Set and Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist Setting Spray vs Estee Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer: which is safer?

Estee Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer is the clear pick. Estée Lauder Set and Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist Setting Spray carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.

Estée Lauder Set and Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist Setting Spray

Estée Lauder

Set and Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist Setting Spray

PFAS grade

Poor 30/100

Overall grade

Bad 18/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

water-based spray mist, likely silicone or acrylic polymers

Confidence

35%

PossibleFragrance allergens and sensitizers

PossiblePreservative contact dermatitis (parabens or alternatives)

PossibleInhalation risk from spray application

Our pick

Estee Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer

Estée Lauder

Estee Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 67/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Silicone, glycerin, water, pigments

Confidence

72%

PossibleFragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components

PossibleSkin sensitization from colorants or preservatives

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Fragrance allergens and sensitizers, Preservative contact dermatitis (parabens or alternatives) and Inhalation risk from spray application on the Estée Lauder and not on the Estée Lauder.
  • We flag Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components and Skin sensitization from colorants or preservatives on the Estée Lauder and not on the Estée Lauder.
  • The Estée Lauder is water-based spray mist, likely silicone or acrylic polymers where the Estée Lauder is Silicone, glycerin, water, pigments, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • The gap is 45 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Estée Lauder is the one to buy.
  • We are less certain about the Estée Lauder grade, at 35% confidence against 72%, because it discloses less.

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More beauty primers & setting sprays: see the full ranking