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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: work to set makeup products and keep them 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 sunscreens), dermatologists agree that they’re a convenient way to refresh UV defence.
To bring you the very best of them, 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 fine, lightweight mist that did a great job at setting our makeup for a 12-hour day, is noncomedogenic (so it won’t seep into pores), and has a high SPF of 50+. We also found sunscreens for sensitive skin, sunscreens for dark skin as well as budget-friendly buys you can pick up on the high street.
Ahead, our full edit of the best SPF setting sprays.
Best Overall: Naked Sundays Hydrating Glow Mist Setting Spray (SPF 50+)
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary loves this glowing mist because it’s noncomedogenic (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 superfine, 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.”
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Best for Oily Skin: e.l.f. Skin All Set for Sun (SPF 45)
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 non greasy, gave me a dewy touch up, and sprays evenly,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. “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.” Find more of the best sunscreens for oily skin this way.
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Best for Glow: Kopari Beauty Sunglaze Sheer Setting Mist Sunscreen (SPF 50)
In the mood for more glow? This Sunglaze Sheer Setting Mist can provide it thanks to its light-reflecting mica sparkles and moisturising ingredients. It has a blend of hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid to gently hydrate and exfoliate, plus vitamins 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.
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Most Lightweight: Coola Organic Makeup Setting Spray (SPF 30)
Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm in NYC, 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,” she says. “Cucumber and aloe vera extract combine to calm and soothe the skin, while hyaluronic acid keeps your base hydrated and soft.”
Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley 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 to 15 seconds it takes for the product to dry fully.”
READ MORE: The best Korean sunscreens our team has tested.
Most Hydrating: Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF Makeup Setting Spray (SPF 50)
“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,” says Glamour contributor Emily Tannenbaum. “Though it’s advertised as a matte 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.”
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Your SPF setting spray questions, answered:
Do setting sprays with SPF work?
According to Dr. Rambhia, setting sprays with SPF work as supplementary sun protection but shouldn’t replace the primary sunscreen in your skin care routine. “They offer a way to refresh UV defence throughout the day without disturbing your makeup,” she says. For optimal protection, make sure to apply an SPF 30+ cream or gel sunscreen as the base layer before makeup, then use SPF setting sprays for maintenance throughout the day to help maintain your sun protection.
Dr. Rambhia recommends looking for a non-comedogenic formula so you don’t break out, and a non-aerosol, fine mist for effortless reapplication.
How often should you reapply setting sprays with SPF?
“SPF should be reapplied after sweating or swimming every 1-2 hours if exposed,” says Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, AZ. “If you’re relying on a setting spray, I would be very generous with application throughout the day,” she says. Dr. Rambhia agrees and suggests spritzing your face every 2-3 hours at minimum to maintain protection, whether you’re bare-faced or you have makeup on.
Meet the experts
- Pooja Rambhia, MD, aboard-certified dermatologist and Union Derm in NYC.
- Brooke Jeffy, MD, aboard-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona.
How we tested
We tested SPF setting sprays by evaluating their texture (i.e., was the mist fine and lightweight, or heavy) and longevity, and whether 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 two to three 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 they fit snugly in our bag if we were on the go. Learn more about how we test here, and shop more body sunscreens this way.
