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Hypochlorous acid (HOCI) is a weak acid made from hydrogen, oxygen, and chlorine atoms. It is usually formed when chlorine is dissolved in water. It has seen a rise in popularity in recent years, particularly on social media. Often considered a mild disinfectant, it has found a place in skincare.
Just as the body makes its own hydrochloric acid, it also makes HOCl. HOCl is made in the body by immune cells like B lymphocytes and neutrophils. This weak acid plays a role in the immune system response. Released into the surrounding tissues in response to injuries or infections, the mild acid acts as a potent oxidant and antimicrobial.
Be careful not to confuse hypochlorous acid with hydrochloric acid (HCl), which is a powerful acid made in the stomach that aids in digestion by helping break down ingested foods.
Because of its antimicrobial potential, hypochlorous acid is often a main ingredient in some disinfectants and sanitizing agents. Studies have even found that HOCl may be effective against a wide range of viruses and bacteria.
Since hypochlorous acid may have antimicrobial potential, it has gained recent popularity with those seeking smooth and flawless skin. Studies suggest that this gentle acid may help promote healthy skin, decrease wound healing times, improve skin itchiness, and clear up acne.
Commercially, hypochlorous acid is most often used as a spray. This is because a spray can be the most effective and easiest way to get its benefits.
Studies suggest that hypochlorous acid may be beneficial for several common skin conditions, especially when used in a convenient spray form.
Acne, known clinically as acne vulgaris, is a common condition that affects adolescents and young adults. Some studies suggest that up to 80% or more of adolescents and young adults struggle with acne at some point in their lives.
Studies suggest that the cause of acne may be multifactorial, with hormones, diet, lifestyle, and the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes significantly contributing to the disease.
While research indicates that oral approaches like antibiotics, zinc sulfate, and green tea extract may help reduce the appearance of acne lesions, topical applications are the most often used treatments.
While treatments like benzoyl peroxide or vitamin C serum have been used to reduce the inflammation and number of acne lesions, hypochlorous acid spray may be the newest topical approach to reduce acne.
Studies suggest that topical hypochlorous acid spray may be beneficial for acne. One double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involved 87 men and women (15-22 years of age) who had inflammatory facial acne vulgaris. Inflammatory acne has significant components of redness, swelling, and painful cysts.
The study lasted for 12 weeks and focused on the effects of HOCl versus benzoyl peroxide versus placebo to reduce the appearance of acne lesions.
All of the groups applied their respective treatments to one side of their faces twice a day. The study found that hypochlorous acid was comparable to benzoyl peroxide in reducing the appearance of inflammatory acne lesions.
The antimicrobial activity of HOCl may help to reduce the amount of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria on the skin, helping to create smoother skin with fewer acne lesions and less inflammation. This could be one reason why hypochlorous acid acne products are getting so much attention on social media.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, uncomfortable, and painful skin. Some studies suggest that it affects up to 20% of children and 3% of adults worldwide.
Atopic dermatitis is thought to be caused by skin barrier dysfunctions and immune system regulation dysfunction.
Research suggests that hypochlorous acid may be beneficial for atopic dermatitis. One case study series highlighted 20 participants with atopic dermatitis. Each participant received treatment with a gel containing HOCl for 7 days. After 3 days, the participants reported a significant decrease in itching.
Another investigator-blinded randomized controlled study involved 30 participants diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. The study found that over 70% of participants reported less atopic dermatitis-associated itching within 3 days of using HOCl compared to only 30% of the control group.
Yet another randomized placebo-controlled study looked at the effects of using HOCl on itchiness and bacterial count of the skin of 22 patients suffering from atopic dermatitis. The study involved 33 patients in total. 22 patients received topical treatment, while 11 received a placebo.
The study found a significant reduction in the amount of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the skin within just 3 minutes of using HOCl spray on the skin. There was still a significant reduction of S. aureus after a week of treatment.
The placebo group did not see the same results. Researchers believe that hypochlorous acid not only has anti-microbial activity and anti-inflammatory activity but also lowers histamine levels as well.
Histamine is a molecule released by the body that plays a role in the immune response. It’s primarily associated with allergy symptoms like a runny nose and itchy skin.
Since histamine plays a role in the itchiness of atopic dermatitis, HOCl’s potential to lower histamine levels could be one of the ways that this body-made antimicrobial may work to reduce itchiness.
The timely and healthy healing of wounds is essential for healthy skin and a healthy body. Delayed wound healing compromises the skin barrier and exposes the body to attack from bacteria and viruses. Since the skin plays a role as one of the largest immune organs of the body, a compromised skin barrier could significantly compromise overall health.
Studies suggest that wound healing may be delayed by factors like obesity, age, hormones, nutritional status, alcohol use, and diabetes. While optimal collagen synthesis and protein intake are necessary for proper wound healing, using topical agents like HOCl may be beneficial in decreasing wound healing times.
Another randomized controlled trial involved 20 healthy participants between the ages of 18-60 years old and focused on the effects of hypochlorous acid on wound healing and how it could decrease the amount of microbes on the wound.
Each participant received one blister on their left and right arm. The top layer of the blister was then removed. Each wound was then randomized to receive either a saline wash or an HOCl treatment. The wound on the left arm received the opposite treatment from the wound on the right arm.
The study found that the wound that received hypochlorous acid treatment had increased skin cell growth than the saline group. The study also found that the hypochlorous acid group had less microbial growth in the wound site compared to the saline group.
Although HOCI is incredibly tough on pathogens, like bacteria and viruses, it's usually easy on the skin. Properly diluted commercially available hypochlorous acid spray rarely irritates the skin or dries it out. HOCl and allows for a controlled amount of the mild acid to be released. This prevents overuse of the chemical, which may cause mild side effects.
When using hypochlorous acid spray for face acne, make sure to steer clear of the eyes to avoid any burning or stinging.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions or those of your health care provider when using hypochlorous acid for skin concerns like wound healing, acne, itching, or atopic dermatitis.
Some side effects that may be experienced when using HOCl spray could be mild stinging or burning at the site of application.
Using hypochlorous acid spray for skin issues like acne may help not only to reduce the appearance of acne lesions but also contribute to overall healthier skin. Since studies suggest that hypochlorous acid may have antimicrobial activity, regular use of the weak acid may reduce harmful bacteria on the skin. Furthermore, since the body makes hypochlorous acid, those more interested in natural approaches to skin issues may feel more comfortable using the acid-based spray.
HOCl spray is a mild and natural approach to healthier skin. This gentle acid may be a powerful antimicrobial that helps improve the appearance of acne, decrease wound healing times, and improve the ickiness associated with atopic dermatitis. Adding a topical hypochlorous acid spray to a skincare and beauty routine may be the key to having naturally clear and healthy skin.
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