If reviews of the best hypochlorous acid sprays haven’t popped up on your SkinTok feed yet, trust us—it’s only a matter of time. Originally used in medical settings for wound healing, hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a dermatologist-approved ingredient that fights bacteria, soothes inflammation, and supports the skin barrier—all without skin irritation.
“Hypochlorous acid is a very effective antiseptic that uses the same technology as bleach to kill microbes, but it’s not bleach and doesn’t bleach clothing,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. “And it’s not drying the way alcohol is. There’s good data that topical hypochlorous acid has antibacterial effects and can particularly help acne, though it’s great for all skin types.”
After testing dozens of formulas, we picked Tower 28 SOS Rescue Facial Spray as our best overall pick because it not only helps treat acne but can also help reduce redness and aid recovery from a skin treatment, or be used as a midday refresh. We love how versatile it is—plus, we appreciate that it also comes in a travel-size bottle for easy TSA approval. While the Tower 28 pick can help target a bunch of different skin issues, we also found multiple options for various skin types and concerns, like eczema, dry skin, irritated earlobes after piercings, and much more.
The best hypochlorous-acid sprays, at a glance
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How we tested
To find the best hypochlorous acid sprays, we tested more than a dozen sprays across various skin types and concerns, including acne, rosacea, eczema, and post-workout body odor. We focused on ingredient quality, ease of use, and overall experience. Sprays that featured clean, dermatologist-approved formulations with HOCl at effective concentrations made the first cut. Bonus points went to those with fine mists, fast dry-down times, and skin-soothing ingredients like electrolyzed water and trace minerals.
The best ones noticeably calmed inflammation, reduced redness, and helped keep breakouts in check with consistent use. Some doubled as midday refreshers, others as post-gym deodorizers or aftercare for skin treatments and piercings. Whether you’re looking for a gentle acne fighter or a spray that plays nice with sensitive skin, these formulas deliver without disrupting the skin barrier.
Best Overall: Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
- Pros: Made with three ingredients; also comes in travel size and refill size
- Cons: Strong spray; some say the scent is strong
Is it even SkinTok if you don’t catch a flash of this iconic bright red bottle? Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray has become a viral favorite and a top pick for Sarah Sung, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at The Perq in Seattle. “So many products take a kitchen sink approach, adding fragrances and unnecessary additives to what should be a simple formula,” says Dr. Sung. “But Tower 28 keeps it refreshingly minimal: just water, salt, and hypochlorous acid. That simplicity is key, especially for a product designed to support compromised skin.”
Sensitive skin types take note: “This spray has earned the seal of approval from the National Eczema Association, the National Rosacea Society, and the National Psoriasis Foundation,” says Dr. Sung. In other words, it’s not just a social media trend—it’s derm-approved.
Tester notes:
Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle likes to use this as a daily refresh in the office. “I keep this Tower 28 spray in my bag for post morning workouts or at my desk when I feel I’ve gotten sweaty throughout the day,” she says.
Glamour contributor Christa Lee also tested the mist for a month and saw a real difference. “My skin is super sensitive and tends to get dry, and my year-round allergies leave my nose and cheeks chapped and raw. This spray helped even out my skin tone, calm irritation, and noticeably reduce the redness around my nose like nothing else has,” she says.
Best for Rosacea: Prequel Universal Skin Solution Dermal Spray
- Pros: Recognized by the National Rosacea Society; lab-tested
- Cons: Some say the scent is strong.
Recognized by the National Rosacea Society, Prequel Universal Skin Solution is a mist with many talents. The hero ingredient—of course—is hypochlorous acid, which has natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and helps calm and purify stressed-out skin. But it also features muriatic acid (a form of hydrochloric acid) in an ultralow concentration to balance pH levels, keeping the formula stable, effective, and super gentle. “With a blend of 0.02% hypochlorous acid, minerals, and electrolyzed water, this mist is made to soothe compromised skin,” says Georgia Slayton, licensed aesthetician at NYC-based JECT. “Hypochlorous acids all work best on clean skin, but I love this one for refreshing my makeup throughout the day, as it absorbs quickly.”
Tester notes:
It’s noteworthy how hydrating this is: “The magnesium content helps soothe and protect my skin barrier while locking in moisture—my skin feels bouncy, refreshed, and happy,” says Lee. Whether you’re dealing with redness, irritation, or just need a midday skin reset, this mist has your back…and your face…and your body—basically, wherever your skin needs a little extra love.
Best for Acne: Briotech Pure Hypochlorous Acid Spray
- Pros: Only three ingredients; lab-tested
- Cons: Takes a little longer to absorb
A best-seller on Amazon, this pick from Briotech is ideal for acne because it contains 0.02% hypochlorous acid—an extra-strength formula that’s sure to fight acne-causing bacteria and keep skin redness- and irritation-free.
Another perk of this spray is that it’s one of the few that can be used on your pets too. This gentle spray soothes stings and hot spots on your furry friends while also tackling bacteria and calming inflammation for your skin. “The formula—with 0.02% hypochlorous acid, electrolyzed water, and saline—is as simple as it gets without any surprises,” says Slayton. “And it’s on the more cost-effective end.”
Tester notes:
Briotech doesn’t mess around when it comes to stability, purity, and effectiveness: “The pump is packaged separately from the bottle—not just to prevent spills during transit, but to keep the formula as pure as possible,” says Lee. “Even the pump is lab-tested to ensure nothing unwanted transfers into your solution. My skin felt hydrated and refreshed, but the spray bottle is more powerful than other products I tested, sometimes leaving little droplets. To get a finer application, try holding the bottle 12 to 14 inches away and avoid overspraying.”
Best Multitasking: Magic Molecule Hypochlorous Acid Spray
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- Pros: Multitasking; treats eczema
- Cons: Bottle’s spray pattern is intense
This is one of those hypochlorous acid sprays that can be used on just about anything, almost anywhere. The multitasking formula contains a mixture of ingredients, including hypochlorous acid, ionized water, sodium chloride (salt), and hypochlorite ion. Not only can this treat acne, but we also love to use it on sunburn, eczema, bug bites, burns, scratches, and any redness too. It’s a powerhouse that can treat so many skin issues.
“I like the larger size [of this product] because it encourages easy use on the face and body, which is helpful for people who get redness or flare-ups in multiple areas,” says Dr. Yadav. “The formula is very streamlined, which is something I appreciate as a dermatologist, because fewer added ingredients means a lower chance of irritation. For someone with rosacea, sensitive skin, or lingering redness after treatments, hypochlorous acid makes sense because it naturally calms inflammation and helps keep the skin’s surface balanced.” Side note: This product is also great post-procedure when the skin can be more sensitive.
Tester notes:
“This is a great formula that worked well to tame my rosacea, dermatitis, acne, and general redness on my skin,” says Glamour contributor Daley Quinn “I used it twice a day—once in the morning and once at night—and noticed that it really reduced the redness in my face after about 15 to 30 minutes each time. Although I never tested this for other skin issues, I plan on using this in the summer if I get a sunburn or bug bites. I also occasionally get eyelash extensions for special occasions, and I will definitely be using this to lightly clean my lash area to prevent infection. The only things I didn’t love about this Magic Molecule pick were the smell and the spray bottle. Like most hypochlorous acid sprays, this had a chlorine-like smell. It didn’t bother me too much, but it might bother some folks, especially those sensitive to smells. Additionally, the spraying mechanism on this bottle isn’t as elegant as other spray bottles I’ve used before—it’s a bit more intense and direct than I would like.”
Best for Sensitive Skin: Personal Day Trust Me On This Hypochlorous Acid Spray
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- Pros: Elegant packaging and mist
- Cons: Pricey
After struggling with acne since she was 12, actress Lili Reinhart sought to create a skin care brand that was super acne-safe and effective at targeting and preventing breakouts. That’s how Personal Day was born. This hypochlorous acid spray from the brand is great for sensitive, acne-prone skin because it’s alcohol-free and noncomedogenic, and it contains only three ingredients: water, sodium chloride, and hypochlorous acid.
Tester notes:
“The first thing I noticed about this product was the super-elegant packaging,” Quinn says. “The bottle has a really nice weight to it, and it feels very thoughtfully made and well-constructed. The spray mechanism is amazing as well—it has this unique angled spray top that I’d never seen before. I love the way this formula delicately mists onto my skin, and it dried down pretty quickly. With continued use, it has definitely helped calm down the redness in my skin and I haven’t gotten many breakouts since I started using this pick, either. Finally, this formula doesn’t have that intense chlorine smell that most hypochlorous acid sprays have.”
Best for Eczema-Prone Skin: Loma Lux Eczemol OTC Skin Repair Hydrogel Spray
- Pros: Neutral scent
- Cons: Heavy spray
This multitasking mist doesn’t just soothe—it works four ways: fighting bacteria, calming inflammation, relieving itch, and boosting blood flow for faster healing. It’s been rigorously tested to be safe and nonirritating, with no sting or weird reactions. “It’s one of my go-to hypochlorous acid sprays, thanks to its easy-to-use, nonirritating formula,” says Dr. King.
The National Eczema Association officially approves it, so if you have reactive skin, you’re in good hands. “The formula is straight to the point—exactly what you want in a hypochlorous spray,” Lee says. “The topical skin spray is more of a true spray than a fine mist, so distance is key. Personally, I found that rather than applying it directly to my face, I like to spritz this one into the air and walk through it—just as I would with perfume.”
Best for Piercings: Aquia Hypochlorous Acid Spray
- Pros: Multitasking; reduces irritation
- Cons: Smelly
Along with treating issues like acne, eczema, blepharitis, and even chalazion (a bump on the eyelid), this multitasking spray is a favorite for pierced ears too. Containing 0.015% hypochlorous acid, this formula is beloved for its simplicity, ease of use, and relatively affordable price.
“I’ve actually used this on my own kids after they got their ears pierced,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology. “It’s designed for wound care and aftercare, which fits really well with what hypochlorous acid does: It helps keep the area clean and supports healing without being harsh or stinging.” For anyone with a fresh piercing or irritated skin where the barrier is compromised, this type of product can be a nice, gentle option. Dr. Yadav also likes that the bottle has a more controlled spray, so you can apply it exactly where you need it.
Best for Dry Skin: Velež HOCL Hydrating Mist
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- Pros: Less risk of dryness or irritation
- Cons: Without sodium as a stabilizer, the formula may break down faster and become less effective over time
Whether your skin is feeling dull and dehydrated, irritated and inflamed, or just plain over it, Velež HOCL Hydrating Mist speeds up recovery and rejuvenation. “This offers a fine mist that feels ultrasoothing—especially after an in-office derm procedure [like a chemical peel],” says Dr. Kobets. “The lightweight application makes it comfortable to spritz throughout the day, even over makeup.” Unlike other hypochlorous sprays, this one is completely sodium-free, which means it delivers all the skin-calming benefits of hypochlorous acid without any chance of irritation or dryness.
Best for Body Odor: Base Laboratories Hypochlorous Acid Spray
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- Pros: Can spray product at any angle
- Cons: Some have reported breakouts after use
When it comes to battling body odor, this hypochlorous acid spray is our favorite pick thanks to its antimicrobial action and spray‑anywhere versatility. The hypochlorous acid molecule is naturally produced by our white blood cells to fight bacteria, which means this formula works by neutralizing odor‑causing microbes on sweaty, stressed‑out skin without masking the smell with heavy fragrance.
This pick is perfect for tackling post‑gym underarm odor while being gentle enough for sensitive skin. What really seals the deal is that it’s lightweight, easy to keep in your gym bag or desk drawer, and free of alcohol, parabens, and heavy scent additives. It’s a smart choice when you want something effective for freshening up beyond your face.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is hypochlorous acid?
“Naturally produced by white blood cells as part of the immune response, hypochlorous acid works by killing bacteria and reducing inflammation, mimicking the body’s natural defense mechanism,” says Dr. Sung. This makes HOCl a pro at soothing redness, breakouts, eczema, and irritation without disrupting the skin barrier. “It disinfects without side effects, speeds up healing, and supports the skin barrier, especially for those with compromised skin,” the expert adds. Unlike harsh antibacterial agents, HOCl is effective yet incredibly mild, making it ideal for rosacea, acne, and post-procedure skin. “In most applications, I’d generally consider it to be a very mild acid, making it an excellent addition to a regimen for damaged or sensitive skin.” It’s even useful for cuts, sunburns, and scrapes, proving its versatility beyond skin care.
Does hypochlorous acid spray actually work?
Yes, hypochlorous acid spray actually works—and it’s backed by science. HOCl is an effective antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory that helps kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi while calming irritation and flare-ups. It’s widely used in dermatology for conditions like acne, perioral dermatitis, and post-procedure healing, thanks to its ability to disinfect without disrupting the skin barrier. “HOCl’s benefits are most pronounced when treating bacteria-related inflammation, such as acne, perioral dermatitis, and post-procedure irritation,” says Dr. Sung. “With consistent use, acne-prone and sensitive skin types see improvements within days to weeks. However, if inflammation fails to improve despite conservative HOCl sprays or other over-the-counter options, I recommend following up with your board-certified dermatologist for additional support.”
How often should I use hypochlorous acid spray?
You can use hypochlorous acid spray several times daily whenever your skin needs a refresh. Since it’s gentle and nonirritating, and doesn’t disrupt the skin barrier, it’s safe for daily and even frequent use. Dr. King recommends applying it after cleansing to affected areas: “This can be followed with a moisturizer if needed and reapplied throughout the day as indicated. Its safety profile is very good. It will be most effective when applied to clean skin and allowed to air-dry before additional skin care products are applied.” For general skin care maintenance, just spritz it on to clean skin morning and night before layering your serums and moisturizers.
What not to use with hypochlorous acid?
Hypochlorous acid is gentle and versatile, and plays nicely with most skin care ingredients, but there are a few things you’ll want to avoid pairing it with to keep it working at its best. “The benefit of hypochlorous acid is that it complements most products in your skin care routine,” says Slayton. “The only thing you don’t want to pair it with is antioxidants such as vitamin C because it will just denature the serum, and you won’t get the benefits of that antioxidant.” Since HOCl is an oxidizing agent and vitamin C is an antioxidant, using them together renders both ineffective. In addition to vitamin C, strong acids and exfoliants—like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid—can throw off HOCl’s pH balance, potentially reducing its effectiveness. Heavy occlusives and oils should also be applied after HOCl, not before, as they can create a barrier that blocks absorption.
Can you overuse a hypochlorous acid spray?
Yes, hypochlorous acid spray can be overused. “Even though it is gentle compared with many other antiseptic ingredients, higher concentrations or repeated heavy use can irritate the skin,” says Dr. Yadav. “Research suggests that when the concentration is too strong or applied too frequently, it may start damaging healthy skin cells rather than helping them.”
What concentration of hypochlorous acid should you look for?
For everyday skin care use, the safest and most effective concentration is around 0.01%. “This level has been studied and shown to help calm inflammation and control bacteria on the skin without causing harm,” explains Dr. Yadav. “If someone notices redness, stinging, or irritation, that is a sign to pull back or stop using it. Most products also recommend avoiding the eye area. While there is some interesting early research on the benefits with certain skin conditions, including psoriasis, we still need stronger human studies to understand long-term use. As with any active product, using the right concentration and avoiding overapplication makes the biggest difference in both safety and results.”
Meet the experts
- Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist in NYC
- Sarah Sung, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at The Perq in Seattle
- Georgia Slayton, licensed aesthetician at JECT in NYC
- Stevie Christine, makeup and brow artist based in Los Angeles
- Kseniya Kobets, MD, MHS, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetics dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in NYC and Westchester, NY
- Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology
