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Looking to fix your problems in the blink of an eye?
Spraying an acid onto your peepers isn’t exactly intuitive. But it might be just the thing you need to keep yourself free of styes and eye infections.
Skincare influencers have been overflowing with praise for an acid spray that’s mild enough to apply to the body’s most delicate regions, including the face and eyes — and doctors have been backing them up.
A recent TikTok by Washington-based eye doctor Anita Nguyen shows her liberally spritzing a light mist of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) to her face amid numerous location and outfit changes. “POV you’re an eye doctor on vacation,” it read.
Canada-based dry eye specialist and optometrist Dr. Julian Prosia stitched over that video to explain why eye doctors and dermatologists should be beaming with pride to see one of their own diligently applying what some social media users have called a “cure-all.”
While HOCl certainly won’t fix everything, NYC board-certified optometrist Dr. Jen Tsai says that in tiny, diluted amounts it’s an effective treatment for blepharitis, styes and dry eye caused by everyday buildup like contact wear, screen time, debris, bacteria, sweat and makeup.
“In skincare and eye care, we use a very low, stabilized concentration to gently cleanse, reduce bacteria and calm irritation. And it makes it great for eyelid hygiene,” she told The Post.
Our white blood cells actually produce the low-pH acid naturally, part of an immune response to soothe inflammation and battle bacteria. Scientists have discovered that when bottled at just .01% and mixed with water, the acid can knock out 90% of the bacterial load associated with conditions like blepharitis, or swollen, irritated eyelids.
Other studies show that, while both have a chlorine base, HOCl is up to 100 times more effective at combating pathogens than bleach — and exponentially gentler on the body.
Scientific American reports that HOCl was used as a disinfectant before antibiotics were invented, so its benefits are hardly new. But since the COVID pandemic, when people were scrambling for all kinds of disinfectants, its star has risen.
Dermatologists told Wirecutter that the acid may help ease skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea and occasional inflammation caused by sunburns or overexfoliation, emphasizing, however, that you should consult a doctor before applying HOCl to any chronic skin condition.
When it comes to the eyes, Tsai, who sells her own line of HOCl sprays, says the acid is safe to use on closed eyes and along the lash line, but “not sprayed directly into the open eye.”
The key is to use a product that’s specifically formulated for eyes, not just any hypochlorous spray for the face, she warns.
That said, there are very few side effects associated with the sprays, and users shouldn’t be too concerned about wiping out beneficial bacteria by mistake.
“Though HOCl doesn’t differentiate between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria, it’s much less disruptive and safer than harsher cleansers or antibiotics, which can strip the surface,” Tsai said. “The bigger issue I see is people either not using it consistently enough to help, or overusing multiple products and irritating the area.”
While Nguyen was fervently squirting the stuff on vacation, Tsai says HOCl can be part of a regular regimen regardless of whether you’re on the clock.
“It’s not just a vacation thing. It can absolutely be part of an everyday routine if you’re prone to irritation or dry eye,” she noted.
Prioritizing it during travel makes a lot of sense.
“Travel exposes your eyes to new environments, such as on flights, [in] hotel rooms, also with saltwater, sunscreen and more bacteria than usual, making your eyes more irritated,” she explained.
She recommends the spray as a treatment or a preventative measure, depending on the person. “If you’re someone who wears makeup, contacts, travels often or has a history of styes or dry eye, using it daily can be really helpful,” she said. “But it’s also preventative wellness for eyelids and skin to prevent breakouts and irritation.”
Our eyes are under an increasing amount of stress, she says — and one of the biggest concerns among eye doctors today is excessive screen usage, which could be worsening vision and dry eye symptoms.
Adding HOCl to the rotation is a good step, and she recommends other helpful interventions for optimal eye health: Blinking exercises, taking screen breaks, upping your omega-3 intake and, for those who wear eye makeup, double cleansing the eyelid area first with an oil-based cleanser, then a water-based one for good measure.
Together, those things “can make a bigger difference than people think.”
