Hypochlorous acid: TikTok has propelled this clever multi-purpose skin spray into the spotlight – here’s why

It sounds dangerous, it’s hard to pronounce, it smells of chlorine and it’s not exactly sexy, but antiviral hypochlorous acid has gone, well, viral for a reason: it’s the gentlest and most effective disinfectant and skin purifier around.

It nukes bacteria like alcohol but is also healing for the skin – no wonder TikTok has gone wild for this humble liquid that was once the preserve of surgeons and doctors, like Get The Gloss expert Dr Sophie Shotter, who used it on her hands and face while treating Covid patients in intensive care during the pandemic. Its newer fans, however, deploy it after time spent in potentially germ-heavy environments, spritzing it on their faces after a gym workout or flight to kill off any lurking nasties and help keep acne at bay.

TikTok dermatologist Dr Joyce wields it for just about everything.

@teawithmd Hypochlorous acid does it all! 💧 Check out the many ways to use @tower28beauty SOS Spray in your routine. Have you tried it yet? 👀 #skincare #hypochlorousacid #skincaretips #teawithmd #dermbypark #acne ♬ original sound – Dr. Joyce Dermatologist

While fellow dermatologist Dr Adel gives it the seal of approval for treating acne and eczema.

@aamnaadel Its EVERYWHERE but is hypochlorous acid spray worth it? 💦 #dermatologist #dradel #skincare #skintok #skincareproducts #skincareroutine #skinhack #skincaretips #acne #foryou #fyp #fypシ ♬ original sound – Dr Adel | Dermatologist

What is hypochlorous?

Hypochlorous acid, also referred to as just hypochlorous, is made by your body in response to infection – and available as a water-like solution that kills 99.99 per cent of bacteria, viruses, moulds and spores stone-dead before you can count to ten. It doesn’t sound like a product that’s going to be particularly kind to skin, especially because, as a relative to chlorine, it smells distinctly of bleach.

But hypochlorous actually resets skin’s pH balance to neutral, meaning it settles upset skin and helps it retain moisture while at the same time deeply purifying it. It’s long been a staple for aestheticians, cosmetic doctors and surgeons, who use it to rid skin of contaminants before and after injecting, needling, lasering or cutting it. It has none of the stinging, burning, and drying drawbacks of alcohol, so it’s a bit of a mystery why it’s gone under the radar for so long.

As our piece about Clinisept+,– the professional hypochlorous brand that doctors rely on –  explains, this was partly because it took a while to capture this volatile ingredient in a solution that kept it stable and active.

More confusingly, it has still not been registered for use as a biocide (a substance that controls harmful organisms) in the UK, which means brands cannot claim it kills bacteria or viruses, and can only talk about it as a purifier and a skin soothing agent. This is despite the fact it has been approved in Europe as a skin disinfectant and was carted about by countless doctors during the pandemic, as it has actually been proven to kill Coronavirus. Alas, it couldn’t be supplied by the NHS during the pandemic, despite physicians campaigning for emergency approval.

What is hypochlorous acid good for?

Apart from preventing infection in doctor’s offices, hypochlorous is good for lots of things:

• It won’t take off makeup but it’s a good skin cleanser, getting rid of pollution particles, sebum and contaminants.
• It’s a great toner, protecting your skin barrier and resetting your pH after soap, cleansers or even water throw it off.
• A quick spritz will disinfect your hands – without parching and sensitising them, like those pandemic-era alcohol gels did.
• It will also de-germ surfaces, so if you’re a bit of a germophobe, this might become a handbag staple.
• By helping repair your skin barrier as well as nixing microbes, it has been shown to improve skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
• In dedicated formulas for eyes, it can help settle and treat eye infections and provide relief from dry eyes and styes.
• In a dedicated formula for mucous membranes, it is an effective and non-stinging (though rather disgusting-tasting) mouthwash, killing bad bacteria while protecting the oral microbiome, and effective against ulcers and bleeding gums.
• It can help with athlete’s foot, the persistent fungal infection.
• It’s the perfect skin gadget purifier – spray and rub down your microneedling roller, LED mask and massage tools after every use to prevent spots and infection.
• It can be used to disinfect scrapes and nicks without stinging, so great for kids and even pets (it’s National Veterinary Services-approved).
• Owing to its soothing powers, you can use it to settle sunburn – but please make sure you don’t get burned it in the first place!
• Hypochlorous mists are becoming gym bag staples – a gentle antibac mist before and after a sweaty session will ward off face spots and bacne.
• You can use it to keep new piercings sanitised.

Is hypochlorous toxic?

No, not at all. But bleach is, so make sure not to confuse the two. The chemical name for bleach is sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); when dissolved in water and purified, it forms harmless and non-toxic hypochlorous acid or hydrogen hypochlorite – HOCl.

Can hypochlorous prevent acne?

As mentioned, if used consistently, it can settle the inflammation and bacterial activity that are at the heart of breakouts, so it can indeed help prevent and treat acne. A balanced skin pH helps stave off most skin conditions, which explains why hypochlorous is so helpful for a wide variety of other skin issues.

The best hypochlorous sprays and liquids for your needs