Is your skin feeling hot and bothered? Pollution, sunshine, humidity –all of these can aggravate an otherwise-calm complexion. Facial mists based on sea-water minerals, essential oils and botanical extracts like green tea and aloe vera promise to take the sting out of summer skin. “They’re very soothing,” says Dr. Jensen Yeung, medical director of the dermatology program at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto. One of the key benefits of facial mists, says Yeung, is “the prevention of water loss when they are applied immediately prior to using a moisturizer.” In the summertime, spraying your skin regularly can lower your body temperature and lessen the redness that comes from sun exposure. Yeung regularly prescribes mists for patients who have undergone chemical peels or laser treatments.

Some spring-water mists, such as Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray, were originally created as dermatological products to be used in hospitals and burn clinics; thermal spring water — now found in La Roche-Posay and Vichy products — is still used in hospitals as a natural healer for burned, irritated and delicate skin. La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water is rich in selenium, a powerful antioxidant, while Vichy Thermal Spa Water has a unique composition and is very rich in minerals, says Caroline Debbasch, scientific communications director at Vichy Laboratoires International. Clinical studies show that this mineral-rich water fortifies the skin, restores pH balance and, adds Debbasch, protects against external aggressors like pollution.

Our fave facial mists:

 

La Mer The Mist ($75 for 125 mL)
Water source Magnetically charged spring water that contains calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamins A, B12 and E.
Purported benefits Described as “negative-ion-rich,” it revives dehydrated skin caused by sun, wind or pollution exposure, air travel and shaving.

 

 

Shu Uemura Depsea Water
Water source
With ocean water sourced off the shores of Japan from a depth of below 200 metres, these scented mists are a blend of deep-sea water, containing more than 60 minerals, and aromatic extracts (available in eight fragrances and one fragrance-free formula).
Purported benefits
Hydrates the skin, hair and body after cleansing or whenever skin needs some “thirst-quenching” relief.

 

 

Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray ($6.50 for 50 mL; $11 for 150 mL; $15.50 for 400 mL)
Water source
Mineral water from the French Alps that contains calcium, magnesium and silica.
Purported benefits
Tones, refreshes and moisturizes skin (Evian also recommends this product as a preparation for makeup application).

 

 

Vichy Laboratoires Thermal Spa Water ($6.95 for 50 mL; $11.95 for 150 mL)
Water source
Thermal spring water from Vichy, France, that contains more than 13 minerals, such as iron, manganese, copper and zinc.
Purported benefits
Because of this water’s soothing and antioxidant properties, it is suggested for use after cleansing for all skin types.

 

 

Decléor Fresh Hydrating Mist ($27 for 150 mL)
Water source Essential waters of orange, kiwi and sweet clover, as well as aloe vera extract and lavender oil.
Purported benefits
Use to refresh the skin after cleansing or at any time of day. Can also be used to set makeup and keep it matte.

 

 

La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water ($13.50 for 150 mL)
Water source
Spring water from La Roche-Posay, France.
Purported benefits
Contains calcium and magnesium to soothe burning, itching or irritation from such factors as acne or sun exposure and help prevent signs of aging.

 

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