Key TakeawaysHypochlorous acid is a trending skincare ingredient that is gentle enough for sensitive skin.Hypocholorous acid is an anti-inflammatory compound that could be great for eczema relief, wound care, and scar management.There’s little evidence to prove its effectiveness for treating acne, but dermatologists say it could reduce bacteria on the skin.A powerful ingredient used in disinfectant and cleaning products is now a holy grail for reducing acne and body odor. Hypochlorous acid, a bacteria-fighting compound, is a trending skincare ingredient in many facial sprays—and it’s actually gentle even for sensitive skin.The body naturally produceshypochlorous acidto fight against infections and germs. Studies have found benefits in using this anti-inflammatory compound foreczema-related itching, wound healing, and scarring.However, the evidence for being able to reduce acne is less clear.“We don’t really have great data on this as a medication to prevent or treat acne, but intuitively and scientifically, it makes sense that if you can decrease some of the bacteria and the inflammation on your skin, you could decrease acne,”Deirdre Hooper, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans, Louisiana, told Verywell.Some people might see benefits from hypochlorous acid, but overusing these products could strip the skin barrier, provoke inflammation, and harm the healthy skin microbiome, Hooper added.Research has shown that an imbalance of good and bad bacteria on the skin could contribute to acne.“The nice thing about these products is they’re safe, as long as you’re not over-cleansing with them. So I think it’s worth a try,” Hooper said.The Best Body Washes for Acne, Tested & ReviewedWhen Should You Use Hypochlorous Acid?Some TikTokers say they usehypochlorous acidsprays after a sweaty session at the gym to help avoid breakouts. Hypochlorous acid may reduce the build-up of oil and bacteria that can contribute to acne after exercising, but it’s not the only option.“Acne has many different causative factors, and like most of the treatments for acne, we have to target from different angles, and this is just one of them,”Arielle R. Nagler, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health, told Verywell.Removing makeup before working out and washing your face after with a mild, oil-free cleanser can also help. Another option is to pat the sweat off your face while exercising—but without rubbing—since that could irritate the skin.“I always tell people to take a snack bag with an ice cube and paper towel to get that sweat off their face as soon as possible when they’re sweating and doing a sport. Don’t allow it to accumulate and eventually just wash it off,”Amy S Paller, MS, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and chair of dermatology at Northwestern Medicine, told Verywell.Some people also spray hypochlorous acid under their armpits to reduce body odor after leaving the gym, which might help over time.“If people are worried about smelling after doing a workout, maybe they would find some benefit from [hypochlorous acid]. I would think they would have to use it on a regular basis, and not just a little spritz here and there,” Paller said.Why Do My Armpits Sweat So Much?How Should You Choose a Hypochlorous Acid Product?If you plan on using hypochlorous acid on your face or body, Paller said to look for a low-strength spray made for the skin—not a household cleaning product.Plenty of skin-safe hypochlorous acid sprays are available, but it’s important to check the labels first. Hooper recommends looking for fragrance-free hypochlorous acid products because added fragrance can irritate sensitive skin.Many people can safely use hypochlorous acid products as part of their skincare routine, but it takes time and consistent use for better results.“You could give it about four to six weeks, and if you’re not seeing any change in your acne, it may not be something that’s going to help you,” Hooper said.How Does Skin Cycling Work?What This Means For YouIf you’re considering hypochlorous acid for acne or body odor, it’s generally safe to try as long as you use a product specifically made for the skin.

Key TakeawaysHypochlorous acid is a trending skincare ingredient that is gentle enough for sensitive skin.Hypocholorous acid is an anti-inflammatory compound that could be great for eczema relief, wound care, and scar management.There’s little evidence to prove its effectiveness for treating acne, but dermatologists say it could reduce bacteria on the skin.

Key Takeaways

Hypochlorous acid is a trending skincare ingredient that is gentle enough for sensitive skin.Hypocholorous acid is an anti-inflammatory compound that could be great for eczema relief, wound care, and scar management.There’s little evidence to prove its effectiveness for treating acne, but dermatologists say it could reduce bacteria on the skin.

A powerful ingredient used in disinfectant and cleaning products is now a holy grail for reducing acne and body odor. Hypochlorous acid, a bacteria-fighting compound, is a trending skincare ingredient in many facial sprays—and it’s actually gentle even for sensitive skin.

The body naturally produceshypochlorous acidto fight against infections and germs. Studies have found benefits in using this anti-inflammatory compound foreczema-related itching, wound healing, and scarring.However, the evidence for being able to reduce acne is less clear.

“We don’t really have great data on this as a medication to prevent or treat acne, but intuitively and scientifically, it makes sense that if you can decrease some of the bacteria and the inflammation on your skin, you could decrease acne,”Deirdre Hooper, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans, Louisiana, told Verywell.

Some people might see benefits from hypochlorous acid, but overusing these products could strip the skin barrier, provoke inflammation, and harm the healthy skin microbiome, Hooper added.

Research has shown that an imbalance of good and bad bacteria on the skin could contribute to acne.

“The nice thing about these products is they’re safe, as long as you’re not over-cleansing with them. So I think it’s worth a try,” Hooper said.

The Best Body Washes for Acne, Tested & Reviewed

When Should You Use Hypochlorous Acid?

Some TikTokers say they usehypochlorous acidsprays after a sweaty session at the gym to help avoid breakouts. Hypochlorous acid may reduce the build-up of oil and bacteria that can contribute to acne after exercising, but it’s not the only option.

“Acne has many different causative factors, and like most of the treatments for acne, we have to target from different angles, and this is just one of them,”Arielle R. Nagler, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health, told Verywell.

Removing makeup before working out and washing your face after with a mild, oil-free cleanser can also help. Another option is to pat the sweat off your face while exercising—but without rubbing—since that could irritate the skin.

“I always tell people to take a snack bag with an ice cube and paper towel to get that sweat off their face as soon as possible when they’re sweating and doing a sport. Don’t allow it to accumulate and eventually just wash it off,”Amy S Paller, MS, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and chair of dermatology at Northwestern Medicine, told Verywell.

Some people also spray hypochlorous acid under their armpits to reduce body odor after leaving the gym, which might help over time.

“If people are worried about smelling after doing a workout, maybe they would find some benefit from [hypochlorous acid]. I would think they would have to use it on a regular basis, and not just a little spritz here and there,” Paller said.

Why Do My Armpits Sweat So Much?

How Should You Choose a Hypochlorous Acid Product?

If you plan on using hypochlorous acid on your face or body, Paller said to look for a low-strength spray made for the skin—not a household cleaning product.

Plenty of skin-safe hypochlorous acid sprays are available, but it’s important to check the labels first. Hooper recommends looking for fragrance-free hypochlorous acid products because added fragrance can irritate sensitive skin.

Many people can safely use hypochlorous acid products as part of their skincare routine, but it takes time and consistent use for better results.

“You could give it about four to six weeks, and if you’re not seeing any change in your acne, it may not be something that’s going to help you,” Hooper said.

How Does Skin Cycling Work?

What This Means For YouIf you’re considering hypochlorous acid for acne or body odor, it’s generally safe to try as long as you use a product specifically made for the skin.

What This Means For You

If you’re considering hypochlorous acid for acne or body odor, it’s generally safe to try as long as you use a product specifically made for the skin.

6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine: PubChem.Hypochlorous acid.Del Rosso JQ, Bhatia N.Status report on topical hypochlorous acid: clinical relevance of specific formulations, potential modes of action, and study outcomes.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(11):36-39.Gold MH, Andriessen A, Bhatia AC, et al.Topical stabilized hypochlorous acid: The future gold standard for wound care and scar management in dermatologic and plastic surgery procedures.J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(2):270-277. doi:10.1111/jocd.13280Huang C, Zhuo F, Han B, et al.The updates and implications of cutaneous microbiota in acne.Cell Biosci. 2023;13(1):113. doi:10.1186/s13578-023-01072-wAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association.Is your workout causing your acne?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.9 Things to try when acne won’t clear.

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine: PubChem.Hypochlorous acid.Del Rosso JQ, Bhatia N.Status report on topical hypochlorous acid: clinical relevance of specific formulations, potential modes of action, and study outcomes.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(11):36-39.Gold MH, Andriessen A, Bhatia AC, et al.Topical stabilized hypochlorous acid: The future gold standard for wound care and scar management in dermatologic and plastic surgery procedures.J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(2):270-277. doi:10.1111/jocd.13280Huang C, Zhuo F, Han B, et al.The updates and implications of cutaneous microbiota in acne.Cell Biosci. 2023;13(1):113. doi:10.1186/s13578-023-01072-wAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association.Is your workout causing your acne?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.9 Things to try when acne won’t clear.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Library of Medicine: PubChem.Hypochlorous acid.Del Rosso JQ, Bhatia N.Status report on topical hypochlorous acid: clinical relevance of specific formulations, potential modes of action, and study outcomes.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(11):36-39.Gold MH, Andriessen A, Bhatia AC, et al.Topical stabilized hypochlorous acid: The future gold standard for wound care and scar management in dermatologic and plastic surgery procedures.J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(2):270-277. doi:10.1111/jocd.13280Huang C, Zhuo F, Han B, et al.The updates and implications of cutaneous microbiota in acne.Cell Biosci. 2023;13(1):113. doi:10.1186/s13578-023-01072-wAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association.Is your workout causing your acne?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.9 Things to try when acne won’t clear.

National Library of Medicine: PubChem.Hypochlorous acid.

Del Rosso JQ, Bhatia N.Status report on topical hypochlorous acid: clinical relevance of specific formulations, potential modes of action, and study outcomes.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(11):36-39.

Gold MH, Andriessen A, Bhatia AC, et al.Topical stabilized hypochlorous acid: The future gold standard for wound care and scar management in dermatologic and plastic surgery procedures.J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(2):270-277. doi:10.1111/jocd.13280

Huang C, Zhuo F, Han B, et al.The updates and implications of cutaneous microbiota in acne.Cell Biosci. 2023;13(1):113. doi:10.1186/s13578-023-01072-w

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is your workout causing your acne?.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.9 Things to try when acne won’t clear.

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