Ever since I became more than a little obsessed with using facial mists, I’d come across mention of the Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator. It has been touted as pretty much being the Rolls Royce of facial mists.

Naturally, I was curious.
What was so great about this product, that so many people rave over it? It isn’t something you see talked about locally (Malaysia) because it’s not available here, and because it is pricey.
But overseas, among skincare afficionados, Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator is spoken of in hushed, almost reverent tones. Well, I had to see what the fuss was about! 😀
Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator – More than just a facial mist?
The Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator is marketed as something more than just a facial mist. It is supposed to be a multi-purpose product, that serves function as a hydrating mist/toner and even as a light moisturizer.
That last one had me scratching my head a little. While it does feel moisturizing on skin, I’d hardly substitute my moisturizer with this mist. That said however, I do not have extremely sensitive or oily skin. So all I’ll say is this – if you have dry skin, this is not your moisturizer.
The ingredient list boasts a host of moisturizing and hydrating ingredients, fatty acids. It’s supposed to lower surface tension so the hydrating ingredients penetrate the stratum corneum better, boost skin structure and reinforce the protective acid mantle barrier.
It all really sounds wonderful, and so many people make it out to be, including well-known skincare ‘gurus’.
So I feel like a party pooper, having gone through more than half a bottle and going “Eh?”

It’s a nice facial mist – but nothing overly special
I’m no stranger to using facial mists.
RELATED READING: Facial mists I’ve used and why I use them can be found in this post READ HERE or CLICK HERE for all reviews
I’ve used very expensive complex mists (Tatcha comes to mind) and I’ve used affordable rosewater sprays. I think therefore, that I am able to gauge if a facial mist feels like something more than just mere water.
The Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator is more than just mere water.
It does seem to help my skin feel a touch more hydrated (it’s the only facial mist I’ve been using for a while) and it makes for a very good moisture sandwich.
But is it really more than just a facial mist? I struggle to give it the accolades that many have given it. For me, it isn’t that special.
Personally, I’d pick the Jordan Samuel Hydrate Mist over this. If budget permits, I think the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Face Mist is far more impressive (but also more expensive!)
Could it be that I find other mists sufficient thanks to the ‘Moisture Sandwich’ technique?
I initially thought so.
There are many reviews out there saying that the Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator is so wonderful especially for drier skin, because it delivers such a boost of hydration and moisture. Their skin feels so much more hydrated, look better, and feels more nourished.
But they might not already have been practising the ‘moisture sandwich technique’! 😀
RELATED READING: What on earth is the ‘Moisture Sandwich’ technique? READ HERE
Then, I read a little more about how Josh Rosebrook recommends that you use the Hydrating Accelerator, and I did a double take.
They call it the ‘Layering technique’, which basically layers the Hydrating Accelerator before application of their serum. This, they say, helps the serum penetrate better into the skin.
That’s basically what the ‘moisture sandwich’ technique is, and why you should apply your skincare products on damp skin! 😀 Here I am, bumbling along, and already doing things the right way, even if I’m using different tools 😛
Also, when you use the ‘moisture sandwich’ technique, you layer your hydration and moisture, and this helps your skin a lot. I wonder therefore if it might just be the case that by encouraging their customers to layer their mist under their serums, they are tricking the mind/skin into feeling more hydrated with their mist, instead of with other facial mists?
Many people haven’t quite twigged to using facial mists in a layering mechanism, which is why I feel that it is misunderstood, and why this Josh Rosebrook one is so celebrated. Who knows 😛

Who might like the Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator then?
Well, anyone really, because it is a very very nice mist.
The pump does spray out a fairly fine mist (not as fine nor as luxurious as that of Tatcha), and the slim bottle fits snugly in your hand. It is a 120ml bottle which means that it isn’t flight-safe in its full-size glory.
The recommendation calls for 3-5 pumps of the mist over your skin. To be honest, that’s far too much at one go.
I pump 1-2 sprays over my face, just to wet it. Then, I apply my skin care, and then I spray again. Ultimately, you may end up using up to 5 sprays, depending on how many layers you apply, but you do it gradually, not all at one go.
I feel that by spraying up to 5 sprays at one go is just overkill, and a waste of product, as you won’t derive the best benefit from this.
I think you’d like it if budget allows, and if you feel like other facial mists lack moisture or hydration. This is packed with it (although I find Jordan Samuel’s just as effective with hydration, and it’s cheaper!)
But if you are already a ‘moisture sandwich’ practitioner, as I am, this just feels like “Oh, just another facial mist” that isn’t particularly extra hydrating or extra moisturizing, or extra-special.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator facial mist comes highly recommended and well loved by the skincare community. I therefore feel a little churlish pouring cold water over the effusive reviews. I like it. It is a very nice facial mist that feels hydrating and moisturizing on skin. However, I do not find it any more special than many other facial mists I already use or have used, especially for the Moisture Sandwich technique. For this reason, as much as I have enjoyed my time with it, I likely will move on, unless I see it go on sale at a good price.
PROS:
Hydrating mist leaves skin feeling damp
Spray is fine
Nice for the moisture sandwich techniqueCONS:
Does not seem to perform or feel better than any other facial mist
Pricey
Not an in-flight friendly size
Not quite sold on the ingredient list as it is in an unfamiliar formatWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who feels like their current facial mist isn’t hydrating enough, Anyone who is buying into the hype 😛
PRICE: US$35 | £35 for 120ml
WHERE TO BUY: Cult Beauty
Here is the ingredient list for the Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator.
*Vitamin Infused Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, *Jojoba Oil, †Marula Oil, *Vitamin E, *Evening Primrose Oil, *Grape Seed Oil,*Sea Buckthorn Oil, *Hemp Seed Oil, *Borage Seed Oil, *Almond Oil, *Sesame Oil, *Goji Berry, *Ashwaganda, *Turmeric, *Calendula, *Black Cohosh, *Dandelion, *Fo Ti Root, *Alfalfa, *Bilberry, *Rosemary, *Elderberry, *Raspberry Leaf, *Burdock, *Chamomile, *Rose Hips, *Eyebright, *Beetroot, *St. John’s Wort, * Hawthorne Berry, *Chickweed, *Licorice, *Coriander, *Horse Chestnut, *Lavender, *Red Clover, *Olive Leaf, *Sage, *Thyme, *Vanilla Extract, †YlangYlang Essential Oil, †Rosemary Essential Oil, †Eucalyptus Essential Oil, †Bergamot Essential Oil, †Carrot Essential Seed Oil.
* Certified Organic † Organic
What I find most interesting is this. Despite this being a product targeted at hydration, we do not see our old friend ‘hyaluronic acid’ present (the official ingredient list is not in the usual INCI format we usually recognise).
Also, I side-eye the reference to ‘Vitamin Infused Aloe Vera Leaf Juice’ because it does not specify what vitamins infuse it, nor how that is better than something non-infused. A little too woowoo for me 😛
Have you tried the Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator? Thoughts?
I do like using it, make no mistake. I just don’t LOVE it 😛
Paris B
thank so much for this! i was also contemplating as to what makes this so special. the reddit forum also has not even hailed this as their HG! will definitely look into alternative options with HA as their main ingredient
It is very nice, but nothing overly special haha! Timeless makes a pretty decent HA spray too, that doesn’t cost as much.