Facial mists and sprays have come a long way since I began my career over 25 years ago. What began as refreshing water and botanical essences has transformed into functional formulations with high-performing actives. Below is everything you need to know about mists, including the ones in my treatment room.
WHAT ARE FACIAL MISTS?
This growing skincare range includes any products available in an atomizer or aerosol can. The first generations were pure spring water and botanical essences infused with rosewater, chamomile, cucumber, or lavender. Some were used as an alternative to glide-on toners, while others were used to cool your face after a workout, in warm weather, or when lounging at the beach. Current generations are formulated with advanced ingredients to promote a range of skincare benefits.
DO FACE MISTS REPLACE TONER?
Maybe. It depends on the formulation, but many mists aren’t toners.
DO FACE SPRAYS REPLACE FACIAL MOISTURIZERS?
No. Even if they’re formulated with moisture-retaining actives, sprays don’t replace serums or moisturizers.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO APPLY FACE SPRAYS?
When to mist your face depends on the formulation you’re using. Some sprays are designed for daily use one or more times per day, while others are designed for as-needed use. You may need to adjust use and frequency depending on your skincare routine. For example, some formulations shouldn’t be sprayed under or over Vitamin C.
WHAT DO FACIAL MISTS DO?
So much! Like all skincare products, use as directed. Whatever your needs, I don’t suggest sprays formulated with alcohol, synthetic fragrances, or harsh actives.
- Spring Water: Water-based mists still have their time and place. Especially in warm weather or when you want to cool down. They enable you to “splash” water on your face anytime, anywhere. For maximum cooling, keep it in the refrigerator.
- Toner: Toner sprays are an alternative to applying toner with cotton pads. Advanced formulations balance your skin’s pH and include restorative actives.
- Makeup Setting Spray: Setting sprays promote all-day wear without fading, melting, or mattifying. Some contain light reflecting particles to blur imperfections.
- Sunscreen: Sunscreen sprays make it fast and easy to reapply sunscreen over makeup, at the beach, or any time on the go. Like all sunscreen, ensure you apply a noncomedogenic spray designed for the face, or for both the face and body.
- Functional Mists: The functional facial mist and spray category is the fastest-growing and most diverse. These formulations address specific skincare needs. For optimal performance, it’s important to understand when to layer these products into your skincare routine.
ESTHETICIAN-APPROVED SKIN CARE SPRAYS AND MISTS
1. PILLEO STEM CELL MIST
If you’re here, you already understand that skincare science is more important than skincare trends. That said, Pilleo Stem Cell Mist is a trending product that’s worth the hype. House of PLLA is one of my favorite Korean skincare brands. Their Stem Cell Mist is versatile, providing both instant rejuvenation and cumulative results. It’s from a larger facial filling line that features HOP+’s cutting-edge PLLA. I’ve tested many PLLA products, and this one works. This proprietary formulation sinks into and wraps around hair follicles to create a plumping matrix. Complementary actives include Lotus Plant Stem Cells and Hydrolyzed Collagen.
This face mist is easy to use. For maximum efficacy, apply it a few times a day on top of your moisturizer, sunscreen, or makeup. To be economical, cleanse your face, mist, and apply moisturizer and sunscreen on top. You’ll see plumping in 1 minute!
How to Use:
- Spray it on before a party or date night to plump out skin.
- Use daily to even out dull, flat, or blotchy skin.
- Use daily to smooth and restore firmness and bounce.
WHAT IS PLLA?
Poly-L-Lactic Acid is a biostimulator that prompts the body to heal by creating a continuous stream of collagen. PLLA is a medical-grade ingredient that’s been used in surgery for decades. If you’ve had a liquid bandage or dissolvable sutures, they contained PLLA. When applied daily, this biostimulator firms and smooths by restoring lost collagen.
WHY DO YOU NEED TO APPLY PLLA DAILY?
If occasional plumping is all you want, reserve PLLA for holidays, parties, date night, and other special occasions. If you want to achieve maximum plumping, bounce, and improved texture, daily application is required to restore diminished collagen.
2. NEOGENESIS MOISTURIZING MIST
NeoGenesis Moisturizing Mist is a multitasking toner alternative with powerhouse actives. It’s designed to rebalance your skin’s pH levels while soothing, hydrating, refreshing, and restoring. This formulation contains NeoGenesis’s patented S2RM® exosomes technology.
Exosomes contain stem cells, peptides, lipids, growth factors, and everything skin cells need to repair and rejuvenate. Your skin recognizes exosomes, so they’re instantly absorbed to rapidly calm, soothe, and repair. I consider exosomes to be the skincare of the future!
This formulation is so gentle and reparative that it’s oncology-approved for chemo and radiation burns.
Use after you cleanse as your daily facial mist, or to:
- Cool and soothe skin after heat or sun exposure.
- Soothe and hydrate minor skin irritations.
- Accelerate repair after harsh skincare treatments.
- Hydrate and balance dry and tight skin.
- Set makeup for all-day wear.
- Refresh skin any time of the day.
SHOULD I USE EXOSOMES DAILY OR ONLY WHEN MY SKIN IS DRY OR IRRITATED?
I advocate for daily use, as this product is both preventative and reparative. You may use it year-round for hydration and repair. If you have dry or sensitive skin, only in the winter when the air is dry, or only when your skin is recovering from irritation of any kind.
3. CBE BOTANICALS MIST + CONDUCT
Mist + Conduct is from my signature line. When formulating new products and devices, I consider what I need to elevate my facials. This rewetting facial mist is designed to supercharge your conductive gel. If you’re using one of my suggested at-home skincare devices, but aren’t getting the desired results, it could be a conductivity issue. It could also be technique, so watch a YouTube video or two to see how I use each device.
Conductive gel isn’t only for slip and glide, it’s essential for achieving optimal efficacy during microcurrent, ultrasound, EMS, radiofrequency, and multi-modality treatments. This mist is designed to be applied over an oil-free conductive mask or gel. Even the most advanced conductive gels require re-wetting. You can use water, but the minerals within Mist + Conduct supercharge conductivity. Beyond conductivity, the Chamomile, Geranium, Ginseng Extract, Bee Pollen, Sodium PCA, and Hydrolyzed Mucopolysaccharides hydrate, soothe, and soften. Your skin will be glowing from both your treatment and these topicals!
IS THIS PRODUCT ONLY USED AS A CONDUCTIVE MIST?
While designed to carry currents, some clients with oily skin use this mist daily. The rose water formulation helps to balance oil production and provide lightweight hydration. Here is the Skincare Kit I suggest for oily skin.
4. HOCI ACID SPRAY
Hypochlorous Acid (HOCI) is a naturally occurring acid produced by your immune system. It’s a protective active that kills bacteria and reduces inflammation. I don’t currently stock this mist, but I suggest formulations containing water, salt, hypochlorous acid, and nothing more.
Be mindful that hypochlorous acid has a naturally unappealing aroma that many compare to chlorine. This is why some skincare brands add fragrance. Skip the fragrance as it can irritate your skin. The smell will dissipate shortly after application.
If you’re acne-prone, HOCI helps to reduce bacteria. If you struggle with contact dermatitis or oily skin, it may also be effective. For example, if you wear a helmet while cycling or playing sports, adding this spray to your routine may reduce breakouts and flare-ups where your helmet meets your skin. Don’t store it in your car or in other hot or humid conditions, or it will lose efficacy.
CAN I USE HOCI SPRAY IF I HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN?
Yes, as a naturally occurring acid, HOCI won’t irritate or dry your skin. I suggest this spray to clients with acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Also, to ease occasional inflammation caused by sunburn, over-exfoliation, or harsh skincare treatments. Just be sure to choose a formulation that is between 0.01% to 0.02% HOCI, and contains water, salt, and nothing else.
LET’S DISCUSS YOUR SKIN BEYOND MISTS AND SPRAYS
It’s an honor to do what I love every day, serving clients in-person and clients from around the world through my website, YouTube channel, and Beauty Club. You can join the Christine Byer Beauty Club to learn exclusive anti-aging tips for your local climate, lifestyle, skin type, and skin conditions.
