Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) Explained

If you’ve been down the low‑tox rabbit hole long enough, you’ve probably heard about hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Suddenly there are all these options online claiming to be safe for your kids, your face, your hands, your dog, and your countertops.

Is hypochlorous acid actually safe? I wanted to know and here's what I learned! ⬇️

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⭐️ What hypochlorous acid really is:

Hypochlorous acid is something your body already makes as part of its immune system. White blood cells use it to fight germs and support healing. It can also be made outside the body by combining water and salt with electricity, creating a solution that’s both powerful and gentle when it’s done right.

There's more to it than just the ingredients... it can be turned into different concentrations which are important in the decision on which brand or product you're looking to get. 

Same name. Same ingredients. Very different purposes.

⭐️ Why hypochlorous acid products aren't all the same

Many hypochlorous acid products list just three ingredients:

• Water
• Sodium chloride (salt)
• Hypochlorous acid

That sounds simple and reassuring... but the ingredient list alone does not tell you if a product is appropriate for skin, wound care, babies, etc. 

What you want to look for:

• Strength (ppm)
• Acidity (pH)
• Intended use
• How the solution is manufactured and stored

⭐️ The two things that matter most: ppm & pH

PPM (concentration)

PPM (parts per million) tells you how strong the solution is.

• Lower ppm = gentler (good for the skin)
• Higher ppm = stronger (better for surfaces)

Typical ranges:

• Facial sprays & sensitive skin: 50–150 ppm
• Wound care: 100–150 ppm
• Surface cleaners: 200–250 ppm or higher
• Toxicity concerns: 300–500+ ppm

pH (gentle vs harsh)

⭐️ Why some HOCl lasts weeks and others only days

➡️ Cleaning products like Force of Nature:

• Are made fresh at home
• Contain no preservatives or stabilizers
• Use higher concentrations for surfaces

Because of this, they typically last about two weeks per capsule. The HOCl simply breaks down into salt water over time. This is one of the safest options because you get to control the safety a little more than having to fully trust that another company has reached all the safety procedures for their products. 

➡️ Skin and facial sprays are different:

• Produced in controlled manufacturing environments
• Carefully balanced for pH and ppm
• Exposed to less air
• Packaged in opaque bottles

This allows them to last months unopened and weeks after opening.

⭐️ The most common HOCl assumption:

“If it’s safe for surfaces and says non‑toxic, it must be safe for skin.”

That’s not always true.

Surface disinfectants:

• Could be too strong for daily skin use
• Might not be tested for repeated exposure
• Could be regulated only for surfaces

That doesn’t make them bad products... just not skin products. This is why it's so important to know a little more about hypochlorous acid rather than just blindly choosing one online. 

⭐️ The best way to group hypochlorous acid products

Facial sprays (like Active Skin Repair)

• Lower strength
• Designed for daily use
• Suitable for sensitive, acne‑prone skin
  
• Minimal ingredients intentionally

Wound care (like Active Skin Repair)

• Low‑to‑mid strength
• Tested for cuts, scrapes, burns, rashes, irritation, insect bites
• Well‑suited for kids and first‑aid kits
• Safe for post‑procedure or compromised skin

Surface cleaners (like Force of Nature)

• Stronger concentrations
• Intended for hard surfaces
• Useful for household sanitation
• Not for skin care

⭐️ How to decide which HOCl brands to trust

I look for ✅: 

• Clear information about strength and intended use
• Packaging that blocks light
• Realistic shelf life statements
• No fragrance, essential oils, or unnecessary additives

Red flags 🚩: 

• “Safe for everything” without specifics: this is a HUGE one because I'm seeing this in the marketing big time. I personally would not use a hypochlorous product "for everything". I'm either using it as a cleaning product (because it was tested that way) or I'm using it for the skin (because it was tested that way) but the ppm and pH really matter in this instance. 
• No mention of ppm or pH on their website OR safety data sheet available
• Extremely long shelf life with no explanation
• Clear bottles exposed to light (unless you're making it yourself)
• No true transparency on their website or labels
• No EPA registration for surface cleaners
• The wrong pH label for the correct product (ex: a pH for skin products on a cleaner)

⭐️ Bleach vs hypochlorous acid

What’s the difference?

• Bleach is highly alkaline and kills germs aggressively BUT it can produce strong fumes & can irritate skin and lungs.
• Hypochlorous acid works at lower concentrations, mimics your immune system’s chemistry, and breaks down into salt and water.

⭐️ Do they both kill bacteria and viruses?

Yes! Both do, when used correctly.

• Bleach achieves this through harsh chemical damage.
• HOCl kills bacteria and many viruses efficiently while being significantly gentler.

The difference is not effectiveness though...  it’s how harsh they are in order to get the job done.

⭐️ Is hypochlorous acid a good bleach alternative?

Yes, for everyday use.

• HOCl provides effective sanitizing without the drawbacks of frequent bleach use
• Bleach has a role in extreme situations (& no it does not actually kill mold)
• HOCl is better suited for routine cleaning, first aid, and low‑tox homes

⭐️ The Options I Personally Use in My Low‑Tox Home ⭐️

Over time, I’ve learned that not all hypochlorous acid products are interchangeable. The formulation, concentration, and even the packaging make a difference depending on how and where it’s used. These are the HOCl products I personally rely on for different needs in my home & why: 

My Favorite Cleaning/Disinfectant Products: Force of Nature (DESTINY40 gets 40% off bundles)

This is my go‑to for everyday household cleaning. Force of Nature stands out because it creates hypochlorous acid fresh at home using water, salt, and electricity, rather than relying on a pre‑bottled solution (you have better control of concentration) PLUS it's super fun.. it feels like a science experiment!

• Approx. concentration: 220 ppm (available chlorine; available chlorine measures how well a disinfectant works, not how strong or irritating it is, and it does not refer to chlorine gas or traditional bleach)
• pH range: 5.5–6.0
• Packaging: Opaque, reusable spray bottle after activation (Unlike pre‑bottled hypochlorous sprays that sit on shelves for months, Force of Nature is made fresh and used within a shorter window, which is why light‑blocking packaging isn’t as critical)
• Contact time: Force of Nature begins working as soon as it’s sprayed, but disinfecting requires allowing the surface to stay visibly wet for 10 minutes, while day to day cleaning doesn’t.
• Why I use it: It's great for surfaces, toys, and shared spaces where I want strong cleaning without harsh residues

BONUS: It is an EPA‑registered disinfectant (EPA Reg. No. 93040‑1), which requires extensive third‑party efficacy and safety testing + it kills 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, mold, and mildew, including Norovirus, COVID‑19, influenza, and bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Staph, and MRSA when used as directed

BONUS: I've used my Force of Nature for years now and I still haven't made it through all of the capsules that come with it (because I use it as a disinfectant)

BONUS: Compared to other brands. This one is made in the USA 🇺🇸

My Favorite Wound Care: Active Skin Repair (DESTINY7 saves 15%)

For cuts, scrapes, irritation, or healing skin, I use Active Skin Repair. This product is formulated specifically for skin recovery and falls into the medical‑grade HOCl category.

• Approx. concentration: 120–150 ppm (0.01–0.012%)
• pH range: 6.8–7.2 (skin safe)
• Packaging: Small spray bottles designed to protect stability and allow targeted application
• Why I use it: Designed for skin healing/wounds, not general household cleaning. My family has used it for EVERYTHING from minor wounds, burns, sunburn, bug bites, cuts, scrapes, hand sanitizer and I use it on my son's (who has Type 1 Diabetes) pump and sensor sites when I change them! So this product is 100% neccessary in our home. 

My Favorite Hand Sanitizer Alternative: Active Skin Repair (DESTINY7 saves 15%)

Instead of traditional alcohol‑based sanitizers, I also reach for Active Skin Repair on hands when needed. Because it’s formulated to be gentle on skin, it works well without the drying effect.

• Same formulation as above
• Why I use it: Effective antimicrobial support without fragrances or alcohol, especially when hands are irritated or compromised. I feel like I can safely use it on my hand eczema and not only does it support my eczema, it doesn't burn! 

NOTE: alcohol hand sanitizer kills good AND bad bacteria indiscriminately and STRIPS the skin barrier, which can cause dryness and irritation with frequent use. Active Skin Repair spray uses hypochlorous acid to reduce harmful microbes while being much gentler on skin, making it a better everyday option for sensitive or frequently washed hands.

Overall, hypochlorous acid works best when the ppm, pH, and packaging all align with its intended purpose. A solution meant for countertops isn’t necessarily right for skin, and products designed for healing shouldn’t be used interchangeably with household disinfectants.

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