Demystifying MISTS

From locking makeup in place to delivering major hydration, facial mist is a rising star in the skin-care world. How do you use it? What does it do? We tell all!

In this age of express spa treatments, it makes sense that the popularity of face mists is on the rise. Think of a mist as a spa in a bottle. It’s a spritz of self-care you can indulge in anywhere and at any time, whether at your bathroom sink before (or after) your makeup application or at your desk.

“You can mist to refresh and hydrate,” says Celine Tadrissi, owner of Toronto’s Hammam Spa and founder of the beauty brand Céla. “Women have an experiential connection with products. I use mists for everything from the scent to the way they make me feel,” she says. While the aromatherapy element and the feeling of being instantly refreshed can’t be denied, you might be wondering, does a mist benefit my skin, and do I really need one? Need? No. Want? Maybe. A spritz can hydrate, tone, prime and extend the wear of makeup.

The first mist, created by French mineral-water brand Evian, dates back to 1962 and was used to treat burn victims; Evian still sells its mist today, as do other mineraland thermal-water brands. Sure, these old-school water mists feel refreshing, but they’re not moisturizing your skin, says Frauke Neuser, associate director of scientific communications at Procter & Gamble. “Water itself doesn’t hydrate; otherwise, you could just shower and not use a moisturizer after,” she says. “You need humectants in the formula to hold the water in.” This new generation of sprays adds hydration in the form of essential oils, botanical extracts, glycerin, lactic acid and hyaluronic acid.

How do you fit one into your routine? After you cleanse your face, lightly saturate it with the spray, then layer on your other products as usual. You can also use it multiple times during the day to help you revive makeup. Depending on humidity and other factors in the environment, the average person can lose up to 50 percent of the skin’s moisture over the course of a day. Consistent use of mists will help strengthen the skin’s barrier, which means retaining moisture longer. So, you know how some people obsessively reapply lip balm? Consider doing that but with a face mist.