Whether you're dealing with dryness, redness or an oily T-zone, there's a face mist out there that can help.

Of course, a quick spritz is always great to refresh your skin—like after a long day at work or a sweaty yoga session.  

But as I explained in my face mist tutorial, you can also use mists to pack in more moisture in between other skincare products, calm sensitivity, absorb excess sebum, and more.

Here's what to look for, plus the best face mists I've found to date.

What to Look for in a Face Mist

Since face mist is a leave-on product that can be applied on bare skin as well as on top of skincare and makeup, it's important that it doesn't irritate, clog pores or increase photosensitivity.

I look for face mists that meet the following criteria:

• Low in fragrance: It's the number one cause of skin reactions. Keep in mind that essential oils can also be sensitizing (and citrus can increase photosensitivity).
• Low in alcohol: It's too drying, especially if you already have dry or sensitive skin.
• Low in witch hazel: Not everyone reacts to it, but it can cause irritation if you are sensitive.
• Low in silicones: Not only are they the worst ingredient for causing product pilling, but they can also trap other ingredients in your pores, leading to clogging and breakouts.
• Has humectants: These are ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, which draw moisture into the skin. (Just make sure to lock them in with emollients or occlusives like oils, waxes and butters, whether in your moisturizer or the mist itself.)
• Has stable oils: You don't have to use a mist that contains oils, but if you do, make sure they are stable. Saturated and monounsaturated oils are best; polyunsaturated oils oxidize (go rancid) quickly and generate free radicals.
• Has a preservative: All water-based products must have a preservative to prevent bacterial growth.

The Best Face Mists of 2021

Dr Roebuck’s Bondi Hydrating Mist

Dr Roebuck's Bondi Hydrating Mist is a face mist and hydrating toner in one. It ticks off all my boxes with its blend of aloe vera, glycerin, niacinamide and extracts of cucumber and Kakadu plum (a rich source of vitamin C). If you're looking for a good basic mist, this one suits everyone—even sensitive types!

Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence

Packed with hyaluronic acid, Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence can be used both as a face mist and as a hydrating essence underneath your moisturizer. The all-natural formulation features neroli, lavender and rose hydrosols, plus glycerin, propanediol and botanical antioxidants. The green glass packaging makes it a pleasure to use.

BIOeffect OSA Water Mist

BIOeffect OSA Water Mist actually hydrates AND mattifies. It's named for orthosilicic acid (OSA), a type of silica the skin can absorb that helps increase moisture content and gives a semi-matte finish. It also contains glycerin, hyaluronic acid and pure Icelandic glacier water, and the tube is perfect to pop in your purse for spritzing throughout the day.

Pai Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Skin Tonic

Pai Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Skin Tonic is a non-drying natural mist for combination and blemish-prone skin. Rather than alcohol, it uses mineral-rich rosemary, rice and geranium waters to balance oil production while offering light hydration. This one really drenches your skin, and feels super refreshing.

Caudalie Grape Water 

Grape water extracted from organic grapes is the key ingredient in Caudalie Grape Water, along with two percent grape juice. Since grapes are high in polysaccharides, minerals and potassium, they make this one of the most soothing and hydrating sprays, especially for sensitive skin. I've used and loved this product for YEARS.

Tower 28 SOS (Save.Our.Skin) Daily Rescue Facial Spray

Tower 28 SOS (Save.Our.Skin) Daily Rescue Facial Spray is the anecdote for stressed-out skin. Whether you're oily, dry or sensitive, its hero ingredient, hypocholorous acid, boosts your skin's immunity to stimulate healing. So you can use it whenever your skin feels irritated, dry, broken out or sun damaged. 

Youth to the People Adaptogen Soothe + Hydrate Activated Mist

Youth to the People Adaptogen Soothe + Hydrate Activated Mist is like a spray-on serum for dry and sensitive skin. It nourishes with both humectants (like aloe and hyaluronic acid) and emollients (like propanediol and shea butter), so you don't need to worry about moisture escaping. Plus, the mushroom extract and peptides help to calm down redness.

Mad Hippie Hydrating Nutrient Mist

There are 18 active ingredients in Mad Hippie Hydrating Nutrient Mist—and my favourite is the sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a stable form of vitamin C that's great for brightening dull skin and clearing breakouts. Others include hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA to bind moisture, and hesperidin (a flavonoid) to fight pigmentation. It also has an excellent price point!

Skinfix Barrier+ Nutrient Water Misting Tonic

Skinfix Barrier+ Nutrient Water Misting Tonic is a 99 percent natural mist to quench thirsty skin of all types. Among its hydrating and conditioning ingredients are coconut, rose and cucumber waters, hyaluronic acid and panthenol (provitamin B5), which leave your skin plump and dewy.

Marie Veronique Pre + Probiotic Daily Mist

Marie Veronique Pre + Probiotic Daily Mist is all about maintaining your skin's microbiome. The brand's proprietary microbiotic complex contains prebiotics plus 34 different probiotic strains to reduce irritation and inflammation. Coconut water, licorice extract, niacinamide and chamomile add to the calming and hydrating effects.

Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist

Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist gets its inspiration from the world's first perfume, formulated for the Queen of Hungary in the 14th century. Hungarian thermal water—prized for its high mineral content—is the base for rose, orange blossom and sage waters, glycerin and apple pectin. Not only does it smell divine, but it also dispenses a super-fine mist that won't mess up your makeup.

Odacité Mint + Green Tea Hydra-Purifying Treatment Mist

Odacité Mint + Green Tea Hydra-Purifying Treatment Mist is an all-natural mist that helps keep oily skin and breakouts in check. Peppermint and willow bark reduce and regulate sebum, while green tea extract neutralizes free radicals. They're infused into aloe vera, instead of water, for lightweight hydration.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hydrating Face Mist

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hydrating Face Mist gives your skin an instant hydration boost with two of the doctor's favourite ingredients, hyaluronic acid and purslane (Portulaca oleracea). The super-fine mist is also packed with glycerin, panthenol, allantoin, aloe and prickly pear extract for maximum moisture.

OSEA Sea Minerals

Ideal for normal and combination skin, OSEA Sea Minerals has a formula you won't find anywhere else. Dead Sea salt; red and brown algae; and copper, manganese and zinc ferments are among its all-natural ingredients. They not only moisturize, but also reduce inflammation and protect skin from the elements.

COSRX Low pH PHA Barrier Mist

COSRX Low pH PHA Barrier Mist is a fragrance-free mist made with 98.1 percent coconut fruit extract and 0.5 percent gluconolactone (a polyhydroxy acid). Together, they keep skin at its optimal pH so it can stay hydrated and fight off bacteria.

Skin Inc Supplement Bar Pure Serum Mist

Skin Inc Supplement Bar Pure Serum Mist is a face mist that doubles as a serum, thanks to its blend of hyaluronic acid, glycerin and water from the Izumo Yumura hot springs in Japan. The latter has a high mineral content that also helps reduce redness and irritation, especially if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Éminence Red Currant Mattifying Mist

Red currant, a natural astringent, is the star ingredient in Éminence Red Currant Mattifying Mist for normal to oily skin. Other botanicals in the mix are aloe juice, magnolia bark and elderflower to hydrate, soothe and clarify. It is both refreshing and oil-controlling, and the finish is semi-matte (not too dewy).

Pai Lotus & Orange Blossom BioAffinity Skin Tonic

Pai Lotus & Orange Blossom BioAffinity Skin Tonic is especially good if you're dealing with redness and dehydration—even eczema. Lotus root water, a source of vitamins and amino acids, helps soothe reactive skin. Glycerin moisturizes, and orange flower water helps tone and brighten.

Herbivore Rose Hibiscus Coconut Water Hydrating Face Mist

Herbivore Rose Hibiscus Coconut Water Hydrating Face Mist was recently reformulated, with hyaluronic acid and rose hydrosol being added to the mix of aloe vera, glycerin, coconut fruit and hibiscus extract. (And no more witch hazel!) This is a super-juicy mist that leaves your skin feeling soft and fresh.

Biossance Squalane + Micronutrient Fine Mist

A high concentration of squalane oil (the brand's hero ingredient) makes Biossance Squalane + Micronutrient Fine Mist one of the most moisturizing mists around. It also contains glycerin, panthenol, hyaluronic acid and algae, plus a mineral complex to combat stress and pollution. 

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Do you have a favourite face mist?
Have you tried any of these?