When Tower 28’s SOS Rescue Spray launched, it quickly became the subject of many group chats, ours included. Favored by those with eczema and acne- prone skin alike, we stashed it in our weekender, gym, and work bags. What made this product stand out? Hypochlorous acid.
This powerful antimicrobial ingredient is a favorite for tackling inflammation and irritation. I wasn’t a believer until I tried Tower 28’s Tower 28 Beauty SOS Rescue + Relief Body Wash Treatment, which is formulated with the same star ingredient. Don’t get me wrong, I love a face mist and use them regularly, but I never thought my skin needed anything other than a regular ol’ hydrating spray. After the first use, it soothed my eczema and irritation almost instantly. I was sold. Since then, I keep a mini spray bottle on me at all times, spritzing it over itchy and dry patches whenever needed and I’m always on the hunt for the best hypochlorous sprays in the market.
Besides sharing below my top picks, I’ve also tapped board-certified dermatologist Dr. Angela Lamb to break down some frequently asked questions regarding this trendy ingredient.
so, you want to try a hypochlorous-acid spray?
In this article
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Our top picks
The Best Overall
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The eczema-friendly formula is a favorite for acne, redness, and irritation. Made with only three ingredients, the results are so effective that the brand has now launched a body wash and facial cleanser with the beloved ingredient. It’s the one I have in every bag (and I recommend you should, too).
The Runner Up
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This mist is beloved by reviewers with acne. Its super light formula is ideal for those with acne-prone skin, since it’s a fine mist that’s refreshing and dries quickly. When I misplace my Tower28 spray, I reach out one of these to spray on after the sauna or a sweaty workout to prevent breakouts.
The Best for Sensitive Skin
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I love the price point on this as well as the spray nozzle. It can cover a large surface area, so it’s easy to spray on your whole body. One of the added ingredients here is a soothing mineral concentrate to help hydrate and repair the skin barrier, so I love using it when my eczema is particularly itchy.
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More tried-and-true options
The Best Value
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Magic Molecule Hypochlorous Acid Spray
Dr. Lamb counts this as one of her favorite sprays she’s tried so far because you can spray a larger surface area. Its ingredient list is super simple, featuring just ionized water and sodium chloride.
The Hydrating Mist
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If you want to try another mist with additional ingredients, this one has magnesium and peptides to hydrate and smooth your skin. Plus, it can also be used as a setting spray.
The Calming Mist
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Boosted with a small percentage of niacinamide, this is another favorite for acne-prone skin. Niacinamide helps soothe redness, brighten, and repair the skin barrier. It also has allantoin and panthenol to soothe the skin.
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FAQs
What is hypochlorous acid?
“It’s a weak acid that’s kind of related to chlorine,” Dr. Angela Lamb explains. “It’s something your body naturally produces as a part of your immune system as a byproduct to kill bacteria and viruses. That’s how your body naturally protects itself if you get a cut, infection, or inflammation.”
What is hypochlorous acid useful for?
“It’s a powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory,” she says. It’s a favorite for acne because it kills the bacteria that cause acne, and it’s great to spray on post-workout or during travel because it’s antimicrobial.
Outside of acne, Dr. Lamb says hypochlorous-acid sprays can be useful for perioral and atopic dermatitis, shaving irritation, rosacea, minor cuts, and postsurgical skin. “I think we’re going to be seeing people layering it with retinol to get their skin to tolerate it a little better,” she explains.
How often can I use hypochlorous acid?
“My only hesitation is that it hasn’t been used enough to know the real downside. We still don’t know if people will get contact dermatitis from it,” she says. ”At the end of the day, even though most of the ones on the market are pretty weak, there are always other ingredients in there, and you never know if there will be another ingredient in there that will irritate your skin.”
Dr. Lamb recommends using it one to three times a day until you know how your skin reacts to the ingredient.
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Our experts
- Dr. Angela Lamb, board-certified dermatologist
