You won’t catch me outside without makeup, even if I’m headed to the beach. So I rely on the best SPF setting sprays to give me a boost of sun protection, and keep my foundation intact. They do exactly what they sound like, they work to set and keep makeup products in place all day long, and are infused with UVA/UVB protection. While it’s not enough to fully protect your skin, (they shouldn’t be a substitute for physical or mineral sunscreens) dermatologists agree that they’re a convenient way to refresh UV defense .
To bring you the very best ones, we tested ones recommended by dermatologists and Glamour testers. Our top pick overall was the Naked Sundays Hydrating Glow Mist Setting Spray SPF50+ because it has a lightweight, fine mist that did a great job at setting our makeup for a twelve-hour day, it’s non-comedogenic (so it won’t seep into pores), and has a high SPF of 50+. We also found options for those with sensitive skin and budget-friendly buys you can pick up at your local drugstore.
The best spf setting sprays, at a glance
- Best Overall: Naked Sundays Hydrating Glow Mist Setting Spray SPF50+, $35
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50 Face Mist, $24
- Best for Oily Skin: e.l.f. SKIN All Set For Sun SPF 45, $11
- Best for Glow: Kopari Beauty Sunglaze Sheer Setting Mist Sunscreen SPF 50, $34
- Most Lightweight: COOLA Organic Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30, $36
- Most Hydrating: Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF Makeup Setting Spray SPF 50, $46
How we picked the best SPF setting sprays
How we tested
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We tested SPF setting sprays by evaluating their texture (i.e. was the mist fine and lightweight or heavy), longevity, and if they kept our makeup in place all day. The best ones had fine mists that made it easy to cover our entire face, neck, and ears in just 2-3 pumps, and dried down quickly. They kept our makeup intact all day and didn’t make our foundation crease, slip, or smudge. They were easy to reapply throughout the day and fit snugly in our bags if we were on the go.
Meet the experts
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- Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Union Derm in New Jersey,
- Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, AZ
Best Overall: Naked Sundays Hydrating Glow Mist Setting Spray SPF50+
- Pros: Sweet scent, keeps makeup in place, non-comedogenic, no white cast
- Cons: Pricey
- SPF: 50
- Finish: Radiant
- Size: 3.3 fl oz
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary loves this glowing mist because it’s non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores), hydrates thanks to hyaluronic acid, and has watermelon extract and kakadu plum to visibly brighten the skin. “This face mist is refreshing as its name touts, and it has a super fine, lightweight texture that dries quickly after application. I have combination-to-oily skin, and I find that this does a great job at not making my skin look excessively shiny throughout the day. The finish is radiant and bright, and it kept my makeup in place all day long (I’m talking during a 12-hour day at work and events!). I also really liked that it smelled like watermelon— I’m kind of obsessed.”
Best for Oily Skin: e.l.f. SKIN All Set For Sun SPF
- Original photo from Jen Calle testing e.l.f. SKIN All Set For Sun SPF 45
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e.l.f. SKIN All Set For Sun SPF 45
Amazon
- Pros: Available at the drugstore, under $20
- Cons: The nozzle is a little faulty
- SPF: 45
- Finish: Natural matte
- Size: 0.18 fl oz
If you have oily skin, this sunscreen setting spray will help keep your makeup matte throughout the day and can offer a boost of sun protection with SPF 45. It’s infused with watermelon fruit extract, prickly pear seed oil, and bisabolol to help brighten and even out skin tone, and the lightweight mist dries quickly, so it will leave you with a non-greasy finish.
“I have combination, oily skin so I normally prefer powder sunscreens for reapplication, but this mist is nongreasy, gave me a dewy touch up, and sprays evenly. I applied this on an 80 degree Saturday afternoon and it kept my makeup perfectly in place. I would recommend making sure to cover your eyes and lips when applying because there was a slight sting,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50 Face Mist
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50 Face Mist
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Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50 Face Mist
Amazon
- Pros: Compact and fits easily into a small bag, ultra-fine mist, cooling
- Cons: Can be slightly uncomfortable in the eye area so be sure to close your eyes when using
- SPF: 50
- Finish: Natural
- Size: 2.2 fl oz
If you have sensitive skin, we love this Super Spritz face mist that has SPF 50, aloe, cucumber, vitamin E and ferulic acid. It gently brightens and hydrates the skin, and is also non-comedogenic, making it suitable for those with acne.
“I pretty much carry this face mist with me anywhere I go in the summertime,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “It’s so refreshing upon application and I find that it does a great job of keeping my skin hydrated, protected and smudge-free throughout the day.I recently brought it along with me on a trip to Florida. I found myself spritzing my face with it every few hours in the 80 degree hot sun, and my makeup didn’t move an inch.”
Best for Glow: Kopari Beauty Sunglaze Sheer Setting Mist Sunscreen SPF 50
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Kopari Beauty Sunglaze Sheer Setting Mist Sunscreen SPF 50
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Kopari Beauty Sunglaze Sheer Setting Mist Sunscreen SPF 50
Ulta
- Pros: Shimmery, radiant and dewy finish
- Cons: Smell is not great
- SPF: 50
- Finish: Radiant
- Size: 3.3 fl oz
In the mood for more glow? This Sunglaze Sheer Setting Mist can do so thanks to its light-reflecting mica sparkles and moisturizing ingredients. It has a blend of hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid to gently hydrate and exfoliate, plus vitamin C and E to brighten the skin.
“This has become my go-to setting mist if I’m headed to an event outdoors during the evening hours, from rooftop events to gatherings outside. It leaves behind the prettiest radiance without looking oily or shimmery, and I love knowing that I have a little boost of protection even if I’m somewhere where the sun is setting,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary
Most Lightweight: COOLA Organic Makeup Setting Spray
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing COOLA Organic Makeup Setting Spray
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COOLA Organic Makeup Setting Spray
Amazon
- Pros: Lightweight, feels cooling upon application, has antioxidants
- Cons: Pricey for the size
- SPF: 30
- Finish: Natural
- Size: 1.5 fl oz
Dr. Rambhia loves this long-lasting setting spray if you’re looking for something that’s versatile enough for a day out in the sun, but lightweight enough for daily coverage.“The water-resistant formula makes this setting spray ideal for beach days, while the no-shine finish means it also works great for everyday wear. Cucumber and aloe vera extract combine to calm and soothe the skin, while hyaluronic acid keeps your base hydrated and soft,” she says.
“Give this SPF spray one quick spritz before you go for your face, because the first pump of each use comes out a bit concentrated. After that, the pump delivers a really nice, even mist that feels soothing on contact, dries down quickly, and offers a strong hold without feeling tacky or sticky on your skin. It did sting my eyes quite a bit, so I recommend keeping them closed for the 10-15 seconds it takes for the product to dry fully,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley.
Most Hydrating: Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF Makeup Setting Spray SPF 50
Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF Makeup Setting Spray SPF 50
Nordstrom
- Pros: Keeps makeup in place all day long, has hyaluronic acid to hydrate
- Cons: Expensive
- SPF: 50
- Finish: Natural matte
- Size: 3.4 fl oz
“This spray contains light diffusing silicone powder that absorbs excess oil and blurs imperfections,” says Dr. Rambhia. “It truly extends makeup wear in addition to offering broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, and the formula is enriched with antioxidants like green tea extract for additional skin benefits.”
“Wow, I really love Kate Somerville’s UncompliKated SPF 50 Setting Spray setting spray. Though it’s advertised as a mattifying setting spray, it did not undo my preferred dewy finish while still keeping my oily forehead at bay. That’s ideal for me, but might be worth keeping in mind if you’re going for a true matte look. Aside from the added benefits of SPF, the use of hyaluronic acid kept my skin feeling refreshed and hydrated. My only note is that I wish it came in a travel size. I am pretty obsessive about reapplying sunscreen throughout the day but find powdered SPF messy and imprecise. This would be the perfect solution for summer days that require a bit more glam than a tinted SPF,” says Glamour contributor Emily Tannenbaum.
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