Now you can spray all your skincare products.

What if, instead of carefully rubbing in layers of creams and gels, your skincare routine consisted of just a few quick sprays?

Easier, faster and certainly less messy, spray skin care products are all the rage.

Toners, exfoliators, sunscreens, moisturizers, and even facial serums now come with a nozzle. But are they as effective as traditional formulas?

“Spray skincare products differ primarily from creams or lotions in that sprays must contain a much finer emulsion in order to be applied as a mist. This means they are naturally lighter,” explains dermatologist Thuva Amuthan of the Dr Derme Dermatology and Aesthetics Clinic (drderme.com).

‘Sprays are convenient, easily absorbed, and can feel less occlusive and heavy than creams.’

But she warns that you have to take into account your skin type before applying it.

“Those with oily or acne-prone skin may benefit from spray formulas because these products are less likely to clog pores,” she explains.

‘But very dry or sensitive skin types may find that spray formulas don’t provide enough hydration or skin barrier protection.’

I’m looking forward to trying out the new sprays. Dr. Amuthan recommends holding it at least six inches away from the skin to get even coverage. “Spray in a sweeping motion, so you’re covering all the desired areas thoroughly,” she suggests.

Once you’ve sprayed, allow the product to sit for a few seconds before gently wiping away any residue with clean hands.

Armed with this advice, I swapped my usual creams and serums for a spray-based skincare routine for two weeks. Here’s my expert guide to which sprays are actually worth the money…

SOFT AND SOOTHING TONER

For my first foray into sprays, I opted for Dr Hauschka Facial Spray Toner, £27 for 100ml, because it’s suitable for all skin types, even dry skin.

An added bonus is that it contains witch hazel, a key skincare ingredient for soothing blemishes and irritation.

I loved how light this toner felt – the mist was very fine for a pump sprayer and absorbed immediately without leaving any sticky feeling or shine. It left my skin feeling soft and comfortable and also helped soothe a couple of pesky breakouts. 4/5

NECK SAVIOUR WITH NIACINAMIDE

There was no way I was going to stop using a chest and neck product for a fortnight (those with a wrinkled décolletage will understand), so Beauty Pie Uber Youth Neck & Chest Super Lift Serum-Spray (£17 for 95ml for members, £75 for non-members), seemed like a solid substitute.

I found the texture a little sticky upon application, so I had to resort to rubbing it in. But there’s an impressive ingredient list: a hefty dose of niacinamide, a clinically proven active ingredient that brightens skin tone and diminishes sun-induced pigmentation, plus peptides to firm sagging skin.

After a couple of weeks, the redness on my chest, caused by sun damage, looked more even and felt softer. I will continue to use it. 3/5

THE SUCCESS OF JAPANESE BUDGET HUMIDITY

Japanese brand Curel’s Deep Moisture Spray, which costs £19.50 and comes in a giant 150ml bottle, is the best value I’ve tried. It contains ceramides, an undisputed ingredient in moisturisers for me, as they help protect the skin barrier.

It was super easy to apply and gave off the finest mist of any I tried. Surprisingly, given that it’s designed for drier skin types, it felt feather-light, absorbed within seconds, and was also a great makeup base – it’s not greasy, but left my skin feeling soft and smooth. Since the mist is so fine, I also sprayed it over my makeup during the day whenever my skin needed a pick-me-up. Bonus points because it can also be used as a body moisturizer. 5/5

STICKY SERUM WITH A POTENTIAL OF VITAMINS

I was panicking because I thought switching to a spray-on regime would mean giving up my beloved night serum which contains retinol, a vitamin A derivative that has been shown to help diminish fine lines. But I discovered SkinGym’s Super Juicy Collagen Spray-On Serum, which costs £20 for 100ml, contains bakuchiol, a plant-derived vitamin A, along with hydrating hyaluronic acid and peptides.

I didn’t like the texture – the spray came out in pretty heavy droplets and felt slimy, but it left my skin feeling hydrated and nourished. 3/5

SPF APPLIED OVER MAKEUP

SPF is always the last step in my daytime routine, so I swapped my usual SPF50 face cream for UltraSun SPF50 Face & Scalp Mist, £22 for 75ml. This product offers high, broad-spectrum UV protection (a must) and is alcohol-free, so perfect for sensitive skin.

The spray itself is very light and covers evenly, without any large droplets. However, I did notice that it felt a bit greasy, even after giving it time to absorb.

However, what I liked most about this product is that it can be used over makeup or along the line to complement sun protection during the day. 4/5