An atomizer and an electronic cigarette, the atomizer comprising: a housing, provided with a liquid storage chamber used to store e-liquid; a liquid guide element disposed in the housing, the liquid guide element having an atomization surface, and the liquid guide element being used to absorb some e-liquid in the liquid storage chamber and being capable of transferring the e-liquid to the atomization surface; and a radiating light source, having at least one radiation generating surface, the atomization surface facing the radiating light source and the radiating light source and the atomization surface being separated by a set distance, the radiation generating surface having provided thereon a far-infrared radiating component, the far-infrared radiating component being used to emit infrared light and at least partly radiate onto the atomization surface, so as to heat e-liquid near the atomization surface and generate an aerosol.