If you haven’t caught on to the facial mist craze, we can say from first-hand experience that you’re missing out. A great mist can not only refresh your skin throughout the day, it can also lead to better skin over time if you know how to use them. Here, skin care experts shine a spotlight on facial sprays to explain if they do more than give you a quick skin fix and how often you should be using them.
What is the difference between facial mists and toners?
Nurse practitioner Rachel Yang of Dermatology, Laser and Vein Specialists of the Carolina’s says facial mists and facial toners differ both in their application to the skin and their purposes for the skin: “Facial toners are a part of the skin cleansing process and are to be used as a second step after washing the face,” explains Yang. “Toners should be applied with a cotton pad and help for various purposes such as to reduce residual makeup, excess oil and to help prepare the skin for topical skin care products.”
How much of the face mist actually penetrates the skin?
New York dermatologist Jody A. Levine, MD says the amount of product that penetrates the skin depends on various factors such as the ingredients in the product and the condition of the skin before application. “Warming the skin and exfoliating can help better skin penetration of products,” she explains. “Occlusion, or covering the skin, is another trick to increase absorption of a product.”
Yang adds that for a product to be effective topically, it needs to be absorbed into the skin. “Creams, lotions and serums are rubbed into the skin and contain ingredients to help penetrate the skin barrier,” she explains. “Whereas sprays leave the active ingredient on the skin. Face mists should not be used as a replacement to your daily serum and moisturizing creams but rather as a supplement as needed.”
Do mists work as well as creams, lotions or serums?
We know that topicals can be absorbed into the skin and studies have shown the rate to be somewhere around 60 percent, but Melville, NY dermatologist Kally Papantoniou, MD says that face mists can help provide hydration, however they aren’t as beneficial as a lotion or cream. “A facial mist is a great way to hydrate your skin during the day or use a layering approach to providing moisture to your skin,” she says. “It will work best for dry skin as a base, then apply your moisturizer. That’s how to truly get the most out of your mists.”
What ingredients should you look for to help improve skin?
“Collagen amino acids, aloe, sodium hyaluronate, and vitamin C are all nice ingredients intended to boost skin’s hydration and deliver nutrition to the skin,” recommends Dr. Levine. “However, it’s also important to note the other ingredients in the product as those may dry out or irritate your skin.”
Fine Arts Skin and Laser head aesthetician Melissa Moore says that facial mists can do double duty as both a hydrator and a primer before makeup. “The list of ingredients where misting is advantageous on an already made-up face is extensive and includes essential oils, rose water, coconut water, Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.”
New Face Mists That Really Deliver:
