Best primer and setting spray for oily skin

Adding one of the best setting sprays to your makeup arsenal will revolutionise your beauty routine – and make sure that your glam is set in place for a good while after application. After all, what could be more annoying than having your makeup melt off your face within hours after putting in so much effort into it in the first place? 

Without a setting spray, you are more likely to end up with a shinier T-zone, creased eyeshadow and smudged mascara. On top of that, you can pretty much kiss your base makeup goodbye, ‘coz your contour, blush, highlighter and foundation will be practically non-existent (especially if you’re planning on wearing them for more than 10 hours). And the heatwave doesn't help either. 

Investing in one of the best setting sprays is a guaranteed way to make sure that your makeup not only lasts longer, but also looks just as good as it did upon application. And if you pair it with a solid setting powder, you can be confident that your makeup will not slip or move throughout the day (or night). 

Luckily, the market is full of setting sprays to fit every budget, need and preference. From those that are infused with top-notch skincare ingredients to mists with a matte, dewy or shimmery finish and SPF protection, you will definitely find one that ticks all the boxes for you. Depending on the formula you choose, you can opt for a setting spray that can give you that extra hydration boost with the help of hyaluronic acid, or pick one that visibly reduces pores for a soft blurred effect. 

Here's our list of the very best setting sprays out there, from trending and best-selling options, to more affordable and underrated products. 

Best setting sprays at a glance

• Best setting spray overall (our top pick): Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray, £20.25, Beauty Bay
• Best setting spray for oily skin: NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray Matte Finish, £7, FeelUnique
• Best setting spray for dry skin: Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist, £23, Space NK
• Best setting spray for acne-prone skin: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, £26, FeelUnique

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Vitamin C

NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray Matte Finish

Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

Which setting spray is best for you?

There's a whole sea of formulas out there. And we’ve tried and tested them all. To figure out which one should you choose, make sure to consider both your preferred finish (matte or dewy) as well as your skin type (are you team oily, dry or combination?).

15 Best Setting Sprays For Oily Skin In 2022

October 19, 2022

Perhaps the most challenging part of having an oily complexion is keeping shine to a minimum throughout the day. After working hard to achieve a silky smooth, matte makeup look, nothing is worse than excess oil creeping through and making your face feel like a slip and slide. Ahead, we rounded up six of our absolute favorite setting sprays for oily skin that are sure to keep you looking grease-free from morning to night.

What Is a Setting Spray?

Setting sprays are mists that work to keep makeup in place throughout the day. Different setting sprays have various finishes, like dewy, natural or matte.. Setting sprays should be applied as the very last step in your makeup routine to complete the look and to create a long-lasting effect.

What Does Setting Spray Do If You Have Oily Skin

If you have an oily skin type, setting sprays with mattifying ingredients (read: kaolin clay or oil-absorbing particles) can help absorb shine throughout the day to keep your makeup looking matte and fresh. 

How to Use Setting Spray If You Have Oily Skin

After applying your makeup, mist your face with a mattifying setting spray in an X motion. This will ensure that you’re spraying every inch of your face and can help keep your makeup intact and shine-free all day long. Another good tip is to read the back of the product packaging for specific directions on how far away to hold the spray from your face during application. This will ensure you’re not over- or under-applying and will reap all the benefits.

The Best Setting Sprays for Oily Skin

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Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Matte Setting Spray

We love the O.G. Urban Decay All Nighter Formula, but we might love the Ultra Matte version even more. This long-lasting setting spray works just like the original, but mattifies and keeps your look shine-free for up to 16 hours. Trust us, you won’t want to go a day without it.

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Maybelline New York Lasting Fix Setting Spray

Lasting Fix from Maybelline New York is another solid option for oily skin because it locks in makeup for up to 16 hours and controls shine. The best part? You only need one or two spritzes for a day-long hold.

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Lancôme Fix It Forget It Setting Spray

Your makeup will stay looking fresh for 24 hours thanks to this hybrid setting spray. It’s completely sweat-proof and contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C for skin-smoothing protection.

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Dermablend Lock and Last Water-Resistant Setting Spray

So you want to keep shine at bay, but you don’t want to risk drying out your skin?  Might we recommend this setting spray to help solve your woes. It will keep your makeup in place for up to 24 hours, and it’ll keep it hydrated and nourished with witch hazel, allantoin and willow leaf extract.

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IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Setting Spray

For a refreshing mist that will lock your makeup in place without drying out your complexion, look no further than this formula. It has micron-size mattifying powders that work to absorb excess oil and shine, while hyaluronic acid keeps the skin looking fresh and revitalized.

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Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

For a crowd-favorite spray that will keep your makeup in place and totally shine-free, look no further than this option from Charlotte Tilbury. It combines film-former polymers, japanese green tea and aromatic resin to blur, mattify and set makeup for 16 hours.

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Morphe Mattifying Continuous Setting Mist

There’s a reason that this setting spray has a cult-following: It helps control oil throughout the day like a charm. The formula is completely sweat-proof and will ensure your skin looks matte, even and fresh for up to 12 hours.

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Milani Make It Last Setting Spray

This drugstore makeup setting spray has an up to 16-hour wear and can be used before and after makeup to lock your lock your look in place with ease. It will keep you looking fresh but never shiny, and your makeup won't crease or crack no matter how long you wear it.

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About-Face Matte Fix Spray

For a formula that primes and sets, opt for this pick. It’s oily-skin friendly with an antimicrobial formula so it won’t clog your pores.It also  comes in a bi-phase formula that’s powder and liquid to ensure your makeup won’t move an inch. Remember to shake it up vigorously before application!

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Cover FX Mattifying Setting Spray

Weightless and refreshing, this setting spray is a must-try if you want to keep oil at bay. It has oil-absorbing kaolin clay and ancient African tree bark to help reduce the appearance of pores and shine.

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Lawless Glam Guard Long-Wear Setting Spray

A lightweight, matte setting spray doesn’t get much better than this option from Lawless. It sets makeup for over 16 hours and provides a velvety-matte finish. It also contains a spherical elastomer powder that helps absorb excess oil throughout your wear.

Read more

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