Summer beauty routines can be tricky to perfect. Between swapping your rich winter moisturizer for a hydrating sunscreen and trading full-coverage foundation for lightweight skin tints, there's a lot to rethink once temperatures start to break the high 80s. And one product Team Cosmo has been reaching for nonstop during the sweatiest months of the year is hypochlorous acid spray.
And no, the ingredient is not as intimidating or aggressive (it doesn’t exfoliate, FYI) as it sounds. Hypochlorous acid is a naturally occurring molecule that helps reduce bacteria on the skin's surface while calming redness and irritation, making it a favorite among dermatologists for those with sensitive and acne-prone skin. And it’s especially handy in the summer, when sweat, sunscreen, and humidity can leave skin feeling sticky and congested. A quick spritz of a hypochlorous acid spray after an intense workout, humid commute, or beach day can help reduce unwanted bacteria that contribute to breakouts and clogged pores when mixed with sweat. You can use it multiple times a day, and it won’t dry out or irritate the skin, either.
Ahead, meet the five best hypochlorous acid sprays Cosmo editors love for the sweatiest of days.
Why we love it: All of Personal Day’s products are formulated with acne-prone skin in mind, and their hero spray is a must-have for a post-sweat spritz. It feels so lightweight on the skin and helps prevent future breakouts while refreshing the skin. It also comes in a thin travel size, so you can slip it into any pocket or bag for travel. It’s also beloved by derms and won a 2025 Cosmo Acne Award for its ability to keep breakouts at bay.
One Cosmo editor says: “This has become my holy grail beauty product this summer. I have the travel-size version, and I just slip it into the pocket of whichever bag I’m grabbing when I leave the house. I bring it on flights, to my hot yoga class, and even on the subway when I need a quick refresh. It helps my acne-prone skin stay as clean as possible and gives me peace of mind while I’m sweating on the go.”—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Why we love it: It only makes sense that everyone’s fave workout brand made a beauty product specifically formulated for that post-exercise glow. This hypochlorous acid spray will keep your skin feeling as fresh as possible with just a few spritzes of the super fine mist.
One Cosmo editor says: “Using this mist after a sweaty workout is the most refreshing self-care moment. It has a slight cooling sensation, so I love using it after a hot yoga class or sauna session.”—JH
Why we love it: Magic Molecules makes just two products: this hypochlorous acid spray and a hydrogel version. They're devoted to perfecting the ingredient, so it's easy to see why the Daily Skin Spray has such a cult following. So much so that one bottle sells every 25 seconds, and it's one of the few FDA-cleared hypochlorous acid sprays available on the market. The range of sizes, from 2.0 oz to 8.0 oz, makes it perfect for treating everything from facial redness to all-over body breakouts.
One Cosmo editor says: “I like misting this on a clean face after washing in the morning to keep redness and breakouts in check, and then as needed for a refresh throughout the day. I also found it super useful on a recent trip to Florida, where I unexpectedly got too much sun on my shoulders and chest. I misted Skin Spray liberally on my sunburned spots, and within a day, the redness and itching were gone.”—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Why we love it: This was the hypochlorous acid spray that helped kickstart the buzzy ingredient movement, and it's beloved by dermatologists for its skin-soothing abilities. Just spritz it on and let the hypochlorous acid do a mini cleanse for you. It's also approved by the National Eczema Association and comes in both a travel-friendly mini size and a large refill bottle.
One Cosmo editor says:"I'm willing to bet this is the first hypochlorous acid any of us beauty editors used, but it still holds a special place in my heart makeup bag, gym bag, nightstand, vanity, and bathroom cabinet. It's a simple, no-fluff product that helps calm down my skin and acts as an agent for hydration when I pair with hyaluronic acid serums. And I especially love that it comes in a travel size."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Why we love it: Medicube reigns supreme when it comes to creating viral Korean skincareproducts, but this hypochlorous acid spray is super underrated in its lineup. It’s ideal for acne-prone skin—the hypochlorous acid is supported by niacinamide to soothe the skin, and tea tree oil to target acne and irritation. It’s basically an anti-breakout cocktail in a bottle.
One Cosmo editor says: “I went to Seoul last month, and I swear this spray is the only reason I didn’t break out after an 18-hour travel day. I love spraying it all over, but when my hormonal breakouts need some extra attention, I target it on just my chin and jawline for an extra dose of soothing.”—JH
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things skincare—from the latest launches to the newest trending ingredients. For this story, she, along with Cosmo’s team of beauty editors, tested dozens of hypochlorous acid sprays to see how they held up post-workout and through sweaty days. We rated them based on efficacy, ingredients, price, and ease of use.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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