12 Best Face Mists for Instant Hydration Whenever, Wherever

Key ingredients: thermal spring water | Who it's good for: dry and sensitive skin | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Face Mist with SPF: Supergoop Defense Refresh (Re)setting Mist SPF 40

Why it's worth it: Supergoop's Defense Refresh (Re)setting Mist is packed with SPF 40 and skin-loving essential oils like barrier-protecting and soothing peppermint. Silica silylate absorbs oil and curbs shine, leaving a comfortable matte finish, while a water-soluble polymer (PVP) locks makeup in place for longevity. The icing on the cake? This spray smells like summer, which we can always get behind.

Editor's tip: Keep your sunscreen protection routine on point by spritzing this formula all over your face every two hours.

Key ingredients: avobenzone, silica silylate, English field mustard, Chinawood oil, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) | Who it's good for: people prone to excess shine throughout the day | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Face Mist for Dry Skin: Dermalogica Hyaluronic Ceramide Mist

Why it's worth it: The calming rosewater formulated into this Dermalogica's super-hydrating Hyaluronic Ceramide Mist screams "spa." It's loaded with antioxidant-packed polyphenols, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to curb dryness and make skin look bouncy and hydrated. You can expect softened fine lines, long-lasting moisture, and cooling goodness.

Editor's tip: It's a great follow-up to your facial cleansing routine—and you can spray it on your neck, too.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, panthenol | Who it's good for: dry skin types | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Face Mist for Sensitive Skin: SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist

Why it's worth it: This ultra-fine SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist is infused with thyme and rosemary extracts, which both soothe skin, says David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. The formula reduces redness, while the combination of 6.2% hyaluronic acid and glycerin (two powerful humectants) is a dream for a thirsty skin barrier. Sure, it's a bit of a splurge, but SkinCeuticals never messes around with quality.

Editor's tip: Apply it after your vitamin C serum in the morning and before any treatment serum in the evening.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, cucumber extract | Who it's good for: people prone to redness | Fragrance-free: no

Best Face Mist for Acne-Prone Skin: Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray

Why it's worth it: A bonafide TikTok favorite, Tower 28's SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray caters to sensitive and stressed skin (including acne-prone and eczema-prone skin) and inhibits breakout-causing bacteria. This soothing spray consists of just three ingredients: water, sodium chloride, and hypochlorous acid. Quick refresher: "Hypochlorous acid is a powerful killer of bacteria, viruses, and even fungus," Jaimie DeRosa, MD, a double-certified plastic surgeon, previously explained. Therefore, it has a myriad of benefits including preventing future breakouts, calming inflammation, minimizing itchiness, and depuffing skin. Dr. Kim adds the anti-inflammatory formula is especially beneficial for dry skin after air travel.

Editor's tip: This spray has the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, panthenol | Who it's good for: dry skin types | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Face Mist for Dull Skin: Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

Why it's worth it: We'd describe the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Face Mist as liquid silk. The superfine mist—made with hydrating Okinawa red algae and squalane, anti-inflammatory green tea leaf extract, and silk extract— is a staple in Allure editors' (and Kim Kardashian's) glowy skin-care routines. Just gently shake the bottle before spritzing the mist two or three times.

Editor's tip: Spray this stuff over or under your makeup for a dewy touch.

Key ingredients: squalane, red algae, hyaluronic acid | Who it's good for: people dealing with dullness | Fragrance-free: no

Best Makeup Refresher: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Hydrator Mist

Why it's worth it: Designed to deliver the radiance one might expect after getting an oxygen facial, this mist uses a blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and kombu extract to defend against dehydration and pollution. You can also thank glycerin for its ability to draw in and lock in moisture. It's a must-have for summer in particular, since it offsets the effects of heat and humidity.

Editor's tip: While this is a great midday makeup refresher, the Airbrush Flawless Makeup Setting Spray is a better bet in terms of traditional setting sprays.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic mesh, kombu extract, niacinamide | Who it's good for: people who want immediate results (and don't mind fragrance) | Fragrance-free: no

Most Budget-Friendly: Curél Deep Moisture Spray

Why it's worth it Curél's Deep Moisture Spray does exactly what you'd hope–imparts moisture deeply. Never greasy and always juicy, this mist boosts ceramides for barrier protection and hydration-locking. Han is a big fan of this formula, especially for the price. "Measuring at a sizable five ounces of product, you won't run out anytime soon," commerce editor Sarah Han notes. "The mist dispenses finely, hits you with an immediate cooling/refreshing effect, and has enough range that one spritz is enough to cover my entire face." Once you've sprayed, press onto your face softly with (clean) palms for even better absorption. Use it under or over makeup for an extra healthy sheen.

Editor's tip: You can use this mist on your body, too. Again, this big bottle goes a long way.

Key ingredients: glycerin, allantoin, arginine, ceramides | Who it's good for: people who want a versatile option | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Brightening Face Mist: Peach & Lily Glass Skin Veil Mist

Why it's worth it: True to its name, Peach & Lily's Glass Skin Veil Mist knows and delivers critical building blocks to glass skin. Ingredients include calming centella asiatica, brightening licorice and lotus root, reishi mushroom, barrier-fortifying ceramides, and vitamin E. Even though this mist is synthetic fragrance-free, you'll love the scent of the natural cucumber and peach extracts. "I don't see myself going back to my infrequent misting habits, especially when I get such an indisputable layer of glowiness from Glass Skin Veil," Han wrote of the mist. "It's positioned next to my laptop, so it's always within reach for a midday refresher."

Editor's tip: It's the counterpart to the brand's best-selling Glass Skin Refining Serum.

Key ingredients: cucumber water, peach extract, reishi mushroom | Who it's good for: people looking for a radiance boost | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Toning: Chantecaille Pure Rosewater Face Mist

Why it's worth it: Made from every bit of the rose de mai blossom (we're talking petals, stem, and the like), the Chantecaille Pure Rosewater Face Mist is an antioxidant-packed superstar and smells like a dream. Just apply in a sweeping motion across the face, either to supplement or sub out your toner. Plus, it's crafted in France, so you know it's good.

Editor's tip: If you want to give your lips a dose of rosewater power, shop the brand's Rose de Mai Lip Balm.

Key ingredients: rosewater, lactobacillus ferment | Who it's good for: everyone | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Plumping: Kosas Plump + Juicy Vegan Collagen + Probiotic Spray-On Serum

Why it's worth it: The pink and orange gradient bottle of the Kosas Plump + Juicy Vegan Collagen + Probiotic Spray-On Serum is only the tip of the "I need to own this" iceberg. Formulated with vegan collagen and probiotic serum, this mist plumps, firms, soothes and smoothes skin with the press of a nozzle. Peptides and hyaluronic acid support the skin's pH for a healthy, hydrated glow.

Editor's tip: Follow this mist with your trustiest moisturizer for a 1-2 punch of hydration.

Key ingredients: vegan collagen, probiotics, hyaluronic acid, peptides | Who it's good for: people who want a lift | Fragrance-free: yes

Fastest-Absorbing: Caudalie Grape Water Moisturizing Face Mist

Why It's Worth It: Got grapes? This antioxidant-rich, 100% grape water mist targets red and irritated skin for a soothing dose of hydration. The formula features key players like minerals, potassium, and polysaccharides for peak moisture, and it absorbs quickly, so no need to worry about wetness.

Editor's tip: Grab the mist in the TSA-friendly, 2.7-ounce size so you can pack it in your carry-on.

Key ingredients: grape water | Who it's good for: people with sensitive skin | Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

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. The benefits are highly dependent on the exact face mist you choose, Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, adds. "[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 says. "Some have hypochlorous acid to offer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties."

King also cites ease of use as a skin-mist benefit. "[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.

Keep in mind 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.

• David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist
• Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City

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.

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.

More skin-care essentials:

• The 13 Best Skin-Tightening Creams to Firm Sagging Skin
• 12 Best Retinol Eye Creams to Target Fine Lines and Crepiness
• 15 Best Wrinkle Creams to Plump Fine Lines

Now, watch Sydney Sweeney's 10-minute routine for sensitive skin:

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