Both setting powder and setting spray keep your makeup in place and help it to stay on your face for hours longer.

Setting powder does an added function and absorbs excess oil from the face. It gives a smooth, matte look.

Setting spray on the other hand mainly just perform its primary function of locking in your makeup in place to last longer. It helps to keep products from being absorbed into the skin and makes it last longer. There are mattifying sprays but they are not as effective as setting powder. It gives a dewy finish.

Setting powder and setting spray are not mutually exclusive. You can use both, the setting powder first followed by the setting spray, to reap the benefits of both.

Setting Power or Setting Spray by Skin Types

Dry Skin

Setting Spray is more suitable for dry skin. Powder could dry out the skin further as it absorbs the little oil that there is. The setting powder could make the skin feels tight and gives a cakey appearance.

Normal to Oily Skin

Normal to oily skin could use either or both.

Oily Skin

Setting powder is suitable for oily skin as it absorbs excess oil and control its production during the day.