Face mist sprays are becoming more and more popular nowadays. They are easy and convenient to use and are packed with ingredients beneficial for skin.
What is a face mist and its benefits?
Facial mist sprays are just what they sound like: misting bottles filled with liquid designed to refresh, sooth, hydrate, moisturize and rejuvenate your skin. Some sprays contain sun screen, others contain ingredients that are designed to settle your make up and prevent it from fading.
The main ingredient of all sprays is water. Some sprays contain thermal/mineral water; some mists contain plain water and other additives.
Types of hydrating face mists
Thermal and/or mineral water spray
In thermal water sprays water comes from deep underground and is packed with trace elements and minerals that are beneficial for skin. These types of sprays are refreshing and soothing. The most known thermal sprays are La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, Evian and Avene.
Distilled water spray
These types of spray contain distilled water infused with essential oils, hydration boosters and other soothing and nourishing ingredients. They are designed to refresh, sooth, calm and nourish skin throughout the day.
Hydrosols
Also known as “flower water” or “plant water” or “aroma water”. Hydrosols are produced by steam-distilling or hydro-distilling fresh fruits, plants, flowers, fruits and other plant materials. Water that remains after distilling botanical materials is what is used for producing hydrosols. Hydrosols are more potent than infusions and not as concentrated as essential oils.
Fruit based sprays
These types of sprays contain fruit infused water that is enriched with many other ingredients such as coconut milk, essential oils, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and so on.
Setting sprays
There is still a debate going on if facial mists (spritz) and setting sprays are different or the same. Some say that these are different products as face mists are made for hydration and setting sprays focus on sealing and prolonging make up wear. I found and fell in love with Honey Bee All Day Fixing Mist (by True Island). This product contains both properties of hydrating face mist and make up setting spray. You can read my full review of this product by following this link to my other blog post.
Astringent Face Mist
These are basically toners in a spray bottle. Their aim is to tighten pores, restore pH balance of your skin as well as hydrate and moisturize. These sprays are used after cleansing and exfoliating the skin.
Can face mists be harmful?
Surprisingly, YES, if not used properly.
Thermal water sprays can actually dry your skin. These types of mists do not contain any hydrating ingredients to bind moisture to your skin. If you spray water mist over the face and let water evaporate on the skin, then water will draw moisture out of your skin causing dryness. The appropriate way to use water sprays is to pat off the excess off your face few seconds after applying.
Applying water spray during winter time before going outside can actually damage the skin as tiny water particles will freeze when exposed to temperatures below zero. Tiny ice particles will cause some ruptures, dryness and even small tears in the skin. Use facial mists indoors only and about an hour prior to going outside.
How to choose a face mist that is right for your skin type?
Usually face mists are universal and helpful for all skin types. However you could look for specific ingredients which could be beneficial for your specific skin type and concern.
Normal skin
You probably would want to avoid mists that contain heavy oils and would choose something that is simply hydrating and refreshing.
Oily, Acne-prone, Combination skin (with or without enlarged pores)
You need to avoid products containing alcohol. Use hydrating mists and mists containing ingredients that would control sebum production and oil shine. Make sure you use rich moisturizer and hydrate your skin throughout the day.
Dry and Mature skin
You would want rich and heavy-duty mists full of antioxidants, humectants, moisturizing and hydrating ingredients.
Sensitive skin
You need to know what ingredients your skin reacts to and avoid them; meaning you need to read product labels very carefully. You could start just with thermal water (again, make sure you do not let water dry on your skin) as it does not contain any heavy additives.
Some facial mists that are recommended by leading beauty magazines
Mario Badescu Facial Spray with aloe, herbs and rosewater – blend of rosewater, aloe and herbal extract; mist is used for hydration, inflammation and redness reduction. Spray is safe for all skin types.
Supergroop! Defense Refresh Setting mist – contains SPF 50 and can be used as a daily sunscreen touch up. It controls oil production through the day, has matte finish and works perfectly as a makeup setter.
Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist– this mist hydrates dry skin and visibly reduces fine lines (by preventing skin from losing moisture). It smells amazing, super light and refreshing. Mist is suitable for dry, sensitive and combination skin.
Dermalogica UltraCalming mist – good for sensitive skin; calms redness and sensitivity, has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Aesop Immediate Moisture Facial Hydrosol – contains rose petal infused water as well as bergamot peel and chamomile bud; mist is very refreshing and hydrating, suitable for most skin types.
Mario Badescu facial spray with aloe, cucumber and green tea – infused with named nutrient-rich botanicals. It refreshes and hydrates dry, dull skin. It also contains peppermint essential waters that are very cooling on a hot summer day.
Innisfree Green Tea Mineral Mist – contains organic squeezed Jeju green tea which is rich in amino acid and minerals. It provides moisture to the skin and forms a moisture barrier to help the skin to retain moisture.
True Island Honey Bee All Day Fixing Mist – read my review here
Mad Hippie’s Hydrating Nutrient Mist – plant-based, vegan and all-natural option. Spray contains unique ingredients like milk-thistle, pomegranate seed extract, white pine bark, green tea and resveratrol. This mist protects from free radicals, repairs sun damage, reduces redness and inflammation, refreshes and hydrates the skin.
Caudalie’s Grape Water – this mist is made with 100 percent grape water. It is rich in beneficial minerals and antioxidants. This mist is perfect in hot days as it refreshes skin substantially. Please, remember not to allow water to evaporate by itself; let mist sit on your skin for few seconds and wipe excess off with a clean cloth.
Face mist DIY
You can also make your own facial mist. This way you can pack it with ingredients you want and need and you can avoid any chemicals.
To make a facial mist you need the following ingredients:
Water (preferably mineral or distilled water)
Essential oils (for example: lavender, frankincense and myrrh for calming and anti-wrinkle effect; or grapefruit, mandarin and mint for energy boosting and ant-aging purposes).
8 ounce spritz bottle
Mix 2 parts of water with 1 part of aloe juice, add 10 drops of each essential oil. Shake very well before applying to the skin. Let mist stay on your skin for few seconds and wife excess off with a dry clean cloth. Discard mixture after a week.
Thank you very much for reading this post. Please, leave your comments or questions.
Stay beautiful!
I don’t really use mists, because I find them too much of a hassle. But omg – that Caudalie stuff, I heard it’s SUPER good!
Hi, June, I am looking into purchasing it myself. Love stuff by Caudalie