Setting Products Ranking for Oily Skin December 21, 2019
When you have oily skin, you quickly learn that finding the right setting powders and setting sprays is important to helping extend the life of your makeup. In today’s post, I’ll be sharing my setting products ranking for oily skin.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links (*). If you purchase by clicking on my links, I may be compensated at no additional cost to you.
Setting Powder Collection
6 | Dermablend Translucent Setting Powder ($29.00)
The Dermablend Translucent Setting Powder* was okay. However, I am unlikely to repurchase due to issues with the formula.
First, the translucent setting powder is not truly translucent. It leaves a white cast that is noticeable in photos or bright lighting. Therefore, this powder would not work on skin tones any deeper than mine.
Second, the formula is not as finely milled as the other powders on this list. The powder feels thick and almost sticky.
Finally, the formula did not keep oil at bay as effectively as other setting powders on this list.
5 | Givenchy Matte Prisme Libre Loose Setting Powder ($58.00)
I received the Matte Prisme Libre Loose Setting Powder as a gift from a friend. The packaging is beautiful. Also, the concept of color correcting powders is nice. However, I just don’t tend to reach for powders like this.
4 | BECCA Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder ($39.00, CF)
When I first tried the BECCA Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder, I was obsessed with the formula. This powder felt unlike anything I ever used before. When applied to the face, the powder felt wet and cooling. More importantly, this setting powder kept my makeup in place all day without looking or feeling heavy.
However, this is placed fourth within my setting powder ranking due to the quick expiration. In other words, within 2 months of opening this powder, the cooling sensation completely stops. Therefore, users need to fly through this powder (a.k.a. over apply it).
3 | Milk Makeup Blur + Set Matte Loose Setting Powder ($29.00, CF)
Milk Makeup’s Blur + Set Matte Loose Setting Powder* is a super lightweight blurring powder. Although it is not as mattifying as the setting powder in the number spot, it receives brownie points for being talc-free.
This is a great setting primer for anyone looking for a setting powder that isn’t super mattifying and is free from talc.
2 | Laura Mercier Secret Under Eye Brightening Powder ($28.00)
When I first tried the Laura Mercier Secret Under Eye Brightening Powder,* I didn’t understand the the hype of this product. However, after I ran out of my mini, I missed this in my routine. For individuals who regularly wear concealer, the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder does exactly what it promises to do. It brightens the under eye.
1 | Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($38.00)
At the top of the setting powder ranking is the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder.* This setting powder is a classic in the beauty world for good reason. This finely milled loose powder sets the skin without looking heavy or cakey. However, the one drawback is that this powder contains talc.

Setting Powder & Setting Spray Collection
Setting Spray Ranking
6 | Smolder Cosmetics – Nebula Lumi Dew Hydra Mist ($21.00, CF)
The Smolder Cosmetics Lumi Dew Hydra Mist was an Instagram-influenced purchase. Sadly, this setting spray didn’t provide noticeable luminosity. Additionally, this mist made my foundation break apart.
Consistency-wise, this mist reminded me of the Sol Body Dry Oil. More specifically, similar to the dry oil, the Smolder Cosmetics spray had tiny particles of what looked and smelled like glittery baby powder in it. Prior to using the spray, the bottle needed to be shook in order to spread the particles around.
I would not recommend this to anyone with oily skin or even dry skin!
5 | Pixi Beauty – Hydrating Milky Mist ($15.00, CF)
The Pixi Beauty Hydrating Milky Mist* is technically a facial spray. However, I enjoy using the Milky Mist as a part of my makeup routine, too. On the days when I’ve applied too much powder, the Pixi Mist breathes life back into my skin. Also, the spray nozzle emits the finest amount of hydration.
4 | Pixi Beauty – Glow Mist ($15.00, CF)
Similar to the Mily Mist, the Pixi Beauty Glow Mist* breathes life into my skin when I’ve applied too many mattifying products. This is a glowy setting spray that provides a luminous glow to the skin without looking greasy.
Oily skinned beauty lovers will certainly need to blot their face throughout the day if they use this mist. However, the spray does not cause complexion products to break apart in the way that the Smaller Cosmetics spray does.
3 | MAC – Prep + Prime Fix+ ($27.00)
MAC’s Fix+ is a well-loved setting spray in my collection. I love using this iconic MAC spray to add an intense foiled effect to eyeshadows or to add life to my skin. This spray does not provide any radiance, but it helps to melt powders together to create a skin-like finish on days where I’m wearing a full face of foundation.
However, this spray will not extend the life of makeup. Also, the price of this iconic spray has steadily increased over the years as I’ve repurchased it ($26 – $28)
2 | Urban Decay – All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray ($32.00, CF)
The Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray is my most repurchased setting spray of all time. It is the best setting spray on the market for oil control without weird films or extensive drying. Nevertheless, the smell of this product is potent and the inside of the bottle looks unsettling.
If making makeup last all day or night is the main concern to be addressed, the All Nighter Setting Spray is perfect.
1 | Smashbox – Photo Finish Weightless Long Lasting Setting Spray ( $32.00)
To be candid, I likely would not have tried the Smashbox Photo Finish Weightless Long Lasting Setting Spray if I didn’t receive it from Influenster in 2019. However, I’m glad to have received this setting spray.
The Photo Finish Weightless Setting Spray combines the best of the Urban Decay All-Nighter and MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ sprays. The spray, itself, is ultra fine and feels like nothing on the skin. Read my full review on the Smashbox Photo Finish Weightless Setting Spray & Mattifying Primer.
Final Thoughts After Completing my Setting Products Ranking for Oily Skin
Ultimately, don’t let generic ‘makeup rules’ dictate what you can or cannot use for your skin type. As you can clearly tell from my post ranking setting products for oily skin, I use a combination of mattifying and luminous products. Ultimately, it is important to strike a balance between makeup lasting all day and creating looks that still look natural and skin-like.
Also, I do not recommend that one person own all of these setting products at one time. Find a few formulas that work for your skin and rotate between them to create the desired effect.
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Did you enjoy this post ranking setting products for oily skin? Please read my primer ranking, my foundation ranking or my concealer ranking.
Do you agree with my thoughts regarding ranking setting products for oily skin? What type of finish do you prefer? Please let me know in the comments below.
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Thank you for this! For me, these are two products that I have a lot of trouble finding in general. I’m not oily but I’ll definitely be checking these out.
Just be cautious with some of these if you have dry skin. The Dermablend powder clung to some dry patches this past weekend when I was using it!
I didn’t even know that Milk had a loose powder lol
Yes they do! It’s supposedly a little less mattifying than some classic setting powders so I’m interested to see how it will work out!
Milk has such great products I would be worried in it’s quality
I never used setting powder (my skin is pretty normal, but can get dry sometimes), and I actually just started using setting spray a few months ago. I picked up an elf one since it was inexpensive (which is ideal when I’m new to it). It’s been working pretty well, but I might have to check out some of these products that you mentioned next year! I’ve heard about that Urban Decay’s all-nighter for a while (they’re one of my fave brands lol), but that Smashbox one sounds pretty amazing!
So I have super oily skin, so I need powder… but if you have normal or dry skin you may not need it! I’ve never tried the elf setting spray, but I did go through two of the milani setting sprays this year and really enjoyed it.
The UD one was my holy grail setting spray for years because it truly locks things into place, but I like that the Smashbox Spray is a little finer and smells less fragrant.
I recently bought the Laura Mercier Under Eye Brightening Powder too – as well as the tinted moisturizer because you love it lol. Can’t wait to try both products!
I’ve never tried the Smashbox setting spray but I have been wanting to try it for so long. I’m not sure what’s holding me back though. I have 4 setting sprays which I’m all finishing pretty soon so I think it’s about time I purchase the Smashbox one!
oooo I’m SO curious to see how you like them. The under eye powder was a game changer for me lol. I’m curious – did you buy the new Tinted Moisturizer or the Original? They recently did a slight revamp and I haven’t tried it yet.
Ooo I bet if you wait, you could get the Smashbox one at a good sale price! I actually have been wanting to try the Cover FX one, too!
I found out about the revamp when I wanted to purchase it! But I went back to your post to see which one you had, so I’m pretty sure I’ve bought the original one.
I started using setting powder recently and OMG!!! It is such a gamechanger!!!!! Oooh! Love that you have different types of setting powders. It is good to know what brands work better than others. Thanks for sharing these options! I started using a setting powder from Chanel beauty. It works well with me so far!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
ah I’ve never tried the Chanel setting powder, but knowing you like luxury beauty, you may enjoy the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Setting Powder or the La Mer Setting Powder!