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By Sophie Joaman • October 30, 2022 • 12 mins read
Products featured on Ntrl Look are chosen independently by our editorial team. When you purchase through our affiliate links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
| 1. Urban Decay All-Nighter Ultra Matte Setting Spray £29.50 |
| 2. NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray – Matte Finish/Long Lasting £8.99 |
| 3. Hourglass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray £48 |
| 4. Makeup Revolution Hyaluronic Fixing Spray £6.99 |
| 5. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray £32 |
| 6. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Setting Spray £25 |
| 7. Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist £27 |
| 8. MAC Fix + Stay Over £29 |
| 9. Morphe Mattifying Continuous Setting Mist £27 |
| 10. Too Faced Makeup Insurance Setting Spray £28 |
| 11. Benefit POREfessional Super Setter £31.50 |
| 12. VIEVE Invisiveil Setting Spray £28 |
| 13. Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Makeup Setting Spray £20 |
| 14. MAC Fix+ Original Setting Spray £29 |
We love to dispel a beauty myth, so here’s one for you: Surely you can’t use the setting spray if you have oily skin, right? Well, actually, yes, you can use setting spray within your makeup routine if you have oily skin. In fact, make-up professionals rave about the long-lasting effects of setting spray to help your makeup stay firmly in place and keep you looking gorgeously flawless day to night.
Not only that, but if you are someone who dreads the lunchtime shine and the midday makeup slip, then setting your face can prevent that from being an issue and give you that refreshed look even hours after application. As an individual with oily skin, however, there are certain products and ingredients that you often need to avoid- Ultra-hydrating and richly moisturising formulas, as well as oil-based products, are a no-go.
Luckily, there are plenty of setting sprays on the market, targeted specifically for people with oily skin, and we’ve put together a list of some of the best ones out there. So read on to find out which ones you should be investing in.
Urban Decay’s legendary All Nighter Setting Spray became a fan favourite nearly a decade ago and remains a beloved makeup essential today. Just check the glowing reviews! Building on this success, Urban Decay created the Ultra Matte version specifically for oily skin types.
This lightweight setting spray uses microfine mist technology to cool your makeup, preventing budging, smudging, and sliding for up to 16 hours. It controls excess oil whilst keeping you looking fresh all day. If shine is your main concern, this is a fantastic addition to your makeup bag. The formula contains Kaolin Clay to mattify skin, delivering a flawless finish that requires no touch-ups throughout the day.
NYX has been creating an impression for quite some time now, so it’s no wonder that their Professional Makeup Setting Spray has also been a hit with many beauty lovers around the world. The setting spray works quickly and effortlessly into the skin, absorbing that annoying oil at the same time.
With long-lasting wear of up to 16 hours, your makeup stays looking matte, meaning you won’t have to worry about any shine coming through and ruining your makeup later on. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly setting spray with high-end results, then this might just be the one for you.
The Hourglass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray ticks every box for oily skin types seeking a flawless, airbrushed finish. This weightless setting spray uses advanced optical technology to create a soft-focus effect whilst locking makeup in place for extended wear, ensuring your complexion stays shine-free and perfectly mattified throughout the day.
Yes, it’s a premium investment, but the results speak for themselves – this professional-quality formula delivers that coveted poreless look makeup artists swear by. The ultra-fine aerosol mist ensures even application without disturbing your base makeup. Pro tip: Hold 8 inches away and mist in light layers for maximum pore-minimising benefits and all-day oil control!
The Makeup Revolution Hyaluronic Fixing Spray proves you don’t need to break the bank for effective oily skin control. This lightweight setting spray combines hyaluronic acid hydration with mattifying technology, keeping makeup locked in place whilst preventing unwanted shine throughout the day.
At under £10, this drugstore gem delivers impressive results that rival high-end alternatives. The hydrating formula ensures your skin doesn’t feel stripped or tight, whilst the oil-control properties keep that dreaded midday shine at bay. It’s perfect for daily use and offers incredible value for money. Pro tip: Shake well before use and apply in a fine mist 6 inches from your face for optimal coverage and long-lasting, shine-free results!
The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is long-lasting with an impressive wear of up to 16 hours, so you can keep the party going. Not only that, the setting spray is both oil-free and hydrating on the skin. While this might seem like an almighty contrast for those who have oily skin, this setting spray will keep any excess oil from ruining your foundation, concealer, eye makeup and bronzer, but also give you that natural, healthy glow.
This superb setting spray also does good to your complexion with soothing aloe vera, Japanese green tea and aromatic resin for a happy complexion. Makeup and skincare in one bottle- we love to see it! If you’re the type of person who loves glamour, then this magic product is for anyone who wants to feel like their glamorous, confident self. After all, who doesn’t want to look like they just stepped off a red carpet?
We love a 2-in-1 product, and It Cosmetics has certainly achieved that with their Your Skin But Better Setting Spray. On the one hand, you have skincare in the form of Hyaluronic Acid, coconut water and aloe vera extract to care and soothe your skin. On the other hand is a ‘make-up extending’ setting spray that keeps your complexion looking refreshed and your make-up as radiant as when you first applied it. With wear of up to 16 hours, your skin will always look healthy and refreshed, but never oily and stressed.
This is the perfect setting spray for anyone who wants the gentle, caring effects of a skin care product, combined with the long-lasting, shine control of a setting spray. It’s a real winner for us, and we’re sure it will be with you too!
The Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist is a game-changer for oily skin, combining primer, setting spray, makeup refresher, and hydrating mist in one clever formula. This cruelty-free innovation eliminates the guesswork from your routine whilst delivering impressive oil control and extended makeup wear.
Created with Selena Gomez’s inclusive beauty philosophy in mind, this mist works particularly well for those who want effective results without complicated steps. The gentle yet effective formula won’t overwhelm oily skin or cause breakouts, making it perfect for sensitive complexions too. It’s become a cult favourite for good reason – delivering professional results with foolproof application. Pro tip: Keep it in your handbag for midday touch-ups; a quick spritz instantly refreshes your makeup and controls any emerging shine without disturbing your base!
The MAC Fix+ Stay Over Setting Spray takes the beloved original Fix+ formula and amplifies it for serious staying power on oily skin. This advanced setting spray provides up to 12 hours of makeup hold whilst actively fighting shine and oil breakthrough throughout the day.
Building on MAC’s professional heritage, this upgraded formula contains enhanced film-forming polymers that create an invisible shield over your makeup without the heavy, suffocating feel some long-wear sprays can leave. It’s particularly brilliant for oily skin types who love the refreshing feel of the original Fix+ but need extra longevity and oil control. The result is makeup that looks freshly applied from morning to night. Pro tip: Layer it over the original Fix+ for the ultimate professional finish – use Fix+ Original to set and blend, then finish with Stay Over for maximum longevity and shine control!
Not only is the Morphe Mattifying Continuous Setting Spray Mist sweat-proof and humidity-proof, but the product itself also contains a translucent powder in the form of a fine mist that instantly mattifies the skin. Spritz a good amount of the mist all over your face to seal your makeup and see your desired results immediately. The continuous wear of the air-powdered spray, then carries on ensuring that your makeup looks its best for up to 12 hours.
This is a fantastic option for anyone with oily skin who wants/needs a little more help to control shine throughout the day and prevent their makeup from melting down. The controlled air-powdered spray is gentle and light-weight on the skin but does not allow for temperature or the elements to interfere with your makeup- perfect for anyone who is worried about their makeup slipping.
The Too Faced Makeup Insurance Setting Spray lives up to its name by providing serious “insurance” for oily skin types who need their makeup to stay flawless all day. This lightweight formula creates an invisible protective barrier that locks makeup in place whilst controlling excess oil and preventing that dreaded midday shine breakthrough.
What sets this setting spray apart is its ability to extend makeup wear without feeling heavy or sticky on oily skin. The fine mist application ensures even coverage whilst the oil-controlling ingredients work overtime to keep your complexion looking fresh and matte. It’s particularly effective for high-maintenance makeup looks that need to last through long days or special events. Pro tip: Hold the bottle 6-8 inches away and spray in an “X” then “T” pattern across your face for complete coverage and maximum shine-controlling benefits!
The POREfessional range has been a huge hit for Benefit since its inception, so it’s no wonder that their POREfessional: Super Setter spray has also become a fan favourite. The spray works instantly by blurring the pores to create an even canvas. Your makeup will be locked into place for up to 16 hours, so that you can get the best out of it. We think the Benefit POREfessional is a great choice for anyone looking to blur enlarged pores and create a lightweight barrier for your makeup to thrive.
If you are already a POREfessional user then great, why not use the primer to lay down the foundations of your makeup and then set with the super setter for even greater results.
The VIEVE Invisiveil Setting Spray delivers exactly what oily skin needs – powerful makeup-locking technology without the heavy feel. This alcohol-free formula creates an imperceptible veil over your makeup, preventing shine breakthrough whilst keeping your look perfectly intact from morning to night.
At £28, it sits in the mid-range price bracket but punches well above its weight in performance. Beauty editors consistently praise its ability to “press pause” on makeup application, making it feel freshly applied hours later. The gentle, non-drying formula works brilliantly for sensitive oily skin types who struggle with harsh setting sprays. Pro tip: Use it to dampen your makeup sponge during application for even better blending and extended wear time!
The Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Setting Spray proves that gentle formulas can still deliver serious staying power for oily complexions. This innovative spray uses grip-enhancing technology to lock makeup in place whilst providing lightweight hydration that won’t clog pores or add unwanted shine.
Perfect for sensitive oily skin types, this vegan formula contains aloe and hyaluronic acid to keep skin balanced without feeling greasy or heavy. It’s particularly brilliant for those who find traditional alcohol-based setting sprays too drying yet still need serious oil control. The result? Fresh-looking makeup that stays put without the tight, uncomfortable feeling. Pro tip: Pair it with the cult-favourite Hydro Grip Primer for the ultimate long-wearing, shine-controlling base that lasts all day!
The MAC Fix+ Original Setting Spray has been a makeup artist staple for years, delivering that coveted “just-applied” finish that works beautifully on oily skin. This cult-favourite mist helps blend makeup seamlessly whilst providing a refreshing boost that keeps your complexion looking fresh and shine-controlled throughout the day.
This professional-grade setting spray contains a unique blend of vitamins and minerals that help maintain makeup integrity without adding oils or heaviness to oily skin types. It’s particularly loved for its ability to meld powders and liquids together for a natural, skin-like finish. The fine mist application ensures even coverage without disturbing your carefully applied makeup. Pro tip: Use it between makeup layers to build coverage gradually, or spray onto brushes before applying eyeshadow for intensified colour payoff and better blending on oily lids!
Setting spray is perfectly fine to be used on oily skin; in fact, it’s a vital step in any makeup routine. Using a good mattifying setting spray, free of oils, can do wonders for your makeup and skin, keeping it looking fresh day to night and preventing excess oil from causing a makeup meltdown.
Used in conjunction with your setting powder, setting spray can really extend and enhance the results of your makeup and will certainly give you all the confidence you need to shine, without the shine. If you have oily skin, then our guide to the best setting sprays can help you choose the right one for you.
While we are spoilt for choice, our top pick has to be the It Cosmetics, Your Skin But Better Setting Spray +, thanks to its nourishing skin care properties and 16-hour, long-lasting results. Which one will you be trying?
