E! IllustrationIf you’re on theskincare trends side of TikTok, you know there’s no shortage of new beauty products to try. The latest ingredient that has the internet buzzing is hypochlorous acid spray. Beauty lovers of all kinds are raving over the natural ingredient for its cleansing, calming, refreshing and antiseptic capabilities that sanitize and repair skin simultaneously.
- TikTok’s Favorite Hypochlorous Acid: Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
- Affordable Hypochlorous Acid for Beginners: Mario Badescu Repairing HOCI Facial Spray
- Best Hypochlorous Spray for Cleansing and Healing: Active Skin Repair Spray
Skincare enthusiasts and dermatologists alike have been touting the simple ingredient as a cure-all for everything fromacne to dermatitis. But what is it and does it actually work? More importantly: which is the best hypochlorous acid spray to buy?
We’ve got the answers to all of your questions plus product recommendations from our shopping experts.
What is hypochlorous acid spray?
Hypochlorous acid (often shortened to HOCl) is a naturally-occurring molecule found in our immune systems, according to experts. It’s been a staple in the medical settings for a long time, but it’s HOCl’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that have made it such a skincare savior.
Essentially, it may sanitize your skin of pore-clogging bacteria and may soothe skin inflammation and irritation, in addition to potentially having wound-healing properties. It’s because of this that social media users love to incorporate it into their in-flight or post-gym skincare routines.
Although having acid in the name might lead you to believe it’s a harsh ingredient, it’s actually quite gentle and safe to use on sensitive skin since it has a low pH.
For these reasons, it’s viewed as a multi-purpose solution to a number of skincare concerns.
Does hypochlorous acid spray help with acne?
The main reason that hypochlorous acid popped off on TikTok in the first place was because of claims that it helps treat acne— and that’s true, according to one study that compared its effectiveness to benzoyl peroxide.
However, hypochlorous acid may also help calm eczema, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.
If you’re ready to get in on the hypochlorous acid trend, scroll on to shop the best ones.
Rave review: “This spray has been a game-changer for calming my sensitive, easily irritated skin. It feels refreshing, absorbs quickly, and really helps reduce redness and flare-ups without any stinging or heaviness. I love that it’s fragrance-free and gentle enough to use multiple times a day—even over makeup.”
Prequel Universal Skin Solution Hypochlorous Acid Spray
For all the drugstore girlies out there, opt for this HOCl spray from Prequel, which is a one of the best affordable skincare brands in my opinion. It’s formulated with barrier-strengthening magnesium and minerals.
Rave review: “This hypochlorous acid spray is a staple I genuinely didn’t know I needed. It’s helped keep my skin clear of breakouts, especially in the heat & muggy weather. I use this daily & have purchased this Prequel one multiple times!”
Mario Badescu Repairing HOCl Facial Spray with Hypochlorous Acid
Looking for a sweet deal? This fragrance-free pick is the most affordable, plus you can get in a two-pack.
Rave review: “It’s a good amount of product for the price and it works SO GOOD! It clears my skin and it prevents irritation! I use it after waxing my eyebrows or when I get a sunburn or after shaving!”
medicube Power Soothing Spray
Fans of the TikTok famous brand medicube will be happy to know that they’ve recently come out with their own hypochlorous acid spray. It’s made with allantoin and panthenol for added hydration.
Rave review: “My essentials not to breakout after the gym. I spray morning, post workout and at night before bed. My breakouts drastically reduces! And pores look tighter and cleaner. Black heads reduced too.”
Base Laboratories Hypochlorous Acid Spray
Reduce redness, calm irritated skin, and keep acne at bay with this budget-friendly face spray.
Rave reviews: “It ‘dries out pimples’ without any drying. Just helps my skin stay clear and calm. My skin almost feels more moisturized too.”
BRIOTECH Topical Skin Spray
Spray this from head to toe to achieve clear skin. It comes in a bunch of different sizes, so you can pick the one that’s right for you. It has over 11,000 5-star reviews.
Rave review: “I started doing a few sprays on my chest, shoulders, and back once a day after getting out of the shower. And it WORKED. After 1 month, my acne was considerably better; after 3, it was gone. Now I only get the odd pimple or so during my period.”
Magic Molecule Hypochlorous Acid Spray
This spray is tough on bacteria but gentle on your skin so there’s no need to worry about it stinging or burning.
Rave review: “This product saved my skin. I was experiencing the worst breakout of my life this summer, largely due to excess bacteria and sweat. It was getting out of control, but I started using this throughout the day, and within 1 to 2 weeks, it all went away.”
Personal Day Trust Me On This Hypochlorous Acid Spray
Those with sensitive skin will appreciate that this spray only has three ingredients: water, sodium, and hypochlorous acid.
Rave review: “I’m in my early twenties & have sensitive, acne prone skin. This product has been wholeheartedly life-changing. I’ve been using it morning & night for three months and have noticed such a difference in my skin. I’m a drugstore skincare girlie and would pay double for this product if I had to.”
Hypochlorous Acid Face and Skin Spray
Those with sensitive skin will appreciate that this spray only has three ingredients: water, sodium, and hypochlorous acid.
Rave review: “This stuff has saved my face. I have so many skin issues and sensitivities that I can never find something that won’t cause an immediate flare up. This stuff saved me when I was going through a heavy rosacea flare up. It calmed my skin while helping heal my barrier. This is my 6th bottle and I’ll never stop repurchasing.”
Artnaturals Hypochlorous Acid Spray
This multi-purpose skin mist is a vegan formula meant for on-the-go cleansing and sanitizing. Made of just three natural ingredients with no parabens or sulfates, the repairing and healing formula can heal and protect wounds, sooth irritated skin, ease redness and rashes like eczema, and clean blemish-prone skin.
Rave review: “I love that this spray treats pimples, keeping them clean and promoting skin healing so they go away faster, while also fighting new pimples from showing up by keeping my skin sanitized.”
Active Skin Repair Spray
This non-toxic spray is meant as a medical-grade wound repair that is sting-free and supports the bodies natural healing process with all-natural ingreidents. It’s a powerful first aid solution that is also a great skincare product since it eases redness and rosacea, making it great for your gym bag or on hikes.
Rave review: “I love that this spray has so many uses: I keep one in my gym bag to spray on my face and chest area after I’ve broken a sweat when I cant wash off right away, and it keeps breakouts away. I have another in my beltbag for long walks, I actually tripped once and was so happy to have this anti-septic spray on me, I sprayed it on a freshly scraped knee and it didnt burn at all. I highly reccomend this product that keeps my skin happy, healthy and clean.”
Click here to find out which $11 setting spray Summer House’s Ciara Miller says is “the best.”
