Often, when I show you my skincare routine either here on the blog or on Instagram, one item tends to catch the attention of most. The facial mist. The most common question I get is “What does it do? Is it even necessary?”
I thought it would be a good time to address this.
I’ll share my thoughts about why I use facial mists or facial sprays, and how I use them, and you can tell me then if it’s something you use, or if it’s just a waste of time for you 🙂 No right or wrong rules here, people! I’ll also quickly run down the ones I have here and share some thoughts on why I like them (or don’t). I have a few others that I’ve used, but no longer have the bottles. If I can remember what they are, I’ll include them in the list 🙂 So, hang on tight, here we go!
Why use a facial mist or facial spray?
I started back in the day with the Evian facial spray because it was all the rage at one time. But I stopped using it, because I found it to be a waste of my time and money. I was quite literally just spritzing mineral water on my face and I saw no benefits.
It was not until I tried the Caudalie Grape Water Spray and the Melvita Rose Floral Water spray, that I noticed the difference it made to my skin. It was about this time also, that I noticed my skin feeling drier. Facial mists, I noticed, gave an added boost of moisture to my skin. Then, I adopted the use of an acid toner (a toner that contains AHA and/or BHA) and I read then, that a facial mist after using such a toner, helps rebalance the PH level, and also helps infuse skin with moisture. I also started using facial oils in my skincare regimen, and I found that applying oils on damp skin helped it absorb better and more quickly. So out came the facial mists again.
So ultimately, here’s why I use a facial mist:
- To boost moisture – I spritz it on immediately after cleansing or after using an acid toner
- To rebalance the skin – I spritz it on after using an acid toner to moisten skin
- To moisten skin before applying facial oils – This helps the oils absorb better and more quickly
- To help skin stay more hydrated – I spritz the mist in between applying my skincare products (read about my moisture sandwich method). I find that it helps my skin stay hydrated better and for longer. It also helps serums absorb better. Skincare products apply better on damp skin. Don’t wait till your skin dries.
- To cool down the skin – On hot days, a quick spritz of facial spray in the middle of the day acts to perk up your mood and your skin, and some even help lower your skin temperature to a more comfortable level. I usually bring a mist when I travel
- To soothe irritated skin – I used to read about facial mists soothing irritated or sensitive skin but never paid it mind until I suffered a bout of sensitivity myself. A facial mist helped calm the irritation and soothe my skin so I felt more comfortable. It also helped my skin recover more quickly from irritation.
- To rehydrate skin through the day – If you are in an exceptionally dry environment, then a facial mist can help rehydrate your skin through the day. But I prefer not to use it for this purpose, as I personally believe that the evaporation of the water on the skin can ultimately also contribute to its dryness. A bit of facial oil might work better.
- To help set makeup – A fine mist over your makeup reduces any powdery or cakey appearance of makeup on your skin, and helps it last longer too. I don’t use a makeup setting spray. Just a facial mist.
How to use a facial mist?
Using it is pretty simple. Hold the bottle about 15cm away from your face and spray. How wet your face gets depends a lot on the quality of the nozzle. I find that aerosol sprays tend to distribute a finer mist. I don’t mind getting my face sopping wet. But if you do, then pick a mist that you feel most comfortable with.
What facial mist do I use and why?
This I feel, boils down to personal preference. I personally do not go anymore for thermal water facial mists like Vichy, Avene, Uriage or Evian, which are popular and easily found in pharmacies. For my use and my skin, I find they do nothing except refresh my skin. Nice on a hot day to cool down my skin, but that’s about it. In terms of skincare benefits, I find little benefit.
I prefer therefore to go for a facial mist that alongside its refreshing properties, offer something a little more in terms of hydration to the skin. For me, my facial mist is my first step of a hydrating skincare regimen. I’ll share with you a few I have used or are using.
Uriage Eau Thermal Thermal Water Spray
This is not a personal fave, but one I had so I used it up. It claims to hydrate, soothe and protect. I find that it offers a fine mist that refreshes and hydrates the skin, to a degree. But nothing much else. Not one I’d repurchase. You can find this at Guardian pharmacies I believe.
Caudalie Grape Water Spray – Read Review
This is one of my favourites, of which I actually own back ups, both in large and small cans. The small cans are 75ml cans and are helpful when travelling especially when flying. I haven’t experienced problems bringing it on board a flight but just be aware of potential problems, as it is an aerosol can. I like how this one quite literally soothes my skin, so any redness or reactions are calmed, and it really does hydrate my skin as well. The spray mist is very fine and does not leave your skin sopping wet. It is supposed to be 100% grape water, and does what it says on the can – soothe and moisturise. I love this one!
Hada Labo Kiwamizu Lotion
I never got round to reviewing this one, but it’s all used up and I haven’t repurchased, although I like it. This one’s interesting, because it comes as a lotion with a flip-top bottle, but a nozzle for a spray mist is included so you can use it as a facial spray as well. This one really does hydrate skin. The mist isn’t very fine, so I have a tendency to get my face wet. I don’t mind, as it simply means my other skincare will go on more easily. It feels just like water and contains Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Potassium (K) and Sodium (Na) and 2 Amino Acids; Arginine (Arg) and Trimethylglycine (Tmg). This is a very lovely facial mist that does hydrate skin and keeps it feeling hydrated. So why don’t I repurchase? Because it chokes me and makes me cough. Every single time I use it! Almost without fail, if I happen to breathe in the mist, I’d burst into a coughing fit. If any of you caught one of my Instagram Live skincare sessions once, you might remember this one. I have to hold my breath if I remember. But if I don’t, I am attacked by a coughing fit. Not very much fun! But if you don’t react to it, it’s affordable and good stuff.
Jeffrey James Botanicals – The Toner
This one was a brand I picked up on iHerb out of curiousity. I’ve been using it for quite a while, and it was one of those that grew on me. The Jeffrey James Botanicals The Toner claims to also contain Vitamin C, Camu Camu Berry, Geranium Essential oil, Colloidal Silver and active enzymes to refresh skin while fighting free radicals. Personally, I won’t know about the latter results, but it does feel refreshing. You should shake it up before use, and it has a slightly milky appearance. The mist isn’t very fine, so it does leave your skin wet, again how I like it. It does seem to hydrate my skin, but not as well as the Caudalie Grape Water Spray, with which I can actually feel my skin being more hydrated. This one is nice, as it is not just plain water, but not one I’d repurchase.
Melvita Rose Floral Water – Read Review
The Melvita Rose Floral Water is one of the first facial mists I tried that I actually noticed results from. Extracted from distillation of roses (not using rose essential oils – there’s a difference), this floral water gives my skin a very lovely boost of hydration and perceptibly hydrates it. I love using this before applying facial oils, or any skincare product really. It feels lovely, and my skin receives its first boost of hydration from it. I’ve bought uncountable bottles since I first tried it, and my only gripe is that it is quite expensive here. Less so in France, so if you head to France, please stock up as I did 😛
Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist
This is a star product in the Omorovicza skincare range, and is very highly raved. I was very curious about it, but unwilling to splurge for the full sized bottle, as it is very pricey. However, I’ve received a few deluxe sized samples from my various online purchases and I have to say that I’m not a fan. This is primarily because the product is scented. I have become quite sensitive to scent, and for something that I’m spraying onto my face, I prefer it to be unscented or at least just mildly scented. I also find that it leaves a bit of tacky residue on my skin, which I don’t particularly mind. It is also hydrating but I find the effects don’t last as long as some of the other products I use. It comes in beautiful frosted glass packaging, and I like carrying this in my travel pouch, because it’s quite compact. But otherwise, I don’t see myself purchasing the full sized product any time soon.
Estee Lauder Micro Essence Mist
This one is a bit confusing. It is basically the Estee Lauder Micro Essence, but in a mist bottle. Just like the SK-II one you’ll see later on. Micro Essence was supposed to be a treatment lotion, essence type thing that you apply before serum. I wasn’t much of a fan of it, and the sentiment is true for the mist as well. I do find that it makes my skin feel softer, and it’s a lot easier to use in a spray bottle as opposed to a glass bottle, but otherwise, I feel it to be just average. It doesn’t hydrate my skin as well as some of the other facial mists, and it doesn’t offer me much else that I can discern.
Emma Hardie Plump and Glow Hydrating Facial Mist
I have to say I wasn’t too keen on this one at first. Unlike most other facial mists, this comes in a tube, with a spray nozzle. While I found it odd at first, I have come to appreciate it for being compact and portable. It’s easy to transport without taking up too much space. The mist dispenses easily but isn’t very fine. What I do enjoy about this Emma Hardie Plump and Glow Hydrating Facial Mist is how hydrating it is. I do find that it perceptibly hydrates my skin when I spritz it on, and I also like mixing it into powder type cleansers or masks. Does it plump or give a glow? I can’t tell. But for a hydrating facial mist, it is absolutely lovely. Will I repurchase? I actually might. It’s grown on me.
REN Skincare Flash Defence Anti-Pollution Mist
I love REN Skincare products, but I am not a fan of their Flash range. Nothing from this range seems to sit well with me, and I feel that range to be a bit gimmicky. This mist feels that way to me. Touted as an Anti-Pollution Mist, it is supposed to be a mist that protects your skin from everyday pollution. Perhaps it does. I won’t know. So how do I judge it? I don’t know either! LOL! It doesn’t offer me much hydration, which is principally what I use facial mists for, so this is one of those that I have on my dresser, that I pick up from time to time, but am never very sure what it is for 😛
SK-II Mid-Day Miracle Essence
I bought this SK-II Mid-Day Miracle Essence on a friend’s recommendation because she said it kept her skin hydrated all day. I don’t use SK-II products in general as most of you will know. This Mid-Day Miracle Essence reminds me of the famed Facial Treatment Essence which I used to use back in the day. It is supposed to be infused with their signature Pitera, and help your skin stay moisturised through the day. Personally, I’d have to agree, to a degree. When I use this, for a few days at a time, I do notice that my skin does seem to stay hydrated for longer. I don’t re-spritz in the day, only in the morning. So in a way, this is quite a nice product. I do find the price terribly off putting for the size, so while I have it, and I love it for travel – plastic bottles with a fine mist nozzle is excellent! – it isn’t something I’d buy again because I think I can live with other, more affordable facial mists.
Sanoflore Rose Floral Water
I bought this one from France, and it is practically a dupe for the more expensive Melvita Rose Floral Water. The only problem is I can’t find it outside of France. Boo! It is for me, practically the same, so if I can find Sanoflore, I’ll use Sanoflore floral waters. They’re just as good at a fraction of the price of Melvita! Thankfully I bought back ups. Whew! 😀
Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner
This one is also quite nice, and affordable. Leaves my skin hydrated and is refreshing as well. If you don’t want an aerosol spray, then this one’s worth considering, because it ticks all the boxes, and is affordable to boot!
Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner
I bought this one because I came across lots of raves for the brand Pyunkang Yul. As you can expect with that name, it’s a Korean skincare brand with a minimalist aesthetic that appeals to many. The Mist Toner however, I feel you can skip. It does nothing for me. Ok, it wets my face. That’s about it really. It doesn’t offer any perceptible hydration to me. It makes a nice damp base for me to apply facial oils, and I’m really just using it up right now. Not one I’d recommend nor repurchase.
A couple more facial mists I have tried are the Bobbi Brown Extra Face Mist which I’ve reviewed. It is a good one, and I loved the nozzle. It is the only nozzle I’ve come across to date, that spritzes out the finest mist you can experience without using an aerosol can. Beautiful. But the bottle unfortunately cannot be refilled, so I tossed it eventually.
I have also tried the La Mer The Mist, which is lovely, I will admit. However, I find the mist sprays out too wet (although I don’t mind it) and I couldn’t justify its price even if I do remember it being quite nice. For my purposes, I want a facial mist that refreshes, and hydrates my skin without smelling of anything. I use it fairly liberally, so an affordable option is preferable for me.
I am always on the lookout for a new facial mist, so naturally, this list is non-exhaustive. But I do find it quite hard to review a facial mist on its own. It seems to serve little purpose dedicating a whole blog post to it, unless it is exceptional (good or bad) so what I’ll probably do is run little reviews on Instagram now and then. But these are the ones I’ve tried (I hoarded empty bottles just for the photos LOL! 😀 ), or that I’m currently using just to give you an idea of what I prefer and what I look for in a facial mist 🙂
Do you use a facial mist? Do you have a favourite that I haven’t tried but should?
I know many people take the view that a facial mist is a waste of time and money because it does nothing. Well, that’s your prerogative 🙂 But if you do have a favourite mist that I should try, share! I’d love to hear your thoughts on why you love it, or even to hear your thoughts on why you think it’s a waste of money 😀
Paris B
Great post! Off-topic, I first noticed that I have two of the items in your photos, and they are the bamboo basket/tray and that white (I believe it is cotton) blanket. lol
I use mist, as I am in the “lemak-lemak” group (face oil la!). The Caudalie one is great, it gives the finest mist. But as I use mist day and night (finishing them like drinking water for my face) , I need something more “value for money”. There is this Trilogy glass bottle mist that I actually found it giving fine mist (second place after the Caudalie, and it’s not aerosol spray) and hence saved it and refill with a more economical option of Thayers Witch Hazel.
So far, it works for me, though I can’t vouch for it being hydrating as I will follow up with other serums or oil, moisturizer and sub-block. (how faithful I am following these steps, and copying from who? hehe..)
LOL! Was your tray from Daiso as well?! 😀 Actually my white thing is a sweater LOL! Not so glamorous although I’d love to get a blanket like that some day – where did you get yours? As for mists, you are right about Caudalie being a bit heavy on the wallet for very regular use. It’s so nice though isn’t it? And I didn’t know about Trilogy’s mists! Guess which I’d have to pick up next? haha! As for the Witch Hazel, I haven’t tried it although I know it is very popular. The thing though about Witch Hazel is that it’s an astringent, which removes oil, so perhaps for oilier skins it might be a good option. For drier skins, less so and may dry the skin out a little. Just speaking generally of course 🙂 And Hmm… that routine sounds VERY familiar! HAHA! 😀
Yes, it is from Daiso! Daiso is such a dangerous place, no? LOL! Ah, I do not know WH is drying, good that I brought up here, now I know. Perhaps then I should switch back to Heritage Store – RoseWater. Is that a sweater? It looks so much like a blanket I got from Ikea. LOL
OMG yes, I have to stop going into Daiso so often because I often walk out with a bunch of stuff I have no clue why I need LOL! Yes witch hazel can be a bit drying, but maybe if balanced with other hydrating ingredients it isn’t as bad. And I have to look up blankets at Ikea! I’m overdue for a visit 🙂
Thank you for your thorough reviews! There’s no such thing as too much hydration. More hydration and I would drown…
Personally, I love the Pixi Glow Mist for winter and the Pixi Vitamin Mist for the summer. Excellent value.
Haha drowning in hydration, my famous last words might be “But at least my skin looks good!” LOL 😀 I haven’t tried the Pixi mists, but now I’m intrigued! I shall have to have a go, don’t I? 😀
I find facial mists as something ‘extra’ that I can’t afford to have as a staple in my daily routine so I try my best not to get into it. Not to say I don’t use one at all since I have the Caudalie Grape Water Spray to ‘awaken’ my makeup when I had to go back to work after lunchtime or its almost the end of the day but I still need to run out of the house to run errands while still looking decent.
Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist is my favourite facial mist although I only buy it once in a blue moon because it’s pricey. T^T If I do have it, I will use it in place of a toner.
You actually made a very good point Liz. I cannot say that these are MUST HAVES because you can always get hydration from other things like toners and essences. So don’t feel bad about it! If you put your hydrating toner in a spray bottle, it becomes a mist too! 😉
Definitely a staple for me as well! In fact, I started using it ever since you posted about it a couple of years ago. Been using Avene back then and still am! I didn’t believe how a spritz of thermal water can help but it did, after years of using it. Especially now when I suddenly have sensitive skin and bad adult acne. I even started using Avene’s Gentle Toning Lotion as my regular toner; Clinique Toner #2, made my skin flaky.
I tried Uriage’s Thermal Water Spray and not sure why it doesn’t have the same effect as Avene.
N I just realised I used my thermal spray wrongly! Should use it after I apply an acidic toner. Thanks. Might wanna try the one from Caudalie next, isn’t as pricey as Melvita’s and I love GRAPES! lol.
Ooh did I post about it years back? Haha! Goodness, at least we know I’m consistent in my routine! hehe… I do know of people for whom Avene works well especially to calm down sensitive skin. Perhaps because I don’t normally have sensitive skin, I don’t receive similar benefits. But you know what they say. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! If it works for you stick with it! Uriage I felt was just normal. Like spraying water on my face without much benefits 😛
I’ve heard mad reviews about the Mario Badescu rosewater and herbs mist, but I haven’t actually gotten about buying it ? Caudalie is definitely still my favourite to date (pssst, Laneige has some serious fragrance going on. Yikes!) but I’ve been trying to finish up the Bioderma one I have
Oh I remember trying the Laneige one some time back. I didn’t like how it felt. Very tacky on the skin. I haven’t really heard about Mario Badescu for hydration! I always hear about one of their products for spots but I don’t pay attention as it’s not a problem I currently have. Will have to take a look at it too! Mists! More mists! haha!
I’ve only just discovered mists and essences and love your review.
Sanoflore Rose Floral Water is available on ebay.co.uk. if you are looking for it.
Thanks Mary 🙂 Due to the weight however, I think shipping it all the way here to Malaysia might cost more than the product itself! I will keep an eye out online to see where else Sanoflore is sold 🙂
Hi Paris, I was thinking about face mist can be a good topic and here you are, an amazing review with so many products. I use Avene to soothe my irritated skin, most effective. I have Caudalie, Mario Badescu, Loccitane Immortelle, Aesop, and some Korean brands. Aesop has a nice aromatherapy smell and Mario Badescu has light rose sense. I really don’t know if they are effective or not, just love the sense and the cooling feeling.
What can I say Susin? I’m a mind-reader! haha 😀 I’m glad Avene works for you – I know many people who have sensitive skin or eczema flare ups swear by it. It looks like you are quite a facial mist fan yourself! 😀
I really like Pixi’s Hydrating Milky mist. Used up an entire bottle and thought I’d give their Makeup Fixing Mist a try… but OMG, the spray nozzle must not be working very well. It doesn’t mist, it shoots. So, I just spray some on my palm then pat it on. I’m also using the Cudalie Grape Water, another from a Korean brand that was gifted to me, and some other toners in mist form. I just started using acid toners, so I mist my face after that as well.
Oh, when it comes to water mists, I DIY to put it in my car. When it’s really hot, just blast the A/C, mist everywhere and your entire car cools down in 5 to 10 seconds. It’s my life hack 😉
Strangely, Pixi’s mists are one of the things I have not tried from the brand! I’ll have to remedy that (and avoid the Makeup Fixing Mist LOL!) Thanks also for the tip for cooling down the car fast. I’m going to try it today coz I’ll be out later, and the weather recently has been HORRENDOUS!
I love facial mists too, to help with the absorption of my facial oils and more “oily” skincare. Like many users I started out with Avene and have moved on to other brands that contain other beneficial ingredients. I’m currently using June Jacobs neroli hydrating mist but I’m not observant enough to notice if it’s really hydrating on its own since I always use it with other hydrating products. I still do keep a bottle of Avene mist in my vanity, always, for use after waxing cause it helps soothe my skin and also before refreshing my makeup – I spritz it on and dab my face with tissue before reapplying my cushion foundation as it makes me feel “cleaner” if you know what I mean!
Paris, have you written anything on acid toners, their benefits n the brands you’ve tried? I must be a mountain tortoise not to have heard of such a product until now!
Happy to meet another “mister” Tessa! 🙂 I haven’t written about acid toners yet, because I am not much of an expert in it, nor have I had enough experience. They are basically toners with AHA/BHA (hence acid) in them that gently exfoliate the skin with the most popular being Pixi Glow Tonic and Biologique Recherche Lotion P50. There are others out there as well, and some more information online if you look up acid toners. I believe Caroline Hirons has a good guide you can refer to for more reading 🙂
I love mists – use them in my skincare routine, in between layering skincare products, throughout the day, inflight, all the time! Because I do have dry-ish skin and gets sensitive at times. I gravitate towards the Korean toners and use then as mists instead of toners. because I find mists generally have high water n alcohol content, dries my skin out. I like misting with Korean toners because they replace water with botanical extracts and don’t include alcohol. So they are very soothing. I find the thermal water ones so drying so I never use them anymore. I have the Pyungkang Yul mist. I didn’t like it too – but I love their toner essence and pat that on, on the regular! Very very hydrating!
Hydrating toners as mists sound practical – 2 in 1 benefits 🙂 Glad someone else agrees about the Pyunkang Yul mist. I was quite disappointed as there were so many raves for the brand. But I guess I started out with the wrong product LOL! Will give the toner essence a go!
I knew it! The black tray that you use in other blog posts is also from Daiso right? Coz I have one sa well hahahaha Anyway I haven’t tried any facial mist as of the moment but I’ve seen a few that I’m curious about, Caudalie Beauty Elixir and Mario Badescu Facial Spray (Aloe, Cucumber & Green Tea) and also from kbeauty Innisfree Olive Real Oil mist. These are not easily available in my area and I’m still on the hunt to get my hands to one of them. Have you tried any of these? ?
Hi Jen! Hmm… chances are, it is from Daiso. LOL! I find a lot of gems in there 😀 I have tried the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. Not a fan of it as a facial mist but it sets my makeup very well so I use it for that purpose! 😀
Late to the party but my absolute favourite mist product so far is the Goodal Super seed oil skin mist!
It contains a bit of oil in it but the mist is fine, and the scent is soothing
I have dry skin and it has helped with makeup fixes (when your concealer cracks because your skin is so dry…)
A cheap alternative I like is using the Simple hydrating facial toner in a Daiso mist bottle. The bottle sprays wonderfully, the toner feels refreshing and hydrating (i use it for my 7 skin step – spray, pat,repeat), and it doesn’t break the bank 🙂
Thanks for sharing Cherry!
Hi Paris. I would like to ask about your experience purchasing from iHerb. When you bought the skincare products, may I know if the Malaysian customs charged you with tax or any duties? Thank you
Hi I don’t get taxed. Usually purchases below RM500 won’t be. But some people have or their packages have been retained by the pharmacy department. I think experiences vary. I’ve been lucky thus far.
Have you tried the Oskia City Life Facial Mist? As you know I am also very skeptical about this whole anti-pollution thing, and it is quite expensive, but so hydrating! Also, the tube is very convenient and the mist super fine. 🙂 to save money and because it is so rich, you can combine it with cheaper facial mists.
Afraid I haven’t tried that one yet Maja. But I am quite impressed in general by Oskia products, having tried the Renaissance cleansing gel and the mask. I don’t quite buy into the whole anti-pollution thing either. REN makes one that I don’t quite understand 😛 But it does seem to be a bit of a buzzword right now in skincare, next to probiotics 😛
Hi Paris! Been so intrigue with your method of moisture sandwiches, only did I know facial mist actually can enhance our facial hydration. Just wondering, is Laneige facial mist in your review list?
Hi Teresa, happy that you stumbled on the moisture sandwich technique and the possibly, skin changing magic of using facial mists! 🙂 I don’t have the Laneige facial mist in my list unfortunately. I have reviewed it in the past (you can see it here if that’s the one you mean), but I don’t have any new one in rotation.
I find it so interesting that you don’t like the Pyongyang Yul mist. It’s my absolute go-to. I’ve gone through 3-4 bottles and any time I run out or consider switching my skin acts up and I go back. I have rosacea and super sensitive skin so I really love that it has a pared-down ingredient list while still having HA and glycerin and nothing else to irritate my skin or that has too heavy of a feeling.
Hi, I guess it’s a matter of preference 😀 But I’m glad to see that it works so well for you 🙂