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NBC News
09-05-2025
- Health
- NBC News
The internet is going crazy for hypochlorous acid spray — here's how it can benefit your skin
Whether it's a new sheet mask or using an unexpected item as a spot treatment, it can often feel like there's a new must-have skin care product being raved about on social media every other day. And most of the time, experts will tell you the hype isn't all it's cracked up to be. But recently, beauty-obsessed TikTokers have been touting their love for hypochlorous acid spray as a complexion saviour — and many dermatologists are agreeing that it really can be an effective tool in your skin care arsenal. To learn more about hypochlorous acid sprays — including what they are, what they do and which ones are worth your money — we turned to experts who have experience with them. Check out what they had to say below. What is hypochlorous acid spray? Long before it was used as a skin care product, hypochlorous acid spray was used in clinical settings thanks to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-safe properties, says Dr. Anetta Reszko, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. 'It also happens to be a naturally occurring molecule produced by the body's white blood cells as part of the immune response and plays a key role in defending against infection by targeting harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.' More recently, hypochlorous acid spray has become a popular skin care product because its antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties can help combat several skin issues, like acne, eczema, sunburns and more. 'It soothes reactive or inflamed skin, relieves itching, and supports healing, all while being gentle enough for daily use, says Reszko. 'And because it mimics a substance your body already produces, it's well-tolerated, non-drying, and won't lead to antibiotic resistance like some prescription treatments can.' How I picked the best hypochlorous acid sprays When shopping for a hypochlorous acid spray to use on your face, experts recommend prioritizing the following criteria: Concentration: 'The potency of hypochlorous acid varies depending on its concentration,' says Reszko, who explains that higher concentrations will be more potent. It's important to note that it's not necessarily a good thing when using it on your face. Those with sensitive skin may want to look for lower concentrations. Regarding exact concentrations to look for, Dr. Jason Emer is a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills and founder of Emer Skin, says you should opt for between 100 to 200 parts per million (PPM) to deliver antimicrobial benefits without irritating the skin. pH balance: Along with concentration, you'll want to pay attention to the pH balance of the hypochlorous acid spray you use. 'A gentle pH level that ranges from 4 to 6 for daily use and helps maintain the skin's natural barrier,' says Emer. Packaging: 'Hypochlorous acid is sensitive to light and air, which can degrade its effectiveness, so choosing a spray that comes in opaque or dark-colored bottles can maximize its potency,' says Reszko. The best hypochlorous acid sprays of 2025 To come up with the list of best hypochlorous acid sprays, we looked for options that meet the criteria given by our experts and that have at least a 4-star average rating from hundreds of reviews. Tower 28, which makes one of our favorite lip balms, has one of the most popular hypochlorous acid sprays on the market. The acid calms irritated skin, while the 4.5 pH balance helps to keep your skin barrier strong. This spray can be used morning and night and should be used in place of toner before moisturizing. Briotech Topical Skin Spray This spray can be used on the body, face or even eyelids and can help soothe eczema flare-ups or generally irritated skin. The formula is free of fragrances and preservatives, making it a good option for sensitive skin users. It has a 4.5-star average rating from 10,515 reviews on Amazon and comes in various sizes. E11ement Hypochlorous Acid Spray This hypochlorous acid spray has a 150 ppm and can either be spritzed on skin or applied to a cotton ball and then applied. Reviewers say it's helped them with irritation, dry eyes, tattoo healing and more. 'The spray is considered very gentle, pure with its .01% concentration, and widely recommended across dermatologic and ophthalmologic use cases (i.e., eyelid dermatitis and perioral dermatitis),' says Reszko. 'The product is safe near the eyes (ophthalmology-grade) and appropriate for sensitive skin.' One thing to note: At .68 ounces, it's the smallest bottle on our list. This spray, which has a 4.7-star average rating from over 960 reviews on Amazon, has a .015% concentration and a 5.5 pH balance, so it shouldn't irritate sensitive skin. Also helpful: The formula is hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic to prevent breakouts from sprouting up. Meet our experts At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Why trust NBC Select? Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle.
NBC News
20-03-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Does face taping for wrinkles work? We asked doctors
You've heard of using different creams and potions to address fine lines and wrinkles. And, of course, there are a number of in-office treatments — like lasers and injectables — that can help diminish their appearance. But, recently, another technique has taken social media by storm. It's called face taping and it involves using literal tape to pull your skin taut so that wrinkles aren't as noticeable. But is putting tape on your face really a good idea? And does it improve the appearance of wrinkles? We asked a dermatologist and a plastic surgeon to weigh in. What is face taping? Face taping is exactly what it sounds like — applying tape to your face. 'It's done to instantly lift or smooth the skin,' says Dr. Anetta Reszko, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. 'It's often used for events or photos.' There are two distinct techniques used when it comes to face taping. 'One is applying a gentle adhesive to areas of the face that crease with movement, with the thought that preventing the face from wrinkling will make it appear smoother,' explains Dr. Kristy Hamilton, a plastic surgeon in Texas and chair of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons social media subcommittee. 'The other is when clear tape is applied discreetly at the temples, cheek and jawline and connected behind the head with an elastic band in order to gently lift the brows, cheeks and jowls.' Does face taping get rid of wrinkles? According to the experts we spoke with, face tape can diminish the appearance of wrinkles in the short term — but it does not make them vanish permanently. 'It is a temporary solution and provides immediate smoothing and lifting that is purely cosmetic,' says Reszko. Though it won't erase lines that are already there, it can be used as a tool to prevent as many new ones from forming. 'Taping your face overnight may reduce sleep creases, but it doesn't rebuild collagen,' says Reszko. 'It can also be used to restrict certain facial movements during the day, in an attempt to train facial muscles to contract less forcefully, ultimately reducing the formation of dynamic wrinkles caused by repetitive facial expressions.' If you are looking for longer-lasting results, there are a variety of other treatments you can consider. 'Patients can consider neuromodulator injections (such as Botox or Dysport) to relax wrinkle-inducing muscles and smooth lines caused by movement,' says Hamilton. 'Medical-grade skincare is also helpful in supporting cell turnover and collagen production.' Are there any risks associated with face taping? If you're interested in trying face taping, there's minimal risk as long as you use the right tape — more on that below. The biggest danger is not using skin-friendly tape, which can lead to skin barrier damage from repeated use, says Reszko. 'This can weaken the top layer of skin, cause irritation and even trigger contact dermatitis — especially in delicate areas, like around the eyes and mouth.' Hamilton warns that taping your face constantly is also not advisable. Pull on your delicate facial skin long-term isn't recommended,' she says. While temporarily taping can give you a lifted look, doing it repeatedly can make your face look more saggy when not taped. What type of tape should you use for face taping? If you want to try face taping, picking the right tape is imperative. 'You should look for something that is safe for your skin and designed to be used on your face,' says Reszko. 'Medical-grade silicone is a good option because it is skin-friendly, removes gently and is reusable.' You can buy a roll of silicone tape and cut the amount you need, or you can buy silicone tape that is pre-cut and specially packaged for use on your face. Opting for a face tape kit is smart because the tape included is often clear, discreet and designed for aesthetics and the tape is sometimes infused with active ingredients — like peptides or niacinamide, adds Reszko. Highly rated face tape How to use face tape Ready to get your face taping on? How you go about it depends on your goal. 'If you want instant lifting, purely for temporary aesthetics, you will want to apply to tape with tension to the areas that need lifting — most commonly along the jawline, cheeks or brow,' says Hamilton. In this case, it's easiest to use two pieces of silicone tape with an elastic band. The idea is to apply the tape on opposite sides of your face wherever you want to lift and then have the band run around the back of your head, hidden by your hair. You should apply the tape to clean, dry skin before you put makeup on. For example, if you want to lift your brows slightly, you'd use the tape discreetly at your temples to gently pull back the skin on your forehead. 'If the goal is to tape your face to prevent wrinkles from worsening and to retrain muscles, apply tape directly on the wrinkled areas to smooth skin and slightly limit movement in areas most prone to creasing,' says Reszko. 'These areas may include around the mouth (to prevent excessive lip pursing while speaking), crow's feet (to limit excessive squinting) and the forehead (to limit brow lifting/frowning).' One thing to remember is that if you apply tape directly to wrinkles, it will likely be visible — so many people opt to do this at night while they sleep, says Hamilton. Meet our experts At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Why trust NBC Select? Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed dermatologists on face taping.
