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Whether you're looking to calm sensitive skin, brighten a dull complexion, or give yourself a midday refresh, the best hydrating face mists do the trick. Face mists are formulated to hydrate and balance the skin, often using nourishing ingredients such as niacinamide, aloe vera, and witch hazel. Others tackle oiliness, and a few even double as setting sprays. We spoke with Allure editors and board-certified dermatologists to get the lowdown on their favorite sprays and the ingredients that make them stand out. We even included a few Best of Beauty winners (it's because we love you). Without further ado, we invite you to peruse the best face mists the web has to offer and let the spritzing begin.
Our Top Hydrating Face Mists
- Best Overall: Biodance Collagen Peptide Jelly Serum Mist, $19
- Best for Eczema: Prequel Skin Universal Skin Solution Hypochlorous Acid Spray, $17
- Best for Oily Skin: Caudalie Beauty Elixir, $49
- Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Spray, $25
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What are the benefits of using a face mist?
- What ingredients should I look for in a face mist?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Biodance Collagen Peptide Jelly Serum Mist
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Biodance
Collagen Peptide Jelly Serum Mist
Amazon
Nordstrom
Sephora
Why it’s worth it: ICYMI, one of our favorite overnight hydrogel masks now comes in a mist. Biodance’s Collagen Peptide Jelly Serum Mist lets you choose your own adventure: Hold the bottle about eight inches from your face, and it releases an ultrafine, refreshing mist—but when you spritz it closer to your skin, the texture feels more like a lightweight serum. The formula features 77% collagen water and a 243Da collagen extract. If you've spent any time shopping K-beauty, you've probably noticed some brands talk about daltons (Da), a unit of molecular weight. In general, the lower the number, the smaller the molecule—and at 243 Da, this collagen extract is notably smaller than what's found in many collagen formulas, allowing it to better interact with the skin's outermost layers for a smoother, plumper, more hydrated feel.
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Biodance Collagen Peptide Jelly Serum Mist
Sarah Han
Allure creative director Amber Venerable applying the Biodance Collagen Peptide Jelly Serum Mist
Amber Venerable
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“These Biodance mists hit different—they truly feel like a lighter version of the brand's viral hydrogel masks. I can't stand ultra-ultra-fine mists that feel like they disappear in midair. These mists, however, seem to create a temporary layer that sits on top of your skin before it sinks in. I also go pretty hard with my mists—after all, I'm treating it like a moisturizer! I want the hydrating benefits! They also apply nicely over makeup so I'm always spritzing throughout the day! It's just so refreshing and juicy; there's no other way to describe it. I'm almost out of my first bottle (I switch between this one and the Caviar PDRN mist, by the way) and already have a second bottle ready to go.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 77% collagen water, collagen extract, signal peptides, niacinamide, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, galactomyces ferment filtrate, adenosine, glycerin
- Who it's good for: everyone, especially those with dry, dehydrated, dull, or mature skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Eczema: Prequel Skin Universal Skin Solution Hypochlorous Acid Spray
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Prequel
Universal Skin Solution Hypochlorous Acid Spray
Amazon
Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Prequel Skin Universal Skin Solution Hypochlorous Acid Spray
Sarah Kinonen
Why it’s worth it: Prequel's Best of Beauty-winning Universal Skin Solution Hypochlorous Acid Spray keeps things refreshingly simple with just water, hypochlorous acid, and sodium chloride (which stabilizes the formula). This combination calms skin and reduces acne-causing bacteria without unnecessary extras. "Not only is it affordable, but it’s designed to be compatible with the skin's naturally acidic pH, making it exceptionally well tolerated by all skin types," says Carlos Vieira, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia. "It's an easy way to freshen the skin and reduce acne-causing bacteria,” he says. It also carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, meaning it has been reviewed for its ingredients and safety considerations, making it suitable for many people with eczema or sensitive skin—an extra layer of reassurance for reactive complexions.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“I’ve lost count of how many bottles of this mist I’ve emptied over the last year or two. I keep one in my gym bag (for a quick post-workout cleanse), my work bag (for random piercing irritation), and my bathroom cabinet (for my husband)—it’s a routine staple!” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hypochlorous acid and sodium chloride
- Who it's good for: everyone, especially those with sensitive, reactive, or acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Oily Skin: Caudalie Beauty Elixir
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Caudalíe
Beauty Elixir
Amazon
Nordstrom
Sephora
Allure social director Kassidy Silva applying the Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Kassidy Silva
Why it’s worth it: It might seem counterintuitive to spritz a hydrating mist onto oily skin, but here's the thing: Oily skin is often thirsty skin. When skin lacks water, it can overcompensate by producing even more oil. The Best of Beauty Award-winning formula stops the cycle with a blend of rosemary and peppermint, which leaves skin feeling refreshed with its mild astringent properties and the cooling sensation of mint. "This is a refreshing midday pick-me-up, particularly for oily skin types," says Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans. "It has a lightweight feel and helps take down some of that midday shine."Rose essential oil and orange blossom water help calm skin and boost visible radiance, while grape extract provides lightweight hydration. One caveat: Because it contains added fragrance and essential oils, Dr. Turegano recommends it for those whose skin isn't particularly sensitive.
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
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"Sometimes it’s the little luxuries that get us through the day. The Caudalie Elixir is mine. I go through a bottle of this each year at the office and like to do a few spritzes after lunchtime. It helps keep my skin refreshed in the stale office air, and the airy essential oil blend—a mix of peppermint, rose, rosemary, orange blossom, and lemon balm—is light enough that it’s okay to spray in an office. (Not everyone is down with those heavy scents!) At $50, it’s definitely a splurge, but if you have the funds, it's a great treat." —Kassidy Silva, social director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: grape water, orange blossom water, rosemary, rose, and mint essential oils
- Who it's good for: people with oily skin
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Spray
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La Roche-Posay
Cicaplast B5 Spray
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Dermstore
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Spray
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it’s worth it: Any Allure editor can spot the iconic blue-and-white tube of La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast Baume B5 from a mile away—it's the first thing we reach for when skin starts acting up. If slathering on a balm feels like too much effort (or your skin is too tender to touch), the Cicaplast B5 Spray delivers many of the same soothing benefits in an ultrafine mist. "When someone's skin barrier is compromised, or their skin feels dry and tight, this is one I reach for," says Dr. Turegano.
The formula pairs panthenol (vitamin B5) and madecassoside—a soothing extract from Centella asiatica—with the brand’s signature selenium-rich Thermal Spring Water to calm irritation, while glycerin draws in moisture for longer-lasting hydration. "It feels much more nourishing than a typical facial mist," says Dr. Turegano, who especially recommends it after retinoids or during travel. Dr. Vieira also loves it as the first step in a nighttime routine: "I tell my patients to think of it as a 'skin reset' before bed because its lightweight texture layers easily under moisturizer while helping create the ideal environment for the skin's overnight repair process.”
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“Ever since an annoying allergic reaction to a different skin-care product, I've been overly cautious about letting anything new touch my face—which, admittedly, is a bit of an occupational hazard when you're a beauty editor. But if there was ever a brand I trusted to ease me back in, it was La Roche-Posay. This spray is about as stripped-back as it gets, with the brand's soothing thermal spring water, panthenol, and calming cica. Every spritz felt instantly comforting on my irritated skin, and I loved the peace of mind that came with knowing I wasn't piling on unnecessary ingredients while my skin barrier was trying to recover. I like to spray a little more than recommended as my skin is very thirsty in general, and it instantly absorbs without having to rub it in." —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: panthenol, madecassoside, glycerin, Thermal Spring Water
- Who it's good for: everyone, especially those with sensitive skin or a damaged barrier
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Very Dry Skin: Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mist
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Summer Fridays
Jet Lag Mist
Amazon
Sephora
Revolve
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mist
Shanna Shipin
Why it's worth it: Sun exposure, retinoids, and the natural moisture loss that comes with aging can all leave skin feeling tight and dehydrated, making Summer Fridays' Jet Lag Mist a welcome pick-me-up whether you're 30,000 feet in the air or simply running errands. The featherlight formula combines glycerin to replenish moisture with panthenol, aloe, cica, cucumber extract, and allantoin to calm and comfort, while ceramides, ectoin, and squalane strengthen the skin barrier so hydration lasts. Our tester especially loves that it plays well with makeup, layering seamlessly both underneath and on top without causing foundation to pill, separate, or slide around.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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“My skin is so prone to dryness that I use a mist regularly, and this is my number one fave. I tend to stay within a brand family so my products all work well together, and as a loyal Jet Lag Mask user I was so happy Summer Fridays expanded the line and launched this mist. I use it all. the time. Before applying makeup (a must for me) and as a refresher during the day (my skin will develop dry patches on the regular as the day wears on). I love that it's not a massive bottle that has to stay on my vanity—I have two of these and one is for at-home, and the other is my travel mist! I've never had an issue with uneven spritzes—it's just a fine spray that never results in droplets on my face or clothing, or leaves me too dewy. Just hydrated and supple.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: allantoin, bisabolol, panthenol, cucumber extract, ceramides, squalane, green tea extract, vitamin E, ectoin
- Who it’s for: people with dry skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
More face mists we love:
Best for Mature Skin: SkinMedica HA5 Hydra Collagen Facial Mist
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SkinMedica
HA5 Hydra Collagen Facial Mist
Amazon
Dermstore
Bluemercury
Why it’s worth it: SkinMedica took skin care's hall-of-fame hydrator—hyaluronic acid—and found a way to make it work even harder. The HA5 Hydra Collagen Facial Mist “combines five forms of hyaluronic acid with vegan collagen to give skin an immediate boost of hydration, leaving skin looking plumper and dewier," says Dr. Turegano. The formula also features proprietary Micro-lyte Technology—a blend of electrolytes and minerals (including magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese)—along with niacinamide to support the skin barrier and promote a healthier-looking complexion. "Even though it's a mist, the brand has clinical studies showing improvements in the appearance of fine lines with consistent use over time, which is something you don't typically expect from this category,” she says.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, electrolytes, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, niacinamide
- Who it's good for: everyone, especially those with fine lines
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Eau Thermale Avène Thermal Spring Water
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Eau Thermale Avène
Thermal Spring Water
Amazon
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: If you've ever wondered how a can of thermal spring water became a French pharmacy icon, you're not alone. Eau Thermale Avène’s Thermal Spring Water is sourced from the Sainte-Odile Spring in southern France, where rainwater spends nearly 50 years filtering through the Cévennes Mountains. Along the way, it picks up a mix of minerals, silica, and naturally occurring postbiotic compounds believed to soothe sensitive skin, then is bottled at the source to preserve its composition.
As a result, "this is about as gentle as facial mists get," says Dr. Turegano. She recommends it for sensitive, irritation-prone, and post-procedure skin, and even suggests storing it in the refrigerator for an extra-refreshing spritz whenever skin feels hot or irritated. Dr. Vieira also recommends it for those prone to rosacea, facial redness, or visible blood vessels: “Its skin-compatible pH makes it gentle enough to use throughout the day without disrupting the skin barrier.” As Dr. Turegano puts it: "Sometimes the simplest formulas really are the best."
Tester feedback from Kinonen
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“I find it usually only takes two to three generous spritzes to completely soak my face (again, that's exactly what I'm looking for when it's hotter than hot out) and instantly refresh my makeup and, let's be honest, mood. Immediately afterward, I feel like a person again and ready to take on anything, including commuting on a hot, sticky summer day." —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: thermal spring water
- Who it's good for: dry and sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Redness: SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist
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SkinCeuticals
Phyto Corrective Essence Mist
SkinCeuticals
Dermstore
Bluemercury
Why it's worth it: If your skin is looking a little red and feeling extra reactive, reach for this green bottle. SkinCeuticals’ Phyto Corrective Essence Mist is one of Dr. Turegano’s top picks for easily flushed or irritated skin because it pairs 6.2% hyaluronic acid and glycerin to replenish hydration, and it blends calming botanicals, including olive leaf, cucumber, boldo leaf, rosemary, thyme, and grapefruit extracts, to reduce visible redness. "I like that it feels lightweight and layers well over skin care or makeup without feeling sticky," says Dr. Turegano. "It's the kind of mist I reach for when my skin feels dry, tight, or just needs a quick refresh during the day."
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, cucumber extract
- Who it's good for: people prone to redness
- Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a face mist?
Besides feeling amazingly cooling, face mists offer some of the best benefits of your favorite skin-care products. "A face mist gives instant hydration to the skin and a boost of sun-protection, moisturization, and irritation-calming actives," says cosmetic chemist Ginger King. Still, the benefits highly depend on the type of face mist you choose, says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "[Some mists] are formulated with humectants to hydrate the skin, some have emollients to support the skin barrier, and some have sunscreen ingredients to offer sun protection," Dr. King adds. "Some have hypochlorous acid to offer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties."
King also cites ease of use as a benefit of skin mists. "[Mists don't] interfere with makeup as much. If you use a lotion or cream, you have to apply it over makeup, while you can just spritz a mist over [what you have on your face]. It's less work and less mess, especially on a made-up face," she notes.
What ingredients should I look for in a face mist?
Remember your skin concerns and goals when shopping for a face mist, but across the board, King advises looking for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. "What you look for is what you want to achieve. Moisturizing, antioxidant, or anti-inflammatory benefits—the big three reasons people use it." King also says that noting the size of the particles coming out of the nozzle is essential, and the finer the mist, the better. "[Look for] sunscreen ingredients for sun protection, hypochlorous acid for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties, and soothing ingredients like aloe, calendula, allantoin, bisabolol, and beta-glucan for anti-inflammatory properties," Dr. King notes.
Meet the experts
- Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist based in New Orleans
- Carlos Vieira, a board-certified dermatologist at The Dermatology Specialists based in Philadelphia
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best face mists, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists and cosmetic chemists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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