As a beauty editor with nearly a decade’s worth of experience in the beauty industry under my belt, I like to think that I approach every product claim and marketing buzzword with a healthy dose of scepticism. And when it comes to products that go viral on TikTok, truly I take the hype with a pinch of salt. But when creators started posting rave reviews about a little-known skincare ingredient this summer, and the videos started gaining traction, my interest was piqued. Why? Well it turns out that I’m already a long-time fan of this under-the-radar product that was being heralded as a quick fix for everything from breakouts to inflamed post-gym skin. The ingredient in question? Hypochlorous acid.
Most commonly available in face mist format, with Tower 28’s SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray garnering countless video reviews, it has been growing in popularity this year thanks to its bacteria-busting properties. And while I have known about, and loved, a product containing this very ingredient for years now—along with most other beauty editors I chat to—I wanted to find out exactly whether hypochlorous acid was worth the hype in an expert’s opinion.
What is hypochlorous acid?
“Simply put, hypochlorous acid is a weak acid that has antibacterial properties,” explains Dr Sonia Khorana, GP and Dermatology Expert. And, interestingly, although it has gone viral for its skin-soothing abilities, Dr Khorana points out that hypochlorous acid is actually found in household products like surface cleaners too. “To ensure it’s safe to be used on the skin, the form of hypochlorous acid used in skincare is very diluted—100 parts per million to be precise—to ensure that it’s safe to be used.”
What are the benefits of using hypochlorous acid on the skin?
Before it went viral on TikTok I was aware of makeup artists keeping hypochlorous acid mists in their kits backstage.for their skin-soothing abilities. In fact, Katie Jane Hughes, the makeup artist behind the beauty looks of Hailey Bieber and Dua Lipa, posted a video declaring her love for it earlier this year. As an acne-prone beauty editor, however, I’ve always had a hypochlorous acid spray in my stash after a dermatologist mentioned to me that it could be beneficial at reducing spots when we were all wearing face masks a couple of years back. And, actually, Dr Khorana agrees that hypochlorous acid can be beneficial for dealing with breakouts.
“When it comes to treating acne, one of the key mechanisms to address is fighting off bacteria on the skin that can cause acne flare-ups. As an antimicrobial, hypochlorous acid works effectively to kill off bacteria, speed up wound healing, and repair damage on the skin,” explains Dr Khorana.
But that’s not all. Turns out, the best hypochlorous acid sprays can ease a whole array of skin types. “Its ability to combat inflammation on the skin means it is great for conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, wound healing and even razor burn. It can help with itch reduction as well as treating flaking and redness on the skin,” says Dr Khorana. Plus, while I’m not much of a gym bunny myself, TikTok has been awash with creators who love using hypochlorous acid spray after the gym—and Dr Khorana agrees.
What are the downsides of using hypochlorous acid?
So much of the skincare advice found on TikTok is patchy at best, and potentially damaging at worst, but thankfully hypochlorous acid does seem to come expert-approved. But when it comes to choosing the best spray for your skin, Dr Khorana stresses the importance of looking at the formulation closely. “With hypochlorous acid, formulation is key and I always advise patients to pay attention to ingredients in their products such as drying alcohols or other skin irritants. As with most approaches, sometimes simpler is better,” Dr Khorana explains.
And while it definitely does boast antimicrobial properties, if you’re looking for really efficacious ingredients then hypochlorous acid might not be your best option. “While it can be a beneficial addition to your routine—and ideal for someone with sensitive skin who is managing acne but might experience irritation from stronger ingredients—I wouldn’t recommend it as a replacement for other acne treatments,” says Dr Khorana. Instead, she suggests looking for products containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or retinoids if you’re prone to acne, or prescription options which you can use alongside hypochlorous acid if you have rosacea, psoriasis or eczema.
Shop the best hypochlorous acid sprays
The best hypochlorous acid sprays, listed:
- Clinisoothe+Skin Purifier
- Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
- Clinisept+ Skin
- Base Laboratories Hypochlorous Acid Spray
- ISOCLEAN Hypochlorous Spray
- Vital Baby Aquaint Sanitising Water
- The Light Salon Boost Cleanse & Recovery Spray
1. Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier
My hypochlorous acid spray of choice, Clinisoothe+ started out as something of a beauty industry insider secret with dermatologists recommending it for its purifying capabilities. It's gentle and specially formulated with a skin-neutral pH so it won't irritate or dry out your skin.
2. Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
It's unlikely you'll be able to spend more than a couple of minutes on your TikTok for you page without coming across this product—the hypochlorous acid spray that's been going viral. Although it's not widely available in the UK, you can find it on Revolve, and having tried it myself I can attest to how calm and clear it leaves my skin.
3. Clinisept+ Skin
Formulated to help skin recover post-treatment, this spray has a minimal ingredients list with hypochlorous acid at the top. Particularly good if your skin is irritated or you have eczema, psoriasis or rosacea, it aids your skin's natural healing and reduces inflammation.
4. Base Laboratories Hypochlorous Acid Spray
Just a quick scroll on Amazon reveals hundreds of 5-star reviews for this hypochlorous acid spray with customers raving about its ability to ease acne, speed up healing, and cool skin during warm weather.
5. ISOCLEAN Hypochlorous Spray
Starting life as makeup brush-cleaning brand, ISOCLEAN's new facial mist aims to fight bacteria, refresh the skin and support your skin barrier while soothing and clearing congestion.
6. Vital Baby Aquaint Sanitising Water
Although this product is marketed as an effective baby sanitising product, it has also taken off on TikTok thanks to its affordable price point and simple ingredients list—it's just hypochlorous acid and water. The latest reviews speak to the product's gentleness and efficacy in dealing with everything from acne to sensitivity but, be warned, it sells out fast.
7. The Light Salon Boost Cleanse & Recovery Spray
If you're prone to redness or irritation then this is the hypochlorous spray for you. The team here at Who What Wear are big fans of the way it calms and soothes skin. Plus, it has a very satisfying pump which evenly dispenses the mist across your face.
