As somebody with mixture pores and skin, my make-up routine has one objective: to toe the road between glazed and greasy. Glowy, glass pores and skin is one factor. Who doesn’t aspire to the vitality of vibrant summer time pores and skin? And with summer time lastly right here, magnificence traits lean towards a extra minimal, skin-focused strategy to make-up. Which sounds nice in concept—that’s, till my make-up melts by noon. In our seek for solutions, we’ve seemingly all come throughout the final word comparability: setting spray vs. powder. Within the combat for that elusive “lit from inside” glow, discovering the superior choice on your pores and skin is important.
I consider summer time as the good equalizer. Maintaining my make-up from slipping and sliding off my face is a year-round sport. However in the summertime, we’re all confronted with the identical problem—and all of us need solutions.
Featured picture from our interview with Babba Rivera by Belathée Images.
Setting Spray vs. Powder: What to Know
There are hoards of merchandise devoted to creating your appears to be like final, from primers and micellar waters to prep your pores and skin to setting sprays and powders. However which choices really work? Seems, within the battle of setting spray vs. powder, there’s no single proper alternative. All of it comes all the way down to your pores and skin sort and desired look.
I spoke to Jena Joyce, a skincare professional, herbalist, and the founder and CEO of The Plant Mom, about learn how to get your look to remain contemporary utilizing setting spray and powder. Jena shares her insights under.
What’s the distinction between setting powder and setting spray?
You will get a setting spray for both mattifying your make-up or making your make-up extra dewy. Relying on what look you’re going for, you possibly can select a sprig that works greatest for you. A powder is just for mattifying and can assist to scale back sheen and oil.
I might advocate that an individual with dry or mixture pores and skin use a sprig whereas those that expertise oily pores and skin ought to use the setting powder. Nonetheless, each will also be used on the identical time to amplify your make-up so it lasts longer.
What must you think about when buying a setting powder or setting spray?
When seeking to purchase a setting spray, you wish to know first if you wish to have dewy or matte pores and skin. In the event you primarily use matte, full-coverage basis, then a matte setting spray can be greatest. In the event you use a light-weight and dewy basis, then select a setting spray that may assist to maintain your make-up extra on the shiny aspect. It’s necessary to attempt to match your make-up to your powder or spray as you don’t need any separation in your make-up.
When in search of a setting powder, you may get pressed or free powder kind. Each assist your make-up keep put, however a powder that’s extra compressed can act like a basis and gives you a full-coverage really feel.
Though it’s not as widespread, some setting powders can comprise talc which is an ingredient identified to trigger well being points. Inhalation of talc could cause respiratory points, chest ache, and wheezing. Attempt to keep away from this ingredient and follow extra pure merchandise.

What’s one of the simplest ways to use setting sprays and powders?
Setting powders and spray ought to be utilized after your make-up. Nonetheless, I might advise ready to place your mascara on after you utilize a sprig as this might trigger smudging!
You must follow widespread base components in terms of your make-up. In the event you don’t, your make-up will separate.
I like folks to check mixing oil with water. It merely doesn’t mix! This is identical together with your make-up which is why it’s necessary to make use of a sprig or powder that has the identical base as your basis and concealers. Maintain oils with oils and water-based with water-based merchandise.

Find out how to Choose the Product That’s Proper for You
You should use a setting spray, powder, or each to get your required look. However with so many choices in the marketplace, how do you select the appropriate one? No magnificence product is created equal, so I requested Dr. HariKiran Chekuri—a board-certified dermatologist, beauty surgeon, and the medical head of ClinicSpots—about choosing the proper merchandise on your pores and skin. Maintain studying for insights.
Ideas for Deciding on a Setting Powder
- Shade. Choose a translucent setting powder that’s common for all pores and skin tones, or a tinted setting powder that matches your basis or provides some heat or depth to your complexion.
- End. You possibly can select a matte setting powder that eliminates shine and provides you a velvety look, or a luminous setting powder that provides some delicate shimmer and provides you a soft-focus look.
- Texture. Select a free setting powder that’s finely milled and straightforward to mix, or a pressed setting powder that’s compact and handy to hold.

Ideas for Deciding on a Setting Spray
- System. Go for a water-based setting spray that’s light-weight and hydrating, or an alcohol-based setting spray that’s long-lasting and mattifying.
- End. You possibly can select a dewy setting spray that enhances your glow and makes your pores and skin look plump and wholesome, or a matte setting spray that reduces shine and makes your pores and skin look clean and flawless.
- Elements. You possibly can select a setting spray that incorporates helpful components on your pores and skin sort, comparable to antioxidants, nutritional vitamins, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and so on. You must also keep away from setting sprays that comprise dangerous components comparable to parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and so on.
Key Elements to Look For
- Antioxidants. These are substances that shield your pores and skin from free radical injury attributable to environmental components comparable to UV rays, air pollution, and so on. Some examples of antioxidants are vitamin C, vitamin E, and inexperienced tea extract.
- Hyaluronic acid. This can be a molecule that pulls and retains moisture in your pores and skin cells. It helps hydrate your pores and skin, plump up effective strains and wrinkles, and enhance your pores and skin elasticity.
- Glycerin. This can be a humectant that pulls water from the air into your pores and skin. It helps moisturize your pores and skin, clean out tough patches, and stop dryness.
Elements to Keep away from
- Parabens. Parabens are preservatives that stop bacterial progress in beauty merchandise. They’re linked to hormonal disruption, allergic reactions, and breast most cancers threat.
- Sulfates. These are detergents that create foam in cleaning merchandise. They’re identified to strip away pure oils out of your pores and skin, irritate your pores and skin barrier, and trigger dryness.
- Phthalates. These are plasticizers that make merchandise extra versatile and sturdy. They’re related to reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, and developmental defects.

Ideas for Ending Off Your Look
A common rule of thumb is to make use of merchandise with comparable formulation to make sure compatibility and keep away from separation or oxidation of your make-up.
For instance, when you use an oil-based basis, think about using an oil-based setting powder or an alcohol-based setting spray to set it in place and stop it from sliding off because of oil manufacturing. In the event you use a water-based basis, you may wish to use a water-based setting powder or a water-based setting spray to lock it in place and stop it from drying out.
You too can experiment with totally different mixtures of merchandise to see what works greatest for you and what offers you the specified impact. For instance, you should utilize an oil-based basis with a water-based setting spray so as to add some dewiness and hydration to your matte base. Or, attempt a water-based basis with an oil-based setting powder so as to add some heat and glow to your pure base.
The secret’s to check out totally different merchandise on your self and see how they carry out in your pores and skin sort and together with your make-up type.

The Greatest Setting Sprays
In the summertime, setting sprays may help you obtain that dewy, glowy look. A very good setting spray offers a weightless however efficient maintain. Many setting sprays now additionally comprise skincare components to assist hydrate your pores and skin whereas defending your make-up.
Each product is curated with care by our editors and we’ll all the time give an sincere opinion, whether or not gifted or bought ourselves. In the event you purchase one thing by way of our hyperlinks, we might earn a small fee for free of charge to you.

So as to add an additional layer of protecting energy to my on a regular basis look, I spritz ILIA Blue Gentle Mist as a last step earlier than mascara. It really works for all the pieces from my fresh-faced, sunscreen-only days to my full protection appears to be like. Provided that I spend most of my time in entrance of my cellphone or pc, this mist helps stop any adverse results that include blue mild, comparable to potential untimely getting older and stress in your pores and skin.
However past its blue light-blocking advantages, it’s additionally a robust setting spray. Stuffed with clear, skin-first components, it hydrates and units for a end that appears vibrant and dewy. Excellent for summer time.
- Key Elements: Aloe, Marine Actives, Mastic, Tara Extract
- Measurement: 1.7 fl oz
They are saying classics are a basic for a motive, and that is the proof. This waterproof setting spray acquired me by way of concert events in my teenage years and events in my early 20s. It’s my go-to for long-lasting protection. Promising 16 hours of mounted safety, it’s a cult favourite that lives as much as the hype. Nonetheless, its alcohol base is likely to be irritating to some pores and skin varieties.
- Key Elements: Alcohol, Aloe
- Measurement: four fl oz
This fan-favorite formulation is bolstered by its easy-to-apply steady spray. Not solely does it final all day, however the refreshing mist ensures a good software. Infused with nutritional vitamins and fruit extracts, it leaves behind a radiant end, making it superb to hold on the go if it’s good to refresh your look.
- Key Elements: Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, Fruit Extracts
- Measurement: 2.Eight oz
This ultra-hydrating setting spray is a focused answer for dry pores and skin. Ever discover your make-up sticking to dry flakes or inflicting creases? First, make sure to exfoliate earlier than making use of make-up on your smoothest end. Then, select a primer that provides your pores and skin a lift of hydration. Milk Make-up is understood for its progressive merchandise that mix skincare and make-up, like this refreshing and protecting spray.
- Key Elements: Blue Agave, Hemp Seed Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe, Niacinamide
- Measurement: 3.38 fl oz
This clear magnificence setting spray does all of it. It hydrates, protects from blue mild and air pollution, and naturally, units your look. True to its title, its highly effective formulation retains your look locked in with only one spritz. Plus, its bevy of fresh magnificence components helps to brighten the pores and skin beneath your make-up and even cut back the look of blemishes.
- Key Elements: Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe, Niacinamide B3, Rosehip Extract
- Measurement: 3.four fl oz
The Greatest Powders
Powders can get a nasty status. Although they successfully lower shine, they will additionally rapidly cake and crease. And even once they work, new magnificence traits favor much less protection and pores and skin that appears like pores and skin. Can powders obtain that? Don’t rely it out. However an excellent powder is one of the simplest ways to manage oil—whether or not you’re going for a totally matte look or only a extra managed glow.

Most Versatile Setting Powder: Glossier Wowder
Glossier is understood for making skin-first merchandise that offer you an easy glow. So it is sensible that their cult-favorite powder doesn’t compromise your pursuit of dewy, natural-looking pores and skin. I attempted the Glossier Wowder after I was deep in my Glossier section and it’s one of many merchandise I’ve stored in my rotation ever since. The kaolin clay base absorbs oil with out leaving a cakey residue. It really works effectively with my different hydrating merchandise to create a glance that’s managed however not flat. Get this breathable powder in order for you your pores and skin to appear like pores and skin whereas nonetheless firming down the noon grease.
- Key Elements: Diamond Powder, Kaolin Clay, Vitamin E
- Measurement: 7.2 g
Charlotte Tilbury’s powders are legendary for a motive. The featherweight texture has been described as cashmere on your face. With this super-fine texture and oil-infused formulation to advertise softness, it blurs your pores and skin with out drying or caking.
- Key Elements: Mica, Rose Wax, Almond Oil
- Measurement: Eight grams
If you’d like a extra matte look, this non-drying formulation will get you that smooth focus blur with out discomfort, dullness, or cakiness. The invisible shade makes it appropriate for all pores and skin tones with out leaving a white forged or a flashback impact in images. With pure oils like squalane, it controls extra shine whereas holding your pores and skin smooth and hydrated for all-day put on.
- Key Elements: Mica, Squalane, Chia Seed Extract
- Measurement: 8.5 grams
This free powder is light-weight sufficient on your dry areas and highly effective sufficient on your oilier areas, like your T-Zone. The ethereal texture offers you a pure, even end for snug all-day protection. Blur your pores and clean your texture with out caking or bumps.
- Key Elements: Mica, Squalane
- Measurement: 9.5 grams
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