Spray, Glow, and Go with the Best Moisturizing Body Mists
For those who’d rather not spend time slathering on a body lotion, mists offer similar skin nourishing benefits with a simple spritz. Top dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose says the best moisturizing body mists can be just as good as any cream or serum. “The vehicle itself doesn’t matter as much as the formulation inside. For example, both the jarred and spray versions of Aquaphor are highly occlusive and effective at locking in moisture and preventing transepidermal water loss, despite being delivered through different vehicles,” Dr. Murphy-Rose tells Vogue.
Vogue’s Favorite Moisturizing Body Mists
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Of course, if texture and weight is a concern—moisturizing mists offer much lighter application compared to traditional lotions, and “are great for those who want to avoid getting product on their hands,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. “They’re especially helpful for hard-to-reach areas and can be more hygienic and convenient (think: spraying Aquaphor during a diaper change.” However, for longer-lasting moisture, experts agree you might want to follow up with a lotion to really lock hydration in—but we’ll get into that more below. First, a look at the best moisturizing mists for a convenient glow and hydration.
Best Overall: Topicals Like Butter Moisturizing and Soothing Mist
- Why We Love It: Consider Topicals’s Like Butter to be the founding mother of viral moisturizing body mists after its initial launch in 2020 created a social media storm. Whenever I sport this moisturizing spray, people ask how my skin is so soft— though this product promises to tackle more than just dry body skin (think sunburn, heat rash, chafing, and even peeling new tattoos). This fine mist includes all the same potent botanicals as its lotion counterpart, just in a light-as-air form. Boasting a host of anti-inflammatory ingredients like green tea extract, allantoin, rhubarb, and ginseng root, the spray is super soothing (and eczema-safe) on irritated or sensitive skin.
- Key Ingredients: Green tea extract, allantoin,
- Size: 3.4 fl oz
Best Derm-Approved: Aquaphor Healing Ointment Body Spray
- Why We Love It: A favorite of Dr. Murphy-Rose, she considers Aquaphor’s Healing Ointment body spray just as good as the classic jarred version. Unlike many spray lotions, Aquaphor’s formula is water-free—meaning, it’s not watered down—ensuring longer-lasting moisture retention. Spray your arms, legs, and hard-to-reach areas for hydration in seconds without the heavy feeling of a petroleum-based balm.
- Key Ingredients: Butane, petrolatum, mineral oil, ceresin, lanolin alcohol, panthenol, glycerin, bisabolol
- Size: 6.2 oz
Best for an Instant Glow: Kai Body Glow
- Why We Love It: With all the glow of body oil, but none of the greasy feel, this body mist acts as both a moisturizer and highlighter—picture a glistening collarbone and sleek legs. The formula blends jojoba oil, aloe, chamomile, and cucumber extract for lustrous, nourished skin.
- Key Ingredients: Chamomile extract, jojoba oil, aloe vera, cucumber extract
- Size: 4 oz
Best Dry-Oil Mist: Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Nourishing Dry Body Oil
- Why We Love It: Kiehl’s airy mist expertly fuses skin-loving squalane with antioxidant-rich grape seed oil to deliver a lightweight veil of lasting hydration. The formulation is engineered to absorb quickly, leaving behind no residue (yes, your clothes will be safe)—only a smooth, dry-to-the-touch finish that feels clean and refreshingly weightless on the skin.
- Key Ingredients: Grape seed oil, squalane, sesame seed oil, avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, rosemary extract
- Size: 5.9 fl oz
Best for Gentle Exfoliation: Flamingo Women’s Light Hydrating Spray
- Why We Love It: Another standout in my routine for double-duty skincare is Flamingo’s Hydrating Spray. This multitasker delivers both moisture and gentle exfoliation in a single spritz. Infused with plant-derived squalane, it provides a nourishing surge of hydration, while white willow bark and apple extract work quietly in the background to smooth and refine with natural exfoliating properties.
- Key Ingredients: Squalane, white willowbark, papaya extract, apple extract
- Size: 6.7 oz
Best with SPF: Kopari Golden Sunglaze Body Mist Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: A true multitasker, this SPF 50 body mist delivers high sun protection with a skin-first approach. Lightweight and non-aerosol, it sprays on effortlessly—never greasy—and leaves behind a radiant, golden sheen thanks to ethically sourced mica. Hyaluronic acid delivers deep, lasting hydration, while antioxidant-rich vitamins C and E work to brighten and defend against environmental stressors. The result is soft, luminous skin that’s also protected from a high UV index.
- Key Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, homosalate 0.5%, octisalate 5%, octocrylene 10%, tocopherol, castor seed oil, hydrogenated castor oil
- Size: 5 oz
Best Splurge: La Prairie Cellular Energizing Mist Body Spray
- Why We Love It: There’s no denying that La Prairie products are pure luxury—from its elegant skin care to its luxurious body care. Formulated with energizing aromatherapeutic oils like ruby red grapefruit, cardamom, and verbena, this body mist spray awakens the senses while hydrating skin with sodium hyaluronate and glycerin. Antioxidant-rich extracts from green tea and ginseng nourish, while lactic acid works in tandem to offer gentle exfoliation for a smoother texture.
- Key Ingredients: Green tea extract, ginseng extract, lactic acid
- Size: 3.4 oz
Best for Summer: Hanni Water Balm Hydrating Body Mist
- Why We Love It: Hanni’s Water Balm Mist was made precisely for people who don’t want to lather on lotion. This fine mist spray is powered by a quartet of skin-loving ingredients: aloe leaf extract to calm irritation, hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, red algae extract to support the skin barrier, and glycerin to lock in lasting moisture. As a bonus, it naturally fights off mosquitoes thanks to a blend of essential oils like palmarosa and pink pepper, known for their insect repellent properties. The result? A summertime essential for equal parts hydration and bite protection.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf extract, red algae extract, glycerin
- Size: 6.76 oz
Best Moisturizing Fragrance: Whind Medina Drench Body Mist
- Why We Love It: Whind’s Medina Body Mist is a fragrance and moisturizer in one—soft rose petals meet a whisper of smoked vanilla cream for a weightless veil of hydration. Powered by hyaluronic acid and soybean extract, this skin-cushioning mist promises to lock in moisture for up to 72 hours. Antioxidant-rich aloe vera and prickly pear extract soothe and protect, making each spritz a sensorial and skin-loving ritual.
- Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, prickly pear extract, soybean extract, hyaluronic acid
- Size: 5.07 oz
Everything You Need To Know
What Is a Moisturizing Body Mist?
Experts suggest thinking of moisturizing body mists as a lightweight, lather-free lotion. “A moisturizing body mist delivers hydrating and skin-nourishing ingredients through a fine spray. Depending on the formulation, it may include humectants, emollients, and/or occlusives to support hydration and skin barrier function, just in a typically lighter-weight, user-friendly form,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose.
Board-certified aesthetic injector, Natia Rufolo adds that moisturizing body mists are a great way to refresh your skin while on-the-go throughout the day, and shares soome common skin-loving ingredients to look out for: “Most body mists are formulated with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or aloe, which help attract and retain water in the skin to keep your skin soft, supple, and radiant (without any of the heaviness or greasiness you might get from thicker products).” The pros only have one word of caution: be careful while applying, as product residue can easily accumulate on the floor and create a potential slipping hazard.
How To Apply a Moisturizing Body Mist
For the best results, Dr. Murphy-Rose advises patting yourself dry after the shower and immediately spritzing. “Applying to damp skin helps lock in hydration and maximize results, regardless of whether you’re using a mist, lotion, or cream,” she says. “It’s best to apply moisturizing mists while skin is still damp because post-shower, your pores are still open making your skin more absorbent. The remaining water on your damp skin helps the mist’s hydrating ingredients work even better by locking in moisture,” adds Rufolo.
Can I skip lotion if I’m using a moisturizing body mist?
Dr. Murphy-Rose advises considering personal preference, skin type, and individual needs. “For some, a mist alone may provide enough hydration, especially in humid climates or for those with normal to oily skin. Others with drier or more sensitive skin may benefit from using a mist as a hydrating base followed by a richer moisturizer to better support the skin barrier. Depending on these factors, and the specific formulation, you can achieve appropriate benefits with or without an additional moisturizer on top,” she says.
Rufolo, on the other hand, prefers to always use both a lotion and a mist to maximize on moisturizing benefits. “Both formula types complement each other wonderfully. While a mist is amazing for a quick, refreshing boost of hydration and that dewy glow, in my experience, it doesn’t provide the same level of long-lasting moisture or barrier support that a body lotion does,” says Rufolo, advising to first spray a moisturizing mist to dampen skin, and then lock it in with your favorite body lotion.
- Natia Rufolo, FNP, NP-C is a board-certified aesthetic injector, PDO thread specialist, and founder of INJX BY NAT Aesthetics.
- Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, is a top cosmetic and medical dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation at Newport Beach Dermatology & Plastic Surgery and clinical instructor of dermatology at Cornell. Dr. Murphy-Rose is also the founder of Skincare Junkie
