Face Mist Comparison

As I've aged and my face has gotten dryer and more dehydrated, I've realized that ingredients like alcohol denat do not like my skin. This has made it a little difficult to find facial mists and skincare sprays I like, since alcohol denat is a popular ingredient in these products. I'm also sensitive to a few very odd things, like large amounts of niacinamide, which cuts out a lot of the nicer moisturizing mists. But I've managed to find a few mists that center on a very basic moisturizing ingredient, glycerin, and are free from alcohol denat or added perfumes. I've got three bottles hanging out in my collection right now.

First up, the social media darling: Glossier's Soothing Face Mist. Available at Glossier's website, a 4oz bottle will cost you $18; at $4.50 an ounce, it's the most expensive option on this list. But it does have a chic factor that the other two lack. This is partially due to the cute packaging (which you can cover with stickers, if you feel so inclined, courtesy of Glossier), but this spray also has the lightest feel. Two or three sprays will soak in to the skin rather quickly with no stickiness or residue. The Soothing Face Mist makes my skin feel a little softer and look a bit less flushed, but I didn't notice any major benefits to using it over makeup. I'd have expected a finer mist from this product, too, given the price. Weirdly enough, this stuff can burn if you get it in your eyes, so keep your lids shut for a good 10-15 seconds after you spray!

Next, we have the underrated contender: Cinema Secrets Moisture Spray. I'm on my second bottle of this stuff, and I paid about $10 for 4oz ($2.50/oz) on Amazon.com for both bottles. (You can also obtain this product from stores like Camera Ready Cosmetics.) Though it's not packaged very prettily, it is decently effective. I like to spritz this over my makeup to soften up my  base products and make them look less powdery. You can use this product under makeup as a sort of primer, or add a few spritzes to your skincare routine, but I prefer one of the rosewater mists on my bare skin, since they also have a comforting effect. Also, if you dislike the smell of roses, you'll definitely prefer this bottle.

Last, but not least, the weird cult classic: Heritage Rosewater and Glycerin Spray. Housed in a hot pink bottle complete with pseudo-scientific claims, it's the definition of tacky, which is probably why I was drawn to it. An 8oz bottle costs $10 ($1.25/oz) on Urban Outfitters. The formula is simple and dirt cheap, but I don't find it to be as soothing on the skin as the Glossier or as smoothing over makeup as the Cinema Secrets. Actually, it kind of makes my skin feel...sticky. That feeling goes away after about 30 minutes and I'm left with the desired softness, but the initial texture makes me less likely to spray it on my face. I prefer to spray it on my body when I feel a tad dry.

In the end, I think which spray you pick is going to depend on what you want from a glycerin spray. In a nutshell:

Glossier wins if you want something a little more luxe and don't mind a price hike.

Heritage wins if you're willing to tolerate temporary stickiness for a lower price.

Cinema Secrets wins if you want a spray that's more about softening your makeup than fitting in your skincare routine.