Hypochlorous Acid for Skin: Are You Buying the Real Thing
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This guide explains the science behind two closely related but very different disinfectants: Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) and Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) , the active ingredient in household bleach. Understanding the difference matters enormously if you're choosing a product for your skin, a wound, or everyday hygiene.
The short version: both molecules contain chlorine, but one is gentle and produced naturally by your own immune system, while the other is corrosive bleach. The single most important number separating them is pH.
What Are These Two Molecules?
Hypochlorous acid HOCl and sodium hypochlorite NaOCl are chemically related (both are "chlorine-based" disinfectants), but they behave very differently once dissolved in water. Think of them as two forms of the same element depending on the acidity of their environment.
When NaOCl (bleach) dissolves in water, it splits apart completely into sodium ions (Na⁺) and hypochlorite ions (OCl⁻). This solution is highly alkaline, typically pH 11–13. The negatively charged OCl⁻ ion is repelled by the similarly charged surfaces of bacteria and human cells alike, which makes it a slow, harsh disinfectant.
When the pH is lowered into the mildly acidic range (around pH 4–6), those OCl⁻ ions pick up a proton and become HOCl: a neutral, uncharged molecule. That neutral charge is the key: it slips through bacterial cell membranes effortlessly, destroying pathogens up to 100 times faster than OCl⁻ can. This is also the exact molecule your white blood cells (neutrophils) produce to fight infection.
pH: The Master Switch Between HOCl and OCl⁻
Here is the most important concept in this entire article: HOCl and OCl⁻ are the same chemical element in two different forms, and pH determines which form you have. They exist in a constant back-and-forth equilibrium. Lower the pH (more acidic) and the solution shifts toward HOCl. Raise the pH (more alkaline) and it shifts toward OCl⁻, the bleach form.
The "tipping point" (called the pKa) sits at pH 7.53 for this reaction. Below that number, HOCl dominates. Above it, OCl⁻ takes over. This means a product claiming to be "HOCl" but measuring pH 8 or higher is not delivering meaningful amounts of HOCl at all; it is essentially diluted bleach.
Pure HOCl pH 5–6
Mostly HOCl pH 7
50/50 pH 9–12
Essentially bleach
| pH Level | HOCl (HOCl) | OCl⁻ (Bleach form) | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 99.7% | 0.3% | 🟢 Premium HOCl, optimal for skin |
| 5.0 | 97.0% | 3.0% | 🟢 Excellent, within medical range |
| 5.5 | 91.5% | 8.5% | 🟢 Upper limit for therapeutic HOCl |
| 6.0 | 77.0% | 23.0% | 🟡 Acceptable for cosmetic use only |
| 7.0 | 25.0% | 75.0% | 🟠 Mostly OCl⁻; reject for skin |
| 8.5 | 3.3% | 96.7% | 🔴 Dangerous for skin; essentially bleach |
| 11.0 | 0.03% | 99.97% | 🔴 Commercial bleach; chemical burn risk |
Why HOCl HOCl Is Superior for Skin
The advantages of HOCl over NaOCl for skin applications come down to three interconnected factors: speed, safety, and biological compatibility.
Speed: HOCl kills bacteria 80–100× faster
HOCl oxidizes bacterial proteins, disrupts their cell membranes, and interferes with their DNA, all within 30 seconds to 2 minutes at concentrations of 100–200 parts per million (ppm). NaOCl at equivalent chlorine concentrations needs 10 to 30 minutes for comparable bacterial kill, precisely because the negatively charged OCl⁻ ion cannot penetrate cell membranes efficiently.
average kill time at 100–200 ppm
time for equivalent bacterial reduction
Safety: HOCl doesn't damage your own cells
This is the critical distinction for skin care. NaOCl solutions at pH 11–13 are alkaline enough to break down skin oils (a process called saponification) and denature proteins, the very building blocks of skin tissue. This causes chemical irritation, slows wound healing, and in higher concentrations causes chemical burns. Clinical studies show NaOCl delays wound closure by damaging the fibroblasts and epithelial cells responsible for repair.
HOCl at pH 4.5–5.5 causes no such damage. Multiple clinical trials confirm it supports rather than impairs wound healing, produces minimal to no stinging, and is well tolerated even on damaged skin. The FDA has cleared HOCl wound care products through its 510(k) medical device pathway.
Biological compatibility: your body already makes HOCl
Perhaps the most compelling proof of HOCl's safety is the fact that your immune system uses it. When neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) engulf bacteria, they produce HOCl through an enzyme called myeloperoxidase. Your body has relied on this molecule to fight infection for millions of years of evolution. No equivalent biological role exists for NaOCl.
How HOCl HOCl Is Manufactured, and Why It Matters
Not all products sold as "HOCl" are genuinely equivalent. Manufacturing method determines purity, and purity determines whether a product actually delivers therapeutic benefits. There are two main electrolysis approaches, and their differences in output quality are substantial.
Both methods start with the same raw ingredients (a dilute salt solution and electricity), but they handle the chemistry very differently. When electricity passes through a saltwater solution, chloride ions at the positive electrode (anode) are oxidized into chlorine gas, which immediately dissolves into water as HOCl. Simultaneously, water at the negative electrode (cathode) is reduced, generating hydroxide ions (OH⁻) that raise pH. The manufacturing challenge is preventing these two products from mixing and converting the desired HOCl into alkaline OCl⁻.
Method 1: Simple Saltwater Electrolysis (undivided cell)
In a basic, single-chamber electrolyzer, the type used in many consumer devices and lower-cost commercial systems, the anode and cathode sit in the same solution with no physical barrier between them. As electrolysis proceeds, the OH⁻ produced at the cathode continuously mixes with the HOCl produced at the anode. This progressively drives the pH upward from the mildly acidic range into neutral or alkaline territory, converting HOCl back into OCl⁻ as it forms.
The result is a variable, mixed product: typically 30–70% HOCl with pH ranging from 7.5 to 9.5, dependent on runtime, salt concentration, electrode condition, and water mineral content. This may be adequate for immediate-use surface disinfection but is poorly suited for skin application.
Method 2: PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) Electrolysis
Premium-grade HOCl for medical and cosmetic use is produced using a membrane-separated electrolyzer. A specialized ion-selective membrane (typically Nafion®) physically separates the anode and cathode compartments. Protons (H⁺) from the anode side are transported across the membrane in a controlled way, maintaining the anolyte (the HOCl-containing side) at a consistently acidic pH of 4.5–5.5. The pH-elevating OH⁻ ions are confined to the cathode side and never contact the HOCl.
This produces a consistently >99% pure HOCl solution with documented, stable pH, which is the standard required for FDA-cleared wound care devices and pharmaceutical-grade skin products.
You might be wondering what gives a hydrogen water company the authority to manufacture and write about hypochlorous acid. The answer is that HOCl production and hydrogen-enriched water production are not just loosely related fields; they are built on the exact same underlying technology: membrane electrolysis.
The shared science behind our products
Ocemida's hydrogen water bottles and replacement membranes work by passing an electrical current through water across a proton exchange membrane (PEM). At the cathode side of the membrane, water molecules are split and dissolved hydrogen gas (H₂) is produced. This is the hydrogen that gives the water its antioxidant properties.
Now look at that process again from the other side of the membrane. At the anode, water is oxidized and protons (H⁺) are released. When the feed water contains even trace amounts of dissolved chloride (as in most real-world water sources), those chloride ions are simultaneously oxidized at the anode and form HOCl through the exact reaction described earlier in this article. Our engineers have spent years optimizing PEM cell geometry, electrode materials, membrane selectivity, and flow rates to maximize hydrogen output while controlling the anode-side chemistry. That accumulated knowledge transfers directly to HOCl production.
In other words, producing pharmaceutical-grade hydrogen water and producing medical-grade HOCl are two applications of the same core engineering discipline. The difference lies in which electrode's output you are collecting and how you tune the operating conditions. We have built deep expertise on both sides of that membrane.
We manufacture both HOCl and NaOCl, and that distinction matters
Ocemida produces both HOCl (hypochlorous acid) and NaOCl (sodium hypochlorite), which puts us in the relatively unusual position of understanding both molecules from a manufacturer's perspective rather than just a marketing one. Most brands selling HOCl skincare products are formulating on top of someone else's chemistry. We are the ones who control the electrolysis process, the membrane specification, the pH measurement protocols, and the packaging decisions that determine whether the molecule you receive is genuinely therapeutic HOCl or effectively diluted bleach.
This is precisely why we wrote this article the way we did, including the parts that might make you a more skeptical buyer. When we explain that pH is the master quality indicator, or that simple saltwater electrolysis produces an inferior mixed product, or that vague labeling is a red flag, we are speaking from direct manufacturing experience. We have seen both ends of the quality spectrum because we produce across that spectrum for different applications: HOCl for skincare and wound care, NaOCl for surface sanitation and industrial use, each at the concentration and pH appropriate to its intended purpose.
What this means for you as a customer
When you purchase an HOCl product from Ocemida, you are buying from a team that has spent years working with the underlying electrochemistry, not one that has simply white-labeled an electrolyzed water solution from a contract manufacturer. Our production equipment uses the same PEM membrane architecture described in the manufacturing section above, which is the standard that produces greater than 99% HOCl purity at a controlled and stable pH of 4.5–5.5.
We can provide batch-specific Certificates of Analysis because we run the analytical testing ourselves. We specify opaque, nitrogen-purged packaging because we understand exactly how quickly HOCl degrades when those conditions are not met. And we make both HOCl and NaOCl because we understand where each one belongs: HOCl for your skin, NaOCl for your surfaces. That distinction is not just a marketing claim for us. It is something we engineer every day.
Concentration Guide: How Much HOCl HOCl Is Right?
Concentration in HOCl products is measured in parts per million (ppm) of available chlorine. More is not always better; the goal is matching concentration to the intended use while maintaining a pH below 5.5. Here's how the ranges break down in practice.
Consumer Guide: How to Verify a Product Before You Buy
The HOCl market contains a wide range of product quality, from genuine, medical-grade HOCl manufactured in FDA-registered facilities to mislabeled diluted bleach sold with health claims. Because you cannot smell or see the difference between a pH 5 and a pH 9 solution, you need to know what to look for before applying anything to your skin.
Step 1: Test the pH (or demand it in writing)
A simple pH test strip (available at pharmacies and pool supply stores for under $15) gives you an immediate pass/fail answer. Place a drop of the product on the strip and compare the color against the chart. Any reading above pH 6.5 means the majority of the product's chlorine content is in the OCl⁻ form (the bleach form), and it should not be used on skin. A reading above pH 9 is a confirmed danger.
If you don't want to test yourself, ask the manufacturer or seller for the certified pH value from independent third-party lab testing. Any company selling a genuine HOCl product will have this data readily available.
Step 2: Read the label carefully
A legitimate HOCl product label should tell you the exact concentration in ppm or as a percentage (e.g., "0.015% available chlorine as HOCl" = 150 ppm), the pH range, the manufacturing date and expiration date, a batch or lot number, and the name and contact information of the manufacturer. Missing any of these is a red flag.
Step 3: Check the packaging
HOCl degrades when exposed to UV light, oxygen, and metal ions. Proper packaging for a shelf-stable product includes opaque or amber-colored containers (UV protection), minimal headspace in the bottle or nitrogen-purged atmosphere (limits oxygen exposure), and plastic or glass closures with no metal parts contacting the liquid. A product packaged in a clear bottle with a metal spray nozzle is telling you something about how seriously the manufacturer takes product stability.
Green flags: signs of a quality product
- ✅pH 4.0–6.0 declared and independently verified. This is the single most important quality indicator. If only one piece of information you check, make it this one.
- ✅Precise concentration stated in ppm. For example: "200 ppm available chlorine as HOCl." Vague language is a red flag.
- ✅Certificate of Analysis (COA) available on request. A COA is a document from a third-party laboratory confirming the product's actual measured pH, concentration, and purity, not just what the manufacturer claims.
- ✅Opaque packaging with minimal headspace. Amber, opaque white, or dark-colored containers protect the product from light degradation. Nitrogen-purged bottles indicate serious quality engineering.
- ✅Shelf life of 12+ months with documented stability data. Genuine stabilized HOCl from PEM electrolysis maintains potency for 12–24 months when properly packaged. Claims of 3–6 months or "use within days" suggest inferior manufacturing.
- ✅Regulatory registration number for the intended claim. Wound care products should reference an FDA 510(k) clearance number. Disinfectants should carry an EPA registration number. Cosmetic products should list the manufacturer's FDA Voluntary Cosmetic Registration number.
Red flags: signs of a potentially dangerous product
- 🚫pH above 7 (or pH not disclosed at all). This is the clearest indicator that you are not getting true HOCl, regardless of what the label says.
- 🚫No specific concentration. "Contains HOCl" or "electrolyzed water" without a measurable ppm value tells you nothing about efficacy.
- 🚫Clear or translucent packaging. Ultraviolet light degrades HOCl rapidly. A manufacturer who puts it in a clear bottle either doesn't understand the chemistry or doesn't care about shelf stability.
- 🚫Metal spray nozzle or metal cap. Metal ions (iron, copper, zinc) catalyze HOCl decomposition dramatically. All contact surfaces should be plastic, glass, or fluoropolymer-lined.
- 🚫Price dramatically below market for the stated concentration. Genuine medical-grade HOCl requires sophisticated manufacturing. If it seems too cheap, it probably isn't what it claims to be.
Quick Reference Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions people ask most often about hypochlorous acid HOCl and how it interacts with skin. Click any question to expand the answer.
Genuine HOCl at the correct pH and concentration has very few downsides for most people, but there are a few worth knowing. First, stability is the biggest practical limitation: HOCl is inherently reactive and degrades faster than most skincare ingredients, especially when exposed to light, heat, or oxygen. This means shelf life matters, and a product that was properly formulated at the factory may lose potency if stored poorly or used past its expiration date.
Second, HOCl can be mildly drying with very frequent use at higher concentrations, particularly for people with already-dry or compromised skin. Using it after cleansing and following with a moisturizer mitigates this.
Third, because HOCl is a broadly antimicrobial agent, there is theoretical concern that very frequent long-term use could disrupt the skin's beneficial microbiome. Research on this is still emerging, but most dermatologists consider standard cosmetic use (50–100 ppm, once or twice daily) to be safe for the skin microbiome. Finally, product quality varies enormously in the market. Many products labeled as "HOCl" or "electrolyzed water" are actually alkaline mixtures closer to diluted bleach, which can genuinely irritate skin. The product's pH is the key quality indicator.
Korean skincare (K-beauty) addresses acne scars with a multi-step, layered approach rather than a single product. The most commonly used ingredients for post-acne hyperpigmentation (the dark or red marks left after a blemish heals) include niacinamide, which inhibits melanin transfer and is a staple in nearly every K-beauty routine; centella asiatica (cica), which is prized for its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties; and snail mucin, which is rich in glycoproteins and growth factors that support skin regeneration.
For textural scars (indented or raised), K-beauty brands frequently include tranexamic acid, alpha-arbutin, and vitamin C derivatives such as ascorbyl glucoside. These are typically applied in lightweight essences or serums layered under a moisturizer.
HOCl fits naturally into this context as a preparatory step: applied immediately after cleansing, it reduces the inflammatory bacterial load that drives post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in the first place, helping to prevent new marks from forming while the rest of the routine targets existing ones.
Yes, daily use is generally well supported for a properly formulated HOCl product at cosmetic concentrations (50–100 ppm, pH 4.5–5.5). Multiple dermatologist-endorsed studies and clinical trials have used HOCl once or twice daily for weeks to months without adverse effects on skin integrity, and it is routinely recommended for daily management of acne, atopic dermatitis, and rosacea.
The key caveats are concentration and formulation quality. At 50–100 ppm, daily use is appropriate for most skin types including sensitive skin. If you are using a higher-concentration product (150–200 ppm) intended for wound care, daily use on intact, non-compromised facial skin should still be fine, but you may want to limit it to once daily and always follow with a moisturizer to counteract any mild drying effect. If you notice persistent dryness or tightness after a week of use, reduce frequency to every other day or lower the concentration.
Yes, and this is actually one of the most practical applications for HOCl in everyday skincare. A freshly popped pimple is an open wound with bacterial contamination from both the extracted sebum and the fingers used to pop it. Applying a few sprays of HOCl immediately after addresses both of these concerns: it rapidly kills surface bacteria (including Cutibacterium acnes, the primary driver of inflammatory acne) without the stinging and tissue damage that would come from applying hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol.
Unlike those alternatives, HOCl at therapeutic pH does not inhibit fibroblast activity or slow re-epithelialization, meaning it cleans the wound without delaying the healing process. Apply it as a spray or dab it on with a cotton pad, allow it to dry for 30 seconds, then continue with your normal routine. If redness and swelling remain after HOCl application, a small amount of centella asiatica or hydrocortisone cream over the top can help calm residual inflammation.
Several skincare ingredients react with or rapidly degrade HOCl, either neutralizing it before it can work or forming unwanted byproducts. The most important ones to avoid applying simultaneously are vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and other antioxidants, because they are reducing agents that directly quench HOCl's oxidative activity. This does not mean you cannot use both in your routine; simply apply HOCl first, allow it to dry for about a minute, and then apply your vitamin C serum separately.
Oils and oil-based products present a different problem: they create a physical barrier that prevents HOCl from reaching the skin surface, and they can also trigger accelerated decomposition of the HOCl molecule. Apply HOCl to clean, dry skin before any oil-containing moisturizer or facial oil. Retinoids (retinol, tretinoin) do not chemically react with HOCl, but both are active ingredients that can increase skin sensitivity, so monitor for irritation if layering them in the same routine step. Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides are all compatible with HOCl and can be applied after it has dried.
At correct pH and concentration, genuine HOCl does not damage the skin barrier, and in clinical settings it is actively used to support barrier recovery in conditions like atopic dermatitis where the barrier is already compromised. The mildly acidic pH of a properly formulated HOCl product (4.5–5.5) is actually compatible with the skin's own natural acid mantle, which sits at pH 4.5–5.5 in healthy individuals.
The concern about barrier damage typically arises from two sources. The first is confusion with NaOCl (bleach), which at its alkaline pH of 11–13 absolutely does disrupt the skin barrier by saponifying lipids and denaturing proteins. The second is overuse or use of high-concentration products without adequate moisturization afterward. HOCl does have mild drying properties at higher concentrations because it is an oxidizing agent; following application with a barrier-supportive moisturizer containing ceramides, glycerin, or niacinamide is the standard recommendation for preventing any dryness from accumulating over time.
No. HOCl is a water-based solution with no film-forming polymers, waxes, oils, silicones, or any other ingredient category associated with comedogenicity (pore-clogging). In fact, its mechanism of action is the opposite of pore-clogging: it reduces the bacterial population inside pores, particularly Cutibacterium acnes, and helps break down the biofilm that allows bacteria to adhere to sebaceous follicle walls.
Pure HOCl solutions typically contain only water, sodium chloride (trace amounts from the electrolysis process), and the HOCl molecule itself. None of these have any comedogenic potential. If you are purchasing a product marketed as "HOCl" that also contains thickeners, emollients, or other additives, those additional ingredients would need to be evaluated individually for comedogenicity, but the HOCl itself contributes nothing to pore blockage.
Yes, HOCl has demonstrated antifungal activity in laboratory studies and clinical settings. Its multi-target oxidative mechanism, which disrupts cell membranes, oxidizes proteins, and interferes with metabolic enzymes, is effective against fungi and yeast as well as bacteria. Specific organisms that HOCl has been shown to inhibit or kill include Candida albicans (the most common cause of yeast infections and oral thrush), Malassezia species (the yeast associated with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis), and various dermatophytes responsible for tinea infections (ringworm, athlete's foot).
In practice, HOCl is used in some ophthalmology settings to manage fungal components of eyelid conditions, and it is used in wound care when mixed fungal-bacterial infections are present. For skin-surface fungal concerns such as seborrheic dermatitis, some dermatologists recommend HOCl sprays as an adjunct to antifungal shampoos or creams. That said, HOCl is not a replacement for prescription antifungal medications in confirmed, established fungal infections; it is best used as a preventive and supportive tool rather than a primary treatment.
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research, FDA regulatory documents, and established electrochemistry. It is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For wound care, skin conditions, or any therapeutic application, consult a licensed healthcare provider. If evaluating a product for medical use, always verify the manufacturer's regulatory clearance directly in the relevant agency database (FDA, EPA, or equivalent).
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