3 Skin-Loving Hydrating Mists You Can Make at Home

If you’ve ever been curious about how to use hydrolats in your skincare routine or if you’re still wondering what the difference is between a hydrosol and a hydrolat, you’re in the right place.

I’m breaking it all down and sharing three simple and nourishing DIY facial mist recipes using plant-based hydrolats. These mists are packed with ingredients like caffeine extract, niacinamide, allantoin, and multi-weight hyaluronic acid to hydrate, refresh, and support your skin whether you’re starting your day, resetting at midday, or prepping for your evening routine.

What’s the Difference Between Hydrosols and Hydrolats?

Hydrosols and hydrolats are often used interchangeably, and truthfully, they’re almost the same thing. Both are gentle, plant-infused waters created during the steam distillation of herbs, flowers, or botanicals. While both hydrolats and hydrosols are byproducts of the essential oil distillation process, hydrolats capture the true essence of the plant in water, offering a more concentrated and purer form.

In the U.S., we tend to say "hydrosol." In Europe, you’ll hear "hydrolat" a bit more often. Some sources say hydrolats are more carefully collected or of higher quality. Still, either way, the key is to ensure you’re working with a true distillate, not just water with fragrance or essential oil added.

I’ve noticed that hydrosols sometimes smell a bit stronger than hydrolats, but this can vary. For the recipes below, I use a mix of hydrolats for different skin benefits. As always, be sure to disinfect your workspace and tools before you begin.

1. Ultra-Hydrating Essence Mist (with Multi-weight Hyaluronic Acid)

This mist is perfect for layering under serums or moisturizer to deeply hydrate your skin without leaving it sticky. The triple hydrolat base gives you a soothing, skin-loving foundation. I'm using 5% UltraHA-7 in this formulation. I found that using more left the skin feeling sticky and tacky. Test 

Ingredients (100g batch):

Instructions:

  1. Combine hydrolats and distilled water. Mix.

  2. Add hyaluronic acid blend, glycerin, and preservative. 

  3. Whisk well until the mixture is fully clear and incorporated.

  4. Pour into a spray bottle and store in the fridge for a refreshing mist.

2. Energizing Facial + Eye Mist (with Caffeine Extract)

This caffeine-infused mist is great for de-puffing and energizing tired skin, especially around the eyes.

Ingredients (100g batch):

Instructions:

  1. Dissolve caffeine extract into warm water until fully incorporated.

  2. Add glycerin, preservative, and hydrolats.

  3. Whisk thoroughly and pour into your spray bottle.

Pro Tip: Store in the fridge and use under the eyes for a quick morning refresh. You can also pour into a rollerball bottle for targeted application.

3. Soothing Facial Mist (with Niacinamide & Allantoin)

This mist delivers calming, hydrating, and barrier-supporting benefits—great for sensitive or breakout-prone skin.

Ingredients (100g batch):

Instructions:

  1. Dissolve niacinamide and allantoin in distilled water.

  2. Add hydrolats, humectant, and preservative.

  3. Mix well and bottle into a fine mist spray container.

Use this mist before your serum and moisturizer, or spritz throughout the day to keep skin calm and dewy. For an extra refreshing boost, store your mists in the fridge!

Want to see how each mist is made step by step? Watch the full tutorial on YouTube to follow along!