What is Hypochlorous Acid?
Clean your skin with acid?
Wipe your eyes with acid?
Rinse your mouth with acid?
When you’re talking hypochlorous acid (HOCL), the answer is…yes! And while it may sound like something straight out of a science fiction movie, it’s actually all about science…not fiction.
HOCL acid is one of the safest, most effective antibacterial ingredients you can add to your skin-care repertoire. Despite being 100 times stronger than bleach – truth! – it’s a super-gentle, naturally-occurring enzyme in the body with anti-inflammatory properties that tackle a whole host of issues, from acne to rashes, cuts to burns; even on the most sensitive skin. Uses for hypochlorous acid even extend far beyond skincare, too, thanks to its powerful ability to kill germs and microorganisms on contact.
Hypochlorous acid – from nature to nurture
Created naturally by white blood cells in the skin as an infection-defense system that attacks pathogens and breaks down cell walls, this healing molecule is so effective, it’s actually a proven disinfectant against COVID bacteria. Today, skin-compatible HOCL is used in dozens of products, including facial sanitizers, skin serums designed to help repair damage, hospital and school disinfectants, and even pool cleaners! And given that HOCL occurs naturally in the body, and the antimicrobial benefits are plentiful, products containing the ingredient deem it safe for virtually everyone -- including children, and those with ultra-sensitive skin who are prone to eczema or acne and need to avoid harsh chemicals in lieu of alcohol-free cleansers.
Just how safe is hypochlorous acid? Concentrations designed for the body, like cleansing spray or mouthwash -- have been thoroughly tested for consumer safety, with no reported side effects. HOCL strengths do vary depending upon use: A facial mist, for example, will likely be diluted to 100 parts per million compared to, say, your everyday surface cleaner. And while hypochlorous acid formulas are considered perfectly harmless even for people with sensitive skin, it’s always a smart idea to follow instructions on labels to make sure you’re using the product correctly. (Some manufacturers, for example, advise avoiding combining HOCL with other skincare acids, like glycolic, lactic, or salicylic, in order to avoid irritation.)
HOCL: the trend that’s here to stay
While HOCL is certainly the cool kid on the block, its growing popularity in skincare takes it firmly out of the trend zone and into the mainstream. That’s partly because hypochlorous acid skincare is super affordable compared to pricey dermatologist and spa collections, but also because these products now have an increased shelf life that keeps the formula stable for over two years so you can feel good about your purchase.
Skincare & Medical Applications
With many powerful properties, HOCL has the ability to soothe and care for the skin, and a perfect pH balance that deems it gentle enough for the most sensitive of complexions, HOCL is a natural choice to integrate into any daily skincare and wellness routine. While the cleansing sprays are not a full replacement for traditional soap or, say, melting balms that remove layers of makeup, they’re a perfect antibacterial detox face wash; an add-on to your daily routine that helps to stave off everything from redness to acne and even clogged pores.
How to Use Hypochlorous Acid
As a daily skin cleanser: Hypochlorous acid-based products have the innate ability to not only serve as ideal skin cleansers, but they’re also perfect for calming, soothing, and even healing everything from breakouts to cuts, burns, razor irritations, bumps, and a buffet of other skin flares. Simply spray it onto a clean cotton ball and apply to your face – on a sunburn after a day in the sun, on an acne breakout, or over clogged pores that are threatening to mess with your smooth makeup routine.
As an eyelid and eyelash cleanser: Clogged and irritated lids, lashes, and tear ducts, along with ingrown hairs and clogged skin pores, are known to cause discomfort and redness. Using an eyelid and eyelash cleanser formulated with HOCL delivers fast, comforting relief to these tender areas. With eyes closed, you can spritz it directly onto lashes and irritated spots; or apply it to a cotton pad and rub gently over the area.
As an itch-relief spray: Bring that relentless scratching to a screeching halt by choosing an itch-relief spray that contains HOCL – it’s the perfect pick to quickly soothe and calm itching caused by pesky insect bites, poison oak, hives, ingrown hairs, razor burn, rashes, piercings, and other common skin irritations. Throw a bottle in your camping bag; bring it to the beach; have it on hand after a visit to a tattoo or piercing parlor to minimize discomfort and keep areas clean and disinfected.
As a mouthwash and oral cleanser: Yes, an HOCL-stocked mouthwash or oral cleanser will safely and effectively crush bad breath contact; but it’s the first line of defense when soothing and eliminating minor mouth and gum irritation, pain from oral piercings, pesky canker sores, and even discomfort from dental work or orthodontia. It’s safe for children, too!
QIQ Hypochlorous acid – the breakthrough skin savior
Looking to make the leap into healthy skincare and integrate HOCL into your own daily wellness routine? Before plucking a single product off the shelf, you’ll want to make sure to choose a brand with the highest level of purity possible – and QIQ does the trick! With four precisely targeted HOCL products – skin cleanser, eyelid and eyelash cleanser, itch-relief spray, and mouthwash – designed to “kick” every painful, itchy, burn-y sensation on your body, this clean-care company puts quality and safety front and center. Featuring breakthrough HypoBiome Technology, a patent-pending, high-purity hypochlorous formula a decade in the making, QIQ products boast unparalleled purity, 2+ year stability and shelf life, and pharmaceutical-grade safety credentials. The kind of healthy, head-to-toe reassurance you want for your entire family. Biome-friendly and skin-compatible, QIQ products are the perfect pick for destroying bad bacteria, while leaving the good bacteria to do its job in the care and feeding of happy – sting-free! – skin.
Learn more about skin-saving QIQ products, here…
