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One thing that hot, hot, hot days and freezing cold days have in common is that they can make your skin feel extra dry. Having a face mist on hand can make all the difference in keeping your skin happy and hydrated.
Not only do hydrating face mists add a layer of lightweight hydration to your skincare routine, but many also have a boost of other benefits. "Face mists can contain ingredients to help hydrate and cool skin," says board-certified dermatologist Lauren Moy. "They can also be helpful to set makeup."
Of course, they also feel amazing when spritzed onto your skin. If you need a new option for your routine, we've rounded up the 10 best hydrating face mists according to pros and Bazaar beauty editors below.
The Best Hydrating Face Mists
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Has a strong fragrance
An update to the iconic Evian mist, "This is such a fine mist so it doesn’t leave wet spots on the skin—and it just feels and smells so good," says Bazaar beauty director Jenna Rosenstein, who says, "It makes me feel instantly prettier."
Key Ingredients: Evian water, White peony root, white tea leaf
Size: 3.38 oz
Customer Review:
"Love this hurry up and buy if questioning it you should certainly buy without hesitation. This way it leaves your face glossy is unexplainable. I would love to subscribe to this product because I won't be able to go a day without it. It is beautiful." —Shay
Pros
- Refillable bottle
Cons
- More of a skincare step than a mist you can spray throughout the day
Bazaar beauty commerce editor Tiffany Dodson says this milky barrier-supportive spray keeps her skin "balanced and dewy," adding that "it’s the perfect on its own to lock hydration or to complement a hardworking moisturizer."
Key Ingredients: Glacial water, squalane, fermented birch sap
Size: 3.3 oz
Customer Review:
"The Boum-Boum Milk spray is one of my favorite lotions ever. It’s light as it goes on, but is very effective at hydrating my dry skin. I use it all over after my shower. I also use it as a serum, spraying it into my hand and pressing it gently onto my face." —shampoo110
Pros
- Has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- Has a slightly chemical smell
Dodson says this travel-ready mist is a "go-to" when she needs instant hydration. "Its ultra-fine formula never feels heavy on my skin, and is also great for minimizing redness and irritation," she says. Beauty market and commerce editor Katie Intner is also a fan, raving, "The airy mist gives my skin such a major glow, that I can’t stop spritzing it.”
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Skin-Soothing Complex
Size: 1.7 oz
Customer Review:
"I went on vacation and got terrible sunburns, so I tried this to see if it would help. It did and after using about twice in one day all the pain is gone. I very much recommend this product if your sunburn prone like me." —reaganborn
La Prairie Skin Caviar The Mist
Pros
- Helps prevent trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL)
Cons
- Pricey
The magic of La Prairie Skin Caviar is also offered in a potent yet refreshing mist that packs in over 300 nutrients. Even in a small bottle, Dodson says this "instantly makes my skincare routine feel more luxe, since it’s formulated with actual caviar extract."
Key Ingredients: Caviar Hydroessence
Size: 1.7 oz
Customer Review:
"What an amazing facial mist! The texture is so fine and it absolves into the skin instantly. What surprise me is it still provides sufficient hydration to the skin which prepares the best foundation for the following skincare in the routine. Absolutely enjoy using this." —MaggieFZheng
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Hydrator Mist
Pros
- Helps protect against pollution
Cons
- Has a strong scent
"First things first: the scent of this hyaluronic acid mist instantly transports me to a spa, thanks to its uplifting floral scent," says Intner of this mist from Charlotte Tilbury, which is inspired by the feeling of getting an oxygen facial. "I also love this spray, because the mister delivers the perfect dose of the refreshing formula—a hefty amount of hydrating ingredients without feeling like a splash of water hit your face."
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin
Size: 2.5 oz
Customer Review:
"This is a lifesaver during winter, especially in a dry area. I love this spray. It smells good and goes well under, over or without make up. I can't live without this stuff, and I have combination skin. It makes me foundation much nicer. I use it everyday at least 3x a day." —Dem
Eau Thermale Avène Thermal Spring Water
Pros
- Larger size than many face mists
Cons
- Some reviewers say it sprays too much at a time
When it comes to simple formulas, you can't beat Avène's—which is made ith only Avène's signature mineral-rich spring water. Moy says it's great for sensitive, eczema-prone, and rosacea-prone skin because it "doesn’t add more product to the face."
Key Ingredients: Thermal spring water
Size: 5 oz
Customer Review:
"My daughter and I use this stuff so often, especially in the winter when the air is soooo dry. It's also awesome to spritz after you've completed your face care for the morning or evening. It's so soothing after a mask or chemical peel, too. It doesn't irritate the skin at all. This was our second time ordering, so it's a staple in our skincare products!" —mom of kids
Pros
- Can be used before or after makeup
Cons
- Small size
Moy also recommends this formula from Tatcha, which is enriched with a slew of nourishing ingredients like squalane, green tea extract, and silk extract. It not only leaves skin hydrated and dewy, but also won't mess up your makeup so you can spray it on anytime you want an extra bit of dewiness.
Key Ingredients: Complex of Okinawa Red Algae, squalane, silk extract
Size: 1.35 oz
Customer Review:
"I’ve tried several facial hydrating sprays, and I feel like I’m just wetting myself with water. But this! This gives you a Dewy finish that actually hydrates. Love the dewy glow, but does not feel greasy! Get this!" —caseylashane
e.l.f. Cosmetics Holy Hydration! Coconut Mist
Pros
- Super even, fine mist
Cons
- Some reviewers say it felt a bit tacky on their skin
One of my personal favorites is this $8 mist from e.l.f. It has a light coconutty scent as a nod to the coconut oil in the formula, plus vitamin E to nourish skin with each lightweight spritz. On hot days, I like to mist it on my neck and chest too.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, vitamin E, vitamin B5, glycerin
Size: 2.7 oz
Customer Review:
"I have been looking for something like this for YEARS! No matter what foundation I use, my skin always feels dry throughout the day. I spray this right on top of my makeup to get a boost of moisture whenever I need it. It also smells really good - like coconut - but subtle. The spray is a fine mist. This stuff is perfect and the bottle was bigger than I expected. I’m ordering another right now so I can have one in my car and my purse! ELF absolutely nailed this one. Seriously so good and a great price." —Leah
Pros
- Gives skin a dewy finish
Cons
- Made with essential oils, which may bother some people
Caudalíe's Beauty Elixir practically invented the category of the hydrating face mist. Infused with the brand's signature grape extract, plus orange flower water and a slew of essential oils, it leaves skin with a soft glow and also helps set makeup.
Key Ingredients: Grape extract, rose essential oil and orange blossom water
Size: 3.3 oz
Customer Review:
"This has been a repurchase for me over and over and over again. It's definitely a staple in my routine, a non-negotiable, and one of my 'can't live withouts.' I'm 64 yrs old and have been using it for at least 20 yrs. I've used others but always come right back to the elixir!" —kimblt01
Pros
- Larger size than many face mists
Cons
- Made with essential oils, which may bother some people
Makeup artist Kristen Arnett, who is also the Director of Professional Education and Business Development for the brand, loves to use this mist before applying makeup, because it "instantly adds hydration and plumps the skin beautifully." She adds that it works for "even for my most sensitive and discerning clients who expect me to be using the very best natural beauty products that won’t irritate their skin.”
Key Ingredients: Organic sea kelp, sea salt, organic cucumber hydrosol
Size: 4 oz
Customer Review:
"I love the way my face feels after using Ion Hydration Tonique. My 60+ year old skin feels supple and soft." —Deborah K.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Use Hydrating Face Mist in Your Routine?
"For hydration it is best to apply the mist after cleansing on a clean face but before moisturizer," recommends Moy. And while you can usually spray liberally, keep an eye on your skin and whether you may be overdoing it. "If it is too hydrating or used excessively it can also cause other problems such as diluting or interfering with other products or cause milia," says the derm.
Can You Use Hydrating Face Mist After Makeup?
Many face mists can also be applied after makeup as well, and some also double as setting sprays. "I personally only use a facial mist when my makeup is being done for events," says Moy.
Be sure to read the instructions for the product, as some are better suited for a makeup-free face and may mess up your look.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Lauren Moy is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California.
- Kristen Arnett is a makeup artist with a focus on healthy beauty.
Why Trust Harper's Bazaar?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, hair care, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
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