What does a hypochlorous acid spray do?

“It can help calm redness, reduce bacteria on the skin, and support the skin when it feels irritated or inflamed,” says Dr. Bowles. It’s also helpful if you’re prone to breakouts or have sensitive or reactive skin, and it is often even used after dermatologic procedures, notes Dr. Chan. All that being said, it’s still best to think of it as an adjunct, or add-on treatment, rather than a replacement for other solutions you may already be using for conditions like acne or eczema, she points out.

Who should use a hypochlorous acid spray?

Because it’s very well tolerated, pretty much anyone can use it. It’s not completely necessary if you have normal, healthy skin, but if you find it helps with acne or rosacea , that’s great, says Dr. Chan.

Are there any side effects of hypochlorous acid?

Not really, given that it’s a molecule already produced by our own bodies and, at the concentrations it’s used in skincare, is typically nonirritating and compatible with sensitive or compromised skin, Dr. Chan points out. “Overall, it’s considered a low-risk ingredient for most skin types, which is one of the reasons it has become so popular,” adds Dr. Bowles. Still, if you’re super sensitive and/or your barrier is already compromised, you might notice a slight stinging when you apply it.

What’s the best way to use a hypochlorous acid spray?

Both doctors suggest misting it onto clean skin before applying any other products. However, you can also use it throughout the day, especially anytime your skin feels irritated or sweaty. “Some patients like using it after workouts or after wearing a mask for long periods,” says Dr. Bowles. Because it’s so gentle, you really can incorporate it pretty much anywhere into your routine.

The 7 Best Hypochlorous Acid Sprays of 2026, Derm-Approved

A bottle of Magic Molecule hypochlorous acid spray against a neutral background — Byrdie

TL;DR

Top Pick: The Tower 28 SOS Daily Hypochlorous Acid Spray earns the top spot on our list, thanks to its minimalist formula that’s effective and conveniently comes in three different sizes.
Versatile Option: If you’re looking for a versatile pick for breakouts, sunburns, baby rashes, and more—and it comes in three sizes—try the Magic Molecule Hypochlorous Acid Spray.

A Covid-era darling, hypochlorous acid burst onto the skincare scene years ago and has quickly become a mega-popular ingredient, particularly in facial sprays. Despite its name, it’s not an acid comparable to the exfoliating glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acids of the world. Instead, it does quite the opposite and acts as a top-notch skin soother.

“Hypochlorous acid is a substance that’s naturally produced by the body’s white blood cells as part of the immune response. In skincare, it’s used for its gentle antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties,” explains Dr. Alexandra Bowles, D.O., a board-certified dermatologist in Cincinnati. Those germ-killing benefits made it popular in 2020; now it’s equally beloved for its calming effect. “Many patients are dealing with irritation, breakouts, or sensitivity from overcomplicated routines, so an ingredient like this feels very approachable. It can be used after workouts, during acne flares, or when the skin feels inflamed or reactive,” says Dr. Bowles. It’s also extremely well tolerated and works in spray form, allowing you to mist it on as needed and easily incorporate it into any skincare routine.

We did extensive market research and tapped top dermatologists to compile this list of the best hypochlorous acid sprays you can buy.

Top Picks

Best Overall:

Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray at Amazon $12

Jump to Review

Best Overall, Runner-Up:

SkinSmart Antimicrobial Facial Cleanser at Amazon $18

Jump to Review

Best for Sensitive Skin and Eczema:

Prequel Universal Skin Solution Dermal Spray at Amazon $17

Jump to Review

Best for Acne-Prone Skin:

PanOxyl Hypochlorous Acid Antimicrobial Purifying Mist at Target $17

Jump to Review

Best for Dry Skin:

Pipette Skin Rescue Spray at Target $17

Jump to Review

Best Versatile:

Magic Molecule Hypochlorous Acid Spray at Ulta $20

Jump to Review

Best for Added Benefits:

Medicube Hypochlorous Acid Daily Facial Mist at Ulta $24

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray

Credit: Sephora

$12 at Amazon View on Amazon $28 at Sephora

All Ingredients: Water, sodium chloride, hypochlorous acid | Size: 1, 4, 16 oz

With only two other ingredients besides hypochlorous acid, this checks the boxes if you’re looking for a minimalist formula. Dr. Aegean Chan, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Santa Barbara, California, says that’s the way to go when it comes to hypochlorous acid sprays; it can be finicky when combined with other ingredients and also ensures there’s nothing in the formula that can inadvertently end up triggering the very irritation you’re trying to avoid. Dr. Bowles also likes this pick: “It’s simple, gentle, and works well for skin that’s sensitive, reactive, or prone to redness,” she explains. Also nice: It comes in three sizes: a tiny one, great for travel; a middle-sized option; and a larger refill bottle.

Best Overall, Runner-Up

SkinSmart Antimicrobial Facial Cleanser

Credit: Amazon

$18 at Amazon View on Skinsmartantimicrobial.com

All Ingredients: Hypochlorous acid, ionized water, sodium chloride, hypochlorite ion | Size: 8 oz

This pick also fits our derms’ preferred very short ingredient list. “It’s a great, supportive product to use after sweating or heat exposure,” says Dr. Bowles. It’s a fan favorite on Amazon as well, with many happy reviewers calling it a wallet-friendly dupe that’s just as effective as some of its pricier counterparts. We just wish it came in more sizes. (Fun fact: The brand also makes a version for pets!)

Best for Sensitive Skin and Eczema

Prequel Universal Skin Solution Dermal Spray

Credit: Prequel

$17 at Amazon $17 at Target $17 at Prequelskin.com

All Ingredients: Electrolyzed water, sodium chloride, muriatic acid, hypochlorous acid | Size: 4 oz

Another super straightforward option from Prequel, this one has a soothing mineral complex to even further help calm the skin. Hypochlorous acid, in general, can be soothing for those dealing with eczema; this option touts not only the National Eczema Association’s seal of approval, but also seals from the National Rosacea Society and National Psoriasis Foundation. Credit the ingredient’s ability to soothe inflammation and tamp down redness, too.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

PanOxyl Hypochlorous Acid Antimicrobial Purifying Mist

Credit: Target

$17 at Target $11 at Target

All Ingredients: Electrolyzed water, sodium chloride, sodium hypochlorite, hypochlorous acid | Size: 3 oz

Given that PanOxyl is already known and loved for its acne-fighting products, it’s understandable that the brand recently launched a hypochlorous acid spray, Dr. Chan points out. While she’s quick to note that it’s not a direct swap for more hard-hitting, skin-clearing ingredients (such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid), it can be a good adjunctive treatment. She often recommends a spray like this to acne-prone patients to use post-workout to reduce the bacterial load on the skin if they can’t shower immediately. This also has the added distinction of being the most affordable option on our list.

Best for Dry Skin

Pipette Skin Rescue Spray

Credit: Pipette

$17 at Target $17 at Pipettebaby.com

All Ingredients: Water, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, hypochlorous acid, squalane, cucumis sativus fruit extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, glycerin, polysorbate 20, potassium sorbate, citric acid, sodium chloride, sodium benzoate, ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol | Size: 4.4 oz

While this newbie has quite a few additional ingredients beyond hypochlorous acid, it still has the National Eczema Association’s seal of approval and is pediatrician-approved, too, making it a good pick for the whole fam. We like it for those with dry skin, as it contains hydrating aloe, glycerin, and squalane. Hypochlorous acid soothes inflammation and redness, as does calendula extract in the formula.

Best Versatile

Magic Molecule Hypochlorous Acid Spray

Credit: Ulta

$20 at Ulta $8 at Target $12 at Freepeople.com

All Ingredients: Hypochlorous acid, ionized water, sodium chloride, hypochlorite ion | Size: 2, 3.4, 8 oz

With a minimal ingredient list (featuring medical-grade hypochlorous acid), three different sizes, and an easy-to-use spray bottle that works equally well on the face or body, this is the perfect option to keep on hand for all kinds of skin issues. Remember how the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding sprayed Windex on everything? This is basically like that—use it for sunburn, bug bites, breakouts, diaper rash…you name it.

Best for Added Benefits

Medicube Hypochlorous Acid Daily Facial Mist

Credit: Ulta

$24 at Ulta $10 at Kiyoko.com

All Ingredients: Water, niacinamide, butylene glycol, hydroxyacetophenone, panthenol, octyldodeceth-16, C12-14 Alketh-12, sodium gluconate, sodium citrate, ethylhexylglycerin, allantoin, citric acid, hypochlorous acid, eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, rosemary leaf oil, tea tree leaf oil, sodium chloride | Size: 4.2 oz

This option from Medicube contains quite a few additional ingredients besides hypochlorous acid, making it more of a skincare-forward spray, notes Dr. Bowles. Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of niacinamide, which helps to both control oil and reduce redness, as well as hydrating panthenol and allantoin. The formula yielded noticeable improvements in both redness and dry, flaky skin in clinical trials, but is still totally noncomedogenic (won’t clog pores) and has been tested to ensure it’s nonirritating.

What to Look for When Buying a Hypochlorous Acid Spray

Minimal Ingredient List: While there are formulas that incorporate many other ingredients for a more skincare-forward approach, if you’re looking to reap the benefits of just hypochlorous acid, both dermatologists we spoke to suggest looking for a spritz that relies on only a few additional ingredients. This is also a good approach to take if your skin is super sensitive: “The more straightforward the formulation, the less likely it is to cause irritation, especially for sensitive skin,” explains Dr. Bowles.
Opaque Packaging: “Packaging also matters,” Dr. Chan points out. “Hypochlorous acid can be somewhat unstable, so it’s ideal to choose a product in opaque or protective packaging.”
Size of the Bottle: Think about how you will be using your spray. Do you want to keep it in your gym bag for post-workout use, or in your carry-on to refresh your skin during long flights? Many hypochlorous acid sprays come in various sizes, including smaller ones that are perfect for on the go.

FAQ

What does a hypochlorous acid spray do?

“It can help calm redness, reduce bacteria on the skin, and support the skin when it feels irritated or inflamed,” says Dr. Bowles. It’s also helpful if you’re prone to breakouts or have sensitive or reactive skin, and it is often even used after dermatologic procedures, notes Dr. Chan. All that being said, it’s still best to think of it as an adjunct, or add-on treatment, rather than a replacement for other solutions you may already be using for conditions like acne or eczema, she points out.
Who should use a hypochlorous acid spray?

Because it’s very well tolerated, pretty much anyone can use it. It’s not completely necessary if you have normal, healthy skin, but if you find it helps with acne or rosacea, that’s great, says Dr. Chan.
Are there any side effects of hypochlorous acid?

Not really, given that it’s a molecule already produced by our own bodies and, at the concentrations it’s used in skincare, is typically nonirritating and compatible with sensitive or compromised skin, Dr. Chan points out. “Overall, it’s considered a low-risk ingredient for most skin types, which is one of the reasons it has become so popular,” adds Dr. Bowles. Still, if you’re super sensitive and/or your barrier is already compromised, you might notice a slight stinging when you apply it.
What’s the best way to use a hypochlorous acid spray?

Both doctors suggest misting it onto clean skin before applying any other products. However, you can also use it throughout the day, especially anytime your skin feels irritated or sweaty. “Some patients like using it after workouts or after wearing a mask for long periods,” says Dr. Bowles. Because it’s so gentle, you really can incorporate it pretty much anywhere into your routine.

Meet Our Experts

To write this article, Byrdie consulted the following experts:

Dr. Alexandra Bowles, D.O., is a board-certified dermatologist at MONA Dermatology in Cincinnati.
Dr. Aegean Chan, M.D., is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist and the Medical Director of California Dermatology in Santa Barbara, California.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over 15 years of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Her skin is notoriously sensitive and easily irritated, so she’s been using a hypochlorous acid spray for years, including many of the ones featured on this list. She also loves using them on her 2-year-old twins.

Edited by Alyssa Kaplan