What if your next skincare obsession wasn’t plucked from a far-off rainforest or concocted in a lab but something your body already makes? Meet hypochlorous acid, or HOCl. It sounds like a chemical formula, but chances are you have encountered it before, in pools, cleaning sprays or hand sanitisers. Fun fact: It was even used in World War I hospitals to disinfect wounds, long before it became a beauty buzzword.
“Our bodies naturally produce HOCl,” says Dr Chytra V Anand, founder of Kosmoderma Skin & Hair Clinics. She continues, “White blood cells release it to fight bacteria and calm inflammation, and modern skincare has harnessed it. The end result is an ingredient that repairs, protects, and refreshes skin without breaking down the barrier.”
Hypochlorous acid is made by combining salt, water and vinegar through electrolysis. The resulting solution mirrors the skin’s natural defences. When Tower 28’s SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray went viral on social media, HOCl became a must-have in beauty routines. Once a clinical disinfectant, it now holds a coveted spot in dermatological recommendations, makeup artists’ vanities and influencer regimes.
So, what does this mean for your skin day to day?
Why your skin will love hypochlorous acid
Think of hypochlorous acid as your skin’s Swiss Army knife. “It clears blemishes without the dryness of harsh spot treatments, eases redness and irritation, tackles perioral dermatitis, rosacea, and eczema flare-ups, and speeds recovery after procedures or minor cuts. Beyond skincare, HOCl doubles as a quick, skin-safe spray for gym equipment, makeup brushes and other high-touch surfaces, while keeping body odour at bay and soothing sun-exposed skin,” says Dr Hashna Bijlani, aesthetic physician and founder of The AgeLess Clinic.
So now that you know what makes HOCl special, here’s how to make it work for your skin.
How to fit it into your routine
Most commonly available as a spray or mist, HOCl acts like a reset button. Apply after cleansing, before serums or moisturisers. “If you’re acne-prone, it helps prevent breakouts without drying you out. I recommend it after treatments like chemical peels or microneedling – it calms the skin instantly and reduces infection risk. And if you have sensitive or easily reactive skin, you can spray it anytime during the day as a ‘skin reset’. Reapply throughout the day, especially after travel, pollution, or long flights,” recommends Dr Anand.