The beauty industry is constantly revealing alleged must-have products to add to your routine, but the best face mists aren’t just marketing—they can actually add major benefits. It’s just about finding the right formula for you.
“Apart from feeling refreshed, face mists formulated with the right ingredients can be beneficial for the skin,” says New York City–based board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD, citing hyaluronic acid, rose water, aloe vera, and green tea extract as the nourishing ingredients to look out for. “By delivering these humectant ingredients straight to the skin, face mists can promote moisture retention and help the skin barrier reduce trans epidermal water loss.”
Vogue’s Favorite Face Mists
For Makeup Application: Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist, $90
For Sensitive Skin: Avène Thermal Spring Water, $20
Best for Enlarged Pores: Caudalie Beauty Elixir Prep, Set, Glow Face Mist, $49
Best with Collagen: Biodance Collagen Peptides Jelly Serum Mist, $19
Best with Ectoin: Rhode Glazing Mist, $30
Not to mention, these skincare-infused spritzers are super convenient to use, and multipurpose. Plus, they work well as skin prep, or refreshing makeup throughout the day. A good face mist, according to Dr. Henry, can help transform dry, dull skin into a glowing complexion—all whilst aiding moisture retention, boosting skin barrier support, and even offering brightening benefits. For this, celebrity esthetician to the stars Shani Darden shares this application tip: “You can use a facial mist in the morning after cleansing before applying your vitamin C serum and sunscreen, during the day anytime you need a refresh, and at night after cleansing before applying treatment products.” Whereas for makeup wear, pro makeup artist Naoko Scintu, who counts Kate Hudson, Florence Pugh, and Maude Apatow as clients, says a mist can add a first layer of hydration or a weightless dewiness to your look.
Can all skin types benefit from a facial mist? All of our experts say yes; just take a peek at the ingredients to determine which might be suitable for your skin. Whether you’re looking to hydrate, soothe, or protect the skin, read on to discover our edit of the best face mists to shop now.
In This Story
How to Choose a Face Mist
How We Tested
Meet The Experts
Best for Makeup Application: Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist
Why We Love It: When celebrity makeup artist Carolina
Why We Love It: When celebrity makeup artist Carolina Dalí-Trites gave us the inside scoop on how to make your foundation look like second skin, she advised us to “mist your foundation brush or sponge with a hydrating face mist” to boost moisture and blendability. For this, Chanel’s mist is just the ticket. Through a blend of camellia alba, blue ginger, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins C and E, this antioxidant-rich mist delivers not only a refreshingly cool sensation, but ensures your skin is protected against antioxidants and quenched.
Key Ingredients: Camellia alba, blue ginger, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E
Best for: Dry skin, makeup prep
Ultra fine mist
Some consider the fragrance to be strong
Best Calming: Eadem Mami Wata Ultra-Calming Rescue Mist
Why We Love It: Eadem’s face mist is a super soother for those with reactive skin types. That’s thanks to a blend of panthenol and ectoin, which hydrate and calm all at once. Meanwhile, allantoin, bisabolol, and cica further double down on calming benefits and skin-barrier support. There’s a slew of botanical oils included in the formula too—which are excellent for hydration, though may be a bit heavy for those with oily and acne-prone skin.
Editor’s Experience: “While hydrating face mists have their place, I love one with a point of view. EADEM’s POV is in the name: it calms and rescues skin from irritation. So, I like to keep it in my travel toiletry bag. You never know what sensitivities can arise from long-haul flights and new climates. Plus, the mist applies fabulously.” —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor
Key Ingredients: Panthenol, ectoin, cica, alpha bisbolol, allantoin, polyglutamic acid, glycerin, aloe vera
Best for: Dry and reactive skin types
Barrier-fortifying formula
The heavy concentration of oil might be too heavy for acne-prone skin types
Works well over makeup, without causing separation
Best for Sensitive Skin: Avène Thermal Spring Water
Why We Love It: If you
Why We Love It: If you were to take a dip in the Sainte-Odile Spring in the south of France, you may experience the relieving powers of this thermal spring water. Though, you can get a taste of basking in its restorative bath right at home with the Avène mist. Boasting mineral and biological properties rich in postbiotic microflora, the ultra-fine mist promises to soothe, soften, and calm skin without irritation. In fact, the mist is composed of just two ingredients: thermal spring water and nitrogen, making the formula an optimal pH for skin health.
Editor’s Experience: “My dermatologist, Dr. Akis Ntonos, keeps this mist stocked in his office so I’ve grown quite accustomed to it. What he ‘[trusts] most for reactive, inflamed, or post-procedure skin largely because of its mineral and silicate content,’ as he puts it, I always reach for it after a skin treatment, really hot days, or when I’m focused on repair.” —K.M.
Key Ingredients: Thermal spring water
Best for: Sensitive skin types, normal to dry skin types
Simple formula
Some consider it a pricey pick for water alone
Neutral pH of 7.5—which is optimal for skin.
Best with Ceramides: Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream Mist
Why We Love It: There’s no doubt that Aestura’s face mist has a super-concentrated dose of ceramides—10,000 ppm to be specific (translation: it’s a lot of ceramides) and a triple lipid complex. Keeping with this ethos, the legacy K-beauty brand offers the same enormous dose of hydration as its beloved face cream and lotion, but with an added perk—a barely-there feel and a formula that contains zero pore-clogging ingredients.
Editor’s Experience: “During winter, my oily skin turns positively parched. Even still, I avoid heavy, occlusive creams because of how acne-prone I am. Aestura’s face mist is my quick fix when my face turns direly dry. Unlike Rhode’s formula, which I’ll use under or over makeup, I use Aestura’s face mist strictly as a skin-care step. That’s for two reasons—firstly, I want the ceramide- and lipid-heavy formula to sink straight into skin. Secondly. I’m heavy-handed with all of my products, so I have caused a bit of makeup separation when going too hard with the fine-mist, but that’s a me problem!” —C.C.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, glycerin, cholesterol, tocopherol, tocopherol
Best for: Dehydrated and combination skin
Intensely hydrating
If used over a makeup, over-spraying can cause makeup separation
Eczema, rosacea, and acne-safe formula
Best with Ectoin: Rhode Glazing Mist
Why We Love It: Those looking to maximize hydration without any added weight needn’t look further than Rhode’s Glazing Mist—the formula is packed with ectoin to lock in moisture, and a trio of ceramides to reinforce the skin barrier. Plus, beta-glucan and panthenol further hydrate and soothe skin. Rhode’s extraordinary founder, Hailey Bieber, also uses this face mist in her daily skin=care regimen. “Sometimes, when I’m really busy in the morning, running out the door, rushing up with my son, I will literally just spray my face, and I’ll walk out the door,” Bieber said in her latest Beauty Secrets episode.
Editor’s Experience: “As much as I’ve wanted to try Rhode’s skincare, many of the products contain shea butter and coconut—two ingredients I’m particularly sensitive to as someone with acne-prone skin. Its Glazing Mist, though, is an exception. The formula is totally non-comedogenic, and something I always reach for when my skin is feeling (and looking) a bit dry after retinol.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
Key Ingredients: Ectoin, ceramides, beta-glucan, panthenol, magnolia extract
Best For: Instant hydration for dry and combination skin.
Barrier supportive formula
For those with oily skin, this leaves a particularly shiny finish
Free from fragrance and alcohol
Best for Enlarged Pores: Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Why We Love It: Caudalie’s formula
Why We Love It: Caudalie’s formula is an O.G. face mist for a great reason: it has long delivered that desired skin refresh. In fact, pro makeup artist Ariane Victoria said in our skin prep guide that this formula is her favorite, noting how clients regularly compliment its calming scent. Infused with a cocktail of essential oils (mint, lemon balm, rosemary, and rose) alongside grape extract and orange flower water, this formula helps to tighten the look of pores and hydrate—making it especially useful before makeup.
Key Ingredients: Lemon balm leaf water, rose water, peppermint oil, benzyl alcohol
Best for: Enlarged pores, normal to oily skin types
Clean formula, known for it’s soothing, spa-like scent
Contains alcohol
Best Purifying: Lesse Regeneration Mist
Why We Love It: Lesse’s face mist is a refreshing formula that combines potent botanicals to hydrate, soothe, and rejuvenate. Key ingredients like antioxidant-rich Cacay oil promote skin regeneration, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines, while Aloe Vera and Chamomile Extract calm inflammation and provide deep hydration. The mist also features niacinamide, a multitasking vitamin that brightens skin tone and strengthens the skin’s barrier.
Editor’s Experience: “My skin always has a particular glow when I keep Lesse’s Regeneration Mist in frequent rotation. I love that it leans not just into hydration, but soothing and balancing too. Featuring niacinamide, mineral electrolytes, and adaptogens, this upgrades the average mist.” —K.M.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera leaf juice, cacay oil, niacinamide, chamomile extract, glycerin, orange flower water, panthenol, squalane, vitamin E
Best for: Inflamed and irritated skin
Organic, vegan, and reef-safe formula
Essential oils may be too heavy for acne-prone skin types
Rich in mineral electrolytes and antioxidants
Best Naturally-Derived: Yon-Ka Phyto-Aromatic Treatment Mist
Why We Love It: Yon-Ka’s mist puts
Why We Love It: Yon-Ka’s mist puts a Parisian twist on the face mist—one that prioritizes toning and purifying. Powered by 99% ingredients of natural origin, this leans upon glycerin and botanical oils like rosemary, lavender, and thyme to simultaneously hydrate and balance sebum production.
Editor’s Experience: “Every time I spritz Yon-Ka Phytoaromatic Treatment Mist onto my face while I’m at my desk, someone mentions how they love the scent and want one too! It’s really fun to share and feels like a little spa breeze when I’m on deadline!” —Arden Fanning Andres, beauty editor-at-large
Key Ingredients: Water, glycerin, lavender oil, geranium flower oil, rosemary leaf oil, cypress oil, thyme oil, castor oil
Best For: Refreshing normal to dry skin.
Aromatherapeutic mist powered by 99% naturally derived ingredients
Some consider this to have a strong herbal scent
Best Hydrating: Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence
Why We Love It: Tata Harper’s essence is a cult favorite among clean beauty products for a number of reasons. For starters, many of the botanic extracts are sourced from plants grown on a farm owned by Tata Harper herself. Led by hyaluronic acid, along with rose, lavender, and neroli hydrosols, and a floral blend, this works overtime to address a range of skin concerns. Suitable for use under or over makeup, this potion addresses hydration, skin texture, and the appearance of wrinkles, all while improving the absorption of skin treatments after application. Plus, it’s a favorite in Padma Lakshmi’s beauty routine too.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, rosa water, aloe vera leaf juice, sweet almond oil, sodium hyaluronate, citrus lemon peel oil, sunflower seed oil, apple extract, vitamin E, lactic acid
Best for: Normal to mature skin types
Clean and cruelty-free formula
Strong botanic and floral fragrance
Hydrating and antioxidant protective formula
Best with Collagen: Biodance Collagen Peptides Jelly Serum Mist
Why We Love It: Biodance really leaned into the innovative textures K-Beauty has come to be known and loved for. The brand’s goal was to create all the benefits of their viral collagen-infused face mask in one tiny mist packed with actives. Here, hydrogel bubbles packed with collagen and 10 types of peptides burst when sprayed.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, collagen extract, peptides
Best for: Hydration with skin-firming benefits
Elasticity-boosting formula
Contains one potential pore-clogging ingredient
Concentrated dose of 10 peptides and collagen
Source: www.vogue.com
