DIY Makeup Setting Spray for Soft, Dewy Skin Despite the Heat

Is it just me or does your makeup melt off the second you step into the harsh summer sun? On the days I do wear makeup, I usually opt for a setting spray to make sure it lasts just a little bit longer. This DIY makeup setting spray isn’t just healthy (no parabens or chemical scents here!), it’s also soothing and nourishing for dry skin.

Plus, thanks to creamy ingredients like glycerin and aloe vera, it helps your makeup blend and stay fresh looking all day long. Pair it with natural makeup and you’ll walk away with soft, dewy skin despite the harsh heat.

DIY Makeup Setting Spray

Lots of makeup setting sprays contain mystery ingredients that do all the heavy lifting. They contain obvious things like parabens and phthalates (which are definite no-nos), as well as some sneakier ingredients like alcohol, limonene and fake fragrances that can do more harm than good. 

And natural setting sprays, which are made mostly of water, aren’t any better than what you can make at home. Plus they’ll cost a pretty penny to boot.

So I decided to make my own DIY makeup setting spray with ingredients I already have.

I wanted a simple, all-natural recipe that could handle even the toughest heat and humidity – and save me some of my hard-earned money. You don’t need a lot of ingredients to make this DIY makeup setting spray. Just a couple of things you probably have on hand (like aloe vera and water) and some you might not (like glycerin).

What you don’t have can be found at most natural health food stores or online. Or you can leave out those ingredients to simplify this recipe.

Here’s how it works:

Rose Water

Rose water has been used in beauty recipes for thousands of years, and for good reason! Rose petals have been shown to have antioxidant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects. [source] Not to mention, rose water smells amazing and gives your face a dewy glow.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is one of the most well known skin treatments in the world. It’s said to have incredible healing properties, be anti-inflammatory, and make skin appear younger thanks its anti-aging effects. [source] When used in DIY makeup setting spray, it coats the skin with a layer of non-greasy moisture, which will make your makeup last longer.

Glycerin

Glycerin is a common ingredient in commercial makeup setting sprays because it sticks to makeup and practically seals it in. Just be careful not to use too much or it might have the opposite effect and make skin look oily.

Frankincense Oil

I’m a huge fan of frankincense oil because it’s so, so good for skin. [source] But it’s not mandatory for this recipe. You can use any essential oil you like, or skip the oil altogether and just rely on the other ingredients for their hydrating + sealing properties.

Oh, and since it’s all natural and soothing, a light spray can be helpful for other inflammatory or sensitive skin conditions. Light sunburns often need moisture to heal, and rashes, eczema and bug bites love skin-soothing ingredients like aloe vera and rose water. So it’s perfectly safe and gentle enough for angry, irritated skin.

While I don’t recommend coating inflamed skin too heavily (it needs to breathe in order to heal), a light spritz here and there can be just what it needs to calm irritation and promote cell turnover.

Makeup Setting Spray FAQ

Can I use a preservative to make my makeup setting spray last longer?

Since some preservatives can irritate sensitive skin, if you suffer from any form of irritation or sensitivity, you might want to skip the preservative and just make a fresh batch every few days. If you don’t have sensitive skin, go ahead and use a full-spectrum preservative like Leucidal Complete.

Since this has essential oils in it, can I store this in a plastic bottle?

The two drops of frankincense oil in this recipe aren’t enough to breakdown a plastic bottle, so go ahead and use plastic if you’d like. Personally, I use glass bottles like these (you’ll have to use two of them for this recipe).

What other essential oils would be good in this recipe?

I recommend avoiding citrus oils, like sweet orange, lemon or grapefruit, because they can make skin more sensitive to sunlight (not good!) Instead, look for oils like carrot seed, lavender, chamomile or rosehip, which have soothing and regenerative properties.

I have sensitive skin, can I leave out the rose water?

Sure, skip the rosewater and just use filtered water, if you like.

Can I replace the rose water with chamomile or lavender water?

Of course! We haven’t tried out other floral waters, but it shouldn’t affect the recipe. Leave a comment and let us know how it goes!

Will this setting spray make me breakout?

It doesn’t include any comedogenic ingredients, that I know of. But since everyone’s skin is different, try it out on an inconspicuous patch of skin (like the wrist or chest) and keep an eye out for irritation. If you don’t see any redness, then go ahead and use it on your face.

What can I use instead of makeup setting spray?

While we’re huge fans of moisturizing spray, a loose, dry powder should be enough to soak up makeup-melting oil and lock your makeup in place for hours.

Print

4 from 5 votes

DIY Makeup Setting Spray

This DIY Makeup Setting Spray will help your makeup blend and stay fresh looking all day long, plus it's soothing and nourishing for dry skin.

Prep Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: DIY Beauty

Cuisine: Beauty

Keyword: beauty, DIY makeup

Yield: 4 ounces

Author: Stephanie Pollard

Cost: $5

Equipment

• 4 ounce spray bottle
• small funnel

Materials

• 2 tablespoons rose water
• 1 tablespoon filtered water
• 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
• 1/2 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
• 2 drops frankincense essential oil

Instructions

• Using a funnel, combine all ingredients in a glass spray bottle. Screw on the lid and give it a good shake to combine.
  
• Once you've applied your makeup, hold the bottle about 12 inches from your face and gently spritz 2-3 times. Allow the setting spray to dry thoroughly without rubbing or patting.
  

Notes

Because of the water, this spray will only last a 3-4 days in the refrigerator before it gets moldy. If you would like it to last longer, substitute extra rose water in place of the filtered water and use within 2-3 weeks.

If you find that this spray makes your skin feel sticky, cut back on the aloe vera and glycerin.

This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.