Is Spray-On Skin Care the Secret to Better Skin?

Elle

6 days ago

Face mists have come a long way since the Evian spray bottles of the early aughts. Once dismissed as glorified water, today's formulations are dermatologist-backed, packed with active ingredients, and designed to do far more than momentarily cool you down. Dealing with dry, sensitive skin? Snag a hydrating spray infused with ceramides or squalane. Breakouts from sweaty, summer skin? A hypochlorous acid mist can help prevent pimples. Need grease-free UV protection that won't mess with your makeup? There's a setting spray with SPF for exactly that.
Beyond their impressive array of benefits and ease of application, there's one more aspect of face mists that's worth bragging about: the best ones work with your skin care—not against it. 'Having an extremely light consistency, they can easily be layered under products to provide the foundation for the rest of your skin care routine,' says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner. 'Plus, they play nicely with other products previously applied to the skin—including makeup.' Translation: you can prime, set, refresh, repeat—all with the same mist.
So, is spray-on skin care just a fleeting industry fad? Definitely not. To help you navigate the ever-growing mist market, I tapped Dr. Zeichner for his expert picks, combed through top-rated customer reviews, and personally tested dozens by spritzing my face with different elixirs for weeks. Scroll ahead for the 13 best face mists of 2025, from refreshing hydrators to dew-boosting setting sprays.
Whether you're in need of a hydrating primer, mid-day refresh, or dewy finish to your makeup look, try the Kiyomi Skin Face Mist. This J-beauty spray utilizes 5-aminolevulinic acid, organic bamboo leaf extract, and hyaluronic acid to enhance collagen production and boost hydration, resulting in moisturized skin that lasts. Whether sprayed onto clean skin or a full face of makeup, it always leaves you with a glass-like glow.
Key ingredients: 5-aminolevulinic acid, organic bamboo leaf extract, hyaluronic acid
Size: 3.3 oz
Amazon rating: 5/5
An ELLE editor says: 'This face mist has become my new obsession. I use it constantly—after my skin care routine for an extra layer of hydration, during a beach day for a refreshing, cooling effect, and as a setting spray for a glass-like sheen that's never greasy. I have extremely sensitive and acne-prone skin, and this spray has yet to cause any irritation or breakouts. I can't recommend it enough!'—Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty e-commerce writer
Praised in our hypochlorous acid spray round-up, the Tower 28 SOS Rescue Spray calms irritation and helps heal the skin's barrier upon application. My favorite way to utilize this mist is by quickly spritzing it on my face after a heated pilates class to prevent my skin from breaking out. Yess, it fights against acne, too.
Key ingredients: Hypochlorous acid
Size: 4 oz
Sephora rating: 4.1/5
An ELLE expert says: 'This space mist contains hypochlorous acid, an ingredient that can help calm inflammation, prevent breakouts, and even address conditions like sensitivity or rosacea. It's non-irritating and won't bleach your clothing, so it can be used across all skin types as your base layer or even before bed.'—Dr. Zeichner
Hailey Bieber revolutionized the look of glazed and glowing skin. The model created her skin care line, Rhode, with hydrated, dewy skin in mind, and the recently released Glazing Mist does just that. A few spritzes hydrate and refresh skin for a supple finish on the go.
Key ingredients: Ectoin, ceramides
Size: 2.7 oz
Rhodeskin rating: 5/5An ELLE editor says: 'The Rhode Glazing Mist feels like a basic Evian water spray, but acts like skin care. It has a super-fine mist that feels incredible on the face, and is packed with ceramides and extoin that moisturize, smooth, and reinforce the skin's natural barrier. Though the formula is quite basic, it feels so refreshing and can be used at any point in your routine.'—Emma Aerin Becker
A facial spray that's equally as soothing as it is hydrating? Sign us up. The Summer Fridays Jet Lag Skin Soothing Hydration Mist is infused with glycerin, ceramides, and squalane to moisturize, while green tea extract, vitamin E, and ectoin calm and soothe skin.
Key ingredients: Glycerine, ceramides, squalene, ectoin
Size: 1.7 oz
Sephora rating: 4.6/5
A Sephora reviewer says: 'This product has been in my purse, and it's a must for refreshing my face and makeup during the day. Its compact size is perfect for on the go. The spray mist feels refreshing and leaves my skin moisturized with a nice glow. It's perfect for before makeup and for touching up during the day!'
The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Setting Spray prioritizes skin care, which is why Dr. Zeichner is such a huge fan of it. 'This mist delivers hyaluronic acid along with antioxidants to hydrate the skin without messing up your makeup,' he explains. It delivers a dewy finish that locks in your look.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, antioxidants
Size: 3.4 oz
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
An Amazon reviewer says: 'I don't just use this as setting spray. I spray my beauty blender to dampen it when I put on product and it works great. My makeup stays put all day, doesn't transfer to my clothes, and it has a very fine mist. No oiliness at all for me when using. Good clean product.'
When it comes to a dewy finish, no one does it like Tatcha. The cult-favorite Luminous Dewy Skin Mist contains botanical oils and humectants that leave skin dewy, as well as hyaluronic acid to hydrate. Meanwhile, a trinity of Japanese anti-aging superfoods helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. What's not to love?
Key ingredients: Okinawa red algae, squalene, silk extract
Size: 1.35 oz
Sephora rating: 3.9/5
A Sephora reviewer says: 'I've tried to find a dupe but nothing comes close. I use this every day as a primer before my stick foundation—especially during the winter to give my skin a layer of moisture and on flights. Leaves a perfect fine mist of moisture. To me it's worth the price since I use daily and nothing else has come close to as good.'
While most face mists are formulated to hydrate dry skin, Sofie Pavitt Face's iteration was specifically designed for oily skin. Powered by niacinamide and panthenol, this spray absorbs excess oil, calms redness, and soothes irritation. Keep it in your bag to stay cool during the day—or store it in the fridge for extra cooling benefits.
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, panthenol
Size: 3.2 oz
A Sephora reviewer says: 'This mist is a NY summer essential! Fridge to Face is an absolute lifesaver when the city heats up. That instant cooling blast not only feels amazing but actually tackles redness and keeps my skin calm. I've seen a real difference in preventing those pesky heat-induced dark spots, which used to be a major struggle. Keeping it in the fridge for an extra chill is brilliant. Seriously, if you want to beat the summer skin stress and keep your complexion clear, this is your five-star secret weapon!'
As someone with very sensitive skin, I understand how scary it can be to add a new product to your routine. Fortunately, Dr. Zeichner deems Avène's Thermal Spring Water safe for everyone. 'Derived from specialized thermal water in Avène, France, this mist contains probiotic extracts that are especially useful and calming on sensitive skin,' he says.
Key ingredients: Avène thermal spring water
Size: 10.1 oz
Amazon rating: 4.7/5
An Amazon reviewer says: 'I have rosacea and have tried almost every moisturizer to treat it. I decided to try this mist alone since I'm not outside much. Wow! It works great as a moisturizer by itself! Shake the can well and spray on your face, neck, shoulders, and it feels cool and refreshing—especially on my hot rosacea. It leaves a wonderful glow that lasts. Family and friends have commented on how much better my skin looks. It evens out my rosacea into a smooth, rosy glow. I mist my face 3-4 times a day because it feels so good. And the cost is worth it because it's a tall, hairspray-size can.'
The SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Facial Mist not only strengthens the skin barrier, but also immediately reduces visible redness. It's jam-packed with skin-loving ingredients—a botanical blend of cucumber, thyme, olive leaf, and rosemary extracts soothes and calms, while glycerin and hyaluronic acid hydrate.
Key ingredients: Phyto botanical blend, glycerin, hyaluronic acidSize: 1.7 oz
Dermstore rating: 4.1/5
A Dermstore reviewer says: 'So hydrating and works well to calm redness. I have dry, mature skin, therefore I am always looking for anything that can add a more dewy look. This is great for that. I also like that it mists evenly. It absolutely provides a nice light, but steady mist. Has a mild, fresh, natural scent. Love it!'
The Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream Mist is a skin barrier's best friend. This ultra-fine mist is made with a high ceramide concentration and a triple lipid complex to deeply hydrate, nourish, and lock in moisture.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, triple lipid complex
Size: 4.06 oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5
An Amazon reviewer says: 'Absolutely amazing for any barrier care or just dry skin. The mister is a very fine spray, which feels luxurious. Such a delight to use. Will be restocking during every Prime Day so that I never run out.'
Too lazy to blend in your anti-aging serum? No problem. Kosas makes it easy with the Plump and Juicy Spray-On Serum. The mist boasts an impressive lineup of ingredients, including collagen, probiotics, and peptides, which all work to reverse signs of stress and aging.
Key ingredients: Vegan collagen, plant probiotics, peptides
Size: 3.38 oz
Amazon rating: 4.1/5
An Amazon reviewer says: 'This product is great. It smells good. It feels good on your face. It's hydrating, cooling, and just smells fresh and clean. It's great for mature skin that gets dry throughout the day. Highly recommend.'
'This spray contains specialized water directly from the thermal springs in the south of France,' says Dr. Zeichner. 'It contains a blend of minerals, including selenium, which has been shown to help soothe the outer skin layer and balance the microbiome.' Spritz it on your face and/or body at any time of day for a refreshing, soothing feel.
Key ingredients: Thermal spring water
Size: 5.1 oz
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
An Amazon reviewer says: 'I recently started using this facial mist, and I have to say, it's been a game-changer for my skin care routine. After I spray it on, my face feels instantly refreshed and super soft. It really helps to lock in the moisture, which is a big plus for me since I have dry skin. I love that it's lightweight, so I can use it throughout the day without it feeling heavy or greasy. It's a little pick-me-up that I didn't know I needed!'
Finding an SPF facial mist that doesn't clog pores or mess with your makeup is no easy feat. The Elf All Set For Sun Setting Spray protects your skin with SPF 45 broad-spectrum coverage while simultaneously hydrating. It's weightless, quick-drying, and never leaves a white cast.
Key ingredients: SPF
Size: 2.86 oz
Ulta rating: 4.4/5
An ELLE expert says: 'This mist helps moisturize the skin while delivering broad-spectrum UV protection in a non-greasy formula that won't weigh down the skin and won't disrupt your makeup.'—Dr. Zeichner
As you know, face mists can be applied at nearly any point in your beauty routine and throughout the day. However, as Dr. Zeichner explains, certain mists are most effective at specific times. Hydrating, soothing, and barrier-support sprays can 'help provide the foundation for the rest of your skin care routine' when applied to clean, dry skin. Many of these same sprays also double as excellent makeup primers.
Meanwhile, 'face mists designed as your last step are like icing on the cake,' Dr. Zeichner continues. 'These are usually formulated to set your makeup and skin care in place.' Think: setting sprays and dew-boosting mists.
Finally (and most importantly), mists with UV protection should be applied in the morning and reapplied throughout the day.
Dr. Joshua Zeichner is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Emma Aerin Becker interviewed a dermatologist and tested different formulas to find the best face mists.
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