10 Best Face Mists in 2022 (Dermatologist-Reviewed)

Unlike toners, essences, or serums, which are often focused more on specific skincare concerns, you can use face mists as part of or completely separate from your skincare routine.

Not all ingredients in face mists work well for all skin types. Think about what ingredients will best nourish your skin before choosing a product, and what you want to use your face mist for, whether it be freshening up, hydrating, or protecting the skin.

For those with oily and acne-prone skin, look out for non-comedogenic ingredients, which are ones that are less likely to clog pores and cause oiliness and acne. However, since non-comedogenic isn't a term regulated by the FDA, there's no standard for which ingredients fit the definition. So, be aware of some of the most common non-comedogenic ingredients used in skincare and look for those yourself instead. 

Glycerin, aloe vera, and vitamin C are some good ones to keep in mind. Glycerin has great moisturizing abilities, while aloe vera has antibacterial and soothing properties. Vitamin C prevents irritation.

A few comedogenic ingredients to steer clear of are coconut oil, linseed oil, and lanolin. Comedogenic ingredients are often ranked on a scale of one to four, one being the least comedogenic. There are plenty of lists online that you can consult to browse these rankings and take note of any ingredients you want to avoid.

Since non-comedogenic isn't a term regulated by the FDA, there's no standard for which ingredients fit the definition. So, be aware of common non-comedogenic ingredients and search for those yourself instead. Another label you can look out for is the oil-free label. Oil-free face mists are completely free of oils, which can often be comedogenic. 

Regardless of the label you're keeping an eye out for, make sure to check the ingredient list to ensure that they are suitable for you. In the same vein, remember that even if your product doesn't have a non-comedogenic or oil-free label, that doesn't necessarily mean it includes comedogenic ingredients or oil.

Face mists contain various moisturizers to help refresh and hydrate your skin. Some hydrating ingredients you might frequently encounter include coconut water, thermal spring water, and aloe vera.

Also consider hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, which are great for preventing moisture loss. In fact, hyaluronic acid can retain more than 1,000 times its weight in water within your skin cells, and glycerin is a similarly effective moisturizer. Squalane can boost moisture levels and maintain the skin's protective barrier, giving your skin a plump, healthy look.

Contrastively, avoid products with short-chain alcohols such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. These ingredients are often used in cosmetics to prevent microbial growth, but they can actually dry out your skin.

Sensitive skin is tough to please, as it might react to both natural and chemical ingredients. So if you have sensitive skin, try to find a face mist with soothing and moisturizing ingredients like thermal spring water, aloe vera, or vitamin E. 

Cucumber and rose water are other ingredients with strong anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-inflammatory ingredients are superheroes at alleviating redness and itchiness.

It's also important to stay away from potential irritants that are commonly used in cosmetics, such as parabens, alcohols, phthalates, and fragrances. Take caution with essential oils as well. Despite containing various antioxidants, essential oils might irritate or burn your skin.

To be safe, look for products that are dermatologist-tested or intentionally formulated for sensitive skin. These products likely contain ingredients that are less likely to trigger allergic reactions, irritation, or itchiness. 

Regardless, remember that since everyone's skin is different, we always recommend you do a patch test before your first application regardless of whether the product is marketed for your particular needs. 

Stress, aging, lack of sleep, and environmental stressors such as pollution and UV rays are a few potential reasons behind blemishes, wrinkles, or a lackluster complexion. This is because these stressors can chip away at the skin's collagen, leaving your skin less plump and elastic. 

To reinvigorate your skin, search for antioxidant-rich ingredients such as aloe vera, green tea extract, moringa seed extract, and turmeric. These ingredients can help promote cell growth and accelerate the natural repair processes of your body. Other antioxidants such as niacinamide, vitamin C, and vitamin E are also great skin-brighteners and blemish-reducers.

If you have acne-prone skin, you might want to look for ingredients that can calm the inflammation associated with acne. For example, rosewater, aloe vera, and green tea all have strong anti-inflammatory properties and can be a great help, and they're also non-comedogenic.

If you struggle with conditions like rosacea or eczema, follow the same guidelines for sensitive skin. This means avoiding any irritating ingredients like alcohols. Thermal spring water is often suitable. Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide will hydrate without irritation.

If you're looking for anti-aging and skin-tightening effects, consider ingredients like retinol or vitamin A, which help in skin smoothing and firming, and collagen, which works to repair the skin's elasticity. Moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid also work to maintain a plump skin texture. 

One of the great benefits of face mists is that they often don't serve just one purpose. On top of moisturizing, toning, or freshening the face, they can also act as makeup primers, setters, or protectants. 

Some face mists can act as makeup primers and can be spritzed on before you begin your makeup routine. Examples of such ingredients would be extracts of peppermint or green tea, both of which have anti-inflammatory and skin-smoothing abilities. On the other hand, other mists can work as makeup setting sprays, which help your makeup stay in place and look fresh.

A handful of face mists include SPF, which protects you from UV rays. This is especially convenient because face mists can work as a cooling agent during hot summer days and you can reapply them as you please. Some mists can help shield your skin from free radicals and pollutants and act as a protective barrier. Free radicals and pollutants can cause wrinkles, dullness, sagging, and pigmentation. 

Fragrances in face mists can help you feel refreshed, but for those with sensitive skin, fragrances are often potential irritants that should be avoided.

Peppermint, aloe vera, or rose water all have natural scents that may infuse your face mist. Synthetic fragrances are often listed as parfum on the label. While synthetic fragrances tend to irritate sensitive skin more, natural scents can also aggravate the skin. 

If you don't have known allergies or reactions to fragrances, you could search for mists with scents that you prefer. However, if you have sensitive, acne-prone, or dry skin, we recommend taking extra caution.  We suggest you do a patch test not only to determine if the fragrance irritates your skin but also to see if you like the fragrance on your skin. 

Most face mists will come in non-aerosol spray bottles that can fit in the palm of your hand. This makes most face mists travel-friendly. However, note that there are some face mists that come in aerosol cans to promote more even spraying. 

Take caution that some of these bottles can exceed the TSA size guidelines for airplane travel. For this reason, if you want to take your face mist with you on the airplane, make sure it's under 3.4 ounces, which is the TSA maximum liquid limit. 

Here are our 10 best face mists. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.

*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Dr. Lauren Levy unless explicitly stated so.

In addition to reviewing and commenting on our buying guide, Dr. Levy also took the time to answer some commonly asked questions about face mists.

Dr. Levy says, "Face mists are great to use after a dermatologic procedure like a laser or chemical peel. Sometimes, the skin feels warm and taut after these procedures. A gentle face mist can help provide a cooling sensation and provide gentle moisture to the skin. Some face mists have ingredients that act as anti-inflammatories as well. 

The benefit of a mist is that it provides gentle hydration to the skin while also providing a cooling sensation. Face mists are also a great product to have in your bag for after the gym or at the beach since it gives the skin a nice midday glow."

"I think of toner like a prep for your other skincare products," Dr. Levy says. "It helps remove impurities left by washing. It also may have some ingredients in it that can calm inflamed skin, many of which are plant-based. A toner is applied after washing your face and before your anti-aging creams and products. 

A face mist, on the other hand, can be used in addition to toner but is not a replacement. A face mist provides gentle hydration to the skin, a cooling sensation for inflamed or irritated skin, and it can leave your skin a glow."

Check out some more skincare products that can help you achieve a flawless complexion.

If you're still feeling a bit lost about where to begin, feel free to take a look at Amazon's top-selling face mists. You'll see some of the items we featured in our list here, as well as other excellent options.

Author: Thuy Nguyen

Updated by: Mai T., 6/16/2022

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