How to use face mist: five ways, and when to skip it

How to use face mist is simple: eyes closed, arm's length, a light spritz. What people really want to know is when: before or after moisturizer, over makeup or under it, once a day or ten times. A mist is the one skincare step with no fixed place in the routine, which is its whole appeal. Here are five ways to use one, with the honest limits of what it can do.

How to use face mist, step by step

1. Close your eyes and your mouth.
2. Hold the bottle at arm's length. The distance is what gives a fine, even mist, not wet spots.
3. Spritz once or twice across your face.
4. Let it settle. Do not wipe it off, and do not rub it in over makeup.

These are the directions on our Prebiotic Face Mist: mist over clean skin, or over makeup to refresh, any time of day.

Five ways to use a face mist

You do not need all five. Pick the moment your skin usually feels tight or looks dull, and put the mist there.

What is in our face mist

Water is the base, but it is not only water. Our Prebiotic Face Mist has 1% lactobacillus ferment lysate, the prebiotic in the formula, for balanced-looking skin. Two weights of hyaluronic acid, with sodium PCA, betaine and glycerin, give a hydrated feel.

It is a weightless, water-light mist with a natural finish, made for all skin types. It is dermatologically tested, vegan and cruelty-free, COSMOS Natural certified by Ecocert Greenlife and 99% natural origin, with a pH of 4.5 to 4.9. The bottle is 3.38 fl oz (100 mL).

Two honest notes. Alcohol is the second ingredient on its list, and it is scented: green cardamom, pink pepper and peppermint on cedarwood. The American Academy of Dermatology advises people with dry skin to avoid alcohol and fragrance in their skincare. So if your skin is very dry or reacts to scent, this mist is not your everyday pick, and our Hydrating Toner, which has no added fragrance, is the one to reach for.

Face mist with the rest of your routine

After washing. Our Glow Facial Wash is a soft mousse that does not leave skin tight. A mist straight after it gives a hydrated feel before your serum goes on.

Before a face oil. Glow Face Oil, made for normal, dry and mature skin, is pressed on as the last step. Mist first, then press a few drops on while your skin is still dewy. See how to use face oil.

After a morning serum. In our Glow routine, the mist follows the Vitamin C Serum and your moisturizer, or goes over makeup later in the day. The steps are in how to use vitamin C serum.

After a no-rinse cleanse. If you take your makeup off with Micellar Water, a spritz afterwards is a quick hydrating step before moisturizer.

Face mist vs toner

A toner is a fixed step, straight after cleansing. A mist is the step that can move. Our Hydrating Toner is rose flower water with hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA and glycerin. You can use both: toner after cleansing, mist later in the day.

What a face mist cannot do

• Replace your moisturizer. Our own page says so: it is a quick refresh for the moments in between.
• Replace sunscreen, or top it up. Our mist has no SPF, and we do not make a sunscreen.
• Take makeup off. That is a cleanser's job.
• Work up close. Hold it at arm's length for a fine, even mist.

For where every other step goes, see skincare routine steps.

Frequently asked questions

What do you use a face mist for?

A quick, hydrating refresh: after cleansing, over your routine, over makeup, or at midday. It is an extra, not a replacement for moisturizer.

Do you use face mist before or after moisturizer?

Either. Mist after cleansing and before your serum, or over your serum and moisturizer as a finishing step. Over makeup works too.

Which is better, toner or mist?

They do different jobs. A toner is applied once, right after cleansing. A mist can be used any time, including over makeup. Our Hydrating Toner is made for dry and mature skin and has no added fragrance.

Is spraying water on your face good for you?

A face mist is more than water. Ours has 1% prebiotic ferment, two weights of hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA, betaine and glycerin for a hydrated feel. Follow with moisturizer if your skin is dry.

Can I use face mist over makeup?

Yes. Ours is made to set makeup and to refresh it later in the day. Hold it at arm's length for a fine, even mist.

How often can you use face mist?

As often as your skin needs a lift. If yours contains alcohol and fragrance, as ours does, and your skin is dry or reactive, keep it occasional.

Sources

American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin
Product details are taken from the exokiss product pages. This article is general information, not medical advice.