Everyone On TikTok Is Raving About This Ingredient For Stopping Breakouts, But Is It Worth the Hype?

As a beauty editor with nearly a decade’s worth of experience in the beauty industry under my belt, I like to think that I approach every product claim and marketing buzzword with a healthy dose of scepticism. And when it comes to products that go viral on TikTok, truly I take the hype with a pinch of salt. But when creators started posting rave reviews about a little-known skincare ingredient this summer, and the videos started gaining traction, my interest was piqued. Why? Well it turns out that I’m already a long-time fan of this under-the-radar product that was being heralded as a quick fix for everything from breakouts to inflamed post-gym skin. The ingredient in question? Hypochlorous acid.

Most commonly available in face mist format, with Tower 28’s SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray garnering countless video reviews, it has been growing in popularity this year thanks to its bacteria-busting properties. And while I have known about, and loved, a product containing this very ingredient for years now—along with most other beauty editors I chat to—I wanted to find out exactly whether hypochlorous acid was worth the hype in an expert’s opinion.

What is hypochlorous acid?

“Simply put, hypochlorous acid is a weak acid that has antibacterial properties,” explains Dr Sonia Khorana, GP and Dermatology Expert. And, interestingly, although it has gone viral for its skin-soothing abilities, Dr Khorana points out that hypochlorous acid is actually found in household products like surface cleaners too. “To ensure it’s safe to be used on the skin, the form of hypochlorous acid used in skincare is very diluted—100 parts per million to be precise—to ensure that it’s safe to be used.”

What are the benefits of using hypochlorous acid on the skin?

Before it went viral on TikTok I was aware of makeup artists keeping hypochlorous acid mists in their kits backstage.for their skin-soothing abilities. In fact, Katie Jane Hughes, the makeup artist behind the beauty looks of Hailey Bieber and Dua Lipa, posted a video declaring her love for it earlier this year. As an acne-prone beauty editor, however, I’ve always had a hypochlorous acid spray in my stash after a dermatologist mentioned to me that it could be beneficial at reducing spots when we were all wearing face masks a couple of years back. And, actually, Dr Khorana agrees that hypochlorous acid can be beneficial for dealing with breakouts.

“When it comes to treating acne, one of the key mechanisms to address is fighting off bacteria on the skin that can cause acne flare-ups. As an antimicrobial, hypochlorous acid works effectively to kill off bacteria, speed up wound healing, and repair damage on the skin,” explains Dr Khorana.

But that’s not all. Turns out, the best hypochlorous acid sprays can ease a whole array of skin types. “Its ability to combat inflammation on the skin means it is great for conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, wound healing and even razor burn. It can help with itch reduction as well as treating flaking and redness on the skin,” says Dr Khorana. Plus, while I’m not much of a gym bunny myself, TikTok has been awash with creators who love using hypochlorous acid spray after the gym—and Dr Khorana agrees.

What are the downsides of using hypochlorous acid?

So much of the skincare advice found on TikTok is patchy at best, and potentially damaging at worst, but thankfully hypochlorous acid does seem to come expert-approved. But when it comes to choosing the best spray for your skin, Dr Khorana stresses the importance of looking at the formulation closely. “With hypochlorous acid, formulation is key and I always advise patients to pay attention to ingredients in their products such as drying alcohols or other skin irritants. As with most approaches, sometimes simpler is better,” Dr Khorana explains.

And while it definitely does boast antimicrobial properties, if you’re looking for really efficacious ingredients then hypochlorous acid might not be your best option. “While it can be a beneficial addition to your routine—and ideal for someone with sensitive skin who is managing acne but might experience irritation from stronger ingredients—I wouldn’t recommend it as a replacement for other acne treatments,” says Dr Khorana. Instead, she suggests looking for products containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or retinoids if you’re prone to acne, or prescription options which you can use alongside hypochlorous acid if you have rosacea, psoriasis or eczema.

Shop the best hypochlorous acid sprays

The best hypochlorous acid sprays, listed:

1. Clinisoothe+Skin Purifier
2. Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray 
3. Clinisept+ Skin
4. Base Laboratories Hypochlorous Acid Spray
5. ISOCLEAN Hypochlorous Spray
6. Vital Baby Aquaint Sanitising Water
7. The Light Salon Boost Cleanse & Recovery Spray

1. Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier

2. Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray 

3. Clinisept+ Skin

4. Base Laboratories Hypochlorous Acid Spray

5. ISOCLEAN Hypochlorous Spray

6. Vital Baby Aquaint Sanitising Water

7. The Light Salon Boost Cleanse & Recovery Spray