DIY Watermelon Face Mist to Make Your Skin Glow

Refresh your skin with a DIY watermelon face mist! This refreshing face spray recipe is like a drink of watermelon juice for thirsty skin. It’s infused with real watermelon extract to quench dryness, cool down overheated skin, and give your face a dewy glow.

Is there any fruit more refreshing than watermelon? It’s the perfect summer snack, but this juicy fruit can do a lot more than refresh your body — it can also help cool down overheated skin.

And while fresh, in-season watermelon might only come once a year, watermelon skin care is a luxury you can enjoy any time. But you don’t have to buy when you can DIY.

Ever since I published my watermelon jelly face mask, I’ve been excited to share a collection of watermelon-infused DIY skin care recipes. And this DIY watermelon face mist is the perfect pairing to that original jelly mask recipe.

Like a cool drink for thirsty skin, this multitasking face spray can help:

• Cool down overheated, red or inflamed skin
• Repair UV damage after sun exposure
• Hydrate dry skin and increase moisture retention
• Set your makeup with a dewy, glowing finish
• Give your face a watermelon glow

And of course, while it makes a lovely addition to your summer skin care routine, this face mist can be also used year round (or whenever you find yourself yearning for summer).

It might not be possible to bottle the feeling of eating fresh watermelon, but I hope this refreshing face spray recipe comes close!

Benefits of watermelon for skin care

You might be wondering, what does watermelon mist do for your skin? And is watermelon skincare anything but a gimmick?

It’s not just watermelon’s connection to sunny days that make it such a useful addition to your summer skin care regimen. It’s the fact that watermelon actually benefits your skin during the summer.

Nature knew exactly what she was doing with this delicious fruit. Watermelon is extremely rich in lycopene, one of the most important carotenoids in the human body^1,2.

Lycopene plays an important role in protecting our skin from the sun – so much so that sunscreens have even been developed from the lycopene isolated from watermelon³.

Of course, it’s not clear how much lycopene remains in watermelon extract after processing. And nothing replaces a properly formulated sunscreen. But the good news is that watermelon offers so much more for our skin.

Aside from its carotenoid content, watermelon is also chock-full of vitamins, minerals and amino acids that can help boost the skin’s health and overall radiance. And healthy skin is glowing skin – talk about a watermelon glow!

Other benefits of watermelon for skincare:

• Rich in vitamins, solutes and and amino acids that contribute to healthy skin
• Especially high in the collagen-building amino acid citrulline⁴
• Can help reduce inflammation and redness after sun exposure⁵
• High in brightening and collagen-boosting vitamin C
• Aids in repairing UV damage thanks to high lycopene content⁶

Of course, this is merely scratching the surface of watermelon’s skin benefits. I don’t want to repeat too much information, so you can check out my watermelon face mask for a deeper dive.

But by now it’s likely clear why a watermelon facial mist (and other DIY watermelon skin care products) can benefit your skin.

Speaking of watermelon skincare…

Glow Recipe Watermelon Face Mist Dupe?

Watermelon is an age-old home beauty treatment, but the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow products are undoubtedly responsible for watermelon skincare’s explosion in popularity.

Glow Recipe’s founders have talked about being inspired by Korean home beauty remedies passed down by their mothers, such as using fresh watermelon rind as a cooling face pack. 

The Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask and the Watermelon Glow Ultra Fine Face Mist are a couple of the brand’s popular products. Unfortunately their success has also spawned many dupes, with some brands releasing blatant Glow Recipe rip-offs.

That said, I’m not trying to rip anyone off. Though I seem to have (unintentionally) made a few homemade skincare recipes that resemble Glow Recipe products – see watermelon glow mask and papaya enzyme cleansing balm – this isn’t meant to be a dupe for the Watermelon Glow Face Mist.

I just share Glow Recipe’s love for watermelon, fruity skincare products in general, and the natural benefits fruit extracts can offer our skin.

The only similarity between my face mist and Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow spray is that they both contain watermelon extract. My watermelon face spray is also oil-free, and Glow Recipe’s product contains watermelon seed oil.

So if you’re looking for a Glow Recipe dupe, this isn’t it. But if you’re looking for simple DIY to help you get that watermelon glow at home, I think this fits the bill.

Trader Joe’s Watermelon Face Spray Dupe?

On the same topic, Trader Joe’s Watermelon Facial Mist is another popular watermelon skincare product, and you might be wondering how this DIY compares.

Much like the Glow Recipe mist, the Trader Joe’s watermelon spray contains a high percentage of oils, including watermelon oil, for a more shiny skin finish. It also appears to be quite high in watermelon fragrance.

For these reasons, my watermelon face spray recipe isn’t a Trader Joe’s dupe either, and it doesn’t contain any synthetic watermelon fragrance.

So with all that aside, let’s get into what this watermelon mist does contain, and how you can actually make it.

After the recipe, I’ll get into more of its benefits and the different ways you can use it to set your makeup, refresh your skin, and more.

Watermelon face mist ingredients

Watermelon by itself is already so useful for hydrating and soothing the skin, but I added some additional ingredients that further boost this facial mist’s healing, soothing, and reparative properties.

These extra ingredients are not required to reap the benefits of watermelon, though.

So for those who are looking for an easy DIY, I’ve also included a simple version of the face mist using only the 4 main ingredients (plus a natural preservative).

Watermelon extract

I used cosmetic watermelon fruit powder extract to infuse this DIY face spray with all the natural goodness of watermelon, including its subtle fragrance.

You might be wondering – does watermelon powder fruit extract smell like watermelon?

Well, watermelon powder extract itself doesn’t have much of a scent. But the good news is, once rehydrated with water, it releases a light and fruity watermelon fragrance.

The bad news is that watermelon extract’s scent is not very strong, especially at the low concentrations that must be used in skin care products.

So, this might come as a disappointment to those looking for skin care that smells like watermelon candy.

Watermelon extract in skincare products

The maximum recommended concentration for watermelon fruit extract in skincare is a tiny 0.5%. This is why store-bought watermelon cosmetics frequently contains added fragrance.

Without fragrance, these products would not have the fun watermelon scent that attracts consumers.

Admittedly, skincare products that smell like candy are very alluring. But for those (like me) with sensitive, reactive skin, fragrance is usually off-limits.

This may also apply even to those who don’t have sensitive skin, and who are just cognizant of the health and environmental implications of using synthetic fragrance.

So while I wish my watermelon face mist had the same Jolly Ranchers watermelon candy scent that the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow products are reported to have, it doesn’t.

But it does smell lightly fruity while still being natural, and without any kind of synthetic fragrance that could potentially irritate your skin.

Where to buy watermelon powder fruit extract

I found watermelon powder extract on Etsy, and you may also be able to find it at your local cosmetic supply store.

Another option is liquid watermelon extract (MakingCosmetics sells one). You can use the liquid extract at a higher percentage than watermelon powder – 1 to 3% as opposed to the 0.5% maximum for powdered fruit extract.

Personally, I like the natural scent and colour of watermelon powder extract, and I’m not sure if the liquid extract has the same fruity scent.

Aloe vera 200x powder

True to its name, aloe vera 200x powder is 200 times more concentrated than regular aloe vera powder.

This particular type of aloe vera powder has some truly remarkable properties. For one, it’s incredibly rich in aloe polysaccharides, which give it an intensely moisturizing skin feel.

Its highly concentrated nature means that you only need a small amount to get the benefits of aloe. In fact, a minuscule spoonful of this aloe powder turns water into reconstituted aloe juice.

This aloe juice feels thicker and more hydrating than plain water alone, which makes the perfect base for a moisturizing face mist.

As an added bonus, aloe powder adds a refreshing aloe fragrance that pairs well with watermelon. You can find aloe vera 200x powder on Etsy as well as at cosmetic supply stores.

Vegetable glycerin

A small amount of vegetable glycerin helps this watermelon facial mist hydrate your face. Glycerine is hygroscopic, so it draws moisture from the surrounding environment and locks it into your skin.

If you aren’t a fan of glycerin’s skin feel or find it too greasy, you could also replace it with propanediol, another natural humectant.

Natural preservative

As with any water containing product, a preservative is necessary to keep harmful bacteria and mold at bay.

I used Linatural for this watermelon face mist recipe. Linatural is a broad-spectrum natural preservative containing the ingredients propendiol, ethylhexylglycerin and potassium sorbate.

I find to be very gentle on my reaction skin. A gentle preservative is ideal for skincare meant for already irritated skin such as in the case of overheat, sunburn, or irritation.

However, you don’t have to use Linatural, and you can use whichever preservative you would like at its recommended percentage. Other gentle options are the natural preservatives Leucidal Liquid SF and AMTicide Coconut.

Optional ingredients

The following ingredients are not required to make this homemade watermelon face mist, but add extra benefits:

• Allantoin. A naturally occurring compound found in comfrey root and chamomile, allantoin is known for it’s powerful moisturizing, soothing and healing properties. It can help provide relief for red, inflamed skin caused by sunburn or conditions such as eczema.
• Panthenol. Also known as pro-vitamin b5, panthenol is incredibly anti-inflammatory and can help soothe UV-induced redness and inflammation. It can also help reduce skin sensitivity and increase moisture retention.
• Sorbitan oleate. A natural, olive-derived liquid emulsifier that adds a moisturizing skin feel. It also turns the formula slightly cloudy, giving it a softer pink. But sorbitan oleate isn’t necessary and should be skipped if you have oily skin.
• Pink beet powder. Watermelon extract does not offer much colour, so I used pink natural food colouring powder to give this face mist a brighter watermelon pink.

DIY Watermelon Face Mist Recipe

91.5ml distilled water (see recipe notes)
5g vegetable glycerin or propanediol
2g Linatural natural preservative
1g aloe vera 200x powder
0.5g watermelon powder fruit extract
Pinch of pink beet powder

Optional ingredients

1g allantoin powder
1g panthenol liquid
1g sorbitan oleate

Equipment

Glass lab beakers
Cosmetic scale that weighs to 0.1g
Pipettes for measuring
Mini stainless steel whisk
Small funnel
4oz fine mist spray bottle (see notes)

How to make watermelon face mist

1. Before making your watermelon face spray, please ensure your tools, equipment, and work area are clean and sanitized. See recipe notes.
2. Weigh your vegetable glycerine into a small beaker.
3. In the same beaker, add your watermelon powder. Whisk to incorporate.
4. Then, slowly sprinkle your aloe powder over the watermelon glycerin mixture. Whisk well to incorporate, as aloe powder is prone to clumping.
5. Add your pink beet powder and whisk until dissolved.
6. If using any additional ingredients (panthenol, allantoin or sorbitan oleate), add them now.
7. Add your distilled water and whisk gently to incorporate all ingredients in your watermelon mist.
8. Finally, add your preservative and mix gently.
9. Transfer to your fine mist spray bottle, and your face spray is ready to use.

Recipe notes

Safety & cleanliness

Before making any homemade skin care products, it’s very important to ensure your tools, storage containers and work area are clean and sanitized.

Wash all equipment with hot soapy water. Finish by thoroughly spraying everything with 70% alcohol in a well-ventilated area, then allow to dry. Make sure you get inside your face mist spray nozzle as well.

Isopropyl alcohol is a popular choice, but the fumes bother me, so I use a 70% ethyl alcohol sanitizer to sanitize my DIY skincare equipment.

Storage & shelf life

• Keep your watermelon spray in a cool, dark place. You can also store it in the fridge for extra cooling effects.
• As with all homemade skincare, there’s a risk of bacterial contamination. So I recommend using your spray within six months to stay on the safe side.
• This recipe makes 100ml of face mist, which fits easily in a 4oz spray bottle.

The exact gold fine mist spray bottle in the photos is from Rail19, but they are no longer available in the 4oz size. However, they still sell a larger version if you like the look.

I like these bottles because they produce an ultra fine mist that lets you lightly spritz your face without soaking your skin, which is especially useful when setting your make up.

Measuring your ingredients

To maintain the right percentages of active ingredients, the formula’s weight must equal 100g. So if you are adding any of the optional ingredients, you will need to subtract their weight from your total volume of liquid. 

This is much easier than it sounds. 1ml of water equals 1g. So, if you add 1g each of allantoin, panthenol and sorbitan oleate, this equals 3g. So, simply subtract 3 from the 91.5ml of water to equal 88.5ml.

Ingredients & substitutions

You can also use liquid watermelon extract in place of watermelon powder.

You can use the liquid extract at a higher percentage than watermelon powder – 1 to 3% as opposed to the 0.5% maximum for powdered fruit extract.

Watermelon face mist benefits and how to use it

You can use this face mist the way you would typically use any kind of hydrating spray, such as after washing your face, before applying a serum, or between layers of skin care products.

Though this recipe is incredibly moisturizing, its benefits go far beyond hydration. So I’ve also listed a few other ideas for how to use it.

Refreshing face mist or DIY cooling spray

Much like fresh, juicy watermelon helps cool down your body on a hot day, this watermelon face mist can also help cool down your skin.

You can keep it at your desk on hot days and reach for it whenever your skin feels overheated or flushed. Better yet, keep it refrigerated for even more potent cooling effects – I keep a small bottle in my AstroAI skincare fridge.

You can also bring it with you in your purse when you’re out and about or in a hot car. Or, bring it in along in your beach bag to help keep your face cool while spending the day in the sun.

If you have rosacea, keeping the skin cool is even more important. You can use this watermelon spray as using a cooling face mist to help soothe rosacea flare ups.

Soothing after sun face mist recipe

You can also use this face mist as a soothing after sun spray. Watermelon extract is recognized for its UV protective properties, making it an excellent ingredient to use after sun exposure.

Not only does it help cool the skin, but the watermelon extract can help repair sun-induced oxidative stress.

DIY mask refresher spray

Another way to use this face mist is to refresh and re-hydrate your skin after wearing a mask.

The past year has led us all to experience a brand new crop of mask-related skin issues, including “maskne” and dry skin.

Personally, until I started using two tricks, I found that wearing a mask would suck all the moisture out of my skin, leaving it completely dehydrated by the end of the day. 

What fixed it was first, using a silk face mask underneath my regular mask, and secondly, regularly reapplying face mist.

Whenever you have a chance to take off your mask, reapply a light spritz of watermelon face mist to rehydrate your skin. Repeat as necessary throughout the day to prevent mask induced dryness.

Watermelon makeup setting spray

This face mist also doubles as a refreshing watermelon setting spray. Aloe vera powder creates a film on your skin that helps lock in moisture while also locking down make up. 

It works really well without being overly greasy, but without drying out your skin either – a good balance of moisture and long lasting hold.

This face mist contains the same variety of highly concentrated aloe vera powder that I used in my makeup setting spray recipe for oily skin.

If your skin is on the oily side, you might find that recipe works better for you. But if you have normal to dry skin, give the watermelon a try instead.

If you’re interested, I have a few other makeup setting spray recipes on the blog as well. I also have a separate watermelon setting spray recipe coming, but in the meantime, this face mist works very well to set make up.

Other watermelon face spray questions

Can you use watermelon juice in this face mist?

You may be wondering – can you just use watermelon juice on your face?

As refreshing as it might be to use freshly juiced watermelon as your face mist, it would go bad pretty quickly. 

Skincare brands can do it because they have the equipment to do so. For instance, Glow Recipe uses a special preservation process for the fresh watermelon fruit that they use in their skincare products.

This is not easy to do at home, which is why using powdered watermelon extract and distilled water is safer for the average person.

If you would really like to use fresh watermelon juice on your face, you still can. You can read my watermelon jelly mask for instructions on how to use watermelon juice in a face mask.

How to make watermelon extract for skin?

So, can you make watermelon extract? It depends.

Glow Recipe uses a proprietary process to make their watermelon extract. You might be able to achieve similar results by making some sort of watermelon glycerite, which is an infusion of watermelon and glycerin.

This can of course be done at home with the right knowledge, but is likely better done in the pristine environment of a lab.

You can read more information about making fresh fruit glycerites in this article by Formula Botanica.

More DIY summer skincare recipes

Looking for more ways to use watermelon in your summer skin care routine? Check out these other DIY beauty recipes:

• DIY Watermelon Face Mask
• Watermelon Soap Recipe for Glowing Skin

You might also enjoy these other homemade skincare recipes for summertime:

• DIY Watermelon Face Mask
• Exfoliating Papaya Enzyme Cleansing Balm Recipe
• DIY Shimmer Makeup Setting Spray
• Summer Makeup Setting Spray Without Glycerin
• DIY Rosewater Setting Spray

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