As hypochlorous acid spray continues to pop up across skincare and wellness feeds, medical professionals are increasingly stepping in to explain why—and whether people should add it into their routine.
In a TikTok video that has drawn attention from both skincare and eye‑care enthusiasts, Dr. Julian Prosia, as drjulianprosia, responds to another eye specialist, Dr. Anita Nguyen, as anitanguyennn, who films herself repeatedly misting her face with hypochlorous acid spray while on vacation.
‘You’re gonna love this’
Rather than criticizing the habit, Prosia explains why many doctors are increasingly on board with the trend.
“If you’re an eye doctor or dermatologist, I can already tell you that you’re gonna love this video,” he says, before breaking down why hypochlorous acid, often shortened to HOCl, has become a favorite among clinicians and skincare lovers.
According to Prosia, hypochlorous acid’s rise comes down to its ability to rapidly kill bacteria while remaining gentle enough for sensitive areas like the eyelids.
He cites research showing that a solution containing just 0.02 percent hypochlorous acid was able to eliminate common skin bacteria within 10 seconds.
Why Doctors are Paying Attention
Hypochlorous acid is not a new compound.
The molecule is naturally produced by white blood cells as part of the body’s immune response, where it helps neutralize bacteria, viruses and fungi. This includes the hard-to-kill norovirus, which can typically withstand even rubbing alcohol.
Studies have highlighted hypochlorous acid’s broad antimicrobial activity and its favorable safety profile compared to harsher antiseptics, particularly on delicate tissue such as the eyelids and facial skin.
Additional research has explored its role in managing eye surface conditions like blepharitis and dry eye by reducing bacterial load without disrupting healthy tissue.
“I love using hypochlorous acid spray and recommend it to patients who have dry eyes and/or recurrent styes. It is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, so it helps a lot with that,” Nguyen shared with Newsweek.
While it was initially popularized for acne‑prone skin, doctors now point to its usefulness for styes, eyelid inflammation and facial breakouts alike.
What Products People Actually Use
As interest grows, especially within skincare, a number of consumer‑friendly hypochlorous acid sprays have become widely available. Popular options include:
Most formulations contain a similar low‑concentration HOCl solution designed for frequent, leave‑on use. Dermatologists and eye doctors often recommend spraying onto clean skin, misting closed eyelids, protecting skin from irritation with CPAP machines or using it after workouts, travel or exposure to sweat and environmental irritants.
Because hypochlorous acid breaks down into saline‑like components, it doesn’t require rinsing and is generally compatible with other skincare products, though you should wait until it’s fully dry to use with other products.
Some users even keep bottles on hand for non‑beauty purposes, such as refreshing makeup tools, calming post‑procedure skin or light household sanitizing.
Simple Ingredient, Big Potential
While social media trends often spotlight complex routines and luxury serums, hypochlorous acid’s appeal lies in its simplicity.
Backed by clinical research and increasingly endorsed by health care professionals, it occupies a rare space where skincare, eye health and everyday hygiene overlap.
For Prosia, the message is clear: sometimes the most unassuming bottle in your bag is doing more work than you think.
Newsweek has reached out to Dr. Julian Prosia for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
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