A liquid atomizer has an actuator, cap, piston unit and body. The actuator consists of an exterior casing, a locking block within the case, a nozzle and a piston receiving area that is in liquid communication with the nozzle. The cap has a pair of locking flanges separated by a locking channel dimensioned to receive the locking block as the actuator is depressed. A pair of stops, separated by a stop channel, prevent over rotation of the actuator. The piston unit has a piston whose proximal end has ribs and is dimensioned to be received within the ring containing piston receiving area in a juxtaposed manner. The dimensioning between the rings and the piston ribs permit disengagement, by the piston tilting under the rotational pressure enough to permit the actuator to lift slightly in order to clear the locking flanges.