The Clean Setting Mist Difference

If you’ve ever set your makeup with a conventional setting spray and felt like you just misted your face with hairspray, you’re not alone. In fact, most setting sprays use alcohol-heavy formulas to literally freeze your makeup in place—at the expense of your skin. Tightness, dryness, flaking, and irritation are often part of the deal.

That’s why we created Radiance Lock Setting Mist—a clean setting spray that locks in makeup without sacrificing your skin’s health or radiance.

Below we'll get into the key differences between clean setting mists and conventional setting sprays, answer your top questions around clean setting spray use, and show why Radiance Lock Setting Mist is about to change the game.

What Is a Clean Setting Mist?

A clean setting mist is a finishing spray that holds makeup in place using skin-loving, non-toxic ingredients—without the alcohol, parabens, synthetic fragrance, or drying agents typically found in conventional formulas. Unlike traditional setting sprays that prioritize performance over skin health, clean setting sprays (like Radiance Lock Setting Mist) are formulated with nourishing, often plant-based ingredients that offer hydration, barrier support, and even skincare benefits like brightening or firming.

“In my entire career as a makeup artist, I never used setting sprays,” says Rose-Marie Swift, founder and master makeup artist. “Most feel like you’re putting hairspray on your skin, as they’re loaded with alcohol and drying agents. Our new, cleaner version is totally different. It does the job of a setting spray—without killing your glow.”

Why Most Conventional Setting Sprays Are Problematic

Let’s look at why traditional setting sprays have earned a bit of a bad reputation in clean beauty circles:

1. Alcohol Content

Most conventional setting sprays rely on ethyl alcohol (ethanol) or denatured alcohol to quickly dry the product and “freeze” makeup in place. While effective at setting, these ingredients are extremely drying to the skin and can disrupt the skin barrier over time, leading to sensitivity, dehydration, and premature aging.

2. Synthetic Fragrances & Preservatives

Fragrance may smell nice, but it’s often the #1 cause of irritation in cosmetics. Many setting sprays are loaded with synthetic fragrances and harsh preservatives like parabens or phthalates, which can cause skin issues among other concerns.

3. Sticky or Tight Finish

Because these sprays focus on performance over comfort, they often leave behind a sticky, tight film that feels unnatural on the skin and makes it hard to reapply or touch up makeup throughout the day.

A Next-Generation Clean Setting Mist

Radiance Lock Setting Mist is our answer to everything you wish a setting spray could be: effective, skin-loving, and completely clean.

This alcohol-free, 97% naturally derived setting spray delivers a microfine mist that locks in your look for up to 8 hours—without disturbing your makeup or stripping your skin.

Key Benefits:

• Instantly hydrates for up to 24 hours

• Replenishes the skin barrier

• Enhances makeup wear without a sticky finish

• Boosts glow and improves radiance

• Dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic

• Safe for sensitive skin

“We did this by creating a microfine mist that evenly distributes the 97% plant-based formula onto skin like a weightless veil,” explains Rose-Marie. “It’s clean technology that sets and prolongs makeup while ensuring your natural radiance shines through.”

Hero Clean Ingredients in Radiance Lock

Here’s what makes Radiance Lock a standout clean setting spray:

Pullulan

A plant-based film former that acts like an invisible shield, helping lock in makeup while lightly tightening the skin for a smooth, firm finish.

Tightenyl™

A biotech-powered, natural retinol alternative that helps tone, firm, and improve skin texture over time—ideal for clean beauty lovers avoiding conventional retinoids.

GlowPlex™

A radiance-boosting blend of Niacinamide, Quinoa Seed Extract, and Pea Extract that smooths and brightens skin tone while delivering essential peptides.

Hyaluronic Acid & Vegetable Squalane

Hydrate, plump, and support the skin barrier with these two powerhouse humectants and emollients, ensuring your skin feels as good as it looks.

Eggplant Fruit Extract

A potent antioxidant that shields your skin from environmental stress and pollution.

Clean Setting Mist FAQs: What You Need to Know

1. Is a clean setting spray as effective as a conventional one?

They can be! In a consumer study, 9 out of 10 participants agreed Radiance Lock Setting Mist kept makeup looking fresh for 8 hours, instantly set makeup, and improved skin radiance.

2. Can I use a clean setting spray every day?

Absolutely. Radiance Lock Setting Mist was dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and shown to be suitable for even sensitive skin. Because it hydrates and supports the skin barrier, you can use it as part of your daily routine—without fear of dryness or irritation.

3. Will it work on oily or acne-prone skin?

Yes. Radiance Lock Setting Mist is non-comedogenic, non-greasy, and helps lock in makeup without clogging pores. It also contains Niacinamide, known for helping regulate oil production.

4. Can I reapply a clean setting mist throughout the day?

With Radiance Lock Setting Mist, yes. Because the formula is non-sticky and alcohol-free, it won’t cause makeup to cake or flake when reapplied. You can even mist it on your brush first for targeted touch-ups.

“For more control and targeted application, I love misting it onto a brush and gently pressing it into areas I want to set,” says Rose-Marie. “It gives you precision and avoids overdoing it.”

5. What skin types is it best for?

Radiance Lock Setting Mist works for all skin types, especially those looking for a makeup setting spray that doesn’t disturb or dry out their skin. It's a particularly good fit for dry, sensitive, or mature skin that reacts poorly to traditional alcohol-based mists.

Why “Alcohol-Free” Matters in Clean Setting Sprays

Many setting sprays labeled “alcohol-free” still contain benzyl alcohol, which is a preservative—not the same as ethanol or denatured alcohol. Radiance Lock is free of ethyl alcohol, the drying kind that’s responsible for tight, uncomfortable finishes.

Here’s what it’s formulated without:

• Ethyl alcohol

• Silicones

• Gluten

• Nano particles

• Parabens

• Phthalates

• Sulfates

• Synthetic fragrance

Why Radiance Lock Setting Mist Is the Best Clean Setting Mist

In a world where makeup setting sprays have long prioritized longevity over skin health, Radiance Lock Setting Mist proves you can have both. It locks in your look, keeps your skin fresh and hydrated, and never compromises on ingredients or performance.

Whether you’re heading to work, out for the evening, or just want your glow to last through a long day, Radiance Lock Setting Mist is the clean setting spray that checks every box.

“I’m amazed by this product and our in-house chemists who created it,” says Rose-Marie. “And you will be too.”

Shop the Radiance Lock Setting Mist

Available in:

• Full Size (100 ml / 3.4 fl. oz) – $39 USD

• Travel Size (30 ml / 1 fl. oz) – $27 USD

Shop Now →

TL;DR: Radiance Lock vs. Conventional Setting Sprays