The Best Face Mists That Aren’t B.S.

FACE MIST FAQ

Do face mists DO anything?

Since face mists are usually water based, their No. 1 job is to hydrate. However, the best face mists also contain other skin-loving goodies (moisturizers, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories) to help soothe, replenish, and protect your face. Since many ingredients sink in better when your skin is damp, a watery mist can be a great way to apply them—and prep skin for any products that follow.

What’s the difference between toner and face mist?

Toners and face mists have a lot in common. They can both be hydrating, and they tend to contain a lot of the same ingredients (rose water, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C). In general, though, toners help balance pH and deep-clean your pores by getting rid of any remaining gunk—dead cells, dirt, bacteria, excess makeup—whereas face mists add moisture and nourishment.

That said, many modern toners are also super hydrating and packed with nutrition, and some face mists contain exfoliants and astringents, so the line can get pretty blurry. To add to the confusion, there are also spray toners, which are sort of a hybrid product.

But for the most part, you apply them differently: As their name implies, face mists are sprayed or “misted” on, whereas you typically dab toner onto a cotton pad and then swipe or pat it onto your face and neck. And because face mists don’t really cleanse the skin, you can use them throughout the day (more on that below). Toners, on the other hand, should only go on between cleansing and moisturizing.

When should I use a face mist?

Face mists are super versatile—you can use them between skin-care steps to boost absorption, before foundation to create a smooth base, after makeup to set your face, or just whenever you need a pick-me-up.

But the absolute best time to apply a face mist is after cleansing or exfoliating and before applying a serum or moisturizer. For one thing, a clean face will allow the ingredients to better penetrate your skin. But also, not all face mists contain humectants (hydrators like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid that attract water), and even fewer have occlusives (moisturizing ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, and mineral oil that seal in hydration).

If your skin is really dry, you ideally want a face mist that contains both. If it doesn’t, be sure to follow up immediately with a serum, moisturizer, or face oil—or you could actually be drying out your skin even more.

Can you use face mist over makeup? What about over sunscreen?

Because face mists are usually water-based, they won’t mess up your makeup like a moisturizer would (just make sure you hold the mist far enough away from your face so you don’t smudge your foundation). There are also some great face mist/setting spray hybrids that can actually extend the wear of your makeup.

Sunscreen, however, is a different story. Spraying a face mist over sunscreen can mess with your coverage, so it’s best to do so before applying SPF in the morning or after the sun goes down.

THE BEST FACE MISTS OF 2019

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