The best setting sprays under $15
Drugstore makeup that won’t break you out
A good setting spray is hard to find. And if you have sensitive, acne-prone skin, it’s even tougher to find the right mattifying mist. But you don’t have to break the bank just to make your makeup last. I took a look at drugstore setting sprays to find the very best ones, based on their ingredients.
All of the setting sprays I’ve reviewed are non-comedogenic — that means they won’t clog your pores. But unlike my other reviews of makeup and skincare products, I’ve made an exception for one potentially irritating ingredient: denatured alcohol. Normally, I would never recommend a product with denatured alcohol, since it can be overly drying. That said? This drying effect is what makes certain setting sprays work — read more in my review of no-breakout setting sprays. Sprays in this review that don’t have denatured alcohol have a handy green check ✔️
e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set
- dewy finish
- good for dry, sensitive skin
- with aloe, green tea, and cucumber
- no synthetic fragrance
- no denatured alcohol ✔️
- $7 ($1.70 per ounce)
Makeup Revolution Pro Fix Oil Control Makeup Fixing Spray
- matte finish
- good for oily skin
- lightweight, shine-control formula
- no synthetic fragrance
- $8 ($2.36 per ounce)
Maybelline Facestudio Lasting Fix Setting Spray
- matte finish
- good for combination skin
- long-lasting — up to 16 hours of wear
- no synthetic fragrance
- $9.99 ($2.94 per ounce)
Bella Jade Botanicals Setting Spray
- semi-matte finish for a natural look
- good for all skin types, including sensitive skin
- formulated with mature skin in mind
- no synthetic fragrance
- no denatured alcohol ✔️
- $11.59 ($2.98 per ounce)
J. Cat Beauty Spray Set Go (Aloe)
- matte finish
- good for dry, sensitive skin
- helps to soothe and refresh skin while setting makeup
- no synthetic fragrance
- no denatured alcohol ✔️
- $7.99 ($3.99 per ounce)
NYX Makeup Setting Spray
- matte finish
- good for all skin types, including sensitive skin
- light-weight, breathable formula
- no synthetic fragrance
- no denatured alcohol ✔️
- $8.50 ($4.19 per ounce)
Pixi by Petra Makeup Fixing Mist
- semi-matte finish for a natural look
- good for dry skin
- with rose water, willow bark, and green tea
- no denatured alcohol ✔️
- $15 ($5.55 per ounce)
Revlon PhotoReady Prep, Set, Refresh
- matte finish
- good for dry skin
- 2-in-1 primer and setting spray
- no denatured alcohol ✔️
- $12.99 ($6.84 per ounce)
LA Girl Pro Setting Spray
- matte finish
- good for oily, sensitive skin
- fragrance-free
- no denatured alcohol ✔️
- $7 for 1 ounce
So that’s what I know, as Curology’s resident beauty geek — for what it’s worth, we’re not affiliated with any of the above brands, and we never make a commission off of products we recommend on the blog. But do feel free to sign up for a free month of Curology, if you haven’t yet! You’ll pay $4.95 (+ tax) to cover shipping/handling on your first subscription box, featuring a bottle of customized cream with a mix of 3 active ingredients for your unique skin.
