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Here’s Why Your Skin Care Routine Needs a Hypochlorous Acid Spray
You’re just a few sprays away from glass skin.
Every now and then, you hear about a beauty product that sounds too good to be true: setting sprays that are actually waterproof, wax sticks that slick hair down in seconds, or even neck creams that make lines magically disappear. Well, if you’ve ever wished for a skin care product that has the power to cleanse, calm, heal, and not completely annihilate your skin barrier, meet hypochlorous acid sprays. Once reserved for derm offices and post-procedure protocols, this ultra-gentle, anti-inflammatory mist soothes irritation, reduces redness, and helps keep breakouts at bay. Yes, it’s just as good as it sounds.
Hypochlorous acid sprays have been around for a while, but they’ve experienced a bit of popularity, thanks to TikTok routines and the many aestheticians and dermatologists who swear by them. Take it from Dr. Hallie McDonald, a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of ERLY, who says, “I love hypochlorous acid spray because it’s a rare example of a product that is both extremely effective and remarkably gentle. At the right concentration—typically between 0.01 percent and 0.02 percent—it’s strong enough to eliminate bad bacteria while still being gentle enough to preserve the good bacteria on your skin.”
Our bodies naturally produce hypochlorous acid to fight off harmful pathogens. So when used topically, it mimics this immune response in a very skin-friendly way. “That’s a key reason I feel so confident recommending it to nearly everyone—from acne-prone teens to post-laser patients, and those with eczema or rosacea,” Dr. McDonald adds.
As someone who’s tried every spot treatment, calming serum, and supposed skin savior, I admit I was skeptical at first. However, after testing a lineup of hypochlorous acid sprays over the past few weeks, I’m fully converted. Ahead, find the seven best hypochlorous acid sprays for refreshed, soothed, and cleansed skin—they’re dermatologist-, ELLE editor-, and customer-approved.
Pros
- Calms inflammation
Cons
- Some dislike the smell
Chances are, if you’ve seen a hypochlorous acid spray on TikTok, it’s this one, which works in a flash to calm irritation and heal the skin’s barrier. “There is a place on every woman’s shelf for SOS,” says Dr. Kelly Killeen, a celebrity plastic surgeon. “It’s such a versatile product. From calming inflammation to healing wounds after surgery, it’s your skin’s new best friend.”
Size: 4 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I take a lot of heated workout classes, and as someone with acne-prone skin, I can’t stand having to walk 10 minutes back to my apartment without washing my face first. Call me paranoid, but it’s like I can feel the blemishes forming. Fortunately, the Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray has been my absolute savior. I douse my face (and sometimes my back, too) with the mist, and all my breakout fears are instantly tamed. Not only is my skin less prone to breaking out, but I also leave the studio less red and with a fresh, hydrated glow. This is a valid TikTok viral product that lives up to the hype.”—Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty e-commerce writer
Pros
- Prevents future breakouts
Cons
- Some say their packaging arrived damaged
The hypochlorous acid spray market is constantly growing. One of the latest additions comes from Lilli Reinhart’s skin care line, Personal Day. The ultra-fine mist feels so gentle and refreshing, while the hero ingredient works to protect against breakouts, irritation, and redness.
Size: 4 fl. oz
Revolve rating: 5/5 stars
A Revolve reviewer say: “So this product went viral on TikTok and that’s how I found it, but no joke, it works and leaves your skin breakout-free due to its antibacterial properties. Perfect for when you’re on the go and need a refresh and to prevent breakouts! I’m usually skeptical of trying new things because I have very sensitive skin, but if anything, it has reduced redness and helped me so much! I take it with me everywhere.”
Pros
- Clay helps minimize oil
Cons
- Some find it drying
Peace Out’s Redness + Clarifying Mist is made for more than soothing irritation and calming skin. The formula contains additional ingredients, like zinc and arnica to clarify, a blend of clays to minimize oil, and cornflower water to hydrate.
Size: 3.3 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This face mist is like glass skin in a bottle. Spritz it on after a workout, and your skin immediately looks less red. It’s also like a zipper for your pores, leaving you with smooth, even-toned skin in a flash.” —Katie Berohn, beauty editor
Pros
- Certified by the National Rosacea Society
Cons
- Some dislike the packaging
Dr. McDonald says the Prequel Universal Skin Solution is an “excellent option” for anyone, but especially if you have rosacea-prone skin. Certified by the National Rosacea Society, the solution “has been specifically tested on patients with rosacea and determined not to exacerbate it,” so you can rest easy knowing that it won’t cause flare-ups. Blended with electrolytes and minerals, think of this calming mist as Gatorade for stressed-out skin.
Size: 4 fl. oz.
Amazon review: 4.3/5
An ELLE editor says: “I love how soothing this spray feels on my skin. If my skin feels irritated or inflamed, this works in a pinch to calm it down. It soothes redness really quickly and kind of acts like a reset button for my skin.” —Katie Berohn
Pros
- Helps cleanse skin without water
Cons
- Some find it irritating
Think of this mist from SkinSmart as a cleanser that doesn’t need water. Spray it on the skin to help combat bacteria that can cause acne, perfect to use after sweating. “Formulated with natural hypochlorous acid, they offer a line of gentle cleansing spray to help control breakouts, reduce redness, and repair a disrupted skin barrier,” explains Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, a board-certified dermatologist.
Size: 8 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Seriously the best stuff ever. I use it morning and night after I wash my face and before other skin care. Also, I use it right after I workout, over makeup and all. Helped my children’s skin rashes, and cleaned new piercings with only this.”
Pros
- Works well for many different skin irritations
- Large size
Cons
- Some say they can’t tell a difference
This mist is meant to be an all-in-one solution for various skin conditions, including eczema, minor cuts, bug bites, and sunburns. It’s powered by hypochlorous acid and ionized water.
Size: 8 fl. oz.
Magic Molecules rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Ulta reviewer says: “If you’re like me and have tried pretty much every product to help calm skin and clear acne but haven’t found that one thing that actually works, this is definitely worth a try!!! Being 25 and still getting consistent acne has been draining in many ways. I’ve been using this for a few weeks now and not only is my skin calmer and acne almost gone, my skin has this nice glow and almost glass skin shine to it now. I have very oily skin and it's definitely not an oily shine at all, if that makes sense. This is the only thing that I've introduced to my skin care in the past six months(ish), so i know it’s this product doing it. I haven’t even used 1/4 of the bottle and I spray pretty generously.”
Pros
- Formulated with minimal ingredients
Cons
- Some find it has a strong smell
This hypochlorous acid spray is made only with pure salt and de-ionized water—no additives. The formula is ultra-gentle on the skin and works immediately to soothe irritation and calm redness.
Size: 8 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “This spray is very calming and deodorizing to the skin. It smells fresh and feels cool. The bumps on my skin are smaller. Any itching goes away as well. I use it everywhere my skin is itchy or inflamed.”
Meet the Experts
Dr. Azadeh Shirazi is a board-certified dermatologist in La Jolla.
Dr. Kelly Killeen is a celebrity plastic surgeon in Los Angles.
Dr. Hallie McDonald is a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of ERLY.
What is hyphoclorous acid?
The best part about hypochlorous acid is that we actually naturally produce it already. “Hypochlorous acid is a weak acid and a potent oxidizing agent, making it a useful yet gentle disinfectant,” says Dr. Shirazi. “In our bodies, white blood cells produce hypochlorous acid as part of the immune response to fight off organisms like bacteria and viruses.” Since our bodies already produce it, hypochlorous acid is generally very well-tolerated.
How does hypochlorous acid work for skin and who is it best for?
Hypochlorous acid is suitable for a range of skin conditions, such as eczema, rosacea, sunburn, minor cuts, bug bites, redness, irritation, and more. It’s even beneficial for recovering from surgery. “The anti-inflammatory properties are so helpful with post-op healing,” says Dr. Killeen. “It’s been a game-changer for both my patients and myself.”
If you’re wondering who should use hypochlorous acid, it’s great for all skin types. “It’s generally safe for sensitive skin, including individuals with eczema or rosacea,” says Shirazi. “Its gentle formulation and anti-inflammatory properties make it unlikely to cause irritation or exacerbate existing skin conditions. HOCl is non-toxic and compatible with a wide range of skincare products, allowing for easy incorporation into daily routines.”
When should you use hypochlorous acid spray?
The best part about hypochlorous acid spray is that you can use it whenever and wherever you like, multiple times a day. “I typically recommend applying it right after cleansing to prep the skin for the rest of your routine, or anytime your skin feels irritated, red, or inflamed,” says Dr. McDonald. It’s especially helpful after workouts since it helps eliminate bacteria without clogging pores.
The spray is also a favorite for post-procedure treatment. “After microneedling, chemical peels, or laser treatments, it helps calm inflammation, support healing, and lower the risk of infection,” adds Dr. McDonald.
Finally, during flare-ups of acne, eczema, perioral dermatitis, or rosacea, it’s a great product that can soothe skin without causing further irritation. Just be sure to “avoid using it alongside vitamin C products, as its oxidizing action can cancel out the antioxidant benefits of vitamin C,“ she notes.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE beauty editors interviewed dermatologists and tested products to find the best hypochlorous acid sprays.
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