The best SPF setting sprays and mists that go over makeup, ranked by skin type, finish and star rating
The problem with reapplying SPF over makeup is obvious – you can’t rub in a sunscreen over a full face of foundation without undoing everything and the best SPF setting sprays and mists exist to solve this.
Spritz them over your makeup, let them dry, and you’ve topped up your protection without touching your base.
The category is a bit loosely defined though.
Some products are true setting sprays with film-forming ingredients that actively hold makeup in place.
Others are SPF mists that can go over makeup without disturbing it but won’t extend your wear the way a dedicated setting spray would. We’ve included both in this guide and labelled them clearly – everything here is over-makeup safe, but if holding power is as important to you as protection, the distinction matters.
We’ve ranked these by verified star rating from a minimum of 250 reviews, so the order reflects our own real-world experience as well as wider SPF setting spreay reviews, rather than just marketing claims.
For more on how SPF works and how to choose the right level for your skin type, our what is SPF guide covers the science and our which SPF should I use guide helps you work out your specific needs.
FURTHER READING: Best sunscreen for face UK | What is SPF? | Which SPF should I use?
SPF mist vs setting spray: What’s the difference?
A true SPF setting spray contains film-forming ingredients – typically polymers like PVP or acrylates copolymers – that create a flexible layer over makeup and actively help it stay in place. An SPF mist is primarily a sunscreen in spray format. It can go over makeup without disturbing it but it won’t extend your wear the way a setting spray would.
In this guide, the e.l.f. Suntouchable and Coola Organic Makeup Setting Spray are the closest to true setting sprays. The Garnier and Ultrasun options are SPF mists. The rest sit somewhere in between. If you mainly want to reapply SPF through the day without ruining your makeup, any of them will do the job. If you want your makeup to last longer as well, start with the e.l.f. or Coola.
Does SPF setting spray actually work?
Yes – with one important caveat. SPF setting sprays provide real, measurable UV protection, but they work best as a reapplication tool on top of a proper SPF applied in the morning, not as your only sun protection. The reason is application quantity. To achieve the SPF level stated on the label you need to apply enough product to cover your face evenly, which is harder to control with a spray than with a cream you rub in. Most people don’t apply quite enough.
That doesn’t make them ineffective – it just means they’re most reliable as part of a routine that starts with a dedicated SPF or moisturiser with SPF applied at the right quantity in the morning. Use the spray to reapply through the day and you’re giving your skin consistently better protection than if you skipped reapplication entirely.
Which comes first, setting spray or sunscreen?
Sunscreen first, always. In your morning routine, SPF goes on after moisturiser and before makeup. Setting spray – with or without SPF – goes on last, over your finished makeup. If you’re using a standard setting spray in the morning and an SPF setting spray for reapplication through the day, that order still holds: SPF underneath, setting spray on top.
Best SPF setting spray reviewsBest overall SPF setting spray
The Naked Sundays SPF50 Hydrating Glow Mist is the highest-rated SPF setting spray we found in the UK.
It’s SPF 50, goes over makeup without moving it, leaves a luminous glow finish and contains hyaluronic acid and kakadu plum for genuine skincare benefit alongside the protection.
The bottle is small at 30ml but the formula earns its place at the top of this list.
Read our full Naked Sundays SPF setting spray review
Best SPF setting spray for oily skin
The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine SPF50 Face Mist is the most targeted option for oily and blemish-prone skin.
SPF 50, matte finish and water-resistant, the La Roche-Posay’s Mexoplex filtering system offers reliable broad-spectrum coverage and the formula controls shine without sitting heavily on the skin. One of the strongest options in the category for anyone who struggles with midday oil.
Read our full La Roche-Posay SPF50 Face Mist review
Best value SPF 50 setting spray
The Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Over Makeup Mist SPF50+ is £13.99 for 75ml, which makes it the best value SPF 50 mist in this guide by some margin.
It has an invisible finish, no white cast, works under or over makeup and is genuinely affordable enough to use without rationing it.
The only problem is that it contains fragrance, so if your skin is reactive the Ultrasun is a better call. For everyone else, this is the sensible everyday option.
Read our full Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Over Makeup Mist SPF50+ review
Best SPF setting spray for dark spots
The Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Over Make-Up UV Mist SPF50+ is essentially the same formula as the Garnier Super UV above with a vitamin C derivative and vitamin E added to target dark spots and uneven skin tone over time.
At £17 for 75ml the £3 premium only makes sense if pigmentation is a genuine concern for you but if it is, it’s worth it. It also contains fragrance so isn’t idea for sensitive skin and you’ll need to patch test first.
Read our full Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Over Make-Up UV Mist SPF50+ review
Best budget SPF setting spray
The e.l.f. Suntouchable All Set for Sun SPF30 is the only product in this guide that genuinely functions as a setting spray first and an SPF mist second.
Fragrance-free, SPF 30 and it actually holds makeup in place.
The SPF 30 rather than 50 is the main trade-off. It’s fine for everyday low-exposure use but is less ideal for a full day outside. At £15 it’s one of the better-value options in this guide too.
Read our full e.l.f Suntouchable SPF setting spray review
Best SPF setting spray for sensitive skin
The Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist SPF50 is the only alcohol-free and fragrance-free option in this list, which immediately makes it the most sensitive-skin-friendly.
It has SPF 50, works over makeup and on the scalp and contains InfraGuard antioxidant complex for defence beyond UV.
The trade-off here is that it feels slightly heavier on application than the alcohol-based mists but that’s reasonable if reactive skin is a concern.
Read our full Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist SPF50 review
Best premium SPF setting spray
The Coola Makeup SPF Setting Spray SPF30 is the most expensive option in this guide per ml but ait earns it with a water-resistant, genuinely mattifying formula that holds makeup better than most mists.
It’s pricey because of its organic base and like the e.l.f Suntouchable, it’s SPF 30 rather than 50. There’s also a green tea scent that some will love and others won’t.
Buy it because you want real setting-spray hold alongside your SPF, not just because it costs the most.
Read our full Coola Makeup SPF Setting Spray SPF30 review
Best SPF setting spray for a glow finish
The Ultra Violette Preen Screen Reapplication Mist SPF50 comes from an Australian brand that makes sunscreen its entire focus, and that shows in the formula.
SPF 50 is joined by skincare benefits including niacinamide and vitamin C derivative alongside the UV protection.
The finish is a soft lit-from-within glow rather than anything wet or shiny. Contains fragrance and mineral oil so worth checking if either is an issue for your skin.
Read our full Ultra Violette Preen Screen Reapplication Mist SPF50 review
Best high SPF setting spray
The Quick Flick Quick Screen Setting Spray SPF50+ is the highest SPF option in this guide and the most generous size at 90ml.
The formula is minimal and the natural fragrance is light but the main thing to know is the high alcohol content, which makes it quick-drying but potentially drying on skin if you use it every day.
Read our full Quick Flick Quick Screen Setting Spray SPF50+ review
Is SPF setting spray effective?
Yes, SPF setting sprays provide real UV protection. The key caveat is that they work best as a reapplication tool on top of a dedicated SPF applied in the morning, not as your only protection. Application quantity is harder to control with a spray than a cream you rub in, so using them to top up rather than replace your morning SPF gives you the most reliable coverage.
Do SPF sprays actually work over makeup?
Yes – every product in this guide is formulated to go over makeup without disturbing it. True setting sprays like the e.l.f. Suntouchable and Coola will also help hold your base in place. SPF mists like the Garnier and Ultrasun options go over makeup safely but won’t extend your wear the same way.
Which comes first – setting spray or sunscreen?
Sunscreen always goes on first, before makeup. SPF setting spray goes on last, over your finished makeup. In your morning routine: moisturiser, SPF, makeup, setting spray. For reapplication through the day: SPF setting spray goes directly over your makeup.
How often should I reapply SPF setting spray?
Every two hours in direct sun, or immediately after sweating or swimming. For everyday office use with limited sun exposure, reapplying once at lunchtime is a reasonable habit. The SPF number tells you how long you’re theoretically protected relative to your unprotected burn time – our which SPF should I use guide has a calculator that works this out for your specific skin type.
What is the best SPF setting spray for oily skin?
The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine SPF50 Face Mist is the most targeted option for oily and blemish-prone skin. It has a matte finish, controls shine and is water-resistant. The e.l.f. Suntouchable is a good budget alternative – it’s fragrance-free and genuinely holds makeup in place.
Are there SPF setting sprays for sensitive skin?
Yes – the Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist SPF50 is the best option for sensitive skin. It’s the only alcohol-free and fragrance-free product in this guide. The e.l.f. Suntouchable is also fragrance-free and a good option if you don’t need the alcohol-free formulation specifically.
What is an SPF setting spray?
An SPF setting spray is a sunscreen in spray format that can be applied over makeup to reapply UV protection through the day without disturbing your base. Some, like the e.l.f. Suntouchable and Coola, also contain film-forming ingredients that help hold makeup in place. Others are SPF mists – primarily sunscreens that happen to work safely over makeup. The terms are often used interchangeably but the products behave differently.
MORE LIKE THIS
Some of the links on mamabella are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase,
we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only ever recommend products that we’ve personally used,
tested or genuinely believe are worth your time and money. Affiliate links help support mamabella and allow us to keep
creating honest reviews and guides.