The 15 Best Powder Foundations to Thwart Summer Sweat

If you want to keep your skin looking matte and poreless, it’s time to introduce a powder foundation to your routine. The primary factor that sets liquid and powder foundations apart — aside from the obvious — is that powder foundations are especially beneficial for oily, acne-prone, or sweat-prone skin types, thanks to their ability to suck up excess moisture while simultaneously offering complexion-evening coverage. They’re also handy for quick, on-the-go touch-ups when you want to nix midday shine, so keeping a compact in your purse, gym bag, or beach tote is a wise move for anybody.

Powder foundations really have had a moment after going viral on TikTok for the way they smooth uneven skin (we’re looking at you, L’Oréal Paris Infallible Powder Foundation and Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation). You may be wondering, what is it about powder foundations that give off that blurring effect? For most, it’s a specific ingredient. According to cosmetic chemist Ginger King, many of these powder foundations contain dimethicone. “This ingredient will give skin that filter-like effect and make it look super blurred and smooth,” she says.

When applying a powder foundation, it’s all about buffing it in, according to makeup artist Jamie Greenberg. “Powder foundations can be buffed into the skin with really any tools — a brush, sponge, or even your fingers. These formulas are really buildable, too, so feel free to pack it on for more coverage, but you probably only need one coat for a natural look,” she says. 

Here, we’ve assembled a selection of powder foundations, including drugstore and prestige options that are particularly ideal for summer (meaning they have lightweight formulas). Not to mention these picks are super compact, so they can be thrown in your purse for on-the-go use.