10 DIY Face Mists to Refresh Your Skin

Calming Green Tea Mist

Green tea can help curb redness and inflammation while leaving your skin quenched, courtesy of the ever-hydrating vitamin E. It also contains a certain antioxidant, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), that combats free radicals and reactivates dying skin cells.

Make DIY face mist with green tea by steeping one tea bag in a cup of hot water for 20 minutes. Remove the bag, cool, then add two drops of vitamin E oil for extra hydration and free radical protection.

Exfoliating Apple Cider Vinegar Mist

Because it’s rich in malic acid, apple cider vinegar has an exfoliating effect when used on the skin. It should be applied rather sparingly, though, as it can irritate sensitive skin types—the best way to test this is to first perform a patch test on a tucked-away area of skin. 

Make your exfoliating DIY face mist by diluting one part apple cider vinegar in four parts water. Start with this low ACV-content concoction, then add more of the active ingredient if needed.

Brightening Vitamin C Mist

Vitamin C is ubiquitous in skincare. It stimulates collagen, protects against UV damage by neutralizing free radicals, and inhibits melanin production, thereby evening out skin tone. Whip up your own brightening spray by steeping four bags of hibiscus tea in a cup of hot water. After 20 minutes, remove the tea bags and add an ounce of witch hazel and half a teaspoon of vitamin C powder. 

Vitamin C also goes by ascorbic acid. You can purchase it in pill capsules, but the powder form is easier and eco-friendlier.

Soothing Fennel Mist

One of the most garden-fresh DIY face mists one could create, this herby spritz is made with fresh fennel, lemon, and thyme. Fennel essential oil has been proven to prevent transepidermal water loss (i.e., water evaporation) by protecting the skin barrier.

For a protective mist that also cools and soothes, combine two fennel bulbs, pureed, with up to a half cup of water in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately take it off the heat, add the juice of half a lemon, let it cool, and strain. The mist feels light and refreshing on your face, especially when chilled.

Stress-Relieving Lavender Mist

Scientific studies now support age-old anecdotal evidence that lavender helps relieve stress by inhibiting the sympathetic nerves responsible for increasing heart rate. The floral oil also contains antibacterial properties that help to clean pores, a quality it shares with witch hazel. (The latter is not recommended for dry and sensitive skin, as it can cause irritation.)

Mix a teaspoon of witch hazel (optional) with four drops of lavender essential oil and half a cup of water for a stress-relieving, pore-cleansing pick-me-up.

Hydrating Coconut and Aloe Mist

Coconut oil is packed with fatty acids that help soften skin. It’s also been proven to improve skin hydration, accelerate healing, kill bacteria, and repair the skin barrier. Combined with the moisture-retaining wonder ingredient aloe vera—bonus points for procuring from your very own houseplant—it has twice the hydrating power. 

For this DIY face mist, mix one tablespoon of aloe vera gel with one teaspoon of melted coconut oil and a quarter cup of water. Add a dash of witch hazel, frankincense essential oil, or tea tree oil for more of a soothing sensation. Shake well each time before using.

Refreshing Cucumber Mist

Cucumber slices are often used to reduce eye puffiness and dark circles, and while it could be that the coolness of a from-the-fridge cucumber is the primary ingredient at play, studies prove the seeds contain nutrients that soothe skin irritations, reduce swelling, and relieve sunburn. A DIY face mist spiked with this water-heavy fruit becomes even more refreshing with the incorporation of lemon and mint.

In a food processor, puree one cucumber (peeled and diced) and a handful of fresh mint. Strain the juice into a spray bottle, add a squirt of lemon, shake, refrigerate, and use within a few days.

Nourishing Rice Water Mist

Rice water is an ancient Japanese beauty secret. While the benefits of this tradition were long understudied, modern-day research has revealed that the antioxidants in rice inhibit elastase, an enzyme that breaks down elastin in skin. Fermented rice water—made by soaking one part uncooked, washed white rice with three parts distilled water—is best for a hygienic and long-lasting starchy brew.

Revitalizing Rose Water Mist

Rose water contains four antioxidant-rich, inflammation-reducing polyphenolic compounds that are effective in helping protect against oxidative stress caused by UV exposure. Often used in toners, rose water helps to revitalize dull and damaged skin. Simply simmer rinsed, organic rose petals in enough water to cover them for 20 to 30 minutes, until the petals are pale pink. Strain the mixture, let it cool, and store in the fridge for up to a week.

Cooling Orange Blossom Mist

Orange blossom contains a phenolic compound, phenethyl alcohol, that helps speed up skin cell regeneration and recover its protective barrier. The fragrant flower is also widely used in aromatherapy and leaves skin with a cooling sensation when applied topically.

This DIY face mist takes a while to brew: First, crush a cup of loosely packed orange blossoms into a paste and let sit for several hours to dry out, then combine with about a cup of water, cover the mixture, and let it sit for two weeks. Add 10 drops apiece of rosehip oil and argan oil for added moisture.