Set and Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist Setting Spray vs Instant Retouch Primer: which is safer?

Instant Retouch 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

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r

Instant Retouch Primer

PFAS grade

Excellent 85/100

Overall grade

Excellent 77/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Silicone, polymers, pigments

Confidence

72%

PossibleFragrance allergens and 1,4-dioxane

PossibleSkin irritation or barrier disruption from silicone occlusion

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 Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r.
  • We flag Fragrance allergens and 1,4-dioxane and Skin irritation or barrier disruption from silicone occlusion on the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r and not on the Estée Lauder.
  • The Estée Lauder is water-based spray mist, likely silicone or acrylic polymers where the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r is Silicone, polymers, pigments, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • The gap is 55 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r 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, which covers 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 →

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