If you have oily skin, one of the most frustrating aspects of make-up application is watching it slip and slide off again shortly after you’ve put it on. If that sounds familiar, you need to look for the best setting spray for oily skin.
Like most setting sprays, a good face fixer will have ingredients in it that help make-up adhere to your skin and last longer, while also maintaining a fresh look. Unlike some other setting sprays, those designed especially for oily skin will also have additional mattifying ingredients as well as those that regulate oil production to ensure skin stays looking great and your make-up looking its best.
Read on for Vogue’s pick of some of the best setting sprays for oily skin.
The best setting sprays for oily skin at a glance:
In this article:
Best healthy finish setting spray for oily skin: Vieve Invisiveil Setting Spray
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Make-up artist and funder Jamie Genevieve’s fixing spray is fast becoming an icon in her collection. A setting spray for all skin types, this works especially well to keep oily complexions matte but not flat, imbuing them with a healthy skin finish that also ensures your make-up stays put.
- Why we love it: A great option for ombination to oily skin
- Size: 100ml
Best fast-acting setting spray for oily skin: L’Oreal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: The micro-fine texture of this setting spray is what sets it apart, and its thanks to this invisible layer that make-up stays where it is for up to 36-hours. If your skin is on the very oily side, add more layers between each step oof your make-up for a really infallible hold.
- Why we love it: Make-up does not move
- Size: 75ml
Best pore-blurring setting spray for oily skin: Benefit Porefessional Super Setter Setting Spray
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: A water-based formula that reduces shine on application and gently diffuses the appearance of enlarged pores and uneven texture for a more seamless make-up finish. As well as promising to keep your make-up in place for up to 16-hours, it feels weightless on the skin so feels as though you’ve nothing on.
- Why we love it: Helps refine an uneven texture
- Size: 120ml
Best gently hydrating setting spray for oily skin: Dior Forever Perfect Fix
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you struggle with an oily T-zone but also have dry or dehydrated cheeks to contend with, this is the setting spray for you. Containing ingredients that will lock make-up into place and dampen down shine, it will also add a gentle hydration burst to those areas that need it most.
- Why we love it: Gives a light but locked-in skin finish
- Size: 100ml
Best blurring setting spray for oily skin: Make Up For Ever Mist and Fix Matte Spray
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: With the inclusion of oil-absorbing ingredients like kaolin clay and niacinamide, this is a great option for anyone who struggles to keep their base in place past lunchtime. A thorough misting after make-up application is enough to set things for up to 24-hours and blur the look of imperfections at the same time.
- Why we love it: It sets, mattifies and blurs skin in one
- Size: 100ml
Best ultra-fine setting spray for oily skin: Morphe Continuous Setting Mist
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Having oily skin can often mean your make-up cakes and creases just a couple of hours after application. A few spritzes of this air-powered setting spray ought to put an end to that though. Thanks to micro-fine mist particles, one layer of this helps prevent fading and caking and encourages your make-up won’t wear even if the day does.
- Why we love it: It’s great for those who like to mix liquid and powder products
- Size: 82.8ml
Best soothing setting spray for oily skin: Pixi Makeup Fixing Mist
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Oily skin can expedite fading and melting, especially of liquid-based foundations and concealers. This pink-tinged mist not only keeps things in place all day, but it is also enhanced with rose water and green tea to reinstate equilibrium, as well as help soothe any redness that some oily skins may experience.
- Why we love it: It soothes inflamed oily skin
- Size: 80ml
Best lightweight setting spray for oily skin: Refy Face Setter
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: The combination of excess oil and a liquid base can sometimes result in skin that feels heavy and sticky. As well as helping lock things in lace, this setting spray imparts just the right amount of dewiness to stop skin looking completely matte and flat.
- Why we love it: It’s great for layering between each of your make-up products
- Size: 50ml
Best skin-protecting setting spray for oily skin: Too Faced Makeup Insurance Setting Spray
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you need your make-up to stay the course, this setting spray offers up to 18-hours wear and promise to reduce excess oil and gently mattify where needed. It also contains antioxidants like green tea and algae extract to help balance the skin.
- Why we love it: It protects against blue light damage while it sets
- Size: 118ml
Best waterproof setting spray for oily skin: One/Size On ’Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you’re after a blurred, even skin finish that stays looking flawless for hours in end, this is the make-up setting spray for you. It’s infused with skin-loving ingredients like green tea extract which helps refine the appearance of enlarged pores, as well as witch hazel extract to mop up excess oil in the skin.
- Why we love it: It provides a matte, not flat finish
- Size: 143ml
Why do I need a setting spray for oily skin?
Although not compulsory, many people like adding a setting spray into their make-up routine to help improve the longevity of their make-up. If you have oily skin, the need for make-up that stays put is usually greater, as excess oil can cause liquid make-up layers to slide off and powder formulas to become creased and cakey.
What ingredients should I look for in a setting spray for oily skin?
Anything that claims to absorb excess oil like witch hazel, or help refine enlarged pores like niacinamide and green tea extract is a good place to start. Most setting sprays come with the inclusion of ingredients like hyaluronic acid which helps skin retain moisture so your make-up finish stays looking fresh. While you needn’t avoid additions like this if you have oily skin – after all you want a matte but not flat finish – if your skin is very oily you may want to look for specific oil-free or water-based formulas only.
How should I apply a setting spray for oily skin?
The same rules apply for applying a make-up setting spray whether you have dry, normal or oily skin. To use, simply mist over a good layer after you’ve applied your make-up. If you’re in need of some serious staying power, you can also layer a spritz of make-up setting spray between your make-up layers too. If you suffer from very oily skin, it’s also worth looking out for handbag-sized versions of your favourite setting sprays to ensure you can mist on the go too.
