Dry, irritated skin yearns for a hydrating skin care routine. But sometimes, your skin might need a quick boost of hydration while you’re in a rush or on the go — and the daily moisturizer you applied six hours ago simply isn’t going to cut it. That’s where a face mist comes in: You can spritz it on at any time, on top of makeup or on your bare face. Plus, it comes in handy at any time of year: It helps relieve dry, flaky skin during the winter and cool you down in the summer heat.
But do you really need a face mist, and does it actually do anything for your skin? Are they really just water in a bottle? I spoke to board-certified dermatologists to answer all your pressing questions about face mists. Our NBC Select editors also put more than a dozen popular face mists to the test to narrow down the best ones that are actually worth your money.
Best for sensitive skin$undefined$13.99
Face mists are lightweight sprays that can help hydrate your skin, set makeup and replenish moisture throughout the day. Many have ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and hypochlorous acid that can soothe and hydrate irritated, inflamed or sensitive skin, plus cool you down if you’re overheating, says Dr. Kristina Collins, a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon based in Austin, Texas.
Facial mists offer a variety of benefits, but do they actually work? It depends. “Their effectiveness depends entirely on the formulation, so a mist with active ingredients suited to your skin type can be beneficial, while plain water-based mists may temporarily hydrate but can also evaporate and lead to increased dryness,” says Dr. Anetta Reszko is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon.
It’s also not strictly necessary to include in your routine, but can be beneficial. “Your moisturizer and serums typically provide enough hydration and treatment. Face mists are a nice boost if you want extra hydration, a quick refresh or soothing benefits,” says Collins.
Below are my experts’ tips to keep in mind when shopping for a face mist:
- Skin type and ingredients: The face mist you choose depends on your specific skin type and the ingredients that pair well with it. Those with dry skin, for example, should look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and panthenol, while people with oily and/or acne-prone skin should consider mists with niacinamide and green tea extract to prevent breakouts, says Reszko. Soothing ingredients like thermal spring water, allantoin, chamomile and oat extract are great for sensitive skin.
- Scent: Some face mists have a scent, which sometimes comes from plant-based ingredients like rose water or essential oils. However, heavy fragrances or essential oils can trigger irritation, especially for sensitive skin, says Reszko.
- Size: Most face mists come in a variety of sizes, including a standard-sized bottle and a travel-sized container. If you’re a frequent traveler or you want to take your face mist on the go, consider a size that’s convenient to store and meets airline requirements.
Six NBC Select editors put over a dozen face mists to the test for two weeks. When testing, we kept the following in mind:
- Skin type and concerns: Editors noted how their skin reacted to each mist and whether it addressed certain skin concerns, including rosacea, acne, eczema and dry, flaky skin. Those with sensitive skin considered whether the mist soothed redness and irritation, while those with dry skin kept in mind how hydrated their skin felt (and for how long).
- Comfort and feel: The biggest factor we kept in mind was how the mist felt on our skin. Was it hydrating enough for dry skin? Did it feel sticky over time? Did it leave our skin feeling uncomfortably wet?
- Scent: We tested both fragranced and fragrance-free options. If the mist has a fragrance, we tested whether it was subtle or overwhelming, and whether it caused any irritation. If it was fragrance-free, we noted whether it was entirely unscented or still had a lingering, chemical-like smell.
- Packaging: Editors considered how comfortable each face mist is to apply and how packaging played a role. One of the most important factors for our editors was how the mist dispensed from the bottle: Was it a fine mist that we could barely feel, or a thicker, serum-like mist that coats the skin? How many spritzes felt “just right?” We also considered whether the face mist was sold in a travel-sized bottle.
- Price: We kept in mind whether each face mist was a good value based on its effectiveness and size. We also considered whether we would repurchase it.
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Below, I rounded up our editors’ favorite face mists after two weeks of testing. For each product, I listed key ingredients, what skin concerns it targets and sizes available.
Best overall
This mist’s creamy texture feels close to a light serum; however, it absorbs quickly, which is great for those with very dry skin, according to our reviewers. It leaves a perfectly hydrated, dewy finish on the skin that makes me and other editors feel confident, even without any makeup on our faces. “The Aestura spray is so delightfully light and airy,” says NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez. “It doesn’t startle me when I spray it, and it doesn’t have an unpleasant smell to it. It also helps prep my skin right before I put on moisturizer.”
Best for post-workouts
The Tower 28 facial spray, another hypochlorous acid option, is a favorite among our NBC Select staffers. I keep it in my gym bag at all times to apply it after a sweaty workout, and it immediately soothes my irritated, rosacea-prone skin (the spray has the National Rosacea Society’s seal of approval).
“My esthetician said hypochlorous acid spray is like hand sanitizer for your face, and that really stuck with me as someone with acne-prone skin. Ever since, I’ve kept a mini bottle of Tower 28’s version in my purse and toiletry bag so I can reach for it at all times,” says NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin. “It’s super gentle and non-irritating, and I think everyone should have a bottle at home — I promise you’ll use it more than you think.” You can use this spray morning and night in place of your toner and before moisturizing, according to the brand.
Best cooling
“I’ve used this spray forever — it’s one of those drugstore products my mom had that I adopted,” says Malin. The fine mist coats your entire face with just a few spritzes, and it doesn’t feel heavy or overly wet after you apply it, according to our reviewers. I have several of the travel-sized bottles and I keep them in my purse, work tote and travel backpack to refresh my skin on hot, summer days. It’s a simple product with only one main ingredient — Evian water — but it goes a long way compared to just spraying water on your face; it feels cool and light on my skin, and it’s easy and convenient to apply and take on the go. Plus, it’s entirely fragrance-free, so it’s great for sensitive skin.
Best for eczema-prone skin
This Magic Molecule spray is a favorite among our NBC Select editors because it’s extremely soothing, especially for those with sensitive, rosacea-prone and eczema-prone skin. “I tell everyone with ears about this spray. I first learned about it from our former beauty reporter, and now I have three mini bottles at home, four at work and one in my bag,” says NBC Select editorial operations associate Jem Alabi.
Since she doesn’t wash her face in the mornings (based on her dermatologist’s recommendation) and vigorously double cleanses at night, Alabi uses this hypochlorous acid spray to help her skin feel clean after she wakes up. “I’ve noticed since using it that the texture of my skin has improved and the little bit of eczema on my cheeks doesn’t flare up like it once used to,” she says. It also doesn’t leave a residue, so there’s no need to rub it in or off.
Best for sensitive skin
This spray comes recommended by double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist Dr. Morayo Adisa because it’s hydrating and feels refreshing on the skin. It’s one I use regularly when I need an extra boost of hydration during the day or before applying my makeup — and as a long-time La Roche-Posay fan, I know it won’t irritate my sensitive skin. It also soothes painful dry patches and flakes that tend to appear during the winter months. It dispenses a super fine, even mist, which feels lightweight on my skin and doesn’t leave an overly wet sensation afterward.
Best for acne-prone skin
A recent release from Cocokind, this face mist is infused with magnesium, which helps calm skin, reduce redness and prevent breakouts, according to the brand. Our editors love how fine and even the mist feels on their faces, and every reviewer noticed less redness after using it. I usually take this spray with me when I walk my dog to the park, which turns into a very sweaty activity in the summer. Since my skin gets very red and irritated from heat and sweat, this mist helps calm it down and reduce those blotchy, red spots.
Best for face and body
You can use this spray on your face and body to relieve irritation and itchiness, plus it helps clean cuts and scrapes. “I really enjoy the Prequel spray because the mist is so light that it doesn’t overwhelm my face and it doesn’t have a strong chemical smell,” says Fernandez. “It’s also the perfect size for traveling with or keeping in my bathroom cabinet. It doesn’t irritate my skin at all and doesn’t sting, even on the sensitive parts of my face.” I love using this spray post-workouts because it feels lightweight and cooling on my face, but I do notice it slightly stings my eyes, so you may want to stay away if you have sensitivity.
Best travel-friendly
“This spray is a bit thicker than your average antimicrobial spray, and that’s definitely because of how hydrating it is. There was no need for me to put on moisturizer after spraying a generous amount on my face, which I love, especially during the summer,” says Alabi. “My face has an immediate glow and brightness after I use it.” The mist has a combination of glycerin (to look in moisture), squalane and ceramides (to support your skin barrier), and vitamin E and ectoin to protect your skin, according to the brand.
Best texture
“My office air is drying, which irritates my skin and aggravates my rosacea. I keep this three-in-one mist close by to help hydrate my skin — it’s kind of like a liquified moisturizer and almost milky in texture. I love when a facial mist is function, as well as form,” says NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson. The spray hydrates, soothes and softens skin using key ingredients like squalane.
Best long-lasting
If you want a dewy, radiant finish to your bare skin or makeup look that lasts for hours, this popular face mist certainly delivers. “Rhode’s Glazing Mist is essentially a lightweight moisturizer in a spray bottle. I have combination skin that leans dry, and sometimes little flakes or dry spots pop up halfway through the day. Instead of rubbing cream all over my face, I use this mist to give my skin a hydration boost,” says Malin. “It immediately makes my skin feel softer and gives it a glowy look — I resemble a glazed donut, there’s no other way to describe it. I also spray this mist on my face before applying makeup to ensure everything goes on evenly and doesn’t cake.” The mist has soothing ingredients like ectoin and ceramides, and it’s safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin types. It also has the National Eczema Association seal of acceptance. You can apply it as the first step of your skin care routine after cleansing and the last step after your moisturizer.
Best splurge
“Thanks to rosacea, my skin always has a pinkish hue to it (which would have sent my high school self into a spiral). This Skinceuticals mist helps tremendously with soothing my skin and reducing redness. I keep it by my desk for a midday corrective spritz,” says Swanson. You can apply this lightweight mist before or after your makeup to boost moisture and reduce redness, according to the brand.
Best for redness
Medicube is one of our favorite K-beauty brands, and this spray manages to address most of our editors’ skin concerns, including redness, irritation and breakouts. Suitable for all skin types (including acne-prone skin), the spray combines my experts’ favorite hydrating and anti-inflammatory ingredients, including niacinamide, hypochlorous acid and panthenol. “My face feels extra clean after using this spray — a couple spritzes is all I need to get rid of the grime that builds up throughout the day,” says Malin. “My skin absorbs it quickly and it leaves behind a pretty matte finish, so I can layer products directly over it without worrying about looking shiny.”
Best soothing
I’ve been using this spray since my college days, and it’s always come in handy during the unbearable Florida heat. It’s not only extremely cooling, but it also helps soothe irritation and redness caused by hot, sweaty days. Plus, it’s approved by the National Eczema Association, so it’s safe for sensitive skin (not surprising since it only has one ingredient — the brand’s proprietary thermal spring water). “It’s a good pick-me-up and soothes the skin. With non-irritating properties, even the most sensitive skin types can use this,” says Adisa. Keep in mind a lot comes out at once, so your face will get drenched if you aren’t careful, in my experience.
Best packaging
If you want to splurge on a skin mist that looks as good as it performs, consider this one from Tatcha. It takes three to four spritzes to make your skin feel hydrated and look radiant and dewy. “The packaging makes this skin mist feel luxurious, and each spritz adds a refreshing glow to my skin,” says NBC page Riley Atkinson. “I didn’t love the scent or the slightly sticky feel, but neither of those attributes was overpowering.” Though the packaging is small, it lets you take it with you on a flight.
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At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Kristina Collins is a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon based in Austin, Texas.
- Dr. Anetta Reszko is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. She is also the founder of skin care brand SKORR.
- Dr. Morayo Adisa is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist. She is the medical director of Dermatology Physicians Chicago/Kenilworth
- Dr. Azza Halim is a board-certified anesthesiologist and physician with a focus in aesthetic medicine, anti-aging treatments and regenerative medicine.
I’m an updates editor at NBC Select who focuses on skin care, wellness and personal care. For this article, I interviewed four dermatologists and physicians about how to shop for a facial mist. I, along with five other NBC Select editors, also tested over a dozen face mists to narrow down the best ones to shop.
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