What’s the Difference Between Setting Sprays and Face Mists?

What Is a Setting Spray?

Despite the spray factor, which can overlap with other types of products, setting sprays are truly in a category of their own.

“Many traditional setting sprays are fairly hardcore,” explains England-based celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. “In lots of ways, they're quite similar to hairspray. They often contain high levels of denatured alcohol (alcohol denat.), silicones, and polymers that help lock makeup in place for hours. Personally, I wouldn't use that type of product every day.”

In fact, when it comes to traditional setting spray, Eldridge says it’s really more fitting for stage makeup, full glam, or long events. “I'd happily use one on a client if they needed their makeup to last all day,” she says. “My advice is, breathe in, hold your breath, spray, breathe out, and walk away.”

Because traditional setting sprays often contain high levels of alcohol denat., Eldridge explains it could be an issue for dehydrated or rosacea-prone skin since it’s a drying ingredient. She adds that setting sprays also often contain fragrance to help mask the smell of the alcohol. 

They also stand out because they’re no longer one-size-fits-all. “There are multiple setting sprays that target specific areas such as oil control, adding hydration, or creating a matte or dewy finish,” says Brenda Orduno, makeup artist and BEAUTY CREATIONS COSMETICS Senior Product Developer. “Each spray contains film-forming polymers that create a thin barrier over the face that shields your makeup from outside environments.”

What Is a Face Mist?

While also a spritz, the ingredients in a face mist differ greatly from setting spray. 

“A face mist is much more of a skincare product,” Eldridge explains. “It's less concerned with making your makeup last for hours and more focused on keeping the skin comfortable, hydrated, and looking fresh. That said, some face mists can also help refresh makeup and improve its longevity.”

Unlike setting sprays, which are often drying formulations, face mists “typically contain hydrating ingredients such as glycerin and other skincare ingredients, with little or no alcohol denat.,” Eldridge says. “They're much gentler on the skin and are almost like the modern equivalent of an essence or toner, just in a fine mist format that can be used throughout the day.”

Where setting sprays shield the face, face mists, on the other hand, “use humectants to attract moisture, emollients to soothe the skin, and calming ingredients to support your skin health,” Orduno says, listing hyaluronic acid and glycerin as common humectants in face mists, while ceramides are a popular emollient.

If you do go the face mist route, we’re huge fans of the RODIAL Dragon’s Blood Hyaluronic Drink, which helps plump, prep, and revive the skin.

Are Setting Sprays and Face Mists Ever Interchangeable? 

With 2-in-1 skincare innovation becoming more common, it’s not unheard of to find an all-in-one spray. Eldridge actually has a product called the LISA ELDRIDGE BEAUTY Skin & Makeup Enhancing Mist. She says it’s different because it uses Filmexel, a naturally derived film-forming polymer that doesn’t contain alcohol denat. “Instead, it's packed with hydrating skincare ingredients, so it helps makeup last while also keeping the skin looking fresh and healthy,” she says.

There are also products like the MORPHE Continuous Prep & Set Mist+, which offer hydration and glow, while prepping, setting, and supercharging the complexion. But, Eldridge is realistic about when to use these types of products versus, let’s say, the ONE/SIZE On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray.

“Ultimately, it comes down to what you're trying to achieve,” she says. “If your goal is simply maximum wear time for a special occasion, a traditional setting spray may be the right choice. But if you want your makeup to stay looking natural while keeping your skin hydrated and comfortable, I'd recommend looking for a skin mist that contains gentle film-forming ingredients rather than drying alcohols.”

Orduno has also helped launch a 2-in-1 product, called BEAUTY CREATIONS Flawless Stay Setting Spray, which “creates a cross of these products by focusing on locking in makeup with a lightweight formula that lessens makeup melting,” she says, adding that it includes aloe and horse chestnut to nourish the skin simultaneously.

Ultimately, she acknowledges that, “setting sprays and face mists aren’t typically interchangeable because they're designed for distinct uses. A setting spray will help you achieve long-lasting makeup, while a face mist provides hydration and skincare benefits.”

Why Setting Spray and Face Mist Get Confused

If you went into this article without a clear understanding of their differences, you’re not alone. 

“It's understandable because they're both sprayed onto the face and often used as the final step in a makeup routine,” Eldridge says. “However, they serve different purposes. A traditional setting spray is designed primarily to lock makeup in place, whereas a face mist is focused on hydrating, refreshing, and improving the overall appearance of the skin. Because of newer hybrid formulas, which blur the lines between the two, that’s probably why the confusion exists.”

Final Thoughts

Despite both being in the form of clear, fine spray, setting sprays and face mists have two very different purposes. It’s the distinctly different ingredients that set them apart. Each product does exactly what its name suggests—setting spray sets makeup in place and covers the skin with an invisible film. Face mist can refresh makeup throughout the day and offer added moisture to the skin at any time. While some hybrid formulas blur the line, face mists are generally skincare-first, while setting sprays are designed for makeup longevity. Because face mist is skincare-forward, it doesn’t have the power to hold makeup in place. Setting spray, on the other hand, can indeed contain skincare ingredients while also pulling double duty. If you’ve got a big day ahead, traditional setting spray is the way to go, but be sure to prep your skin accordingly, because these formulas have a reputation for drying out the skin.