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TikTok loves shiny new skincare ingredients, and recently, a compound called hypochlorous acid has been all over the app as a viral solution for… pretty much everything.
Hypochlorous acid sprays from brands like Tower28 (the brand refers to the ingredient as the “Windex” of the skincare world) have been popping up in the gym bags of TikTokers, who are using them for everything from the post-sweat pimples that form after hot yoga to antidotes for gross aeroplane-circulated air.
But others on the app say, “It’s just bleach,” a potent enough disinfectant to be used on razors and gym equipment.
So, is hypochlorous acid for our bell bars or our faces? And should we be dousing ourselves in it?
What Is Hypochlorous Acid?
@laviniarusanda A acne prone girly must have! This one is linked in my amazon store front! #traveltiktok #skinpositivity #skincare #acneskincare #hypochlorousacid #beautyhacks ♬ LUNCH BILLIE EILISH – Ell ☆
Hypochlorous acid, or HOCI, is a weak acid with antimicrobial properties. While you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a new ingredient thanks to its sudden popularity, it’s actually a very old one. And, you will find it in cleaning agents. How similar is it to bleach? “It is related to bleach”, says dermatologist Dr Ritu Gupta, who practices at Dr Refresh Medical and Aesthetic Dermatology. “Bleach is sodium hypochlorite, and hypochlorous acid is similar,” she explains.
And, in news that might surprise some, bleach itself has been a dermatologist-recommended ingredient for a long time. “We’ve been recommending dilute bleach since time immemorial,” Gupta explains, “normal household bleach baths have been recommended for conditions like eczema because they reduce staph and strep on the skin when the normal flora and microbiome is disordered.”
The difference between hypochlorous acid and basic bleach is that your skin produces one, while the other is super concentrated. Three guesses as to which kind is popping up in influencers beauty routines.
Hypochlorous acid is created by white blood cells to defend the skin against infection and bacteria. When you have an injury, it’s the hypochlorous acid that acts to keep germs out. Think of it as your body’s natural disinfectant. Unfortunately, your white blood cells don’t see the blemish brewing on the tip of your nose as a medical emergency, so they won’t help you there.
This is why the ingredient is now finding its way into skincare products.
What Is Hypochlorous Acid Used For?
@drjennyliu I like @Tower 28 Beauty and @Prequelskin #hypochlorousacid #hypochlorousacidspray #skincareproducts #skincaretips #skincareproducts #acneproneskin #dermreacts #derm ♬ original sound – Dr. Jing (Jenny) Liu
Dermatologists love this ingredient in skin preparations because the compound is an antiseptic, not an antibiotic. Given HOCI in its natural form occurs in the body, using it to address long-term chronic skin conditions like acne, eczema, and folliculitis is a great way to dodge the risk of antibiotic resistance. It’s also far kinder on the skin than potentially stripping anti-acne ingredients like benzoyl peroxide.
How To Use Hypochlorous Acid
That doesn’t mean you should reach for the bleach in your laundry, though, particularly for your face.
The recommended bleach solution for a normal-sized bath is 2mls to a litre, which is tricky when squeezing it into a spray bottle. More than that, and you can be in trouble, says Gupta.
The easiest way to incorporate the acid is in the skin preparations you see on shop shelves, not the litres you buy at the supermarket. If you’re shopping retail, you know the brand has done safety testing for you, so you don’t have to.
@bambidoesbeauty Acne prone girls this is your sign to get yourself a hypochlorous spray #hypochlorousacid #acne #acneprone #hypochlorousacidspray #skintok #skincarehack #skincaretips ♬ original sound – Iris
And yes, hypochlorous acid is excellent for reducing the risk of folliculitis post-sweat, so those TikTokers are onto something. Dr Gupta says patients can get locked in a vicious cycle of using loofahs and mits that have already collected bacteria, reintroducing staff to the traumatised skin. Sprays and wipes containing HOCI are an easy way to break this cycle, killing bacteria on the skin without further damaging it.
Tower28’s SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray ($46.00) is one of the most recognisable hypochlorous acid products on TikTok. The brand recommends spritzing the solution on clean, dry skin in lieu of toner and topping up throughout the day as needed. Noted.
What Are The Side Effects of Hypochlorous Acid?
There are notable side effects with this ingredient. Unlike exfoliating acids or other antibacterial and anti-acne products, HOCI is easily recognised by our skin and doesn’t need to be slowly introduced. Dr Gupta says, however, that while hypochlorous acid is gentle and beneficial for sensitive skin types, it is important to be mindful of the good bacteria on our skin and stay gentle with it.
“If you overwash with any ingredient, you can develop irritation because your skin barrier is impaired,” she explains. That said, hypochlorous acid is a good solution for those with a number of skin conditions “and unlikely to cause any harm.”
Should You Use A Hypochlorous Acid Spray Bottle?
@shereeneidriss How to minimize breakouts… while at the beach? ➡️Hypochlorous Acid is a safe, gentle and effective disinfectant that helps minimize any bacteria on the skin’s surface from sweat and build up throughout the day. Bonus: it helps soothe inflammation which can often accompany long days at the beach. ➡️ Tip: before every reapplication of sunscreen, spritz your face with hypochlorous acid first, followed by your favorite sunscreen for the beach. The one I used here is a lightweight gel moisturizer that absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave any residue left behind. #sunscreen #hypochlorousacid #breakouts #beach #beachvibes #acnetips #dermatologist #shereeneidriss #dridriss @ShereeneIdriss ♬ Praise Jah In The Moonlight – YG Marley
On TikTok, dermatologist Shereene Idriss suggests using a hypochlorous acid spray on your face, neck, and back to avoid sweat-induced breakouts while on a summer holiday. Indeed, spray bottles are the most common delivery method on the app. That’s because the water-based spray can be easily applied everywhere (even to the scalp).
Where Can I Get Hypochlorous Sprays In Australia?
If you’ve been on hypochlorous acid-Tok, you’ll be familiar with one of the most popular spray bottles: the bright orange Tower28 SOS Rescue Spray, ($46.00) recently launched MECCA, while brands like Peace Out have their Redness +Clarifying Mist ($49.00) which features zinc, kaolin clay and arnica for an oil-controlling skin-refreshing boost.
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