
As somebody with mixture pores and skin, my make-up routine has one aim: 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 principle—that’s, till my make-up melts by noon. In our seek for solutions, we’ve possible all come throughout the last word comparability: setting spray vs. powder. Within the battle for that elusive “lit from inside” glow, discovering the superior possibility to your pores and skin is crucial.
I consider summer time as the good equalizer. Preserving 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 Pictures.

Setting Spray vs. Powder: What to Know
There are hoards of merchandise devoted to creating your seems to be final, from primers and micellar waters to prep your pores and skin to setting sprays and powders. However which choices truly 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 kind and desired look.
I spoke to Jena Joyce, a skincare skilled, herbalist, and the founder and CEO of The Plant Mom, about 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 may 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 may select a twig that works greatest for you. A powder is just for mattifying and can assist to cut back sheen and oil.
I might advocate that an individual with dry or mixture pores and skin use a twig whereas those that expertise oily pores and skin ought to use the setting powder. Nonetheless, each can be used on the similar time to amplify your make-up so it lasts longer.
What must you take into account 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. For those who primarily use matte, full-coverage basis, then a matte setting spray can be greatest. For those who use a light-weight and dewy basis, then select a setting spray that can assist to maintain your make-up extra on the shiny aspect. It’s necessary to try to match your make-up to your powder or spray as you don’t need any separation in your make-up.
When on the lookout for a setting powder, you may get pressed or unfastened powder type. Each assist your make-up keep put, however a powder that’s extra compressed can act like a basis and will provide you with a full-coverage really feel.
Though it’s not as frequent, some setting powders can comprise talc which is an ingredient recognized to trigger well being points. Inhalation of talc may cause respiration points, chest ache, and wheezing. Attempt to keep away from this ingredient and follow extra pure merchandise.

What’s the easiest way to use setting sprays and powders?
Setting powders and spray must be utilized after your make-up. Nonetheless, I might advise ready to place your mascara on after you employ a twig as this might trigger smudging!
You must follow frequent base substances relating to your make-up. For those who don’t, your make-up will separate.
I like folks to check mixing oil with water. It merely doesn’t mix! This is identical along with your make-up which is why it’s necessary to make use of a twig or powder that has the identical base as your basis and concealers. Maintain oils with oils and water-based with water-based merchandise.

How you can Decide 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 selecting the best merchandise to your pores and skin. Maintain studying for insights.
Ideas for Choosing 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 may select a matte setting powder that eliminates shine and provides you a velvety look, or a luminous setting powder that provides some refined shimmer and provides you a soft-focus look.
- Texture. Select a unfastened setting powder that’s finely milled and straightforward to mix, or a pressed setting powder that’s compact and handy to hold.

Ideas for Choosing 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 may 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 easy and flawless.
- Components. You may select a setting spray that incorporates helpful substances to your pores and skin kind, resembling antioxidants, nutritional vitamins, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and so forth. You also needs to keep away from setting sprays that comprise dangerous substances resembling parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and so forth.
Key Components to Look For
- Antioxidants. These are substances that shield your pores and skin from free radical injury attributable to environmental elements resembling UV rays, air pollution, and so forth. Some examples of antioxidants are vitamin C, vitamin E, and inexperienced tea extract.
- Hyaluronic acid. It is a molecule that draws and retains moisture in your pores and skin cells. It helps hydrate your pores and skin, plump up nice traces and wrinkles, and enhance your pores and skin elasticity.
- Glycerin. It is a humectant that pulls water from the air into your pores and skin. It helps moisturize your pores and skin, easy out tough patches, and stop dryness.
Components to Keep away from
- Parabens. Parabens are preservatives that forestall 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 recognized 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 normal 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, should 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 as a result of oil manufacturing. For those who 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 can even experiment with totally different mixtures of merchandise to see what works greatest for you and what offers you the specified impact. For instance, you need to use an oil-based basis with a water-based setting spray so as to add some dewiness and hydration to your matte base. Or, strive 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 kind and along with your make-up type.

The Finest Setting Sprays
In the summertime, setting sprays will help you obtain that dewy, glowy look. setting spray supplies a weightless however efficient maintain. Many setting sprays now additionally comprise skincare substances 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 trustworthy opinion, whether or not gifted or bought ourselves. For those who purchase one thing by means of our hyperlinks, we could earn a small fee for gratis 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 the whole lot from my fresh-faced, sunscreen-only days to my full protection seems to be. Provided that I spend most of my time in entrance of my cellphone or pc, this mist helps forestall any unfavourable results that include blue mild, resembling potential untimely getting old and stress in your pores and skin.
However past its blue light-blocking advantages, it’s additionally a strong setting spray. Full of clear, skin-first substances, it hydrates and units for a end that appears vibrant and dewy. Good for summer time.
- Key Components: Aloe, Marine Actives, Mastic, Tara Extract
- Measurement: 1.7 fl oz
They are saying classics are a traditional for a purpose, and that is the proof. This waterproof setting spray obtained me by means 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 could be irritating to some pores and skin sorts.
- Key Components: Alcohol, Aloe
- Measurement: 4 fl oz
This fan-favorite method is bolstered by its easy-to-apply steady spray. Not solely does it final all day, however the refreshing mist ensures a fair software. Infused with nutritional vitamins and fruit extracts, it leaves behind a radiant end, making it best to hold on the go if it’s essential refresh your look.
- Key Components: Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, Fruit Extracts
- Measurement: 2.8 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 to your smoothest end. Then, select a primer that provides your pores and skin a lift of hydration. Milk Make-up is understood for its revolutionary merchandise that mix skincare and make-up, like this refreshing and protecting spray.
- Key Components: 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 method retains your look locked in with only one spritz. Plus, its bevy of unpolluted magnificence substances helps to brighten the pores and skin beneath your make-up and even cut back the look of blemishes.
- Key Components: Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe, Niacinamide B3, Rosehip Extract
- Measurement: 3.4 fl oz
The Finest Powders
Powders can get a nasty repute. Although they successfully reduce shine, they’ll additionally shortly cake and crease. And even after 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 depend it out. However a superb powder is the easiest way to regulate 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 a simple 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 once I was deep in my Glossier part and it’s one of many merchandise I’ve saved in my rotation ever since. The kaolin clay base absorbs oil with out leaving a cakey residue. It really works properly with my different hydrating merchandise to create a glance that’s managed however not flat. Get this breathable powder if you need your pores and skin to appear to be pores and skin whereas nonetheless firming down the noon grease.
- Key Components: Diamond Powder, Kaolin Clay, Vitamin E
- Measurement: 7.2 g
Charlotte Tilbury’s powders are legendary for a purpose. The featherweight texture has been described as cashmere to your face. With this super-fine texture and oil-infused method to advertise softness, it blurs your pores and skin with out drying or caking.
- Key Components: Mica, Rose Wax, Almond Oil
- Measurement: 8 grams
In order for you a extra matte look, this non-drying method will get you that gentle 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 photographs. With pure oils like squalane, it controls extra shine whereas retaining your pores and skin gentle and hydrated for all-day put on.
- Key Components: Mica, Squalane, Chia Seed Extract
- Measurement: 8.5 grams
This unfastened powder is light-weight sufficient to your dry areas and highly effective sufficient to 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 easy your texture with out caking or bumps.
- Key Components: Mica, Squalane
- Measurement: 9.5 grams