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The use of makeup as a beauty aid is increasing day by day. Nobody’s skin is naturally flawless and perfect. Achieving a natural and flawless look with makeup is one of the main reasons why beauty lovers put on makeup. They have always been enthusiastic about finding ways to make their makeup long-lasting. High-end makeup products that are long-lasting are not enough to get a long-lasting finish to your makeup look. While using a special makeup product like setting spray can help in this.
Setting spray is a cosmetic product formulated to help makeup stay in place and look fresh for an extended period. It can leave you with a fresh and glowing look. There is also a shelf life of setting sprays. Wondering about the lastingness of setting spray, be it on the skin or the product’s shelf life, is very natural. So, How Long Does Setting Spray Last? It usually lasts 8 to 16 hours on the skin, while the product’s shelf life is between 6 months to 2 years. Let’s have an in-depth idea about the long-lastingness of setting spray!
Setting Spray: Ingredients Explained
Setting spray is also known as makeup setting spray or fixing spray. For using a setting spray, you need to spray it evenly over your makeup after finishing your beauty routine. Setting spray works through a combination of ingredients and mechanisms. Although specific ingredients in setting sprays can vary between different brands and formulations, some common ingredients can commonly be found in setting sprays. Let’s explain the common ingredients:
Water: Water is often the key ingredient in setting sprays, serving as the base for the product. The water is first purified or distilled for the removal of dirt or impurities. It helps to smoothly scatter other available ingredients and leaves the skin with a hydrating effect. Water-based setting sprays work excellently on dry or sensitive skin, providing extra hydration.
Glycerin: Humectants like glycerin is a colorless, odorless, and viscous liquid with sweet taste. In setting sprays, it is used to retain moisture in the skin, preventing makeup from drying out and cracking. It also helps other ingredients to cling to the skin.
Alcohol: In setting sprays, denatured alcohol is used to help it dry quickly upon application. Alcohol can also help the makeup adhere to the skin and improve its longevity. However, it is better to go for alcohol-free formulations for dry or sensitive skin to avoid drying out the skin.
Essential Oils: Essential oils are plant extracts containing antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. In setting sprays, essential oils are used for extra benefits other than adhering to the skin. It reduces inflammation, fights bacteria, and soothes irritation.
Antioxidants: Some setting sprays use antioxidants like vitamins C and E, aloe vera, and green tea extract to help protect the skin from environmental damage and free radicals. The antioxidants protect the skin, prevent premature aging, and give the skin a fresh and youthful look.
Silicones: In setting sprays, silicones are used to ensure a smooth and even application, which acts as a barrier between the skin and the makeup. It provides your makeup with a more flawless finish, and do not let it result in pores or fine wrinkles.
Preservatives: To prevent microbial growth and maintain product integrity, setting sprays contain preservatives like phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, or parabens. If preservatives are not added in setting sprays, these become unsafe to use and increase the chances of getting contaminated.
How Does Long Setting Spray Last On Skin?
The longevity of setting spray on the skin depends on many things related to the setting spray, your skin type as well and environmental conditions. Different brands of setting spray may last for different periods on your skin. But in general, a regular skin-friendly setting spray would last on your skin for a period of 8 to 16 hours. Several factors influence how long the setting spray will keep your makeup in place.
Brand, Formula, And Quality Different brands offer setting sprays with different formulations. Some setting sprays are of high quality, and those are formulated in such a way that it is long-lasting, while others may be more lightweight and suitable for shorter wear.
Skin Type
Individual skin type can influence how long a setting spray lasts. On oily skin, makeup might break down faster, so they may need a matte finish setting spray. Dry skin requires a hydrating setting spray to prevent makeup from looking cakey. Lastly, combination skin requires a dewy finish setting spray.
Application Process
The application process of your setting spray can also affect its longevity. Hold the bottle about 8-10 inches from your face and mist it in a “T” or “X” pattern to ensure even coverage. Finally, allow it to air dry, and your makeup should stay in place longer, even in challenging conditions like heat or humidity. So, make sure to apply it evenly and in a suitable amount to cover your entire face to make it long-lasting.
Environmental Conditions
Environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and wind referring to weather also influence the long-lastingness of setting spray. In hot and humid conditions, makeup tends to melt faster, so you will need a long-lasting setting spray there. On the other hand, in cold and dry weather, you will need a setting spray that helps maintain moisture to prevent makeup from becoming too dry or flaky.
How Long Is the Shelf Life of Setting Spray?
The shelf life of setting sprays may vary from brand to brand. Setting sprays contain preservatives, which give a longer shelf life to the product. But preservatives do not prevent it from expiring. The shelf life of setting spray can be between 6 months to 2 years.
An unopened setting spray will last for 24 months. In comparison, an opened-setting spray has a different shelf life. If you store the setting spray properly, even an open bottle of setting spray will last for a maximum of 18 months. After this period, the ingredients of the setting spray will experience a breakdown, losing its effectiveness. Any kind of change in color, smell, and texture of the setting spray indicates that its shelf life has come to an end. Under these conditions, replace the setting spray. Several factors work behind the shelf life of setting spray:
Used Ingredients
Different setting sprays have a different shelf life. Some have a relatively longer shelf life than others. It is because of the used ingredients. For example, setting sprays that are water-based and contain alcohol can increase the shelf life of setting spray. Again, glycerin sticks to the skin and makes your setting spray more long-lasting.
Date Of Expiry
Most of the renowned brands of setting sprays have a date of expiry. The date is necessary as it indicates that the product is safe to use and is expected to provide effective results. Also, the date of any brand’s setting spray is visible on its packaging, which you should keep an eye on before purchasing it.
Usage Frequency
The usage frequency also influences how long the shelf life of a setting spray would be. Frequent use of a setting spray makes it last for a shorter period. If you use your bottle of setting spray occasionally, it will eventually last for a long period.
Conditions For Storage
Storing in a suitable cool and dry place which are away from sunlight or any direct sources of heat can help to extend the shelf life of your setting spray. However, storing it closer to sunlight results in a faster breakdown of the product.
4 Easy Ways to Extend Longevity of Setting Spray
You may read out the instructions and reviews of different setting sprays, as some may have longer-lasting effects than others and which have longer shelf life. In comparison, it is possible to extend the longevity of setting sprays. For that, you need to ensure proper care and maintenance of the spray and follow a few steps. Following are four easy ways to extend the longevity of setting spray.
Use Complementary Makeup Products
Some complementary products will extend the longevity of your setting spray as certain makeup products work well in combination. The products are primer, long-wear foundation, powder, waterproof mascara, etc. A primer helps to create a thicker base for the setting spray. A long-wear foundation holds makeup in place and stops it from slipping off your skin. At the same time, powder can actively set up your makeup in place.
Seal Tightly
You should seal the setting spray bottle tightly when you are not using it. The air and moisture cannot get into the spray bottle to break down the product. This will result in a longer shelf life for the setting spray.
Store In The Right Place
If you want to extend the longevity of the setting spray, make sure to store it in a cool and dry place like a closet or cosmetic drawer. Heat, humidity, and sunlight can affect the shelf life of setting spray to a great extent. So, do not put it on direct exposure to the sun or any heat source like a stove or hot car and also bathroom to avoid the deterioration of both the product and the spray bottle.
Keep The Makeup Brushes Clean
Make sure to keep the makeup brushes clean. For that, take care of the brushes regularly. It will cause the prevention of germs, dirt, and impurities so that these cannot affect the setting spray and reduce its shelf life.
FAQs
No. I do not recommend sleeping with setting spray. Although the application of a setting spray is normally not harmful to your skin, excessive use of it or neglecting to thoroughly wipe your face before bed can be hazardous. So, before going to bed, ensure a completely makeup-free face with a thorough cleansing.
A good quality setting spray can be especially helpful for oily skin. Even a good hydrating spray can work wonders, even though some people with oily skin might prefer matte formulas.
Rose water, witch hazel, or aloe vera juice are some amazing natural alternatives to setting spray. These components can be combined with a small amount of glycerin to generate a natural setting spray that can be used for setting your makeup perfectly.
Whether setting spray or powder is better depends on individual skin type. People with dry, combination skin should use a setting spray, while those with oily skin should use a setting powder. To make your makeup last longer, both can also be applied simultaneously.
Yes. Even if you decide not to wear makeup, you may still add an extra layer of hydration by using a setting spray. This is especially applicable to dry skin. As most setting sprays contain alcohol, these should not be used daily. If you are without makeup, use a setting spray in a limited manner and prefer formulas without alcohol.
Final Thoughts
Long-lasting makeup adheres to the skin by providing oil and sweat control, and setting spray is the ultimate solution that can prevent the fading or melting of makeup.
Setting spray lasts on your skin for 8 to 16 hours. This longevity can vary depending on the brand, formula, quality, individual skin type, application process, and environmental conditions. Again, the shelf life of setting spray ranges between 6 months to 2 years. This shelf life can vary depending on the used ingredients, date of expiration, usage frequency, and conditions for storage.
While you should use complementary makeup products, seal the setting spray tightly, store it in the right place, and keep your makeup brushes clean if you want to extend the longevity of setting spray, be it longevity on the skin or longevity of the product. Experience the long-lastingness of your setting spray after following a proper approach.
Key Points
- Setting spray is also known as makeup setting spray or fixing spray. The commonly found ingredients in setting sprays are water, glycerin, alcohol, essential oils, antioxidants, silicones, and preservatives.
- A regular skin-friendly setting spray would last on your skin for a period of 8 to 16 hours based on brand, formula, skin type, application, and environmental conditions.
- The shelf life of setting spray can be between 6 months to 2 years based on the ingredients, expiration date, usage frequency, and storage conditions.
- An unopened setting spray will last for 24 months while on proper storage, an open bottle of setting spray will last for a maximum of 18 months.
- The changes in color, smell, and texture of the setting spray indicate that its shelf life has come to an end.
- You can easily extend the longevity of your setting spray by using complementary makeup products, sealing the setting spray tightly, storing it in the right place, and keeping your makeup brushes clean.
