POWDER UP

Powder Skin-Care Products Are Customization at Its Best

"It's the beauty version of getting a brand new crop of produce at the grocery store every day. You know the formulation has maximum efficacy."
Powder SkinCare Products Are Customization at Its Best
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The second you twist open your serum or cream, the clock starts ticking: Oxygen, heat, and light begin to seep in and degrade active ingredients, explains Shari Marchbein, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. You can blame the water in liquid formulas, which facilitates this breakdown when mixed with oxygen. Because powder products are waterless, they can stand strong against air degradation. This is particularly important for unstable ingredients like vitamin C.?

Not only does this help maintain the efficacy of your products, but "these powders can contain higher concentrations of active ingredients," says cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson. "Without water, which can be a breeding ground for bacteria, little or no preservatives are needed." You're just getting the good stuff, which is a good thing, but something to be aware of if you have sensitive skin. "These little concoctions can pack a big punch," says dermatologist Mona Gohara. "You can control the dosage you want, depending on your needs at the time," Robinson explains.?

And there's also a greater good: Taking water out of the equation shrinks the water and carbon footprints of any skin-care product. "Waste from water [in skin care] sits on a retailer’s shelf, [perhaps] only to get thrown away after its shelf life expires," says Tina Hedges, founder of LOLI Beauty. "By impacting the planet, we directly impact people."

Here, six powder skin-care products to consider sprinkling into your beauty routine.?

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • Bottle of HoliFrog Sunapee SacredC Brightening Powder Wash.
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    HoliFrog Sunapee Sacred-C Brightening Powder Wash

    The gritty consistency of HoliFrog Sunapee Sacred-C Brightening Powder Wash lends itself particularly well to your cleansing routine. Add a few drops of water to gently buff away dullness; add a few more drops for a richer lather. And this formula contains "a blend of good actives, [like l-ascorbic acid and hyaluronic acid]," notes Robinson.

    $44 (Shop Now)

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    Versed Found the Light Powder

    For easily degraded ingredients such as vitamin C — notorious for being unstable — this is an optimal way to incorporate the skin brightener into your routine. "I love Versed Found The Light Powder for this reason," says Gohara, because it's a dark spot corrector that can be sprinkled into any cream for an added glow boost.

    $20 (Shop Now)

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    Olay Pitaya & Cranberry Seed Exfoliating Face & Body Powder

    The skin on your body also benefits from exfoliation, just like your face. Olay's Pitaya & Cranberry Seed Exfoliating Face & Body Powder works on both and is made with sodium bicarbonate, "to give it a little fizzy action," says cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski. You can target areas prone to dryness, like elbows and knees, to help make them smoother.?

    $8 (Shop Now)

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    Eminence Organic Skin Care Turmeric Energizing Treatment

    The sink-side science experiment that is Eminence Organic Skin Care Turmeric Energizing Treatment uses water to transform an exfoliating powder into a mousse that dries into a purifying clay mask.?

    $78 (Shop Now)

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    True Botanicals Antioxidant Booster

    For a dose of skin-protecting resveratrol, throw a dash or two of True Botanicals Antioxidant Booster into your regular serum. It's an easy way to give your skin exactly what it needs when it needs it.

    $90 (Shop Now)

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    Loli Beauty Pank Pitaya Mask?

    Tina Hedges, the founder of Loli Beauty, is stirring up change by making entirely waterless products like Loli Beauty Pank Pitaya Mask with vitamin C. And it's much more than just a mask: This redness-reducing magic dust also works as a cleanser and a soothing scrub. Just add water.?

    $38 (Shop Now)

Keywordsskinskincarepowdervitamin cantioxidantcleansersmasksscrubseco-friendlyOlaytrue botanicalsVersedeminencerepackagepowder skin care