Setting spray is a beauty product that helps to keep your makeup in place for a longer period of time. It’s a must-have in any makeup enthusiast’s collection, especially for those who live in humid climates or have oily skin.
Setting spray works by creating a barrier between your skin and makeup, preventing it from smudging, fading or transferring. It is commonly used as the final step in a makeup routine, after applying foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow and lipstick.
There are several types of setting sprays available in the market, each with a different formulation to cater to different skin types and needs. Some setting sprays provide a matte finish, while others give a dewy or glowing look.
Some are infused with skincare ingredients like antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to provide extra benefits for your skin. In this article, we’ll explore the most common ingredients found in setting sprays and how they work.
Water: The Main Ingredient in Setting Spray
Water is the main ingredient in most setting sprays, and it makes up the bulk of the formula. The water used in setting sprays is usually purified or distilled to remove any impurities or contaminants. The purpose of water in setting sprays is to help disperse the other ingredients evenly and to provide a hydrating effect to the skin.
Water-based setting sprays are ideal for those with dry or sensitive skin as they provide extra hydration. However, if you have oily skin, you may want to opt for an oil-free or water-resistant setting spray to avoid extra shine.
Table: Examples of Water-based Setting Sprays
| Brand | Product Name | Skin Type | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Decay | All Nighter | All Skin Types | Matte |
| Morphe | Continuous Set | Dry Skin | Dewy |
| NYX | Matte Finish | Oily Skin | Matte |
| Mario Badescu | Facial Spray | Sensitive Skin | Hydrating |
Glycerin: The Key to Hydration
Glycerin is a humectant that is commonly found in skincare and beauty products. It is a colorless, odorless, and viscous liquid that has a sweet taste. Glycerin attracts water from the air and helps to retain it in the skin, making it an excellent hydrator. It also helps to plump up the skin, making it look more youthful and supple.
In setting sprays, glycerin is used to provide extra hydration to the skin and to help the other ingredients adhere better to the skin. Glycerin can be derived from plant or animal sources. If you’re a vegan, you may want to check the label to ensure that the glycerin used is plant-based.
Table: Examples of Glycerin-based Setting Sprays
| Brand | Product Name | Skin Type | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAC | Prep + Prime | Dry Skin | Dewy |
| Milani | Make It Last | All Skin Types | Matte |
| Tatcha | Luminous Dewy | Normal Skin | Dewy |
| Smashbox | Photo Finish | Oily Skin | Matte |
Alcohol: The Double-Edged Sword
Alcohol is a common ingredient in setting sprays, but it is also controversial. Alcohol can be drying and irritating to the skin, especially if you have sensitive skin. However, it is also a useful ingredient as it helps to evaporate the water in the formula, making the spray dry faster and set your makeup in place.
The type of alcohol used in setting sprays is usually denatured alcohol, which means that it has been modified to make it unsuitable for consumption. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you may want to avoid setting sprays that contain alcohol, or opt for those that have a lower concentration.
Table: Examples of Alcohol-based Setting Sprays
| Brand | Product Name | Skin Type | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skindinavia | The Makeup Finishing Spray | All Skin Types | Matte |
| Morphe | The Continuous Setting Mist | Oily Skin | Matte |
| MAC | Fix+ | Normal Skin | Dewy |
| Urban Decay | De-Slick | Oily Skin | Matte |
Essential Oils: Added Benefits Beyond Hold
Essential oils are not just used for aromatherapy, but they can also have skincare benefits. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. In setting sprays, essential oils are used to provide extra benefits to the skin, such as reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and soothing irritation.
Some essential oils are also added to give a pleasant scent to the setting spray. However, if you have sensitive skin or allergies, you may want to avoid setting sprays that contain essential oils, or do a patch test first.
Table: Examples of Essential Oil-based Setting Sprays
| Brand | Product Name | Skin Type | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herbivore | Rose Hibiscus | Dry Skin | Dewy |
| Mario Badescu | Facial Spray | Sensitive Skin | Calming |
| Cover FX | Illuminating | Normal Skin | Glowing |
| Pixi | Glow Mist | All Skin Types | Radiant |
Antioxidants: Protecting Your Skin
Antioxidants are a group of compounds that help to protect the skin from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage your skin cells. Antioxidants can be found in many fruits and vegetables, as well as in skincare and beauty products.
In setting sprays, antioxidants are added to provide extra protection to the skin and to help prevent premature aging. Some common antioxidants used in setting sprays include vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea extract, and aloe vera.
Using a setting spray with antioxidants can help to keep your skin looking youthful and fresh, while also providing extra benefits beyond hold.
Table: Examples of Antioxidant-rich Setting Sprays
| Brand | Product Name | Skin Type | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supergoop! | Defense Refresh | All Skin Types | Matte |
| Too Faced | Hangover 3-in-1 | Dry Skin | Hydrating |
| Beauty Bakerie | Spray Your Grace | Oily Skin | Matte |
| Smashbox | Photo Finish | All Skin Types | Dewy |
Silicones: The Secret to Smoothness
Silicones are synthetic polymers that are commonly used in skincare and beauty products. They have a silky-smooth texture and help to fill in fine lines and pores, creating a smoother surface for makeup application.
In setting sprays, silicones are added to help the spray glide on smoothly and evenly, and to create a barrier between your skin and makeup. This helps to prevent your makeup from settling into fine lines or pores, and gives it a more flawless finish.
However, if you have acne-prone skin, you may want to avoid setting sprays that contain silicones, as they can clog pores and cause breakouts.
Table: Examples of Silicone-based Setting Sprays
| Brand | Product Name | Skin Type | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYX | Dewy Finish | Normal Skin | Dewy |
| Urban Decay | Chill | Dry Skin | Cooling |
| Kat Von D | Lock-It | Oily Skin | Matte |
| Maybelline | Facestudio | All Skin Types | Natural |
Preservatives: Keeping Your Spray Fresh and Safe
Preservatives are added to setting sprays to prevent bacteria and other microorganisms from growing in the formula. Without preservatives, setting sprays could become contaminated and unsafe to use.
Common preservatives used in setting sprays include phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, and propylparaben. Some preservatives have been linked to skin irritation or allergic reactions, so it’s important to check the label and do a patch test if you have sensitive skin.
Table: Examples of Preservative-based Setting Sprays
| Brand | Product Name | Skin Type | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| L’Oreal Paris | Infallible Pro- | All Skin Types | Matte |
| Spray & Set | |||
| MAC | Prep + Prime Fix+ | Oily Skin | Matte |
| Milani | Make It Last | Normal Skin | Dewy |
| Morphe | Continuous Spray | Dry Skin | Dewy |
In conclusion, setting sprays are a game-changer for anyone who wants to keep their makeup looking fresh and flawless all day long. With a variety of formulations available, there’s a setting spray for every skin type and need. Whether you prefer a matte, dewy, or glowing finish, be sure to check the label and choose a setting spray that has the ingredients that work best for you.
