These SPF Setting Sprays Will Protect Your Skin Without Ruining Your Makeup.
When it comes to skincare, applying face sunscreen should be a nonnegotiable ritual that you do every morning. “Daily SPF is the best tool we have for the prevention of premature aging and skin cancer,” says Kristina Collins, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin, TX. She recommends applying SPF even on cloudy days or while you’re indoors as ultraviolet (UV) rays can still cause skin damage through clouds and windows.
But that initial slathering fights only half the battle; dermatologists recommend reapplying sunscreen every two hours, which can be inconvenient, especially if you’re wearing a full face of makeup. This is why SPF setting sprays are both convenient and crucial. Their spritzes offer the added veil of protection you need, with no rubbing or smearing necessary.
SPF setting sprays are different from aerosols traditionally toted to the beach and sporting events (some of which have undergone recalls for containing the carcinogen benzene). They’re more cosmetically elegant, meaning they won’t leave a white cast or clog pores, they’re lightweight, and many contain added skincare ingredients for hydrating, brightening, and even oil-controlling effects.
Best of all, SPF setting sprays do the double duty of sun protection and sealing your makeup in one easy step. We spoke to experts about which products they recommend, then narrowed down the list based on criteria like price, key ingredients, and sunscreen type. Read on for the best formulas you can buy today.
Best Overall: Soleil Toujours Clean Conscious Set + Protect Micro Mist SPF 30
Why We Like It: It has a micro-fine mist and contains brightening and hydrating ingredients like vitamins C, E, and hyaluronic acid.
It’s Worth Noting: It’s pricier than the rest of the sprays on this list.
Three of the experts we spoke to recommend this spray for its micro-fine mist and skin-loving ingredients that, in addition to sun protection, offer hydration and antioxidants that combat stressors like blue light and environmental pollution. The formula goes on clear and is water-resistant, and contains aloe leaf juice to calm redness and inflammation.
A liberal application leaves behind a radiant finish that “looks great on the skin,” says Dr. Collins, and the sleek bottle is easily portable for a mid-day refresh. “An added bonus is it’s coral reef safe and comes in sustainable packaging,” adds Sasha Banner, licensed esthetician and skincare trainer at Heyday.
Product Details:
- Size: 1.7 oz
- SPF: 30
- Sunscreen Type: Chemical
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E
Best Drugstore: Milani Make it Last Sunscreen Setting Spray SPF 30
Why We Like It: This mist is under $15, is suitable for all skin types, and extends the wear of makeup.
It’s Worth Noting: It contains fragrance.
As an SPF setting spray formulated by a cosmetics brand, this mist is great for simultaneously prolonging the wear of your makeup and protecting against sun damage. Plus, the price is hard to beat. As for the finish—it’s not too radiant, but it’s not mattifying either, making it suitable for all skin types.
You won’t find any bonus hydrating or brightening skincare ingredients in this formula, but that’s not necessarily a con for those looking for a basic foundation-finishing mist.
Product Details:
- Size: 2.02 oz
- SPF: 30
- Sunscreen Type: Chemical
- Key ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
Best Hydrating: Pacifica Glow Baby Brightening Setting Spray SPF 45
Why We Like It: This mist offers a high level of SPF and contains hydrating, brightening ingredients that nourish dry skin.
It’s Worth Noting: The bottle is small compared to others on this list.
Glycerin, jojoba, vitamin C, sea algae, and minerals deliver hydration, moisture, and a radiant finish in one spritz of this mist. Meanwhile, it has SPF 45, which offers significant sun protection. It has a slight scent of citrus and leaves the skin glowing (but not oily-looking) without film or white cast.
While the small size may run out quickly, it makes the bottle travel-friendly for quick and easy reapplication that you’re less likely to forget.
Product Details:
- Size: 1.7 oz
- SPF: 45
- Sunscreen Type: Chemical
- Key ingredients: Vitamin C, sea algae, and minerals
Best Lightweight: Sun Bum Face Mist SPF 45
Why We Like It: This mist is affordable, lightweight, and contains hydrating ingredients.
It’s Worth Noting: Its fruity smell is pleasing but strong.
Dr. Collins recommends this spray for its affordability, accessibility, high-quality ingredients, and non-greasy finish. It also has a relatively high SPF level in comparison to other options on the market.
The formula is also reef-safe, water-resistant, and enriched with soothing witch hazel. These features make it a beach bag essential that won’t break the bank when you finish the bottle and need to repurchase.
Product Details:
- Size: 3.4 oz
- SPF: 45
- Sunscreen Type: Chemical
- Key ingredients: Witch hazel
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Love from Yours Sunny Side Up SPF 30 Mist
Why We Like It: This mist is water-based and non-greasy, making it less likely to cause breakouts than traditional sunscreen.
It’s Worth Noting: It’s a little costly for its size.
If you have a fear of sunscreens breaking you out, this one can soothe your worries and your skin. It’s lightweight and non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores or cause irritation. It also offers broad-spectrum protection that shields against UV and blue light damage.
The colorless, ultra-fine mist covers the skin efficiently and melts into all skin tones seamlessly without leaving behind a greasy-looking shine. The only downside is the bottle size for the price, in our opinion. However, we think it’s worth the investment if you’re concerned about future breakouts.
Product Details:
- Size: 1.4 oz
- SPF: 30
- Sunscreen Type: Chemical
- Key ingredients: Swiss Buddleja, Soliberine, vitamin E
Best Water-Resistant: Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50
Why We Like It: High SPF level and water resistance make this spray an ultra-reliable pick for reapplication.
It’s Worth Noting: The finish may lean overly shiny on oily skin.
Marla Diakow, M.D., a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Garden City, New York, and Taylor Worden, celebrity esthetician and founder of Taylor Worden Skin both recommend this spray. It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, dries down quickly, and the nozzle releases a long, fine mist. “It’s chock full of antioxidants like green tea and vitamin E,” says Dr. Diakow. Not to mention plant-based oils offer hydration and caffeine de-puffs tired, stressed-out skin.
Worden adds that, despite its moisturizing ingredients, the finish feels ultra-lightweight and the small bottle makes it travel-friendly.
Product Details:
Size: 2.2 oz
SPF: 50
Sunscreen Type: Chemical
Key ingredients: Aloe, vitamin E, green tea, caffeine, plant oils
Best High SPF: Naked Sundays SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist Top Up
Why We Like It: The SPF 50 in this formula, in tandem with antioxidants, ensures optimal protection from sunlight and environmental stress.
It’s Worth Noting: It contains fragrance.
Dr. Collins says this mist is a great pick for a middle-of-the-road budget, especially given its high SPF. Then there are bonus ingredients like vitamin C-rich Kakadu plum and hyaluronic acid for hydration and antioxidant protection.
The formula is non-sticky, non-greasy, and meant to go over makeup, so there’s zero white cast or heaviness.
Product Details:
- Size: 3.38 oz
- SPF: 50
- Sunscreen Type: Chemical
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Kakadu plum, watermelon extract
Best for Oily Skin: Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30
Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30
Why We Like It: It actually extends the wear of makeup and leaves a matte finish without drying out the skin.
It’s Worth Noting: The bottle’s nozzle and mist could be better.
This spray strikes a hard-to-find balance between oil control and hydration. It contains silica silylate to mediate excess oil and shine. Meanwhile, it ensures the skin doesn’t dry out with organic, lightweight nurturers like aloe, cucumber, and algae.
The formula is also water-resistant, which helps it to extend the wear of makeup—especially when it’s appropriately reapplied every two hours.
Product Details:
- Size: 1.5 oz
- SPF: 30
- Sunscreen Type: Chemical
- Key ingredients: Organic aloe, algae, cucumber
Best Multipurpose: EltaMD UV AOX Mist Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
Why We Like It: The only mineral spray on this list, this sunscreen isn’t technically marketed as a setting spray but can be used on the face and body.
It’s Worth Noting: Due to its mineral formula, it may feel heavier on the skin than other mists.
“While not technically a setting spray, this works well over makeup,” says Dr. Diakow. She loves that it’s fragrance-free and has a rare mineral formula in mist form, which makes it especially great for sensitive skin.
Ideal for a beach trip, it eliminates the need to pack multiple sunscreens. The SPF 40 protection is water-resistant, great for use on both the face and body, and infused with vitamin C, aloe vera, and coconut for antioxidant and soothing effects.
Product Details:
- Size: 5 oz
- SPF: 40
- Sunscreen Type: Mineral
- Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, vitamin C, aloe
Best Travel-Sized: Supergoop! (Re)setting Refreshing Mist SPF 40
Why We Like It: Available in travel and full size, this spray has a high SPF, is water- and sweat-resistant, and helps makeup last longer.
It’s Worth Noting: It’s not for those looking for a glowy, radiant finish.
Banner recommends this setting spray for its use and size versatility. “I love the light and fresh rosemary mint scent and really appreciate that it’s available in both 1-ounce and 3.4-ounce bottles,” she says. “I keep one in my bag and one at home.”
The silica silylate in this formula absorbs oil and maintains a matte finish, and English field mustard and Chinawood oil work together to filter out environmental pollution.
Product Details:
- Size: 1 oz
- SPF: 40
- Sunscreen Type: Chemical
- Key ingredients: Silica silylate, English field mustard oil, Chinawood oil
How We Selected
To find the best sunscreen setting sprays, we spoke to the following experts about what makes an SPF setting spray great, and what products they personally recommend:
- Kristina Collins, M.D., double board-certified dermatologist and founder of foy by Dr. Collins
- Anna Guanche, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Bella Skin Institute
- Marla Diakow, M.D., a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Garden City, New York
- Sasha Banner, licensed esthetician and skincare trainer at Heyday
- Taylor Worden, celebrity esthetician and founder of Taylor Worden Skin
Each industry expert provided trusted knowledge on how SPF setting sprays work, the ingredients to look for, and how best to apply the products. Taking their guidance into consideration, we also conducted independent product research based on criteria such as price, sunscreen type, and bottle size.
What to Know About SPF Setting Sprays
How SPF Setting Sprays Work
SPF setting sprays are a great multi-tasker—they offer sun protection and settle your makeup in one step. However, they should be used primarily to reapply sunscreen over makeup and are not reliable as sun protection on their own. “I would think of SPF setting spray as more like icing on the cake,” says Dr. Collins. Because the chances of uneven or inadequate application are quite high, she recommends wearing a base layer of a heartier lotion sunscreen underneath makeup.
SPF Level
In general, the American Dermatology Association recommends selecting a daily sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection or higher, This also applies to sunscreen setting sprays, according to Dr. Collins and Dr. Guanche.
Ingredients
Dr. Collins recommends looking for ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help moisturize and diminish the appearance of fine lines, as well as antioxidants like vitamins C and E or green tea, which support the skin during sun exposure and shield against environmental stressors. “Do keep in mind that UV setting sprays all come with chemical sunscreen components,” she explains, meaning they use ingredients like avobenzone, homosalate, and octisalate to absorb UV rays rather than deflect them like mineral blockers do.
Dr. Guanche also suggests prioritizing a spray that offers broad-spectrum protection, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Ingredients like the flower extract Buddleja and Soliberine, Dr. Guanche adds, are also known to protect against photodamage.
Skin Type
Dr. Collins says sunscreen setting sprays are great for all skin types because they’re light and non-comedogenic, which is especially ideal for those who are acne-prone. Many also have ingredients like hyaluronic acid and nourishing plant extracts that soothe and replenish dry and sensitive skin.
Your Questions, Answered
Are SPF setting sprays as effective as sunscreen?
SPF setting sprays are effective when used properly. Missed spots can easily happen, which is why some experts recommend spraying them into your hands and patting them into the skin to ensure optimal coverage. Because doing so isn’t super practical for everyone, it’s important to wear a regular face sunscreen as a base layer under makeup and apply follow-up mists very thoroughly.
How do you apply SPF setting sprays?
After applying a base layer of sunscreen and then your makeup, Dr. Diakow recommends holding the bottle about 6 inches away from your face and misting an adequate layer of coverage onto your skin. For a more even application, Worden recommends spraying it into your hands and patting the product on.
When should you apply SPF setting sprays?
It’s best to apply SPF setting spray after completing your makeup, says Dr. Collins. Then, reapply it every two hours or whenever your skin needs refreshing. Pay attention to the specific application instructions on your bottle’s label but, in general, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside.
