NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Setting Spray, Matte Finish, Up to 16HR Wear

Why it's worth it

NYX's Matte Finish spray is the drugstore option that oily-skinned people actually keep buying. It knocks down shine, holds makeup for a full workday, and costs a small fraction of what the premium sprays do — with the same alcohol-based approach behind it.

It does the one thing oily skin needs. This is a matte formula built to reduce shine and keep a just-applied look through the day, rated for up to 16 hours of wear. Published drugstore roundups have named it a top pick for oily skin repeatedly, and owners describe getting through office days without powder touch-ups. If your T-zone is shining by 11 a.m., this is an inexpensive fix that works.

It's the closest thing to a premium dupe in this category. It uses the same alcohol-and-film-former approach as the expensive long-wear sprays, so the mechanics are genuinely similar rather than a marketing parallel. You give up some waterproofing and the cooling tech. You keep most of the shine control. For a lot of people that's a fair trade.

From our review of 10 makeup setting sprays, by Sarah Wright, Editorial Associate

What we like

• +It does the one thing oily skin needs
• +It's the closest thing to a premium dupe in this category
• +The bottle is small enough to actually carry
• +It's vegan and PETA-certified cruelty-free

What to know

• –The matte finish can look flat and powdery on drier skin
• –The alcohol content rules it out for sensitive or eczema-prone skin
• –Nozzle quality is inconsistent