The Right Way to Use a Facial Mist, According to Dermatologists
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Fact checked by Anna HarrisReviewed by Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD
Whether you're looking for a midday refresh or a boost of hydration, facial mists seem like the perfect solution, right? Face mists can calm irritated skin, and can help calm a stressed mental state, too. But according to celebrity esthetician Reneé Rouleau, facial mists can suck moisture out of your skin. But, not so fast...don't start tossing all your favorite mists just yet– it's all about the way you apply them.
"Hydration is essential to keep your skin youthful and glowing," says Rouleau. "Your skin cells are like fish and need water to live, so using a hydrating facial mist the correct way can be very beneficial." We spoke to Rouleau and two dermatologists to learn the reality of the beloved beauty product, plus what ingredients to look out for when shopping for one.
Meet the Expert
Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.
Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology.
Renée Rouleau is a celebrity esthetician and skincare expert with over 30 years of experience. She is also the founder and CEO of her eponymous skincare line, Renée Rouleau.
Keep reading to discover how to use a face mist and make the most out of your water-based sprays.
What Is the Purpose of Face Mist?
According to dermatologist, Brendan Camp, MD, face mists offer a spritz of refreshing hydration that can immediately quench thirsty skin. "Some facial mists contain minerals or nutrients that can be beneficial for skin health, too," he says. Face mists can also be used as primers in makeup application.
How to Use a Face Mist
"Use your water-based mists after cleansing your skin," recommends Rouleau. "Once you rinse off your cleanser and your skin is damp from tap water, you have a 60-second window before evaporation begins to occur, so it's important to move quickly. Ideally, you should spray the mist onto a cotton pad, and then wipe it over your face since it's the wiping action that is physically removing chlorine, salts, and minerals that can dehydrate the skin. If you just mist, you are diluting the tap water and not actually removing it."
She continues, "After wiping your skin, you can mist the face several times to get it nice and damp and then proceed to your serums and moisturizer. The key here is the last step should be a moisturizer with protective emollients or oils that act as a seal to keep moisture in your skin. Anything that is water-based simply cannot perform that function."
You can even pour them into a spray bottle and mist your skin if you love the sensation, or simply wipe it over your skin (leaving it damp before applying your next product). Ultimately, it's about saturating your skin with the product.
Ingredients to Look For
When shopping for a face mist, look for super-hydrating ingredients and ones that can help strengthen skin. "Face mists are included in skincare regimens to add additional skin benefits, so their ingredients vary depending on the skin concern being targeted: hydration, irritation, inflammation, anti-aging, pigment, etc.," says dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, who adds that face mists are water-based and can enhance penetration of ingredients that follow it in your skincare regimen. She recommends Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Hydrating Multi-Protection Mist ($36), which is packed with hyaluronic and plant sources that are high in antioxidants. Here are a few ingredients to keep an eye out for:
Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient to help rehydrate skin.
Black raspberry seed oil is rich in omegas and helps with barrier reinforcement
Vitamin B3 can improve your skin's ability to retain moisture.
Niacinamide and vitamin C are among the top antioxidants to neutralize free radical damage and decrease inflammation.
"Probiotics and prebiotics such as lactobacillus are also super trendy these days as we learn more about the importance of a healthy skin microbiome," says Dr. Nazarian.
Spring or mineral water can provide additional nutrients to the skin, says Dr. Camp.
"Botanicals like mint, rose, lemon balm, rosemary, grape and orange blossom provide antioxidant, hydrating, and antibacterial properties," says Dr. Camp, which are included in Caudalie's Beauty Elixir Prep, Set, Glow Face Mist ($49).
Face Mist vs. Essence vs. Toner
Face mists, also sometimes called essences, are a water-based skincare product, often in solution or liquid form. According to Dr. Nazarian, these products are "meant to be sprayed or applied on the skin directly after cleansing." Essences can also be used as a makeup primer while face mists can also be used to give a dewiness to your makeup look.
According to Dr. Nazarian, face mists are similar to toners. "Classically, a toner was meant to 'tone' and has astringent properties to clean more thoroughly and remove additional oil and dirt," she says.
For dry skin types, Rouleau recommends her clients use essence as "it has a thicker viscosity, so it creates a better protective coating over the skin for reparative benefits," Try the Renée Rouleau Moisture Infusion Toner ($40), SK-II Facial Treatment Essence ($99), or Whamisa's Organic Flowers Deep Rich Essence Toner ($43), which is currently unavailable but often restocked.
Do Face Mists Dry Out Skin?
Facial mists are quite popular because they're refreshing and give your skin an instant dewiness—but only for a short period. "When you mist your skin with a water-based product and don't apply moisturizer on top (to seal in the hydrating ingredients), it will draw moisture out of your skin and quite literally vanish into the air. The drier the air, the more quickly the evaporation process will occur. The moisture acts like a magnet in that it is drawn to the driest areas, so misting your skin will make the moisture within your skin evaporate out, leaving it tight, dry, and dehydrated," says Rouleau.
Dr. Nazarian adds that there are very few side effects from using a face mist or essence unless the active ingredients are naturally somewhat irritating. "If the mist includes ingredient such as an exfoliating acid like glycolic acid, or retinol, risk of irritability increases when used in this form because it's being applied directly to cleansed skin in a way that increases penetration," she says.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you wash off face mist?
There is no need to wash off face mist. The product can be applied to clean, dry skin or after makeup application and will absorb into the skin.
When should I apply face mist?
Face mist should be applied after you clean your face but before your moisturizer. You can reapply face mist after your moisturizer or throughout the day on top of makeup to keep your skin hydrated and your makeup looking fresh. "Using a moisturizer after a facial mist may help trap moisture into the skin, although used excessively, may potentially dilute other facial products or cause them or makeup to run," says Dr. Camp.
What skin types will benefit from a face mist?
According to Dr. Camp, face mists are great for dry skin. "They also help calm sensitive or irritated skin. Those with oily skin may find that face mists can make their skin appear more shiny," he says.
Read the original article on Byrdie.