If you’re tired of overpriced, chemical-heavy setting powders that leave your skin feeling cakey, you’re not alone. I stumbled across a viral homemade beauty hack and decided to test it out myself: making a DIY setting powder using cornstarch and a few kitchen staples.
Spoiler: it actually works. Here’s how to do it, plus a few things to keep in mind so you don’t end up looking like a powdered donut.
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Why Use Cornstarch as a Setting Powder?
Cornstarch has natural oil-absorbing properties, which makes it surprisingly effective for mattifying your face and setting makeup.
It’s lightweight, translucent, and most importantly, affordable. If you’re into clean beauty or looking for a non-toxic alternative to commercial powders, this one’s a win.
It also fits perfectly into a nontoxic skincare routine, especially if you’re already experimenting with DIY face treatments like our Vaseline hack for blackheads or the aloe vera ice cube trick.
Supplies You’ll Need
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
- ½ tsp bentonite clay (optional, but great for a matte finish)
- ¼ tsp cocoa powder (adjust for skin tone)
- ⅛ tsp ground ginger or cinnamon (optional for undertones)
- Small mixing bowl
- Makeup-safe jar or container
- Cosmetic sponge or fluffy brush
If you’re someone who also enjoys green skincare, you’ll probably already have some of these ingredients on hand!
How To Make DIY Setting Powder
Step 1: Choose Your Base
Start with cornstarch. It’s the star of the show and will give your powder that soft, translucent base. Arrowroot powder works too if you want something even gentler.
Fun fact: the cornstarch benefits for skin go beyond just mattifying—it also helps soothe irritation, making it a great choice for sensitive skin.
Step 2: Add Bentonite Clay (Optional)
This gives your powder better oil control and a slight tint. It’s great for oily or combo skin but skip it if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Important note: Don’t use metal utensils with bentonite clay—it can reduce its effectiveness.
Step 3: Adjust the Color
To make it match your skin tone:
- Add a pinch of cocoa powder for warmth and depth.
- Ginger works well if you have yellow undertones.
- A touch of green clay can cancel out redness (just go light!).
Step 4: Mix and Test
Blend everything in a bowl. Test it on your jawline and tweak as needed. Too light? Add more cocoa. Too dark? Add more cornstarch.
This process is super similar to the skin-matching strategy we talked about in our post on no-makeup makeup looks, where blending is key.
Step 5: Store It
Spoon the finished powder into a clean container. A spice jar, compact, or mini mason jar works great.
Step 6: Apply It
Use a makeup sponge or a fluffy brush to lightly press the powder into your skin. Focus on oily zones like your T-zone or under your eyes to set concealer.
My Honest Thoughts
I was skeptical at first, but this DIY setting powder actually held up. It gave my makeup a soft-focus finish and kept shine at bay without feeling heavy. Plus, it didn’t clog my pores.
You can even use it as a backup dry shampoo—similar to how we repurpose beauty staples in our DIY rosemary hair oil post.
Want a visual breakdown? I followed the YouTube tutorial below and it helped a ton.
