Dermaplaning — Why More Women Are Shaving Their Faces
Eyeshadow Tips for Hooded Eyes
About the Author
JoEllen is a licensed aesthetician, certified makeup artist, and certified John Maxwell coach, speaker, and trainer. She works with women helping them look and feel confident. She loves teaching women simple beauty techniques so they can feel empowered to try it at home. Her motto is that when you look and feel good, you do good!
*This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase an item featured in this post, I get a small portion from the sale. Thank you! It does not affect you at all.
