The 13 Best Setting Sprays for Oily Skin

Best Budget

If you’re the type of person who needs to carry blotting sheets with you at all times, you’ll want a setting spray that’s specifically formulated to keep excess shine at bay, like this one from NYX. The Internet darling is a constant bestseller (fun fact: it was the number one setting spray in America, according to last year’s Nielsen report) because of the way it locks in makeup and leaves your skin with the perfect matte finish for hours. As one reviewer shares, “This stuff sets my face all day—even in Texas humidity. [It’s] less than $10, but actually does what it says.”

Cult Classic

Described as a must-have for any makeup lover, this weightless setting spray has won many awards (and over 10,000 glowing reviews) for its unparalleled ability to absorb oil and lock your look in place for hours. For an even application, make sure to hold the bottle eight to 10 inches away and spray it on in an “X” and “T” motion across and down your face. (For the especially oily, use it before and after applying makeup.) One fan calls this her “favorite setting spray” because “no matter what the weather turns out to be, it keeps my makeup glowing and beautiful” even when she’s at work “waiting on tables outside in South Florida.”

Best Setting Spray with Sunscreen

If you want to tamp down shine and ramp up sun protection, we’d recommend this cooling spray. Made with 70%+ certified organic ingredients like aloe vera and algae extract, it sets your makeup while providing your skin with a boost of hydration and sun protection whenever you need it. The light green tea scent is refreshing, and the lightweight formula doesn’t feel heavy no matter how many times you reapply the spray throughout the day. “I always apply sunscreen before putting on makeup in the morning but was looking for a way to reapply sunscreen later on in the day without ruining my makeup. I've used other sunscreen sprays that leave my face oily. [I’m] so glad I took a leap of faith and tried this. [It] goes on nice, not shiny, and smells good. Also, having acne prone skin, [I’m] happy it didn't break me out,” shared one reviewer.

Buy it ($36)

Best Multitasker

Another fan favorite, this multitasking spray can be used as a primer and a finishing spray so your makeup not only goes on smoother but stays on longer as well. Either way, your foundation (and concealer and eyeshadow and anything else you apply) will stay fresh on your face and not all over the insides of your face mask. Tip: Spray a little of this onto your eyeshadow brush before application to get more intense pigmentation and prevent any smudging as the shadow wears. “I even wear it without makeup when I'm just chilling at home for the day to control that pesky sebum production,” says one reviewer. Another fan who has “always struggled with oily skin and ruined makeup” says she feels “so much more confident” when she uses the spray because she knows she “won't be shiny within a half hour of applying [her] makeup.”

Best Clean Formula

Created by an on-the-go mom who needed a product that could take her from the gym to the office to a night out, this mattifying face mist absorbs excess oil from the surface of your skin without over-drying it. This can be attributed the natural humectants and amino acids in the formula, which support a healthy pH balance and deliver a boost of moisture, so your skin is better balanced. (A friendly reminder here that oily skin needs moisture, too.) “My face looks like it belongs in a mechanic’s shop two hours after leaving the house, but this was a G A M E C H A N G E R. A few spritzes of this and BAM back to matte babe,” raves one reviewer. Another recommends using this over a loose setting powder for extra mileage because the spray “melts powder into the skin, giving you a flawless smooth finish.”

Best for Large Pores

A new kid on the block, having just launched at the end of last year, this setting spray shows much promise for those who are concerned with the appearance of their pores. The water-based formula sprays on in a super fine mist (read: no messy water droplets) and features pore-blurring powders that softly scatter light and visibly reduce shine for a natural-looking finish. Those with sensitive skin will also appreciate that it’s alcohol-free, since alcohol can be irritating for some. “It really does minimize my large pores. It feels so fresh when it's drying down and since the mist is so fine it doesn't take long to dry. It did a great job on controlling [the oil on] my T-zone,” says one reviewer.

Most Refreshing

The cooling blue hue of Milk Makeup’s setting spray is a nice indicator of what’s inside the bottle: blue agave and cannabis extracts that lock in your makeup, while imparting a refreshing glow that’s not greasy in the slightest. Note the dual-phase formula is meant to be shaken vigorously before spraying to activate all the ingredients inside. Once shaken, the spray itself comes out in an ultra-fine mist, so you never get an uneven application, and it’s so lightweight you can use it throughout the day. As one reviewer shares: “It sets my makeup for hours and has the added bonus of being a refresher spray as well, so I can refresh and set my makeup throughout the day. It gave my makeup a nice finish and refreshing feel, it also isn’t sticky like other setting sprays.”

Best for Nixing Shine

Put down your blotting papers and try toning down the shine with this mattifying spray instead. While the unassuming bottle isn't the most eye-catching on this list, it surprised us with how effectively it de-slicked our perpetually greasy foreheads. One reviewer used it during a 6-hour volunteer shift in the blazing heat and was impressed that she still looked "decent after hours of running back and forth," adding that it hasn't broken out sensitive skin and it even kept her glasses from sliding down her face. Even the astringent scent (which she likens to a cleaning product), doesn't deter her from using the spray. As she sums up: "TLDR; I would repurchase. Can't beat the price for the quality."

Most Lightweight

If the words "setting spray" make you think sticky, heavy or clingy, this featherweight option from makeup artist favorite, Hourglass, might change your mind. In fact, the spray goes on so lightly that several reviewers have stated that "you almost wonder if you're getting any on your face because you don't even feel it." Formulated with binding polymers that lock your makeup in place all day, it also has glycerin and dimethicone to hydrate dry patches and blur pores and lines.

Best for Special Events

Fun fact: This setting spray is a staple on many TV and movie sets. It's also a popular choice for brides because of how freakishly good it is at keeping your makeup intact and shine at bay. Formulated with the brand's "patented temperature control technology," it uses a blend of alcohol and polymers to absorb any excess oils from the surface of your skin, while refreshing your makeup and preventing it from caking throughout the day—no matter the elements. And if you're worried about it causing breakouts, fear not: the spray is non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Best for Sensitive Skin

This isn't a setting spray in the traditional sense, but it has many of the same benefits as one (chief among them, prepping, setting and refreshing your skin and makeup) which is why it made the list. What sets it apart is that it's made specifically for easily irritated skin, so people with various conditions like eczema or psoriasis can use it without causing any flareups. The gentle formula employs saltwater and hypochlorous acid, which is naturally found in your white blood cells and defends your body against bacteria and inflammation. Spray it on under or over makeup for a soothing boost.

Best for Combination Skin

Think of this spray as the great equalizer of setting sprays. It tamps down extra shine in some spots and amps up moisture in others, so your skin feels comfortable and better balanced. With aloe vera extract, hyaluronic acid and coconut water, it has all the makings of our favorite skincare products, which explains why it's a consistent favorite for many. "It just makes your skin look amazing. It helps makeup to set flawlessly into your skin and leaves like a healthy, glowing, somehow dewy [but] not oily finish. It turns any dry or powdery matte makeup buttery smooth," raves one reviewer.

Best for Wearing Under Masks

Rounding out the list is Lawless Beauty's Glam Guard spray, which is a relative newcomer in comparison to the others, but has already earned top reviews on Sephora. A closer look at the ingredients and you'll see that it has elastomer gel and powders to absorb oils, thereby preventing your makeup from wearing off too quickly (or all over the insides of your face mask). Lemon, orange and bergamot essential oils soothe skin and impart a crisp scent that makes your whole misting experience all the more enjoyable.