RE:SETTING Refreshing Mist SPF 40

The reapplication problem is dermatology's most acknowledged unresolved issue. Every sunscreen label says reapply every two hours. Every dermatologist emphasizes that a single morning application provides diminishing protection by midday. And every person wearing makeup knows that reapplying a cream sunscreen at lunch means destroying their foundation, their concealer, their powder, and their patience. The result is that afternoon UV exposure goes largely unprotected for the majority of sunscreen-wearing adults.

Supergoop! RE:SETTING Refreshing Mist SPF 40 has been addressing this gap since approximately 2015, when it launched as Defense Refresh (Re)Setting Mist. Reformulated around 2022 with a finer nozzle, lighter texture, and adjusted scent, the current version represents over a decade of iteration on a simple idea: put real UV filters in a setting spray fine enough to land on makeup without ruining it.

The UV filter system is where this product punches well above the typical setting spray weight class. Four chemical filters — avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene — deliver SPF 40 broad-spectrum protection. But the formulation sophistication goes deeper. Avobenzone is notoriously photounstable, losing approximately half its UVA-protective capacity within an hour of sun exposure through molecular degradation. Most sunscreens address this with octocrylene alone. This formula triple-stabilizes the avobenzone: octocrylene as a triplet-state quencher, diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate (DESM) — which research published in Photochemistry and Photobiology (2006) showed provides a sevenfold increase in avobenzone photostability — and ethyl ferulate, which adds both antioxidant stabilization and its own UV-absorbing contribution. For a product categorized as a setting spray, this level of UV filter engineering is genuinely unusual.

The bi-phase formula is the mechanical innovation that makes the product work. UV filters and oil-absorbing powders naturally separate in solution, which is why the bottle contains internal shaker balls that recombine the formula when you shake before each use. This is not a decorative feature — skipping the shake means potentially spraying unevenly distributed UV filters, which defeats the purpose. The discipline of shaking is the price of admission.

Once shaken and sprayed, the mist is impressively fine. The reformulated nozzle was a direct response to complaints about the original version's coarser spray, and the improvement is substantial. From eight to ten inches away, the mist settles over foundation, concealer, and powder like a light fog, without displacing or streaking the makeup underneath. The nylon-12 and silica microspheres in the formula absorb excess sebum on contact, providing the mattifying and setting effect that justifies the product's role in a makeup routine beyond just UV protection.

The cooling sensation from peppermint and spearmint essential oils is immediate and refreshing — particularly welcome during a midday reapplication in warm weather. The rosemary oil adds an herbal note that reads as clean and natural rather than medicinal. Whether you enjoy the scent is personal, but it fades within a few minutes and doesn't linger over or compete with any fragrance you might be wearing.

The alcohol content is the formula's most polarizing element. Alcohol Denat. is the first inactive ingredient, estimated at 24-35% of the formula. This high concentration serves an essential function: it's what allows the mist to evaporate rapidly on skin without leaving a wet, makeup-disrupting residue. Without the alcohol, the product would be too wet to use over makeup. But high alcohol also means potential drying, stinging on irritated skin, and a definitive incompatibility with sensitive, rosacea-prone, or barrier-compromised skin types. The bisabolol (chamomile derivative) at an estimated 5-7.5% helps offset some irritation potential, but it cannot fully counteract the alcohol.

The essential oils represent a secondary irritation concern. Peppermint, spearmint, and rosemary oils are documented skin sensitizers that some individuals react to over time. For fragrance-free purists, this product is a non-starter. For everyone else, the natural mint-rosemary scent is one of the product's most frequently praised features — it makes the act of reapplication feel like a midday refresh rather than a medical obligation.

A critical caveat that bears repeating: this is a reapplication product, not a primary sunscreen. No mist can guarantee the thick, even coverage that a properly applied cream or lotion delivers. The two-dimensional spray pattern of any mist, no matter how fine, cannot replicate the three-dimensional rubbing that distributes a cream evenly across every contour of the face. Dermatologists consistently recommend applying a standard sunscreen as your morning base and using products like this for the midday top-ups that most people would otherwise skip entirely.

Eye stinging is the product's most consistent practical complaint. Chemical UV filters — particularly avobenzone — are eye irritants, and a facial mist inevitably sends some droplets toward the eye area. Closing eyes tightly during spraying is mandatory, not optional. Some users hold a hand across their brow line as an additional shield.

At $34 for 3.4 fl oz, the pricing is reasonable for the category. A 1 fl oz travel size is available for around $20, which is useful for keeping in a purse or desk for midday use. For a product designed to be used once or twice between your morning sunscreen and your evening cleanse, a bottle lasts six to eight weeks of daily use.

The product that started as a clever idea — SPF in a setting spray — has matured into something genuinely formulated with care. The triple avobenzone stabilization alone puts it in a different class than most facial mists that claim SPF benefits. It won't replace your morning sunscreen, but it will make your two o'clock reapplication actually happen, and that practical compliance improvement may do more for your long-term UV protection than any SPF number on a bottle you only apply once.

Formula

The Science

The standout formulation element in RE:SETTING Mist is its triple-stabilization approach for avobenzone. Avobenzone (butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane) at 2.9% provides UVA protection in the 310-400nm range but undergoes rapid photodegradation via Norrish type I cleavage, losing approximately 50% of its efficacy within one hour of UV exposure. This formula deploys three distinct stabilization mechanisms:

First, octocrylene at 9.5% acts as a triplet-state quencher, absorbing the excited-state energy from UV-irradiated avobenzone before it can trigger molecular breakdown. Second, diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate (DESM), a photostabilizer with built-in antioxidant functionality. Research by Chaudhuri and colleagues published in Photochemistry and Photobiology (2006) demonstrated that DESM increases avobenzone photostability by a factor of seven, making it one of the most effective single-ingredient stabilizers available. Third, ethyl ferulate contributes antioxidant UV absorption that further reduces the oxidative stress on the avobenzone molecule.

Ethyl ferulate itself has been studied independently. Research published in Molecules (2018) documented its anti-inflammatory properties alongside UV-absorbing capacity, establishing it as a dual-function ingredient that both protects and soothes. The combination of UV filtering and anti-inflammatory activity is particularly relevant for a product sprayed directly onto skin that has already been exposed to several hours of UV.

The oil-absorbing powder system uses nylon-12 microspheres and silica caprylyl silylate, which function through physical sebum absorption rather than chemical astringency. This mechanism provides the setting effect without the skin-stripping action of alcohol-based toners, and the microspheres create the soft-focus optical blurring that improves the appearance of makeup underneath.

References

1. Design of a photostabilizer having built-in antioxidant functionality and its utility in obtaining broad-spectrum sunscreen formulations — Photochemistry and Photobiology (2006)
2. Ethyl Ferulate, a Component with Anti-Inflammatory Properties for Emulsion-Based Creams — Molecules (2018)

Dermatologist Perspective

Board-certified dermatologists frequently cite sunscreen reapplication compliance as one of the biggest gaps in real-world photoprotection. Products like RE:SETTING Mist address this by making midday reapplication practical for makeup wearers who would otherwise skip it entirely. Dermatologists emphasize that this type of product should supplement — not replace — a proper morning sunscreen application. The SPF 40 broad-spectrum rating meets dermatological recommendations, and the sophisticated photostabilization system ensures the protection doesn't degrade rapidly on skin. Dermatologists would flag the high alcohol content and essential oils as concerns for patients with rosacea, eczema, or contact dermatitis, recommending fragrance-free, alcohol-free alternatives for those populations.

Guidance

Originally launched around 2015 as Defense Refresh (Re)Setting Mist, this product addressed one of the most practical problems in daily sunscreen use: how to reapply SPF at lunch without ruining your makeup. After celebrating its five-year anniversary with a limited-edition artist collaboration in 2020, Supergoop! reformulated the product circa 2022 with a finer mist nozzle, lighter texture, and gentler scent in response to user feedback about the original version's spray quality.

About Supergoop! Established Brand (5–20 years)

Supergoop! launched in 2007 as the first lifestyle brand dedicated entirely to sun protection. This product originally debuted as Defense Refresh (Re)Setting Mist around 2015, was reformulated circa 2022 with an improved nozzle and lighter texture, and won a SHAPE Sun Award for Best Over Make-Up SPF.

Brand founded: 2007 · Product launched: 2015

Myth vs. Reality

Myth

SPF setting sprays provide the same protection as a regular sunscreen application

Reality

No mist or spray can guarantee the same even, thick coverage as a properly applied cream or lotion sunscreen. This product is designed for reapplication and topping up protection throughout the day — not as a replacement for your morning sunscreen application. Dermatologists recommend using a standard sunscreen as your base and this type of product for convenient reapplication.

Myth

You don't need to shake bi-phase sunscreen products before use

Reality

The UV filters and oil-absorbing powders in this formula separate when the bottle sits idle. Failing to shake before spraying may result in uneven UV filter distribution, reducing the actual protection delivered. The shaker balls inside are there for a reason — use them.

FAQ

Common Praise

"Solves the midday SPF reapplication problem without disturbing makeup"

"Ultrafine mist delivers even coverage without disrupting foundation"

"Refreshing rosemary-mint scent provides a cooling sensation"

"Oil-absorbing powders help control midday shine and set makeup"

"Improved nozzle in reformulated version delivers a much finer mist"

"Bi-phase formula with shaker balls ensures consistent UV filter distribution"

Common Complaints

"Can sting eyes if mist drifts during application — must close eyes tightly"

"High alcohol content may feel drying on already-dry skin"

"Essential oil scent is too strong for some fragrance-sensitive users"

"Must shake vigorously before each use or UV filters may not distribute evenly"

"Not a substitute for a proper first application of sunscreen in the morning"

"Some users feel the mist can be slightly tacky as it sets"

Notable Endorsements

SHAPE Sun Award — Best Over Make-UpClean at SephoraLeaping Bunny CertifiedFSA/HSA Eligible

Appears In

best spf setting spray best sunscreen for reapplication best sunscreen for oiliness best over makeup sunscreen

Related Conditions

sun damage oiliness aging

Related Ingredients

avobenzone ferulic acid chamomile octocrylene