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7 Best Hypochlorous Acid Sprays to Calm and Refresh Skin
We’re not saying hypochlorous acid sprays can do everything…but these multitasking skin-care products do tackle an impressive array of issues. The active ingredient, hypochlorous acid, forms when chlorine reacts with water and has potent antimicrobial properties—making it an effective salve for skin conditions ranging from rosacea to sunburns and more. Rachel Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Coral Gables, Florida, explains it like this: “Hypochlorous acid is a naturally occurring molecule your immune system produces to help fight off infection and support healing. In dermatology, we use hypochlorous acid spray as a gentle topical formulation to reduce inflammation, calm irritated skin, and keep bacteria in check—without disrupting the skin barrier.”
Our Top Hypochlorous Acid Sprays
Furthermore, Dr. Day says that the bacteria-fighting ingredient is particularly helpful for conditions like eczema or acne; it’s also a boon for skin irritation. “I often recommend hypochlorous-based products to my patients with eczema as part of a personalized, barrier-friendly skin-care plan,” she says. “It’s also great for younger patients who sweat a lot and play sports.” Sold yet? Because we have been. If you want in, too, we’ve rounded up the best fine mists with heavy-hitting benefits and little to no side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Prequel Hypochlorous Acid Spray
Why we love it: Beloved at Allure HQ, in dermatologists’ offices, and beyond, Prequel’s Hypochlorous Acid Spray is like the little black dress of its category. Simple, versatile, and refined, it earns high praise from the pros. “This formula is super soothing, hydrating, and refreshing,” says Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami. “It cleanses and purifies the skin, and it’s great for skin-barrier health. It also addresses skin-texture issues, dryness, and redness.” In addition to hypochlorous acid and electrolyzed water—which helps the formula cleanse the skin—Prequel’s spray is steeped in a mineral solution that helps dry skin retain hydration. Therefore, don’t be surprised if your complexion starts looking glowier and plumper after a few spritzes of this become a regular part of your routine.
“Wake up (redness). Work out (redness). Touch my face (more redness). My skin is extremely prone to inflammation, welting, and sensitivity. A quick all-over spritz calms my skin in minutes. I love the spray nozzle on this product—it creates a fine, even mist. As you can see from my before and after photos, this spray significantly reduced the welt I had at the corner of my mouth.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor
- All ingredients: hypochlorous acid, electrolyzed water, mineral concentrate
- Sizes: 4 fl oz.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
Why we love it: Is your skin a little temperamental? Having a few products on hand from Tower 28 may help calm it down. “This brand makes products designed for sensitive skin,” says Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. Made with just three ingredients—water, sodium chloride, and hypochlorous acid—the SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray “Can help with skin irritation and sensitivities,” Dr. Greenfield notes. Dr. Collins also stands by the product, which is something of a star on TikTok and other social media platforms. “This is a cult-favorite in the clean beauty world and for good reason,” Collins says. “It’s clinically tested for eczema, affordable, and great for calming flare-ups. It’s especially helpful for reactive or compromised skin.”
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
“I wouldn’t normally reach for an acid-based face mist over a hydrating one, but when you’re in physical therapy three times a week, having a pore-clearing treatment on the go becomes a necessity. The SOS Facial Spray gives me the best of both worlds thanks to its hypochlorous acid, which isn’t just antibacterial but also anti-inflammatory.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
- All ingredients: water, sodium chloride, hypochlorous acid
- Sizes: 1 fl oz., 4 fl oz.
Best for Stressed Skin: Personal Day Trust Me On This Hypochlorous Acid Spray
Why we love it: According to Dr. Day, Personal Day Trust Me On This is “a gentle, dermatologist-approved mist powered by hypochlorous acid to calm redness, fight bacteria, and support the skin barrier.” She adds that the formula is safe for all skin types and ideal for soothing stressed, breakout-prone, or sensitive skin. “You can also use it anytime you need a quick refresh,” she says. The brand agrees, encouraging users to keep it on their desks for a mid-workday reset or to stash the disinfectant in a gym bag for a post-workout, bacteria-killing spritz.
“No joke, I have three of these bright green bottles floating around my apartment right now. And one more atop my desk at work. I’m obsessed! The lightweight mist is so refreshing that I’ve come to enjoy a few spritzes right after my daily Barry’s class so much that my inflamed, post-workout skin practically craves it. I also like to spritz my cartilage piercings (I have two on my right ear) to keep the area nice and clean—those piercings are so sensitive and easily irritated!” —Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
- All ingredients: water, hypochlorous acid, sodium chloride
- Sizes: 4 fl oz.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Medicube Hypochlorous Acid Daily Facial Spray
Why we love it: Medicube doesn’t miss when it comes to innovative skin care—just look at the internet-famous Collagen Night Wrapping Mask and Age-R Booster Pro for proof. Dr. Collins calls Medicube’s Hypochlorous Acid Daily Facial Spray “a solid choice for oily or acne-prone skin types who want antibacterial support without over-drying.” In addition to the acid du jour, the pore-refining spray contains niacinamide to refine skin tone and texture; it also has a blend of allantoin and panthenol that gives it a sheer, hydrating consistency.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“I’m trying to kickstart a healthier era of my life and work out more, even though I hate sweating more than anything else. (Joke’s on me because I start sweating the second I step outside, let along during workouts.) Hypocholorous acid sprays give me sweet, sweet redness relief in mere minutes (the photos speak for themselves!) and I love that Medicube’s contains a burst of niacinamide to help even out my ruddy tone.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- All ingredients: hypochlorous acid, niacinamide, allantoin, panthenol
- Sizes: 4.22 fl oz.
More hypochlorous acid sprays we love
Best Medical-Grade: SkinSmart Antimicrobial Eczema Therapy
SkinSmart
Antimicrobial Eczema Therapy
Why we love it: It’s rare that a Dr. Shirazi patient in need of hypochlorous acid spray leaves her office without a prescription (or, more aptly, an Amazon link) for a SkinSmart spray. “This is the one I typically recommend to patients, and I use it myself,” Shirazi says. “The formulation doesn’t use fragrances, alcohol, or harsh foaming agents.” It’s also easy to use on the go, she says—just spray it, let it air dry, and voila—and it won’t leave any residue behind. What’s more, the medical-grade formula is FDA-cleared, safe for sensitive and fragile skin, and available in different iterations to hone in on specific skin concerns. While this formula tackles eczema, the brand also offers hypochlorous acid sprays that treat acne and wounds, rashes, and burns.
- All ingredients: hypochlorous acid
- Sizes: 8 fl oz.
Best Post-Procedure: Magic Molecule The Solution Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser
Magic Molecule
The Solution Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser
Why we love it: After a cosmetic procedure—say, a chemical peel or laser treatment—the skin can become red or irritated. To promote healing, Dr. Shirazi recommends hypochlorous acid products like Magic Molecule’s The Solution Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser. “This focuses on high-purity hypochlorous acid, which I appreciate,” she says. “It’s especially nice for anyone looking for a targeted, science-forward approach to calming inflammation or keeping post-procedure skin clean.”
- All ingredients: hypochlorous acid, ionized water, sodium chloride
- Sizes: 8 fl oz.
Best for Families: Briotech Topical Skin Spray
Briotech
Topical Skin Spray
Why we love it: While some hypochlorous acid sprays, including the versions from Magic Molecule and SkinSmart, are packed with 0.18% of the active ingredient, Briotech Topical Skin Spray has 0.14%. The upshot? “This formula is incredibly gentle and versatile, and it’s good for everything from wound healing with minor cuts and scrapes to calming flare-ups,” Dr. Shirazi says. “This is a great option for families or those with multiple skin sensitivities.” And if you’re worried about sharing your skin spray with family members, rest assured: The brand’s made it available in sizes ranging from 2 to 128 fluid ounces.
- All ingredients: hypochlorous acid, ionized water, sodium chloride
- Sizes: 2 fl oz., 4 fl oz., 8 fl oz., 33.5 fl oz., 128 fl oz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does hypochlorous acid spray actually work?
Hypochlorous acid spray does work, as top dermatologists can attest. Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in La Jolla, California, says: “Hypochlorous acid spray can be very effective when formulated properly. It mimics a substance our own white blood cells produce to fight infection and inflammation. It’s effective yet gentle, helping support the skin’s natural healing process. I often recommend it for sensitive, eczema-prone, or acne-prone skin because it reduces redness and irritation without disrupting the skin barrier.”
Kristina Collins, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin, offers her take. “Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) spray can be highly effective when used correctly,” she says. “As a naturally occurring molecule in the immune system, HOCl has broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps reduce bacteria on the skin, calm redness, and support the healing of conditions like acne, eczema, and minor irritations.”
How often should I use hypochlorous acid spray?
According to Dr. Shirazi, hypochlorous acid sprays can be used one to two times a day, depending on the skin’s needs. “For most people, applying it after cleansing, morning and/or night, is a great way to incorporate it into your skincare routine,” she says.
What should I not mix with hypochlorous acid?
“Even though hypochlorous acid is quite gentle, it’s best to avoid using it at the same time as strong actives like retinol or exfoliating acids, like salicylic acid, unless your dermatologist says otherwise,” Dr. Shirazi notes. Dr. Collins says that the ingredient does not generally mix well with vitamin C or glycolic acid, as mixing hypochlorous acid with other acidic ingredients could cause its pH level to shift and reduce its effectiveness.
To get the most out of hypochlorous acid spray, Dr. Shirazi recommends applying it to clean skin first, before toner, moisturizer, sunscreen, or other products. “This helps it do its job without being diluted or neutralized by other products,” she explains.
Meet the experts
- Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in La Jolla, California
- Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami
- Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City
- Rachel Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Coral Gables, Florida, and chief medical officer at Zest Health
- Kristina Collins, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
