Mist vs. Setting Spray?

But first of all, let’s get something out of the way. Oftentimes facial mists are confused with setting sprays, but there is a huge difference between the two, so let me explain this. Face mists are considered refreshing products that help boost the hydration levels of the skin, and setting sprays are simply used as finishing products that help to keep your makeup in place. Setting sprays can feel sticky and aren’t recommended to be used on makeup-free skin, whereas facial mists can be used both on bare skin and skin that has makeup on.

Reasons to Use a Mist

In addition to replenishing the moisture of the skin, there are many other reasons why you should purchase a hydrating facial mist for everyday use.

Boost the Effects of Your Moisturiser

Most moisturisers are water-soluble and activate their ingredients in combination with water. Since face mists are considered emollients, applying one before layering your moisturiser can ensure better results!

Get a Natural Look

As I’ve mentioned, facial mists can also be used with makeup. Before makeup application, you can dampen the skin with a sprinkle of mist to ensure a natural and flawless finish. That way, the foundation will blend lightly and last longer, feeling fresh and hydrated and preventing the common and unwanted cakey effect.

Another great use of the mist is to refresh your evening look for special events. It’s effortless and you don’t need to constantly run to the bathroom to fix everything.

After You Wake Up and Right Before Bed

A therapeutic mist is always a good idea to use before going to bed, it will provide a calm feeling and instant relaxation. Learn to use the mist once you get out of bed to speed up the waking process and get going, give yourself that healthy boost in the morning for a youthful complexion!

Choosing a Suitable Face Mist

There are several types of facial mists based on their chemical formulation, since skincare brands focus on creating products suitable different skin types and conditions.

Ingredients for All Skin Types

If your skin is unproblematic and only in need of some effortless hydration, you can try water + plant extract mists with such ingredients as green tea, aloe vera, rose water, and trehalose. This category of face mists is plant-powered and provides a calming and soothing effect, easily suitable for all types of skin.

For extra antioxidative power, search for mists that also contain vitamins, like vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, and propolis extracts.

Dry Skin Formulas

No matter the season, if you have dry skin, many factors can aggravate it and make it dehydrated and flaky, so face mists can really come in handy. But not just any mist.

Try embracing humectant mists in your routine, like water + oil formulas that contain a plethora of water-based ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, sodium, and oil-based ingredients like avocado oil, jojoba oil, and/or olive oil. They lock in the moisture and give the skin that healthy glass look.

Hyaluronic acid is perhaps the best humectant agent and helps draw water in. In order for it to attract water from the air and not from inside your skin, hyaluronic acid should be combined with water, such as when it’s present in a water-based facial mist.

Glycerin is known as a replenisher of the skin barrier that is overdried from the use of the harsh toners and exfoliators.

Tip: avoid using products that contain alcohol and citrus oils, since they cause extreme dryness once they evaporate.

Agents for Oily & Acne-Prone Skin

If you’re suffering from excess oil production and acne, use mists with water + acid solution formulas with AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid), BHA (beta hydroxy acid), or thermal waters. Most BHA and AHA acids primarily fight acne as chemical exfoliants, meaning they dissolve the top layer of the skin that is responsible for causing clogged pores and acne.

AHA acids are largely derived from plants and fruits and are considered as water solubles that help to even out the skin tone, and reduce hyperpigmentation. Some AHA acids found in face mist sprays are glycolic acid derived from sugar cane, lactic acid from milk, mandelic acid from bitter almonds, tartaric acid extracted from grapes and bananas, malic acid from apples and pears, and citric acid from citrus plants.

BHA acids are considered lipid solubles that break down in contact with oil. BHAs penetrate the skin even deeper than AHAs. Some examples are: salicylic acid made from the willow bark tree, and depending on the formula, some types of citric acid.

Thermal waters are mineral-rich sources and are one of nature’s best-kept secrets. With their anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects, thermal waters relieve skin conditions like rosacea and neutralise free radicals.

Take into account that every acne-prone skin isn’t oily, and these agents may not be suitable for you.

Application: How to Use Mists Accordingly

The application method is as important as picking the right mist for your skin. Despite seeming simple, it’s easy to go wrong when spraying, and no one wants a waste of product.

The right way to use a face mist is by positioning the bottle far enough, so one pump of spray can cover the whole face and be evenly distributed for the best result. When using nitrogen mists, don’t shake the bottle, since nitrogen can block the product from coming out.

Tip: keep the facial mist in the fridge to further provide that calming, soothing, and cooling effect for your face.

DIY If Nothing Else Works

Many skincare brands offer a generous amount of facial spray moisturisers, but if you can’t get your hands on a mist that works for you, you can try making one.

Get creative and make an exceptional hydrating formula customised for your needs. Choose ingredients that are soothing, anti-inflammatory, and natural-formulated like for instance:

• Herbal hydrosols such as lavender oil for providing relaxation and therapeutic effect.
• Witch hazel and chamomile for cleansing the skin and reducing inflammation.
• Rosewater – known as an astringents, it helps tighten up the pores.

All things considered, facial mists may not be the ultimate skincare essential, but best believe that your face will benefit from all the extra love these mists provide.

In any case, instead of running to the toilet to fix your smudged mascara or worrying that your perfect makeup will come off during a special occasion, you can use a setting spray as part of your face makeup and lock-in your look. But how to choose a good setting spray? Here’s some advice that may help you.

A Setting Spray with Natural Ingredients Is a Good Idea

There are so many different setting sprays on the market that you simply don’t know which one is better for your skin. Our face is the most exposed part of our body to different external conditions and that is why we should take special care of it. But what exactly is setting spray? Is there any risk for it to harm our skin?

A setting spray or “finishing spray” is the last step of a makeup look. It’s sprayed after you apply all your beauty products like powder, eyeliner, mascara, bronzer or whatever you use, to lock-in your makeup. Like with any face cosmetic product, there’s also a risk that the wrong choice of setting spray can harm your skin. This is usually the case with harsh formulas that can dry out your skin or cause inflammation. So, to be on the safe side, it’s best to opt for a face spray with natural ingredients.

Most natural setting sprays contain water to hydrate your skin and keep the makeup from looking cakey and polymers which hold your makeup firmly in place. If you have oily skin, there’s a high chance that your makeup magically disappears at the end of the day, so this spray may be the perfect solution for you.

Depending on your preferences, you can choose a setting spray that transforms your makeup look from dewy to matte or the opposite. But if you don’t know what you want to achieve by applying the setting spray, choose one that is suited for your skin type. If you have oily skin, look for a matte spray and if your skin is dry, you can choose extra hydrating setting spray.

As mentioned, it’s always better if you use face makeup formulated with botanical ingredients that will keep your skin hydrated and help to fight against premature aging. But you should also pay attention to cosmetic products containing paraben because even if they prevent bacteria growth, they also mimic the natural hormones in your body and may disrupt the estrogen level. So, when you choose a setting spray, make sure it is paraben-free.

Compared to chemical cosmetic products which only provide temporary effects, natural products can offer the skin additional health benefits and help it look plump and glowing. Let’s check out some natural ingredients that you may find in your setting spray and that can have a positive influence on your skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar found naturally in our skin that has the ability to hold water and keeps your skin hydrated, plump and healthy. Our skin cells produce it in order to maintain moisture levels. But as we age, the level of hyaluronic acid decreases, and our skin dehydrates more easily, so to make up for the loss, it is better to use face cosmetics products containing this substance.

Furthermore, it is good for any skin type and doesn’t trigger allergic skin reactions or acne. Since the main purpose of a setting spray is to lock-in your makeup, if it doesn’t contain hyaluronic acid, it may dry your skin which can cause flakes and ruin your makeup. That is why is important to choose a setting spray that contains this ingredient because that way you will kill two birds with one stone: your makeup will last longer and your skin will stay hydrated and fresh.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a“miracle plant” that has been used to treat many different health conditions throughout the centuries. You can always grow your own aloe vera plant and use its gel directly from its leaves, or you can simply use face cosmetics products that are packed with aloe gel. Aloe contains antioxidants, vitamins A and C and is anti-inflammatory. It is widely known for its cooling properties and that it can treat sunburns or burnt skin. It is also used in healing wounds because it can speed up cell reproduction.

Moreover, aloe vera treats acne and dry skin, but it has more healing power on superficial surface acne than cystic or deeper acne. When used as a moisturising gel, aloe vera unclogs the pores and softens the skin. It may also be effective at preventing wrinkles from forming or getting deeper. That being said, your skin will really benefit if the make up for face that you use contains aloe vera, especially your setting spray.

Cucumber

Cucumber is 96% water which makes it a great hydrating solution for your dry skin and it is generally safe for sensitive skin due to its lack of potentially irritating ingredients. What’s more, cucumber juice is rich in vitamin C and folic acid, ingredients that have the ability to reduce swelling and puffiness in the eye area. And this can definitely contribute to a fresh makeup look.

Furthermore, cucumber can help calm the skin. So, if you’re worried that your skin will react badly to the many layers of makeup, a cucumber-based setting spray can help prevent irritations.

Green Tea

Green tea is known to have amazing healing and energising properties. You can enjoy green tea’s health benefits not just from drinking it, but also by applying it on your skin. Green tea contains antioxidants that are molecules with the ability to fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals, on the other hand, are compounds that can cause cellular damage if their levels get too high, which can lead to many diseases including cancer.

One of the main antioxidants found in green tea in abundance is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This ingredient fights DNA damage from UV rays in order to prevent skin cancer. It is also known as an anti-aging ingredient that combats signs of aging. Thanks to its high content of polyphenols called catechins, green tea has anti-inflammatory properties. Using a green tea setting spray may help you reduce skin redness and irritation.

Taking all of this into account, by opting for natural beauty products with potent ingredients, you may be able to get similar effects on your skin to those of professional treatments like microdermabrasion.