Hypochlorous Acid for Eyes is Trending on TikTok – Here’s What Experts Think
Main image – Katarinaradovic/Stocksy
There’s arguably no area of the face more delicate than the eyes – yet we often give surprisingly little thought to what we put around them.
After all, pretty much every label of every product has the warning, ‘if product comes in contact with your eyes…” and then immediately instructs how to remedy it.
So with conditions like dry eye becoming more and more prevalent, and with trends like hypochlorous acid to help soothe the condition on the rise, is it time we thought more seriously about the beauty products we’re putting near our eyes?
For example, does anyone ever actually consider which ingredients are in their mascara? Or do the words ‘ophthalmologically tested’ or ‘dermatologist tested’ on our packaging make everything ok?
Here, Amy Gallant Sullivan, founder of Eyes Are The Story, and ophthalmologist Dr Rachna Murthy discuss the confusion over these claims as well as why hypochlorous acid might just be a rare TikTok hack with some science behind it if you’re suffering in the eye department.
What is dry eye and why is everyone suddenly talking about it?
According to Gallant Sullivan, it’s not just about a lack of tears. “Dry eye is not simply “dryness,” it’s a breakdown of an entire system designed to protect, nourish, and defend your eyes,” she explains.
“In other words, when any part of this system is disrupted, the tear film becomes unstable, and symptoms begin. Burning. Redness. Blurry vision. Sensitivity. Fatigue. And sometimes, paradoxically, excess tearing.” And she says despite what it may seem, the condition hasn’t just appeared like a trend, “what’s changed is how we live and how we understand it.”
Image – Angelarober/Stocksy
Now that the condition has finally been redefined as a chronic disease, “this shift has transformed how eye professionals diagnose and treat it, and how seriously it’s taken,” she adds.
What causes it?
According to Gallant Sullivan, dry eye is no longer associated with ageing but is now affecting everyone. Environmental elements and lifestyle choices like the use of digital screens can play a part in the problem. “We blink less when using devices, leading to faster tear evaporation,” she says.
“Air conditioning, heating and pollution all destabilise the tear film [and] poor sleep, stress and diet directly impact eye health.” Even contact lenses can apparently contribute to the problem. “They alter the natural tear film and increase sensitivity over time,” she adds.
Crucially, some beauty products can pose a danger too. “For decades, cosmetics have been used around the eyes with little consideration for their impact on the ocular surface,” she warns.
“Cosmetics can block meibomian glands, disrupting oil production, ingredients can irritate or inflame sensitive eyes, removers can strip and destabilise the tear film. And despite marketing claims, “clean” or “natural” does not mean safe for the eyes. The eye is not just another area of skin, it is a highly specialised, vulnerable system.”
Why hypochlorous acid is having a moment
The beauty enthusiasts amongst you may have heard the name being bandied around but what actually is it? “Hypochlorous acid (or HOCl) is one of the body’s most elegant defence molecules,” explains Dr Murthy.
“It’s naturally produced by our white blood cells to neutralise pathogens, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair. In medical settings, puri?ed HOCl has long been used as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial in wound care and ophthalmology, gentle, non-toxic, and biologically compatible with human tissue.”
If you were in any doubt of the rising popularity of hypochlorous acid, it might help to know that searches for it actually increased 132% from 2024 to 2025 according to search data. But why? “Because the science is finally catching up with its simplicity,” she says.
@drjulianprosia Skincare ? Dry eye care ? Who said it has to be complicated? HOCl makes daily care easy #greenscreenvideo #hypochlorousacidspray #skin #stye #eyehealth ?: @anita
“It is most commonly available as topical sprays or atomised mists for skin, eyelid, and lash hygiene, preservative free drops or washes used in ophthalmic and wound healing contexts and soaked wipes or compresses for clinical blepharitis care,” Dr Murthy explains.
“Consumers and clinicians are gravitating toward HOCl sprays for their dual action: hygiene and healing,” she adds. “Around the eyes, it reduces microbial overgrowth (notably Staphylococcus epidermidis and Demodex-associated flora) and gently breaks down biofilm that clogs meibomian glands,?a root cause of evaporative dry eye, eyelid inflammation, and ocular rosacea.”
How do you use it safely?
It’s really easy. “Apply a fine mist of an ophthalmologically formulated HOCl spray such as Purifeyes Hypochlorous Eyelid Spray (£11.95) onto closed eyes and surrounding skin, 1–2?times daily,” Dr Murthy explains.
Then, “allow it to air dry, rinsing is not needed. It can also be applied with a sterile pad along the lash line. The key is purity and isotonic formulation – not all HOCl products meet ocular safety standards. Many are produced by electrolysis and leave a salty residue on the skin and lashes.”
The takeaway
It’s so easy to take our eyes for granted but a little extra time spent ensuring you’re doing right by yours will go a long way, particularly if they’re sensitive.
The experts advise the next time you see the words ‘ophthalmologically tested’ on a product, you should stay savvy. “It may sound scientific, but it isn’t a regulated claim,” warns Dr Murthy. “Testing can range from a cursory review to comprehensive clinical trials, which means consumers have no way to know what ‘passed.’”
And if in doubt, look for eye safe brands like Eyes Are The Story, developed specifically with eye health in mind.
According to Gallant Sullivan, “Skincare is formulated for the skin barrier.”
“Eye-safe formulations must also account for tear film stability, meibomian gland function, blink dynamics and product migration and chronic, repeated exposure near the ocular surface. These are rarely considered in traditional cosmetic development.”
Meet the experts
Amy Gallant Sullivan has more than 20 years’ experience in the ocular surface space, she is the founder of Boston-based ESSIRI Labs and the creator of Eyes Are The Story, the world’s first optocosmetics brand.
Dr Rachna Murthy MBBS, FRCOphth is a multi-award-winning Consultant Ophthalmologist and Oculoplastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, based in London, Cambridge and Jersey.
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