What is Hypochlorous acid?
Hypochlorous acid is innate to our immune system. Our white blood cells produce this mild acid to fight pathogens. In skincare, it is synthetically produced in controlled lab environments. However, it is a skin identical solution that has both an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.
What (if any) are the benefits of hypochlorous acid?
Hypocholorous acid is a hero product in skincare because of its safe, non-drying, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. It cleanses the skin, removes pollutants and impurities, neautalises the skin’s PH and controls inflammation. It also accelarates wound healing by keeping the affected area free of bacteria and promoting tissue repair. Hypochlorous does all of this without drying the skin out because it is non-toxic and doesn’t contain any alcohol.
What Skin Issues can Hypochlorous acid help?
This magic solution can help with preventing the build-up of blackheads and congestion because of its skin neutralising effect. It helps to heal inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne alongside other soothing and hydrating products. Hypochlorous acid can also be used on the scalp to help clear away dandruff. It is effective as an after shave for men and as a hand and skin sanitiser.
How often should you use it on your skin?
Hypochlorous acid is very gentle and nontoxic so it can be used as often as needed. In a skin care regime, it would be applied like a toner, after cleansing, and before serums and moisturisers. On cuts and wounds, it can be sprayed multiple times. It can also be used in clinic treatments before laser treatments and microneedling etc to help with sanitising the skin.
Are there any risks to hypochlorous acid?
Hypochlorous acid is a very safe and gentle products with minimal risks. However, depending on the particular formulation, a hypochlorous acid products may cause a skin reaction possibly because of another ingredient in the formulation. Even when hypochlorous has destabilised and become ineffective because of a short shelf life, it is seldom harmful, it only becomes ineffective.
Do you have any hypochlorous product recommendations?
My favourite hypochlorous acid product is called Clinisept, also marketed as Clinisoothe Skin Purifier. It is available at Boots and several chemists.