For the longest time, there haven’t been many options for makeup setting sprays from low tox beauty brands (let alone ones that actually work well). Now, two big clean beauty brands, Kosas and RMS, have launched setting sprays within months of each other! I’ve been testing both of them, so let’s take a look at how they compare and ultimately, which one is best.
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What is Setting Spray?
Setting sprays are mists that you apply after completing your makeup. They’re designed to “lock” makeup in place, helping to extend the application and prevent any fading, melting, or smudging. They can have varying finishes such as matte, airbrush, glass, radiant, etc.
Ingredients to Avoid in Setting Spray ❌
If you want to be conscious about using non-toxic products, then watch out for these ingredients in your setting spray:
- Acrylates (acrylic binders that form a film-like shield and are linked to reproductive/developmental issues and allergic reactions)
- Alcohol (this isn’t necessarily harmful, but can dry out skin and cause irritation)
- PEGs
- Phenoxyethanol
- Plastics (such as polyester-5)
- Poloxamer 407
- Polysorbates
- Propellants and aerosols (butane, hydrofluorocarbon 152a, isobutane, propane)
- Synthetic fragrances
Review: Kosas Cloud Set Mist vs. RMS Radiance Lock Setting Mist
Alright, let’s see how the Kosas Cloud Set Airy Setting & Smoothing Mist stacks up to the RMS Radiance Lock Setting Mist!
Just a little friendly competition ◡̈The two actually have a lot of similarities! Both are alcohol-free, silicone-free, non-drying, weightless, and comfortable on skin. I even compared ingredient lists and found a few that overlap:
- Water as the first ingredient
- Pullulan (a lightweight, plant-based film former that creates a smooth, flexible layer on the skin, acting like an invisible shield to enhance makeup longevity)
- Trehalose (a naturally occurring sugar that supports hydration)
- Caesalpinia spinosa fruit extract (from the Peruvian Tara tree; it creates a film on skin and helps retain moisture)
- Kappaphycus alvarezii extract (a sea moss/red algae that makes a gel-like humectant coating on skin)
Here are some ways they differ!
💦 Application:
There is nothing worse than a spray that spits out aggressively at you! I also hate when sprays get in my hair and on my clothes, so a finer, more targeted mist is always appreciated.
Kosas takes the cake here—it’s an ultra-fine mist with a more direct spray that dries a bit quicker. RMS feels broader, wetter, and a bit heavier, so you have to spray it from further away.
✨ Finish:
I don’t know about you, but I cannot stand when setting sprays feel like legit hairspray on your face! Thankfully, both of these feel light, flexible, and not tacky or stiff.
Kosas has a blurred, somewhat dewy finish with some radiance, and there is a slightly sticky finish (but definitely not like hairspray). I swear it even makes my makeup look better! RMS has a radiant finish that feels a lot softer when dried.
👃 Smell:
Both are mostly unscented, although RMS has a *very* faint floral smell if you sniff it up close, but it’s not noticeable when spraying it.
Related post: “Unscented vs. Fragrance Free vs. Essential Oil Free Skincare: What’s the Difference?“
🔍 Formula:
While the two share some similar ingredients, Kosas is more minimal (15 ingredients), and RMS has a more robust formulation (44 ingredients).
I like that RMS is 97% naturally derived with tons of beneficial non-GMO skincare ingredients, such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and organic squalane. So it kind of doubles as a toner or hydrating mist. While Kosas has fewer ingredients, it uses more synthetics like pentylene glycol.
It’s worth noting that RMS contains essential oils, and Kosas does not, in case you’re sensitive to them!
In addition, Kosas is oil-free, while RMS contains some moisturizing oils like olive oil (which could be more ideal for dry skin types).
Related post: “The Top 3 Clean & Natural Setting Powders (Talc Free!)”
🕐 Wear Time & Efficacy:
According to the brand’s own consumer studies, Kosas has a 12-hour wear time and RMS has an 8-hour wear time.
According to my unofficial study (aka lived experience 😆), it’s honestly kinda hard to accurately compare effectiveness side-by-side. I mean, you’d have to wear the exact same makeup, with the same weather conditions, doing the same daily routine, ya know?
That being said, both seem to work well for setting and locking in makeup! Even during the humid summer heat. However, Kosas does a slightly better job for me—I almost think the stickiness is a good thing and makes it more effective, like it’s grabbing onto makeup!
Final Thoughts: Kosas is the Winner for Me! 🏆
Honestly, both the Kosas Cloud Set Mist and RMS Radiance Lock Setting Mist are solid, clean options for locking in makeup without harsh ingredients—lightweight, hydrating, and alcohol-free. While they’re pretty comparable and not that drastically different, I ultimately prefer Kosas! The fine mist is SO much more pleasant, the hold is slightly more effective, and I love that it enhances my makeup too.
RMS is still a great choice, especially if you want added skincare benefits, but Kosas wins for me overall!
Also available here on Amazon, Credo, The Detox Market, and Sephora.
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA20 for a discount at RMS 🏷️
Buy RMS Radiance Lock Mist Here
Also available here at Credo, The Detox Market, and Shimmer (discounts not applicable).
Other Low Tox Setting Spray Brands
- Exa Dual Shield Set & Glow Mist (I haven’t tried this yet)
- Ilia Blue Light Filter Protect & Set Mist (this has been sold out for a while, so I wonder if Ilia is discontinuing it?)
- Lily Lolo Makeup Mist (this didn’t do much for me)
- PiperBlue Ageless Setting Spray (this one works fairly well)
- Well People Dew Your Makeup Mist (this didn’t do much for me)
- withSimplicity Setting Spray (I haven’t tried this yet)
Have you tried either of these sprays? Let me know what your experience has been, or drop any questions in the comments section below. Thanks a bunch for reading 💚
