If there is one skincare product that does more than it is credited for, face spray would be that product. Compared to other skincare products, most people regard face sprays as just fancy but not essential. It might not be as indispensable as certain skincare products, but it does have amazing benefits.
A face spray does more than just cooling your face when the weather is hot. In this buying guide, we will show you what a face spray really does and its various benefits. We will also guide you on how to choose one when next you go shopping.
The truth is only real beauty experts and those who take good care of their skin can truly appreciate face sprays. We hope you are one of such or will become one of us after reading this buying guide.
Table of Contents
What Is Face Spray?
Face sprays are skincare products that are made up of majorly water and other ingredients. (These ingredients include antioxidants, minerals and sunscreen). A face spray is usually contained in a misting bottle that propels the content out. Another name that is commonly used for face sprays these days is face mist.
What Does Face Spray Do?
This section can also be rephrased as “what can a face spray not do?” This is because a face spray is used for so many functions which we are about to find out. The versatility of this skincare product would dwarf other skincare products in terms of the number of functions performed. In fact, a face spray is the spray version of a good number of skincare products put in one bottle. Let’s get into details.
It Refreshes the Skin
This is probably the most well-known function of a face spray to most people. During hot days and even during winter periods, a face spray refreshes your skin when applied.
It Hydrates the Skin
Most face sprays contain ingredients that hydrate the skin. Since face sprays can be used as often as required, it helps prevent dryness. (Don’t worry it won’t ruin your makeup). But do not overuse a face spray especially if it is water-only except you possess oily skin. You could cause your skin to become drier rather than hydrating it.
It Locks in Additional Moisture
This is achieved when you apply your face spray in between successive application of your skincare products and makeup products. A good example is using it before your moisturizer, then before your primer and then foundation. This will make your skin appear well moisturized and fresher.
It Assists in Oil-production Control
Certain face sprays can help contain excess oil production by the skin. They do this by absorbing the oil and then hydrating the skin at the same time. So when your skin feels oily than you’re comfortable with, whip out a face spray to fix it.
It Prepares the Skin for the Application of Makeup
Applying a face spray right before putting on your foundation makes your face primed and prepped for your makeup. It makes the skin more hydrated as well as creating a layer upon which the makeup can rest. New face mists designed to function as primers are replacing traditional primers these days. This is important because they do not include silicones which are not completely safe for the skin.
It Blends Makeup and Makes it Appear Natural
The general rule when using makeup is that it must have an even blend. Face sprays help you to achieve this by helping your foundation stretch evenly. It also removes makeup residue that might be hanging on the skin: The result is a more natural look.
It Sets and Revives Makeup
Most times we discover that our makeup doesn’t even last long enough for us to get to the office or that event. A face spray can help in such situations. Once you’re done with your makeup, apply your face spray and notice as it holds your makeup in place.
Also, we don’t get the opportunity to always redo our makeup. Again a face spray can help you out of such fix. By simply misting a few times, use a brush (when available) or your fingertips to re-blend and conceal appearing spots.
It Enhances Easier Penetration of Other Skincare Products
Most skincare products, especially moisturizers, require moist skin in order to get absorbed into the skin. When a face spray is used first, it creates this suitable environment for easy penetration of moisturizers as well as masks.
Sources of Water used in Face Sprays
We mentioned earlier that face spray contains water as its major constituents. Manufacturers use different water gotten from different sources in face sprays. Knowing what kind of water used in a face spray is important as it helps us in ascertaining the safety of the product. Let’s look at some major kind of water used in face sprays:
Thermal Water
This water is gotten from deep underground springs and readily contains minerals and trace elements. These minerals and trace elements are good for the skin. Examples of minerals found in thermal water include magnesium or calcium. A well-known trace element also found in thermal water is selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant that readily combats free radicals in the skin that seeks to damage the skin’s structure.
Distilled Water
Distilled water is water that has been boiled to vapour and later condenses into liquid form. Unlike thermal water, distilled water contains no minerals or trace element. It is water that has been purified and is great at hydrating the skin. Using only distilled water and nothing else frequently can actually dry out your skin. Therefore it is recommended you go for one that has been infused with certain extracts and essential oils.
Hydrosols
Hydrosol is simply floral or herbal water. Hydrosols are gotten by steam-distilling flowers or plants in order to remove their concentrate or essence. They possess the natural properties of whatsoever flower or plant they were extracted from. A good example is rosewater.
Fruit Water
As you might have decoded, this kind is extracted from fruits. Sometimes the essences of these fruits are also mixed and infused into the water. Examples of fruit water include coconut water and grape water.
The kind of water used isn’t much of a big deal to determine what face spray to choose. This is solely based on one’s inclination.
Basically water of any kind used in a face spray serves as the solvent in which other ingredients are dissolved in. It also functions as a cooling agent and helps maintain a thin even layer on the skin when applied. The face spray’s method of application, as well as the presence of water, increases easy absorption into the skin. This makes face sprays one of the few skincare products that are less likely to cause skin irritations.
Who Can Use It?
Face spray is one product that does not discriminate in the sense that basically anyone can use it. It is not picky as to which skin type can use it or what gender; it works for all. Yet, those with very dry or sensitive skin will come to appreciate it much more than others. And if you are one who is always on the go, or you are resident in dry regions: It would serve you very well.
Anyone can readily use a face spray but here’s a quick guideline on choosing one based on skin type. This will make it more effective for you:
Dry Skin
Your face spray should contain ingredients that increases hydration, retains moisture and heals the skin barrier. Example of these ingredients includes squalane and hyaluronic acid.
Combination or Normal Skin
These types of skin can readily use more ingredients than other skin types. Antioxidants, however, would function well for them to prevent the skin from being damaged by free radicals. A balanced face spray that contains rose water, essential oils and hyaluronic acid would serve effectively.
Oily Skin and Acne-Prone Skin
Oily and acne-prone skins deserve a bit more care than combination or normal skin. This is necessary because the sebum (oil) level must constantly be monitored or it will cause a breakout.
Therefore, avoiding ingredients that would cause surplus oil production or clogged pores is paramount. Your face spray must be silicone-free and oil-free to avoid these problems.
Helpful ingredients such as aloe vera and rosewater that combats inflammation and soothes the skin should be sought for. Like combination and normal skin, oily skin and acne skin would also benefit from antioxidants as well. A very good example is green tea.
Sensitive Skin
A sensitive skin deserves ingredients that are gentle and mild on the skin. If you have sensitive skin, good background knowledge of irritants that affect you would serve you well. Your face spray should contain fewer ingredients to limit the eventuality of an irritation.
Aging Skin
Pearl extract is one ingredient to look for in a face spray if you are battling with aging skin. Pearl extract has the ability to lessen the emergence of age marks on the skin. Other ingredients you could look out for include vitamins C & E, AHAs & BHAs and extracts from tea, grapeseed and pomegranate.
Also, be cautious not to spray too much of it on exposed skin as it might cause fine lines to become more visible.
In addition, if you are using face spray to lock your makeup, you should use one that is alcohol-free. This will prevent the skin’s surface from drying up when applied. Also, choosing one with hyaluronic acid will make the skin have a smooth and nice appearance.
Helpful Ingredients Found in a Face Spray
Like other skincare products, face sprays also contain ingredients that ensure its goal is met. We’ve already discussed water so we won’t go into that again. Rather we will look at other ingredients that are used in a face spray.
Hyaluronic Acid
This ingredient when used in a face spray puts in additional moisture into the skin. This is possible due to its renowned capacity to retain water up to 1,000 times its own weight.
Rosewater
Face sprays are majorly made of water so it isn’t surprising that this ingredient is popularly used in face spray products. Rosewater is a reliable ingredient that serves as an anti-inflammatory agent. Its application readily soothes skin that is red or irritated.
Aloe Vera
Another great ingredient that is effective at soothing the skin and used in face sprays is the aloe vera. It soothes the skin of irritations as well as other pains due to certain skin conditions.
Chamomile
Chamomile is an ingredient that leaves the skin well moisturized and soft. Its soothing properties make it useful for dry skins and dry climates that are harsh on the skin.
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Using the Face Spray the Right Way
We know a good number of people don’t even read instructions on how to use a product; they just assume. That’s why we are including this section on how to use your face spray the right way. Using it the right way is also as important as choosing the right one. In case you’ve been using a face spray for some time now, you can learn a thing or two from this. Or you might even find out you have been using it completely wrong. So let’s get to it…
First of all, a face spray should be used at least twice a day. Nevertheless, you could readily apply it if you are constantly on the go and your skin feels dry.
Inasmuch as you can use it when your skin feels dry, you shouldn’t overuse it. Using too much can dry your skin out rather than adding moisture.
For dry skin, the best way to retain moisture after misting is by using a moisturizer that is oil-based. If you’re misting your face spray as a setup for your makeup, then you don’t need to do that.
A face spray can still be used over your makeup but for effective results; use it before your makeup. This way the ingredients in your face spray stands a better chance of entering into the skin.
Insider Tip: Storing your face spray in a fridge gives it an extra refreshing result.
Caution When Using Face Sprays
Do not overuse face sprays. The tendency for face spray content to evaporate quickly is high (remember it is majorly composed of water). When this happens, the skin can become dried out in the process. The same happens to your lips when you constantly lick them to get them moist but they end up getting drier. Apart from drying out, some ingredients could remove the skin barrier or needed sebum on the skin.
Certain face sprays contain essential oils which are used for their aroma-therapeutic functions. These oils, however, can cause the skin (mostly sensitive or acne-prone skin) to become irritated as well as breaking out. Yet, this is bound to happen if one neglects the first caution we gave; otherwise one is actually safe.
We hope you learnt a thing or two from this guide. Have you been using a face spray or you would like to start using one now? Let us know in the comment section.
