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Many people have been packing spray bottles of hypochlorous acid alongside their usual Hydroflasks, deodorants, and extra towels—claiming the mists can help prevent post-workout acne, stave off odor, and even clean equipment. But if it can do all that, is it really safe to spray on your face? And what is hypochlorous acid, anyway?
First thing’s first: hypochlorous acid is a weak acid (a chemistry term for acid with a low pH level—think citric acid) with strong antimicrobial properties. As in 100-times-more-powerful-than-bleach strong, Jaimie DeRosa, MD, a double-certified plastic surgeon, tells Allure. HOCl (in chemical symbols) is commonly used in surface cleaners, pool cleaners, and facial cleansers. One of these things is not like the others, but you read that right: This disinfectant can also be found in your skin-care products.
Before you go reaching under your kitchen sink for some cleaning supplies to spray on your face…don’t. Cosmetic chemist Ginger King says there’s a big difference between the hypochlorous acid found in your surface cleaners and the acid found in your face mists. “It has to be diluted to 100 parts per million before it’s safe to use on your skin,” she says. “Skin-care brands will have diluted the concentration and done safety testing to ensure consumer safety.”
When diluted correctly, hypochlorous acid is harsh on harmful bacteria but gentle on skin–even sensitive skin. Skin experts actually recommend using products containing hypochlorous acid to fight common bacterial skin problems like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It essentially disinfects your face, reducing inflammation and accelerating your skin’s natural healing processes.
There’s no need to gradually introduce hypochlorous acid into your skin-care routine or worry about adverse reactions–you’re already being exposed to it every day. That’s because hypochlorous acid is produced naturally by your skin, created by your white blood cells to defend against infection and bacteria. When you get a cut or scrape on your skin, hypochlorous acid kicks in to keep harmful germs out.
Somewhere along the way, chemists discovered how to bottle HOCl using a simple mixture of salt, water, and vinegar—allowing them to produce hypochlorous acid en masse (and giving us great products (like the Personal Day Trust Me On This Hypochlorous Acid Spray and Prequel Universal Skin Solution Dermal Spray).
We spoke to a few skin experts to get the scoop on hypochlorous acid and how to use it. Here’s everything you need to know.
- Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist and product developer based in New Jersey.
- Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut.
- Jaimie DeRosa, MD, is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Boston and Palm Beach.
What is hypochlorous acid?
“Hypochlorous acid is a substance that our bodies naturally produce within our white blood cells, it works to kill bacteria and irritants that are harmful to us,” says Dr. DeRosa. In layman’s terms, it’s nature’s disinfectant—used to combat inflammation and speed up the body’s natural healing processes.
In the science world, hypochlorous acid is replicated by combining salt, water, and vinegar through electrolysis. The result is a formula that replicates your skin’s natural ability to fight bacteria and heal. When that formula is concentrated correctly and added to your favorite skin and hair-care products, you can give your face and scalp a boost of healing energy anytime you need it.
In higher concentrations, hypochlorous acid can be found in common cleaners. It’s used to disinfect surfaces and sanitize medical equipment, explains King.
What are the benefits of using hypochlorous acid?
“Hypochlorous acid is a powerful killer of bacteria, viruses, and even fungus,” says Dr.DeRosa. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it a great treatment for a variety of skin challenges, from cystic acne to sunburns.
