"Skincare has a way of taking the body's own biology, bottling it, and selling it back to us. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is the latest example. It's a weak acid that your white blood cells naturally produce to fight infection and kill bacteria. Now it's being spritzed across morning and nighttime routines as an all-around skin fix. But HOCl isn't new. Hospitals have been using synthetic versions for decades as a disinfectant. In fact, the lab-made form dates back to 1834 and was used in both World Wars. So while #SkinTok makes it sound like a cutting-edge discovery, dermatologists have known its potential for a long time."
"Chemically, HOCl is a weak acid and a potent oxidant. The body produces it during an immune response, but it can also be synthesized in a lab by running an electric current through saltwater. This synthetic version was first developed in 1834, used as a disinfectant during both World Wars, and has long been employed in hospitals for wound care and even in veterinary medicine. Unlike harsher disinfectants like bleach, HOCl is biodegradable, nontoxic, and free of noxious fumes. Actually, research shows it can kill certain bacteria faster than bleach. In skincare, it's bottled at ultra-low, stabilized concentrations. "Think of it as your skin's built-in defense mechanism, bottled," writes Dr. Mollie Kelly Tufman, molecular biologist and founder of the Beauty Lab."
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a naturally produced weak acid and potent oxidant generated by white blood cells during immune responses. Lab-made HOCl can be created by electrolysis of saltwater and has been used since 1834 as a hospital disinfectant and in wartime applications. HOCl is biodegradable, nontoxic, and produces no noxious fumes, and research indicates it can kill certain bacteria faster than bleach. Dermatologists have used stabilized, ultra-low topical HOCl for wound care, infection prevention, scar reduction, and emerging treatments for acne and seborrheic dermatitis. HOCl offers antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits for skin soothing.
Read at WIRED
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