My skin tends to get dehydrated more often than I'd like. How about you? There are also times I just need a refresher during the day. I've been on the hunt for the perfect hydrating spray, and here are the latest contenders! Oh, and if you have any other suggestions for things I might try, please let me know :-)

ARCONA Mineral Magic, $38/2oz @ Nordstrom, Skinstore.com, Skincarerx.com, ARCONA.com

This was comfortably hydrating and seemed to be just the thing I was looking for. It comes in a hefty glass spray bottle, which is a nice touch of luxury at this price point! I love the glass, but since this doesn't come in a smaller size it makes portability somewhat of an issue. That aside, this is chock full of good for you things! From the ARCONA site:

...moisturizes, remineralizes, protects and firms skin, to leave it fresh, glowing and ageless. Firm and strengthen skin, eliminate bacteria with colloidal silver and copper regenerate. Deflect free radicals and replenish skin with antioxidant chlorophyll, rich in vitamins and minerals. Maintain moist, dewy skin with sodium PCA, a moisture-binding humectant.

Unfortunately, this started to irritate my skin. My face would start to flush and then I could feel it getting tingly and I felt like I wanted to wash my face right away. I was disappointed that this caused such a reaction, but I do know I have more reactive skin than most people. So, while I didn't get along with the Mineral Magic you still might check it out -besides being hydrating, I think this product would also make a really nice treatment toner, and also could be used to help set makeup. More Nordstrom stores are starting to carry the ARCONA line in stores so you can test it out in person. Or if you are in the LA area there is the ARCONA Studio (Spa) in Santa Monica where you can also check it out.

Ingredients:

Agua (Distilled Water), Ionic Minerals, Sodium PCA NaPCA, D2O (Heavy Water), Chlorophyllin Copper, Collodial Silver, Camellia Sinenis (Green Tea) Extract.

Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Skin Energy Hydration Delivery System (aka Skin Energy Mist), $35/2.7oz or $60/6.8oz @ Sephora, US.Amorepacific.com, Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman

Now, this I love!!! Well mostly, but we'll get to that in a minute! This is light...this is hydrating...this sprays evenly and in a very fine mist so it doesn't feel overpowering. Bottom line: it gets the job done - and does so very well!!! I've also used it as a finishing spray and before moisturizer for an added boost. It just feels really good!! Plus it's a larger size for the money when compared to other brands in this same price range.

Description from Sephora:

This oil-free, water-free pick-me-up immediately tones and energizes skin, counteracting chronic dehydration and enhancing delivery of treatment products. It works perfectly pre-makeup and as a post-makeup setting step.

-Aqua Sponge Complex™: Improves skin's ability to bind water, preventing dehydration.

-Mineral and Amino Acid Blend: Increases skin's defense against stress and the environment, promoting radiance and vitality.

-Red Ginseng Complex: Provides antioxidants that prevent damage from environmental aggressors.

I love that this doesn't have water in it, which probably sounds strange!! Most hydrating sprays contain water as the first ingredient. Often times, after the water evaporates you are left feeling just as dehydrated as you were before - totally defeating the purpose of a hydrating spray in the first place! That doesn't happen with the Amore Pacific - I'm left feeling hydrated for many hours afterward, and generally only need the 1x midday spritz!

I would've thought I'd found my Holy Grail of hydrating sprays except for one thing: I can't get over the smell. It's got the classic Amore Pacific fragrance that I can best describe as a soapy floral. I wouldn't mind if it dissipated quickly, but I find it lingers longer than I want it to. But my Husband likes the smell!! I'm torn. I absolutely love this product but...

Fragrance aside, if you are in the market for a hydrating spray, I'd highly recommend this one!!! Just smell it first *wink* :-)

Ingredients:

Phyllostachys Bambusoides Juice, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Peg/Ppg-17/6 Copolymer,Glycerin, Betaine, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins, Kaempferol, Sodium PCA, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Serine, Glycine, Ethyl Hexanediol, Glutamic Acid, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Lysine, Arginine, Alanine, Threonine, Proline, Dimethicone, PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated C6-14 Olefin Polymers, Peg-75, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, BHT, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Fragrance.