Hypochlorous Acid: What Is It and Is It Safe for Your Skin?
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Another day, another skincare product! Hypochlorous acid is the latest popular addition to sensitive and acne-prone skin people’s skincare routine and, allegedly, has calming and healing benefits...but is it just another fad ingredient, or does it offer something more?
Meet the Experts: Carmen Castilla, M.D., New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist; Mona Gohara, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut; Hadley King, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University; Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center.
While it may seem that there are already too many serums and creams to keep track of in your arsenal of products, dermatologists say this simple solution may be the secret to healthier skin. Read on to find out what hypochlorous acid is, how it can benefit your skin, and how to use it.
What is hypochlorous acid?
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a naturally occurring compound produced by our white blood cells to fight infection and inflammation, says Mona Gohara, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut. “In skincare, it’s used for its antimicrobial and soothing properties to help cleanse and calm the skin.”
Hypochlorous acid acts as a mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent to help kill harmful bacteria and reduce irritation on the skin, says Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center. “It’s beneficial in skincare to support the skin’s natural healing process, even in those with sensitive or easily irritated skin types.” Hypochlorous acid is also considered environmentally friendly, as it doesn’t require synthetic chemicals to deliver results, she explains.
The compound uses the same mechanism as bleach to kill microbes, says Hadley King, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, “but it’s not bleach and won’t bleach your clothing, etc.”
How can hypochlorous acid benefit skin?
Hypochlorous acid has several benefits for skin health, says Dr. Shirazi. These include:
Anti-inflammatory: It calms redness and irritation, making it helpful for conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea.
Antibacterial/antimicrobial: It effectively reduces bacteria, as well as viruses and fungi, on the skin without being overly harsh, helping to prevent or manage acne breakouts and infections.
Healing support: Hypochlorous acid mimics the body’s own healing response, supporting recovery from cuts, wounds, and other minor skin irritations.
Hypochlorous acid’s ability to kill harmful bacteria while keeping the skin barrier intact makes it a versatile and gentle option for a wide range of skin concerns, says Carmen Castilla, M.D., New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist. “If used in the correct concentrations (as in skincare products), it is considered safe and beneficial, even for sensitive or compromised skin.”
How is hypochlorous acid used?
The two main ways hypochlorous acid is found in skin care are in washes or sprays, says Dr. Castilla. “A hypochlorous acid wash can be substituted for your routine cleanser while a spray can be incorporated as the second step in a skin care routine, following cleansing to serve as an alternative to a toner.”
According to Dr. Gohara, here are a few ways you can use hypochlorous acid:
Spray: Apply a hypochlorous acid facial spray after cleansing as a calming and hydrating toner. It can be used throughout the day for a refresh.
Spot treatment: Use it directly on blemishes to help reduce bacteria and inflammation.
For wound care: Apply to minor cuts and abrasions to promote healing and prevent infection.
And if you are curious about how to incorporate this new product into your previously established skincare routine, Dr. Gohara has some tips for you there, too. Here’s how:
Daily skincare step: After cleansing, spritz on a hypochlorous acid mist and follow up with moisturizer.
On-the-go soothing: Keep a spray bottle handy to calm irritation from masks or after a workout if you aren’t able to wash your face right away.
Pairing with other products: It works well with most skincare ingredients but should be applied before occlusive products like moisturizers to ensure maximum absorption.
For best results, Dr. Shirazi recommends avoiding using hypochlorous acid with strong exfoliants—such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid—as this could increase the risk of irritation.
Side effects of using hypochlorous acid on skin
Hypochlorous acid is mild, but too much of a good thing is not a good thing, says Dr. Shirazi. “If overused, it can disrupt the natural microclimate of the skin and lead to irritation.” Hypochlorous acid formulations with added skin sensitizers or preservatives could also pose a risk of irritation, so it’s best to choose formulations with varying concentrations depending on usage intent, she points out. “I favor lines like Skin Smart’s hypochlorous acid sprays with different formulations for different uses,” Dr. Shirazi recommends.
Most users experience no irritation, Dr. Gohara agrees. “However, people with extremely sensitive skin should perform a patch test first,” she suggests.
Note: Hypochlorous acid products can degrade over time and lose effectiveness if not properly stored, Dr. Gohara advises. It should be stored in cool, dark places, and contact with air should be minimized. Use the product within 12 months of opening and discard any unused product after this period.
Is hypochlorous acid safe for skin?
Yes! Hypochlorous acid is generally safe for all skin types, says Dr. Shirazi. “I recommend it because of its gentle nature and safety profile, particularly for reducing microorganisms on the skin’s surface with skin conditions like eczema or acne that have an impaired skin barrier.”
The compound is not drying the way alcohol is, and it’s not irritating the way that benzoyl peroxide can be, explains Dr. King. It’s also non-toxic, making it a popular choice for products like facial sprays and wound cleansers, Dr. Gohara adds.
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