The 13 Setting Sprays That Lock in Makeup on Super Slick Skin

A setting spray is probably one of those makeup products that aren’t a part of your daily routine. Rather, it’s an occasional add-on, something you reach for on special occasions when makeup meltdown is simply not an option. But for those whose complexion veers towards the perpetually slick side, setting sprays could, and should, be a standby staple. Simply put, a few spritzes can mean the difference between a day-long battle with unwanted sheen and an immaculate complexion. (And really, which would you rather?)

Since not all setting sprays are created equal, there are a few key points to remember when choosing one best suited for oily skin. Avoid anything touted as “hydrating” or “moisturizing” or where words such as “dewy” or “luminescent” are involved. Your mission is to mattify, so seek out oil-free spritzes that will tamp down shine and keep unwanted oil at bay. When using one, make it the final step in your makeup routine, the cherry on top of the sundae, as it were. Holding the bottle 6 to 8 inches away from your face (you want to ensure a fine mist hits your skin and not too much liquid), spray in an ‘X’ then ‘T’ shape. This will concentrate most of the product on the areas of your face that tend to get the oiliest.

Try any of the setting sprays for oily skin below and make makeup meltdown a thing of the past.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:
NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray Matte at Amazon

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Best Budget:
Wet n Wild Matte Finish Setting Spray at Ulta

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Best Drugstore:
Maybelline Lasting Fix Makeup Setting Spray at Amazon

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Best Cooling:
Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Setting Spray at Sephora

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Best Lightweight:
Skindinavia Oil Control Finishing Spray at Amazon

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Best Soothing:
Volition Beauty Oil-Control Mattifying Mist at Amazon

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Best With SPF:
Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30 at Amazon

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Best Blurring:
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray at Sephora

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Best Long-Wear:
Milani Make It Last 3-in-1 Setting Spray at Amazon

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Best Long-Wear, Runner-Up:
JOAH Selfie Ready Setting Spray in Matte Me Down at Joahbeauty.com

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In This Article

Expand

• Our Picks

• Final Verdict

• What to Look For

• Why Trust Review2Coupon?

Best Overall:
NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray Matte

3.7

View On Amazon
View On Ulta
View On Milanicosmetics.com

What We Like

• Affordable

• Charcoal helps absorb excess oil

What We Don’t Like

• Smaller than other options

Charcoal is a well-known oil-fighting ingredient, and it’s the star of the show in this spritz. The formula is extremely absorbent, think of it as a liquid version of blotting papers. A micro-fine charcoal powder and silica both work to sop up excess sheen and, like the other Milani formula on the list, it also keeps makeup put for up to 16 hours.

Size: 2.03 ounces | Finish: Matte | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Review2Coupon Clean: No

Final Verdict

If you have oily skin, a mattifying makeup setting spray is pretty much a non-negotiable. The NYX Professional Setting Spray Matte gets our vote for overall best, super affordable, and effective. However, it’s also worth trying the Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray (view at Sephora), a fan-favorite that makeup artists love and has the added benefit of feeling cooling and refreshing. The Milani Make It Last Matte Charcoal Setting Spray (view at Ulta) is a great affordable buy you can nab at the drugstore, which contains oil-absorbing charcoal, while the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray (view at Sephora) is another makeup artist fave, delivering a blurring, soft-focus finish. 

What to Look for in a Setting Spray for Oily Skin

The Word ‘Matte’

To be fair, any type of setting spray will help keep makeup from sliding off slick skin, but Espinoza underscores the fact that there are both hydrating and mattifying formulas out there. Make sure you’re using the latter since the former is meant to impart a dewy finish to the skin—probably not what you’re going for.