I’m an Aesthetician: This is Exactly Why I Love Hypochlorous Acid
Main image – Adobe
Grace Day is an aesthetician and beauty editor who divides her time between testing and reviewing the latest launches, and providing treatments and skincare routine coaching from her Manchester studio. Each month, Grace shares her learnings and observations straight from the salon, along with her verdict on the latest trends and product launches, here in her series “In the Treatment Room with Grace Day.”
If there’s one thing that makes my facials a little different to the norm, it’s the chat. There’s still plenty of time for relaxation, but I always encourage my clients to use their time with me to ask for product recommendations, routine tweaks, and myth busting truths. Naturally, this means that skincare ingredients are a topic that get a lot of airtime when I’m chatting to my clients during facials.
One such ingredient in particular has popped up in conversation so many times over the past few months that I knew I absolutely had to make it the subject for my next column. It also helps that this ingredient is one of my personal favourites. In fact, I’ve not only been banging on about it to my regular clients for years but it’s a twice-a-day staple in my own personal skincare routine, and I credit it with helping to get rid of my stubborn hormonal acne.
Hypochlorous acid has (finally) been getting the attention it deserves, thanks (of course) to TikTok. On the app, creators are positioning it as the perfect ingredient to use alongside your post-workout skincare routine and as a must-have for your in-flight skincare lineup. These are just two excellent ways to make use of the ingredient’s benefits, but there are plenty more in addition…
Image – Kirsten D/peopleimages.com/Adobe
But first, what exactly is hypochlorous acid?
Like most ‘new trending ingredients’ hypochlorous acid has been around for years, used by skincare professionals in salons and clinics thanks to its strong antimicrobial properties. It’s a weak acid solution made by combining water, salt, and vinegar via electrolysis, and manages to be simultaneously powerful (when it comes to blitzing bacteria) and gentle – enough so to be suitable for even the most sensitive skin.
What are the benefits of hypochlorous acid?
The body naturally produces hypochlorous acid – it’s created by our white blood cells to help defend against infection and bacteria by reducing inflammation and speeding up the skin’s healing process.
This makes it a beneficial ingredient for inflammatory skin concerns like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and even acne. It soothes angry skin, combatting redness, and preventing future flare-ups and breakouts.
For those without any major skin concerns, hypochlorous acid still has benefits. It helps with general sensitivity and redness, and acts (almost like a hand sanitiser for your face) to purify skin by killing bacteria, viruses, and fungus – hence why it’s recommended to use after working out or during a long-haul flight.
Image – Adobe
Are there any side effects to using hypochlorous acid?
Since the body produces it, one of the great things about this ingredient is that there’s no need to worry about any potential side effects. Our skin knows exactly what to do with it, you won’t develop an intolerance to it, and it doesn’t dry out skin. This is why I recommend it to a really wide breadth of skin types, it has benefits for literally everyone.
How do you use hypochlorous acid?
For most of my clients, I recommend using hypochlorous acid after cleansing their skin, both morning and night. I also advise allowing it to absorb before applying any further skincare products—it might compromise the efficacy of notoriously unstable active ingredients like vitamin C.
With that said, hypochlorous acid can be used at any point in the day (ideally on bare skin), especially if you’re using it to soothe a flare-up or breakout. It’s usually found in a toner or spray format, which makes it easy to apply when on the go.
Intrigued by this buzzword ingredient? Hypochlorous acid is still making its way into the mainstream, which means there aren’t loads of products on the market just yet – however, there are some great ones you can get started with. Scroll down to shop my favourite hypochlorous acid products.
- Clinisoothe Skin Purifier (£14.95 from Clinisoothe UK)
This is my personal favourite hypochlorous acid, both to use and to recommend to clients. It’s easy to get hold of, affordable, and works so well.
- Tower28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray ($28 from Tower28 US)
Probably the trendiest hypochlorous acid product out there—especially if you’re going by packaging alone. It’s not super easy to get hold of this in the UK which is why it’s a little more expensive compared to other options. I love that it comes in a miniature version for on-the-go application.
Image – Tower 28
- The Light Salon Cleanse & Recovery Spray (£18 from Cult Beauty UK)
I love the spray function on this particular spray—it makes application feel really soothing and refreshing. Plus, the bottle is small enough to throw in both your gym bag and your hand luggage.
- S’Eau Prima Foundational Face Mist ($48 from S’Eau Prima US)
You’ll have to ship this one over from the States, but if you have oily and acne-prone skin, it’ll be totally worth it. In addition to hypochlorous acid, the formula is boosted with bora bora sea salt to help target congestion and excess sebum.
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