There are a number of factors that you should consider when looking for the best face powder for oily skin. Most importantly, you should look for a product specifically designed to absorb extra oil, which will keep skin from becoming slick and shiny. Since even an oil-absorbing powder will usually need to be re-applied at some point for effective all-day coverage, look for one that will not look heavy, clumpy, or streaky if you need to do so. Try to avoid products that contain ingredients like talc, mica, or pearl powder, which can cause irritation and make skin look even shinier.
Oil control is obviously the most critical aspect of a good face powder for oily skin. If you have this skin type, you may start the day with freshly washed skin that looks clear and smooth, only to have it become slick, greasy, and sticky after several hours. A well-designed face powder will work to absorb the oil your skin produces, leaving you with a far more desirable matte texture for hours. It can also help hide any blemishes or large pores you may have, and some products can even work to clear acne-prone skin by trapping oil and dirt away from pores.
The look of a face powder for oily skin is also important to consider. A powder that looks light or even transparent when applied is a good choice, since products may have a tendency to look thick or streaky on oily skin. You will probably want to find a product that continues absorbing oil and looking matte for several hours after the first application, but chances are you will have to re-apply it at some point during the day. This is another reason to look for a powder that does not go on heavy or clumpy.
Several common face powder ingredients can actually make oily skin look worse, so make sure to read labels and avoid them. Oily skin often reacts badly to both bismuth oxychloride and talc, which can cause redness and irritation and encourage acne to develop. Mica and pearl powder are sometimes added to face powders to give skin a glowing sheen, but for already shiny oily skin, this effect can simply lead to an excessively greasy look. Look for a face powder for oily skin that excludes these ingredients and includes oil-absorbing ones like kaolin clay.