Hydrating Tonics
Description
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November 1, 2022
By Lisa Petrison
The sprays on this page contain hyaluronic acid or similar ingredients that are designed to give the face some extra moisture.
They can be applied either under makeup or on top of it, at any point during the day.
I’ve tried a few of these products but haven’t felt that motivated to use them on my face very often. I more seem to focus on giving my skin adequate hydration at the beginning and end of the day, and then mostly leave it alone the rest of the time.
I do think that if I were going to be in a very dry environment like an airplane for a long period of time that a spray like this might be nice to have along, though.
In addition, I have had very good luck combining some of these sprays with inexpensive face oils and then applying the mixture to my very dry and delicate hair.
Usually I leave the mixture in my hair for an hour or two, but sometimes I have left it in overnight. Then I shampoo my hair and apply my regular conditioner.
This has worked for me much better than any hair product that I have ever tried in terms of adding moisture and life to my hair, and so I think I will be purchasing more of these hydrating sprays for use on my hair in the future.
The ratings on this page refer just to how the products performed when used according to the instructions on my face, though.
TOP PICKS
♣ Living Clean Superstars:
Honest Elevated Hydration Mix ($18)
+Mad Hippie Hydrating Nutrient Mist ($20)
♦ Not Yet Rated:
+Honest Calm & Go Face Mist ($18)
Mineral Fusion Hydration Mist ($18)
♥ Lisa’s Personal Choice
√ Mad Hippie Hydrating Nutrient Mist ($20)
Notes:
1) Living Clean Superstars – Products with high scores on both Performance Rating (5) as well as Ingredients Rating (4/5). + Clean Pick (Ingredients Rating = 5).
2) Lisa’s Choice – Products that I would purchase for my own personal use. √ Lisa’s Favorite
Honest Calm & Go Face Mist – $18
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: 
(5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product on the Honest website states, “This soothing, ultra fine mist helps to quickly calm and instantly cool redness with the help of Pro-Vitamin B5 and our Calming Phyto-Blend (made with a micro-form of Hyaluronic Acid). A few spritzes keeps sensitive skin feeling nourished and renewed. Spray on and stay calm. Pro-Vitamin B5: calms + soothes skin. Calming Phyto-Blend: calms skin + supports skin’s barrier.”
I tried this product a few times and don’t feel that it irritated my skin, but I am not certain whether it did anything beneficial either.
I’d like to give it more of a try.
Size: 3.3 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.2 Stars (32 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Yes
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Water, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Propanediol, Phytosterols, Phospholipids, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Shea Butter Extract, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Squalane, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Linoleic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid.
Honest Elevated Hydration Mist – $18
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: 
(4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Lavender Oil, Siberian Fir oil, Patchouli Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Rose Geranium Oil, Roman Chamomile Oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
The description of this product on the Honest website reads, “A Hyaluronic Acid infused mist that quenches your skin and soothes your senses thanks to a relaxing botanical scent. Made with 2 types of Hyaluronic Acid with different molecular weights designed to help bind + retain moisture in different layers of the skin. Works for all skin types. Its relaxing botanical scent soothes the senses for an instant spa moment. Mist on whenever you need an instant burst of hydration.”
This product contains several different essential oils (including rose geranium, lavender and patchouli) as well as a wide variety of scents derived from botanical sources.
However, I have found the smell to be very mild and have not had any problems with it irritating my skin.
I’ve sprayed it on my facial skin on occasion and also have used up quite a bit of the bottle on my hair.
Size: 3.3 oz.
Amazon Rating: 4.3 Stars (1443 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oil, Natural Fragrance)
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rose Geranium Flower Oil (4), Citronellol (4), Geraniol (5), Limonene (5), Linalool (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Watermelon extract, Celery seed extract, Lavandula hybrida oil, Lavender oil, Aries sibirica oil, Patchouli oil, Cymbopogon martini oil, Rose geranium oil, Roman chamomile oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
All Ingredients: Water, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Propanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Watermelon Extract, Celery Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Lavender Oil, Abies Sibirica Oil, Patchouli Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Rose Geranium Flower Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Mad Hippie Hydrating Nutrient Mist – $20
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
The Mad Hippie website states about this product, “Effervescent blend of Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and other active essentials! Antioxidant protection that leaves your skin feeling soft, supple & ready to take on the stresses of modern day life. Perfect for the face, arms, neck and chest! Vitamin C – One of the most vital ingredients in any effective skin care regimen, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles & discoloration. Sodium Hyaluronate – The salt of hyaluronic acid (HA), sodium hyaluronate, has been shown to have better skin penetrating capabilities than HA alone. Works to moisturize the skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Hesperidin – A plant flavonoid that has been shown to help reduce the appearance of skin discoloration. Sodium PCA – A naturally occurring humectant, Sodium PCA helps bind moisture to the skin, dramatically improving skin hydration. Milk Thistle – Consists of about 80% silymarin and 20% fatty acids, including linoleic acid. Ginkgo Biloba – Containing high amounts of quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that works to reduce the appearance of skin redness and discoloration. Resveratrol – Super potent antioxidant known for it’s anti-aging benefits. Green Tea – Offers powerful antioxidant protection. White Pine Bark – Naturally aids in skin hydration while working to reduce the appearance of skin discoloration. Pomegranate Seed Extract – Potent antioxidant that is a high source of ellagic acid.”
This product seems to have a particularly clean ingredient list, containing no substances that EWG considers to be a problem.
Although there are some botanicals in the product that give it a very mild fragrance, it does not contain any essential oils, processed botanicals (such as linalool), or unspecified “fragrance.”
Of the products of this type that I have tried so far, this is the one that I like the most.
If I went on a long plane trip or was going to be at an outdoor event where I expected to get sweaty, I very well might bring this product along.
It comes in a fairly small plastic spray bottle that seems like it would work well on the go.
The product also seems to have worked well when I have used it in my hair.
Size: 4 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.1 Stars (113 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Unclear
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Yes
Think Dirty Rating: 0 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Fragrance Ingredients: Ginkgo biloba extract, Pomegranate seed extract, Resveratrol, Steam distilled lime, White pine bark extract, Japanese pagoda tree fruit extract, Milk thistle fruit extract
All Ingredients: Water, Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate), Glycerin, Sodium PCA, White Tea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ferulic Acid, Green Tea, Hesperidin, Grape Seed Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Pomegranate Seed Extract, Resveratrol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Steam Distilled Lime, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Beta-Glucan, N-Acetyl D Glucosamine, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, White Pine Bark Extract, Soybean Sterols, Japanese Pagoda Tree Fruit Extract, Milk Thistle Fruit Extract, Alpha Lipoic Acid
Mineral Fusion Hydration Mist – $18
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: 
(3 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Rose Geranium Oil
The Mineral Fusion describes this product as, “Skin Refreshing. Shea Butter delivers refreshing hydration that minerals love. Mist skin to set foundation or throughout the day as needed to refresh skin with a burst of instant hydration. Age-Defying. Chamomile, White Tea, Burdock Root, and Sea Kelp soothe and nourish while defending skin against free radical damage.”
This product contains some ingredients that some people consider to be problematic, including SD alcohol, sodium benzoate, polysorbate-80, phenoxyethanol, and a few diferential essential oils.
I haven’t tried this one yet.
Size: 2 oz.
Mineral Fusion Rating: 4.4 (5 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: Unclear
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oil, SD Alcohol 40A, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate, Phenoxyethanol)
EWG Product Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rose Geranium Flower Oil (4), SD Alcohol 40A (3), Sodium Benzoate (3), Polysorbate-80 (3), Phenoxyethanol (4)
Fragrance Ingredients: Matricaria flower extract, Myrrh resin extract, White tea leaf extract, Burdock root extract, Rose geranium flower oil
All Ingredients: Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Shea Butter, Matricaria Flower Extract, Myrrh Resin Extract, White Tea Leaf Extract, Ergothioneine, Algae Extract, Burdock Root Extract, Arginine PCA, Rose Geranium Flower Oil, Fructose, Vegetable Glycerin, SD Alcohol 40-A , Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Deuterium Oxide, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.
Shopping List
This section lists products that seem that they may have potential and that I am hoping to try in the near future.
Readers are highly encouraged to bring other relevant products that they have tried to my attention so that I can add them to this list.
Dr. Roebuck’s Bondi Hydrating Mist – $40
Jane Iredale Pommist Hydration Spray – $33
Mineral Fusion Skin-Soothing Face Toner – $18
No. 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Serum-In-Mist – $95
True Botanicals Calm Nutrient Mist – $24
True Botanicals Renew Nutrient Mist – $24
About This Website
The Living Clean in a Dirty World shopping website is designed to provide guidance to those seeking out products that are relatively low in toxicity and that provide generally positive user experiences.
Although the skincare and makeup sections have a particular focus on products appropriate for women who are in their 40’s or beyond, the information provided may be useful for other people as well.
The products are curated by Lisa Petrison, who has been focused on helping people to improve their health by avoiding toxicity since 2008 and who heads the Paradigm Change organization.
Her Living Clean in a Dirty World blog site discusses a variety of topics of relevance to those who are working to pursue a more natural lifestyle with less exposure to harmful toxicity.
Lisa is the author of several books, including A Beginner’s Guide to Mold Avoidance co-written with Erik Johnson).
She also runs the Paradigm Change website (focusing on issues related to toxic mold illness) and the Mold Avoiders Facebook group (designed for the discussion of all topics of interest to those pursuing the mold avoidance approach described in the “Beginner’s Guide” book).
Lisa was born in August 1964 and has yet to try cosmetic surgery, Botox or other cosmetic treatments requiring interactions with a physician, or beauty products containing retinoids.
In her former life, Lisa worked as a business school professor, as a marketing consultant to a variety of large companies, and as a reporter covering the advertising industry.
She holds a Ph.D. in marketing and social psychology from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University as well as B.S./M.S. degrees from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern.
Lisa would like to extend a special note of appreciation to Ellen Kleiman-Redden for her help in trying out products and discussing issues related to this project.
She also would like to thank the many members of the Mold Avoiders community who have shared suggestions of products to be included here.
A Note From Lisa
Products that I have tried or researched and that I have not found to be acceptable from a toxicity standpoint have been omitted entirely from the discussions on this website.
However, since a goal of this project is to introduce people to a range of options in terms of price and functionality, some products discussed on this site include ingredients that may not be appropriate for everyone.
It’s my hope that all individuals making their way to this site will find at least a few options from each product category that meet all of their own needs and wants from a variety of perspectives.
The vast majority of cosmetics marketers now offer affiliate programs in which Internet content creators may earn commissions if people who are referred to the companies’ sites by clicking on links end up making purchases.
I participate in quite a few individual affiliate programs as well as in the Sovrn/Viglinks program (which automatically converts regular links into revenue-generating links).
Links on this page that may result in affiliate income may include – but are not necessarily limited to – those from the following companies: Amazon, Chanel, Credo, Dr. Roebuck’s, Honest, Jane Iredale Mad Hippie, Mineral Fusion, Pharmaca, Sephora, True Botanicals, Ulta.
Reader comments (positive or negative) about products discussed on this website are very welcome.
Thoughts may be shared either by posting them in the comments section at the bottom of this page or by sending them directly to me at the following email address:
info at paradigmchange dot me
Companies that would like to offer me complimentary products to try out may contact me at this address as well.
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