The Ultimate Face Mist Guide: Hydration and Nourishment for Your Skin
When I rolled into my 50’s, I noticed that the skin on my face and body was getting drier. Like, REALLY dry. Now that I’m 61, I don’t just “kind of” have dry skin, I’ve got really dry skin which led me to want to understand what was causing it. After a deep dive into research and studies, I've learned a few things about skin and how it changes as we age.
There’s something called TEWL, or transepidermal water loss and it’s exactly what the name sounds like: it’s water dissipating from your skin. This simply means that your skin isn’t able to retain moisture. Now, why is that happening? Here are a few of the reasons why.
- Reduced sebum production: As we age, the production of sebum decreases, leading to drier skin. Sebum is the natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin, and It helps to moisturize and protect the skin from external elements.
- Decreased skin cell turnover: In older skin, the process of skin cell turnover (shedding dead skin cells and replacing them with new ones) slows down, leading to a buildup of dead skin cells, contributing to dry and dull-looking skin.
- Loss of skin elasticity: Over time, the skin gradually loses its elasticity due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which are proteins responsible for maintaining skin structure and flexibility. The loss of these proteins can exacerbate dryness, leading to fine lines and wrinkles.
- Thinner skin: Older skin tends to become thinner due to a decrease in the production of collagen and other components of the skin's extracellular matrix. Thinner skin is more prone to dryness and may be more susceptible to damage from environmental factors.
- Environmental factors: Environmental factors, such as exposure to harsh weather, low humidity, and excessive sun exposure, can exacerbate dry skin no matter what your age, but as the skin's natural barrier weakens with age, it loses its ability to retain moisture.
So, the first step in taking care of our skin is to provide hydration - when we wake up, before we go to bed, and throughout the day. And a great way to do that is with a face mist.
What is a Face Mist?
As the name suggests, face mists are water-based solutions that contain nutrients and hydration for the skin. It is a skincare product that delivers moisture to the skin plus, depending on the formula, other ingredients that are beneficial to the skin. It’s NOT a toner, which often contains alcohol, which can dry out the skin. A hydrating mist is SO much more than just water. Think of it as a hydrating skin tonic that delivers not just moisture to the skin but a range of nutrients that support the health of the skin as well.
And, not all face mists are the same. There is a wide range of formulas so it’s important to choose a mist that supports your particular skin type.
Adding face mist to your skincare routine is just as beneficial as using a face oil. Not only is it an easy way to hydrate the skin throughout the day but it’s also an effective way to feed the skin essential nutrients that keep it nourished and supported. If you’re new to face mists or are interested in knowing what ingredients to look for when purchasing one, then you’ve come to the right place!
Repair Thy Skin Barrier
Remember when we mentioned TEWL, transepideral water loss earlier? Well, one of the reasons that happens is because the skin barrier is compromised in some way.
Maintaining the skin barrier (i.e. the outer layer of the skin) is key to healthy skin, and using a hydrating face mist can help. With the right ingredient combination, a face mist protects the skin from harmful environmental elements such as air pollution, UV rays, and blue light that the skin is exposed to daily. Exposure to these elements can cause the skin to lose moisture, becoming dull, dry, and vulnerable to other skin issues like inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and redness.
A face mist like Caraline Skincare’s Daily Hydration Face Mist is ideal for hydrating the skin. That’s why many people use it as their go-to when they experience dry skin throughout the day. Even if you have a more oily or combination skin type, a hydrating face mist can still be used to nourish, moisturize, and protect the skin barrier.
Hydration, Nutrients, Moisture, Oh My!
Face mists are nutrient-rich, gentle, lightweight, and hydrating – well, we can only speak for Caraline Skincare’s Daily Hydrating Mist, which contains antioxidants (i.e. Green Tea extracts and Kakadu Plum), hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B-3 that nourishes and protects the skin barrier). All of these unique ingredients work to leave the skin looking smoother and luminous.
Face Mists Can Be Used Throughout the Day
Face mists are perfect for use throughout the day, offering a multitude of benefits beyond just an initial morning spritz. Here's a breakdown of how face mists can be incorporated into your daily routine:
- Morning Boost: Wake up your skin and apply essential moisture before sealing it in with with the Daily Nourish Face Oil.
- Hydration Hero: Combat dryness throughout the day, especially in dry environments or after spending time outdoors. A midday mist refreshes and plumps your skin.
- Post-Workout Pick-Me-Up: Cool down and rehydrate your face after sweating it out with a refreshing mist.
- Setting Power: Set your makeup for a long-lasting finish with a setting mist. This helps prevent smudging and fading.
- Travel Companion: Combat the drying effects of airplane cabins or hot climates with a hydrating mist while traveling.
Since face mists are lightweight and convenient, they can be easily integrated into your routine at any point throughout the day.
Face Mists Are For All Skin Types
Not only can face mists contain essential vitamins and antioxidants that are good for hydrating, moisturizing, and replenishing the skin, but they are also universal and work for all skin types. Yes, that means for oily skin types too! The frequency may differ between dry, combination, and oily skin types, but the benefits of hydrating face mists are the same across the board.
Aromatherapy Through Face Mists
Another benefit of using a plant-based hydrating mist like Caraline Skincare’s Daily Hydrating Mist is the use of plant hydrosols such as rose damascene, lemon verbena, cucumber, helichrysum, grapefruit, and lemon verbena, which offers a very mild, aromatherapeutic boost that is soothing, calming, and refreshing. (P.S. This isn’t to be mistaken for essential oils, which isn’t in Caraline Skincare’s Daily Hydrating Mist.)
Since plant hydrosols are the moisture basis of the mist here at Caraline Skincare, you’re guaranteed an aromatherapy boost once you add this mist to your skincare ritual!
Essential Ingredients For Aging Skin
Many face mists are vying for your attention and it can be overwhelming to know what ingredients will support the unique needs of maturing skin because let’s face it: all face mists weren’t made with aging skin in mind.
That’s why Caraline Skincare upholds the less is more mindset, creating products with simple, clean, vegan, plant-based ingredients that are effective for the unique needs of older skin!
Ingredients to look for when shopping for a face mist are all conveniently included in our Daily Hydrating Face Mist. This includes organic plant hydrosols, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, organic glycerine, Green Tea extract, and Kakadu plum extract. Let’s take a look at the benefits each of these ingredients have on the skin:
Plant Hydrosols
Hydrosols are sometimes referred to as “ floral waters,” but they are made by distilling fresh plant material Also known as “floral water,” plant hydrosols are derived from fresh leaves, fruits, flowers, and the like through steam distillation. Plant hydrosols such as rose damascena, lemon verbena, cucumber, helichrysum, frankincense, grapefruit, and lemon verbena provide nourishing moisture while soothing and hydrating the skin. We use certified organic hydrosols that are crafted by artisan distillers who specialize in water and oil extraction of botanical ingredients. They make our pure hydrosols using only fresh plant material and the strictest organic and distillation standards for the finest end product.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant, attracting and retaining moisture, and is a naturally occurring compound in the body, making it a suitable ingredient for all skin types. Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, HA's unique water-binding properties can help maintain optimal hydration levels, leaving your skin feeling supple and smooth. As we age, our skin loses its natural hyaluronic acid content, resulting in a diminished ability of the skin to retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid plays an important role in the function of the skin barrier by attracting and retaining moisture.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a form of a water-soluble vitamin B3 and is known to help with inflammation, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, dullness, and acne. Additionally, vitamin B3 supports the production of ceramides and fatty acids, which are essential to protecting the skin barrier.
Organic Glycerine (vegetable)
Organic glycerine is one of the hardest-working, multi-functional skincare ingredients you probably haven’t heard much about. It is typically derived from soybean, coconut, or palm oils and is a humectant, home to many benefits. Humectants are properties that attract and bind water. This means that they pull moisture not only from deep layers of the skin toward the outermost layers of the skin but also from air humidity. These humectants hydrate and retain the skin’s moisture while acting as a shield against skin irritants and harmful environmental elements.
Green Tea Extract
Green tea leaves contain catechins, a class of polyphenols with remarkable antioxidant properties, and are widely studied for their skin benefits. Green tea extracts and EGCG have been shown to reduce the amount of ROS in the skin, diminishing, and even reversing the impact of photoaging and UV damage. Besides that, the topical use of products containing green tea extract can reduce the production of collagen-degrading enzymes in the skin.
Kakadu Plum Extract
Widely regarded as a superfruit, Kakadu plum contains an extraordinary combination of vitamins and antioxidants. The fruit contains the highest known vitamin C content, as well as vitamin E, folic acid, carotenoids, and polyphenols, all of which deliver a range of skin benefits. Kakadu plum helps with uneven skin tone, collagen production, and hyperpigmentation while protecting against harsh environmental factors.
Caraline Skincare’s Daily Hydrate Mist pH Crafted for Aging Skin
Potential hydrogen, commonly known as pH, is a key component in maintaining healthy skin. Many of us probably don’t give pH a second thought when it comes to choosing our skincare products, but that can change after you know what to start looking for.
Ranging from 1 to 14, the pH scale indicates whether something is acidic, alkaline, or non-acidic with 7 being “neutral,” numbers below 7 being acidic, and numbers above 7 being alkaline or non-acidic.
To combat free radicals and other harmful environmental elements the skin needs to have a level of acidity. According to Healthline, the skin’s acidity naturally tends to be between 4 and 7. This means that to regulate the skin’s acidity – especially as the skin ages – it’s important to use products that fall in this range like our Daily Hydrating Face Mist which has a pH between 4.5 and 5.0.
How to Use Face Mist?
Now that you’re privy to the benefits of having a face mist in your skincare routine, it’s safe to assume that you’re wondering how to use it. So, here are a few tips that’ll get you started!
When using a face mist like the Daily Hydrating Face Mist, you want to hold it about 6 inches away from the face and evenly spray the face and neck. Afterward, you pat the face and neck with clean hands or leave it to dry naturally for about 30-45 seconds. Then, follow up with face oil like our Daily Nourish Face Oil to seal in the moisture.
Face mist can be used in the morning (before sunscreen and makeup), at night, and throughout the day as previously mentioned. For skin with a story (a.k.a aging and dry skin), this can range from a few times to several, depending on whether you tend to have dry, oily, or combination skin.
All in all, you can keep a bottle on you everywhere you go to show some love to your skin throughout the day.
Conclusion
Face mists are hydration heroes and an effective way to take your skincare routine to the next level. With their hydrating, refreshing, and targeted properties, they can help you achieve a healthy, nourished complexion that glows. And it's why we created the Daily Hydrating Face Mist, and we think it's plant-based, nutrient-rich, aromatic, hydrating magic in a bottle!
