Walk into any skincare aisle, and you’ll probably see a face mist! You’ve probably also thought, isn't a face mist just an expensive and fancy water? Whilst most face mists are water based, they offer so much more.
So what exactly is a face mist and why do you need one in your skincare routine?
What is a face mist?
A face mist is a light weight (usually partly water based) spray- think of it like a sprayable serum, that adds a soothing and hydrating element to your skincare routine.
A facial mist layers over, underneath and alongside other skincare products without competing with them. They absorb quickly so are ideal for using on the go.
Why do I need one and what are the benefits?
Our skin is constantly at work and under threat from pollution, sun, cold and heat. All of these factors can start to compromise your skin barrier. Everyone’s skin loses water in a process known as Transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What determines how much water your skin loses, depends on the strength of your skin barrier. Having a strong and healthy skin barrier, significantly slows down transepidermal water loss. If your skin loses too much water, then it leads to dehydration, where skin feels tight and looks dull.
The best hydrating face mist won’t just contain water, it’s imperative that it contains humectants to draw water into the skin, and barrier supporting actives to help lock the moisture in. Without these elements, you are essentially spraying expensive water on your skin without any functional benefit!
Having a face mist in your skincare routine can help your skin retain water throughout the day when your skin is most at threat from external aggressors.
Key benefits to a facial mist:
Hydration
A facial mist can help offer on the go hydration, making it particularly good for travel or low humidity environments.
Skin refreshment
Spraying a mist on your face can immediately refresh your skin giving it an instant glow.
Improves product absorption
Spraying a mist on skin dampens it, damp skin helps other products like serums and moisturisers absorb more effectively.
Calms skin
Face mists that contain soothing ingredients can help calm redness and irritation.
What should I look for in a hydrating face mist?
A good facial mist should contain humectants, antioxidants, soothing ingredients and skin barrier supporting ingredients.
Hydrating ingredients
To be an effective part of your skin routine, a hydrating facial mist should contain hydrating ingredients!
Here are some hero ingredients you’ll want to look out for:
Glycerin
Usually derived from plant oils, this ingredient acts as a powerful humectant that pulls moisture into the skin’s outer layer, and helps keep it there, maintaining the skin's moisture for longer.
The great thing about glycerin is that it is very light weight offering hydration without heaviness, making it ideal for all skin types. It’s Non comedogenic, meaning it does not clog pores, so can be used by anyone who suffers with oily, blemish prone skin.
Glycerin directly supports skin barrier integrity and can help soothe and calm irritated skin.
Hyaluronic acid
A sugar molecule found naturally in skin, this hero ingredient helps skin retain and lock in moisture. It gives skin a plump and radiant glow and is a super hydrator, perfect for when weather gets colder.
Panthenol (vitamin B5)
Another hero humectant, when put on your skin, panthenol turns into pantothenic acid- Vitamin B5, a nutrient that feeds your cells, helping to speed up cell growth. It’s also great for itchy, red and irritated skin, as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
Barrier strengthening ingredients
Cereamides
Ceramides make up around 50% of your skin’s lipids and help keep vital moisture in your skin and harmful irritants out. They sort of act like a glue that helps hold your skin cells together.
Although our skin naturally makes ceramides, with age and sun damage they begin to deplete over time, which means your skin can appear dull, dry and cracked. Ceramides are ideal for all skin types and an integral part of keeping your skin barrier strong.
Squalane
Squalane mimics your skin’s natural lipids, is non comedogenic and acts as a powerful emollient which helps to keep moisture locked into your skin.
Phytosterols
Phytosterols are naturally occurring cholesterol like molecules, derived from plant oils like soybeans, olive oil, coconut oil and more. They are helpful in restoring and replenishing skin, particularly aging skin, keeping it moisturised and soothed.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B3 and is not only used to help strengthen the skin barrier, but it also helps to balance sebum (oil) production, making it great for blemish prone skin. It can also help soothe irritated skin making it a helpful ingredient for conditions such as acne, rosacea, and eczema. Niacinamide helps to reduce dark spots and provide protection against oxidative stress, helping skin appear brighter.
Soothing ingredients
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is renowned for soothing irritated and red skin, which is why we use it for sunburn. It has a range of nutrients like vitamins C and E and a range of amino acids which help protect and nourish skin.
Chamomile
Chamomile can help reduce swelling, redness and irritation and has mild antimicrobial properties which can help with bacteria in breakouts.
Lavender
Not only does Lavender smell delightful, it has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is rich in antioxidants that help defend the skin against daily stressors.
Rosemary
Rosemary contains strong antioxidants called terpinoids which can help protect the skin from free radicals. It can help support skin regeneration and helps soothe minor irritation.
What to avoid in a facial mist
When looking for a facial mist you want something as clean as possible. Avoid anything that has alcohol in or anything too fragranced, as these can irritate your skin and compromise your skin barrier integrity. Like with any skincare product, avoid using it if your skin has any adverse reaction.
How and when do I use one?
A facial mist can be used in your morning and evening skincare routine after cleansing and before serums and moisturisers. Whilst the skin is damp from the facial mist, apply serums and moisturiser.
It can also be used as a stand alone product throughout the day to give your skin a boost of hydration.
Why is Mor and meadow the best hydrating facial mist?
At Mor and meadow our hero products are our face mists. Inspired by Cornwall’s rugged coastline, we’ve built our skincare to adapt to life’s shifting pressures. Using Cornwall’s plants, fungi and seaweeds in our skincare, that adapt to their ever changing environments, we’ve created an eco friendly brand that focuses on the things your skin needs.
Bloom
Packed with hydrating glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and botanicals such as snow mushroom, sea lettuce and moss to offer a multifunctional facial mist that not only hydrates but also helps to strengthen and protect the skin’s barrier.
Shade
Designed as an evening facial mist, Shade helps to provide resilience to your skin whilst you sleep, with its unique combination of Irish moss, earth moss, Chaga, Reishi, sage and more.
Looking for a hydrating facial mist to add to your skincare routine? Shop Bloom and Shade for simple and effective skin care.
from the collective
