The 8 Best Hydrating Mists for 2025 Summer
Hydrating mists. Face sprays. Spritzes. Call them what you like — they’ve become a summer staple faster than you can say “dehydrated T-zone”. And look, I understand the skepticism. A few years ago, the idea of spraying water at your face (often scented and suspiciously overpriced) would’ve had most of us rolling our eyes and reaching for a proper moisturizer instead. But here we are. Misters are having a moment, and frankly, they’ve earned it.
Are they essential? No. You won’t perish without one. But are they lovely? Absolutely. Especially in summer, when your skin is being baked, blasted, and bewildered by heatwaves, air con, SPF layering, sweat, grime and – if you’re lucky – a few Aperol spritzes in the sun.
A good hydrating mist does more than momentary refreshment. The best ones genuinely hydrate, calm, and prep the skin – whether you’re barefaced or wearing makeup. They can boost the efficacy of your serums, help your moisturizer seal in hydration, or just keep you from feeling like a crumpled croissant on a 32-degree day.
Here are nine of the best hydrating mists for summer – the real-deal face sprays that actually do something. No fairy dust. No £60 bottles of water with a French label and a dream. Just hardworking skin saviours that refresh, plump, and deliver proper hydration.
Best Picks
1. La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
Let’s start simple. This isn’t flashy, and it’s not pretending to be. But it’s iconic, and it works. La Roche-Posay’s Thermal Spring Water is beloved by makeup artists, dermatologists, and people with faces everywhere.
It’s loaded with selenium – a natural antioxidant – and has a unique mineral composition that soothes irritated or overheated skin. It’s ideal for those prone to redness, sensitivity, or heat rash, which is basically all of us by mid-July.
This product helps with itchy or flushed skin. Also great post-sun exposure or after workouts. Mist generously and pretend you’re in a minimalist French pharmacy commercial.
2. Caudalie Grape Water
Another French pharmacy legend. Caudalie’s Grape Water may sound like a rebranding of fruit juice, but it’s an antioxidant-rich mist that delivers real hydration and calm to parched summer skin.
Unlike thermal waters, this one contains grape juice – rich in polysaccharides and minerals – which means it hydrates and soothes in one go. Plus, it’s alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and safe for even the most tantrum-prone complexions.
It’s an ultra-fine mist, soft, like fairy breath texture. It sinks in quickly and doesn’t mess with makeup. You can spray this ten times a day without build-up.
You can use it anytime your skin feels tight, dry, or like it’s had a long day in the sun. Also a great pre-serum step, especially if you’re layering hyaluronic acid.
3. Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator
If you’re looking for the Rolls-Royce of facial mists, this is it. Yes, it’s pricier. Yes, it looks like it belongs in a spa that only accepts clients named Allegra. But it’s packed with serious skin care.
It’s technically a toner and a mist – full of aloe vera, glycerin, vitamin E, fatty acids, and a cocktail of soothing herbs like chamomile, calendula, and licorice root. Basically, this isn’t just a mist. It’s a full hydration treatment in a bottle.
And the best part…? It actually helps your skin absorb serums and creams better. It’s the skincare equivalent of moistening a sponge before you clean – damp skin is more absorbent than dry. Science. Use this and your serums will go further.
Moreover, it has an fresh, herbal, vaguely like a high-end health store in California. Nothing offensive, just green and clean.
4. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist
If your summer aesthetic is more fruity-drink-on-a-beach than no-nonsense apothecary, meet your mist. Glow Recipe’s watermelon mist is as pretty as it is effective, with a fine cloud of hydrating, brightening goodness.
Instagrammable? Yes. But also surprisingly potent. It’s infused with watermelon extract (hydrating, soothing), hyaluronic acid (plumping), and hibiscus AHAs (gentle exfoliation). Think hydration plus glow.
The finish leaves a dewy sheen without feeling sticky or heavy. Makeup-friendly and excellent for reviving a cakey face mid-afternoon.
Some people dislike the scent, which is sweet and fruity. If you’re fragrance-averse, it may not be your thing. But it’s not cloying, and the mist itself is gloriously fine – no droplets or patchy application.
5. Herbivore Rose Hibiscus Coconut Water Hydrating Face Mist
This one is for the floral lovers — but not the powdery-perfume kind. It’s like your face took a tropical holiday and sent back a postcard that said, “I’m thriving, thanks.”
It’s made with actual coconut water (not the fake-flavoured gym bottle kind), plus rose water and hibiscus extract, all of which hydrate and tone the skin while smelling faintly of a botanical garden after light rain. Add in a bit of witch hazel for balance, and you’ve got a mist that feels fancy but delivers.
The only downside… If your skin hates fragrance or essential oils, this isn’t your best pick. But if you’re in it for sensorial joy with bonus hydration, this mist is a summer dream.
6. Evian Facial Spray
Yes, that Evian. The one you’ve been drinking (or guiltily ignoring) for years. And yes, it is literally just water in a can. But hear me out.
This is a hydration top-up, not a treatment. It’s about giving your skin a cool-down, a moisture reset, or a midday “ugh, I need something refreshing” moment. It’s particularly brilliant on flights, where the recycled air is aggressively drying, or after sun exposure when your skin feels borderline scorched.
7. Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
This one’s a bit of a skincare secret weapon — deceptively simple, slightly medicinal-smelling, but truly excellent. Think of it like first aid for your skin barrier.
Hypochlorous acid. Yes, it sounds terrifying. No, it’s not. It’s actually produced by your own immune cells to help fight inflammation and bacteria. In mist form, it’s calming, healing, and helps fend off breakouts and irritation without drying your skin.
The ones who should use this facial spray are anyone with redness, acne, rosacea, or mystery flare-ups that make you want to cancel plans and hide behind sunglasses.
8. Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream Mist
Hydrating mists tend to be watery, light, and fleeting. This one? A whole different species. It’s a mist and a moisturizer — or at least it acts like one.
Ceramides (the unsung heroes of skin health), panthenol, and glycerin, all delivered in a fine-but-creamy mist that genuinely softens and strengthens the skin barrier. You can use it on its own or over makeup without fear of separation or greasiness.
It’s perfect for dry, flaky, or barrier-damaged skin that needs comfort as much as moisture. The kind of skin that feels like it might crack if you smile too hard? This mist was made for it.
Mist Myths: What Hydrating Mists Don’t Do
Let’s be clear: a hydrating mist will not replace a moisturizer. It won’t erase fine lines or magically make you look like you’ve spent the summer in Saint-Tropez (unless you did, in which case, congrats). What it will do is make your skin more comfortable, hydrated and radiant – particularly when used in combination with other good skincare.
Also, please don’t spray thermal water and let it evaporate without sealing it in. That’s a great way to dehydrate your face even more. Always follow with a serum or moisturizer unless you’re using it purely as a mid-day refresher.
What exactly is a hydrating mist, and is it just overpriced water?
Fair question. At a glance, hydrating mists can seem like glorified water in fancy bottles. But the best ones are so much more than that. A quality hydrating mist contains humectants (like hyaluronic acid or glycerin), botanical extracts, and sometimes antioxidants or calming agents. These ingredients work together to hydrate, soothe, and refresh your skin — especially during summer, when heat, sun, and air conditioning can leave your face feeling like a raisin in the desert. So no, it’s not just water — unless you’ve picked one that actually is. (Hi, Evian.)
When should I use a face mist during the day?
The beauty of a hydrating mist is its versatility. You can use it:
After cleansing, to dampen the skin and prep it for serums
Between skincare steps, to help products absorb better
After makeup, to reduce powderiness and set your face
Midday, when you feel hot, tight, or in need of a refresh
Post-workout, to cool down without splashing your face at the gym sink
On flights, where recycled air is the enemy of hydrated skin
Basically: mist when your skin says, “Help.”
Can a hydrating mist replace my moisturizer?
Not unless your moisturizer was on strike. Hydrating mists are great at adding water to the skin, but they don’t typically contain enough occlusive ingredients (like oils or ceramides) to seal it in. If you mist without following up, that water can actually evaporate and leave your skin drier than before — especially in dry climates.
So: mist, then moisturize. Think of your mist as the refreshing drink, and your moisturizer as the lid that keeps it from spilling everywhere.
Can I use a hydrating mist over makeup? Will it ruin it?
You absolutely can — just choose one with a fine mist. The finer the spray, the better it sets makeup instead of melting it off your face. Look for labels that say “ultra-fine” or “micro-mist.” Caudalie, Glow Recipe, and Josh Rosebrook all pass the spray test beautifully.
If you’re using a mist to refresh makeup throughout the day, blot first if you’re oily — otherwise, you’ll be locking in the shine along with the hydration.
What’s the difference between a hydrating mist and a setting spray?
Hydrating mists = skincare
Setting sprays = makeup insurance
Hydrating mists are all about moisture, glow, and calming ingredients. Setting sprays are formulated to lock in your makeup and keep it from sliding down your neck by noon. Some setting sprays have hydrating benefits, but they’re usually not meant for frequent misting throughout the day.
If you’re wearing makeup and want hydration without disturbing your masterpiece: mist first with skincare, then follow with a proper setting spray.