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The Face Mists With Bonus Beauty Benefits

From sun protection to blemish prevention, there's a spritz for every demand.

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face mist

A few years ago, face mists and sprays were a bit of an outlier in the skincare world, generally considered a fancy but ultimately frivolous treat.

But fast-forward to today, and face mists have ditched their ‘nice, but not quite necessary’ reputation to become a key component in the routines of those in the know. Almost every new skincare line landing on the shelves now contains some kind of hydrating or toning spritz, recognising the demand for quenching products that can be applied with speed and ease throughout the day.

The rise of the 'skin-tellectuals' is a key driving force behind the rise of the mist. And it’s not just that we’re an increasingly bouji bunch: we’re turning to face mists for more than their luxurious appeal. Innovative formulation means that mists are bringing much more to the skincare party than a refreshing feeling (although in these sub-tropical temperatures, that cooling appeal ranks high).

So, what exactly do the best face mists offer? Hydration is the obvious starting point, as dampening the skin before you apply an emollient product – especially an oil or silicone-based formula – will help lock moisture in place, preventing dehydration and making your make-up look better for longer. But the best facial sprays now offer so much more than a quick moisture boost: they can help keep acne at bay, brighten skin, protect from blue-light radiation or UV, plump, prime and set make-up and add a healthy glow.'

Convinced? You should be. Here, see team ELLE’s verdict on the best face spray for every job, from pollution protection to acne prevention.

The Best Face Mists To Try Now

Best face mist for... showing off

Gucci Brume De Beauté

Brume De Beauté
Best face mist for... showing off

Gucci Brume De Beauté

£47 at Gucci

Oh this? It's just the Gucci face mist. But wait, this cooling spritz is more than an incredibly chic purchase: the formula is brilliantly hydrating, too. Micro-droplets of black rose oil (fancy!) bring the glow, while hyaluronic acid works hard in the background to keep skin feeling quenched and foundation looking dewy. It's perfect for hydrating bare skin, refreshing make-up, and for showing off in the office.

Best face mist for... acne and irritation

Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier

Skin Purifier
Best face mist for... acne and irritation

Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier

Pretty much every facialist on the planet recommends this decidedly unsexy bottle of face mist. Made with antimicrobial hypochlorous acid (which can be used to disinfect wounds), it delivers complete skin-clarifying powers without inducing irritation: even on the most hyper-sensitive of complexions. Use it after cleansing to keep touchy skin – especially acne and rosacea types – calm and clear.

Best face mist for... stashing in your bag

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Hydrator Mist

Magic Hydrator Mist
Best face mist for... stashing in your bag

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Hydrator Mist

Charlotte Tilbury's latest launch successfully straddles both the skincare and make-up categories. This clever mist contains all the good stuff – niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and kelp – but you're really here for the major dewy glow it brings to skin. Keep it in your bag and mist whenever your make-up needs a little refresh: a single spritz will hydrate, brighten, and make you look incredibly luminous.

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Best face mist for... mega hydration

DISCIPLE Skincare Juicy Mist

Juicy Mist
Best face mist for... mega hydration

DISCIPLE Skincare Juicy Mist

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There are just five ingredients in this batch-made face mist, and any one of them would be the sole headliner in a lesser formula. The line-up? Orange blossom, aloe vera, neroli oil, bergamot oil and hyaluronic acid.

Best face mist for... redness and rosacea

Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Mist

Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Mist
Best face mist for... redness and rosacea

Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Mist

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It's the centella asiatica, also know as 'tiger grass', that makes this cult face mist such a good skin-soother for easily flushed skin. It'll quickly soothe irritation and bring down redness: a saviour for sensitive types. Spritz it after cleansing, and whenever your complexion needs a little calming down.

Best face mist for... a two-second spa break

Aurelia London Brightening Botanical Facial Mist

Brightening Botanical Facial Mist
Best face mist for... a two-second spa break

Aurelia London Brightening Botanical Facial Mist

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There are two good reasons to opt for Aurelia London's heavenly face mist. Firstly, there's the essential-oil blend, which creates an air of spa-style serenity every time you spritz. Secondly, there's the probiotic-powered formula, which rebalances a hot and bothered complexion. For a sensory treat, this is the winner.

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Best face mist for... dewy, juicy skin

Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

Luminous Dewy Skin Mist
Best face mist for... dewy, juicy skin

Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

Tatcha's cult hydrator is more of a spritz-on serum than a watery mist, working hard to maximise moisture and keep dry skin comfortable for hours. There are plenty of ways to use this one – it even works on hair – but we love misting it straight after applying foundation to create a dewy, radiant finish.

Best face mist for... skin recovery

Byoma Balancing Face Mist

Balancing Face Mist
Best face mist for... skin recovery

Byoma Balancing Face Mist

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The entire Byoma line is based on the premise that a healthy skin barrier means great-looking skin: a concept we are fully on board with. This soothing face mist is pH balanced (more important than it sounds) and packed with ceramides, which act as the building blocks of a strong skin barrier. Call on it whenever your skin is dry, dehydrated, or decimated by a too-strong exfoliator.

Best face mist for... setting without drying

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Setting Spray

Hydro Grip Setting Spray
Best face mist for... setting without drying

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Setting Spray

Now 41% Off
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Most setting sprays are so harsh on skin, you might as well use hairspray.

Milk's offering, however, is made without drying alcohols and packed with good-for-skin stuff instead: think niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and calming hemp seed oil. Shake the bottle to combine the two phases, then mist it over your laboriously crafted glam – the result is glassy and healthy, rather than bone-dry.

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Best face mist for... quick cooling and pore-balancing

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

Beauty Elixir
Best face mist for... quick cooling and pore-balancing

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

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Sometimes, it’s the most long-loved products that impress the most. A true cult classic – we mean, even Rosie Huntington-Whiteley loves it – Caudalie’s original face mist is one of the best for refreshing hot, sticky skin.

The herbal scent is instantly relaxing, while the extra-fine mist will make you look dewy, not drenched.

Best face mist for... pollution protection

Royal Fern Radiance Protection Mist

Radiance Protection Mist
Best face mist for... pollution protection

Royal Fern Radiance Protection Mist

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More of a skin treatment than a quick refresher (although it certainly does that too), Royal Fern's targetted mist contains a signature fern extract (famed for its potent antioxidant properties) alongside butterfly ginger, which is said to shield the skin from blue light. Use it before applying a hyaluronic acid serum to maximise skin hydration.

Best face mist for... sensitive and breakout-prone skin

Pai Rice Plant & Rosemary Purifying Tonic

Rice Plant & Rosemary Purifying Tonic
Best face mist for... sensitive and breakout-prone skin

Pai Rice Plant & Rosemary Purifying Tonic

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Pai's gently does it approach is encapsulated in this skin-kind facial spritz. Designed to nurture easily upset complexions – if you have acne or rosacea, take note – it's formulated with minerals, salts and rosemary extract that all work to calm inflammation and balance oily pores, bringing breakouts down in no time at all.

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Best face mist for... combination skin

Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist

Queen of Hungary Mist
Best face mist for... combination skin

Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist

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This is in the face mist hall of fame for good reason. A true cult classic, it's inspired by the world's first perfume, which was made for the Queen of Hungary in the 14th Century.

The delicate rose and orange flower waters are diluted in a base of the brand's signature thermal water, which is naturally rich in minerals and famed for healing the skin.

Best face mist for... an antioxidant boost

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Antioxidant Face Mist

Vitamin Nectar Antioxidant Face Mist
Best face mist for... an antioxidant boost

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Antioxidant Face Mist

Now 20% Off
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This citrussy mist is a great all-rounder. It’s formulated with antioxidants to help keep your complexion bright in the face of pollution, and works brilliantly as a hydration-booster, too. The aluminium bottle is a weighty one, so keep it in your bathroom, rather than your handbag. (The cost-per-spray is saintly though.)

Best face mist for... SPF protection

Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF 50 Soft Focus Makeup Setting Spray

UncompliKated SPF 50 Soft Focus Makeup Setting Spray
Best face mist for... SPF protection

Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF 50 Soft Focus Makeup Setting Spray

Kate Somerville's SPF face mist is such a well-considered product: you can spritz it over your face as often as needed, keeping your sun-protection topped up without disturbing your make-up. In fact, this clear, ultra-fine mist actually reawakens foundation, bringing back the glow every time you use it. If that doesn't encourage you to wear your SPF, nothing will

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Best face mist for... serious make-up setting power

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+

Prep + Prime Fix+
Best face mist for... serious make-up setting power

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+

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If you need your make-up to go the extra mile, but don't want to dry your skin into submission, this is the perfect middle-ground. It's a first-rate foundation-extender, and does a brilliant job of mattifying that midday shine.

There is now a Matte version, but we reckon the original performs better. The Radiance iteration, however, is great for those who like things glowy.

Best face mist for... microbiome support

Elemis Superfood Kefir-Tea Mist

Superfood Kefir-Tea Mist
Best face mist for... microbiome support

Elemis Superfood Kefir-Tea Mist

The first thing you’ll fall in love with here is the insanely good scent – it has one of those seriously relaxing, spa-like fragrances that Elemis always does so well. What's more, the aloe and coconut-based mist is boosted with probiotic kefir to help balance your skin’s microbiome – fancy and functional.

Best face mist for... a tan

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Face Mist - Day

Self-Tanning Face Mist - Day
Best face mist for... a tan

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Face Mist - Day

Now 20% Off
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Isle of Paradise's foolproof face mist is the easiest way to bring a little life to your complexion.

The mist is fine, fragrance subtle (expect a botanical tinge), and results completely believable: think barely-there bronze, not obvious orange.

Simply spritz it over just-cleansed skin to achieve a gentle, gradual tan – no rubbing in, no streaky lines and crucially, no orange sheets.

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