If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or scrolled through Sephora’s best-seller list lately, you’ve definitely seen that bright translucent orange bottle. It’s everywhere. It’s called the SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray. Most people just call it the Tower 28 hypochlorous acid spray.
The weird thing? This isn't some complex, lab-engineered synthetic peptide or a rare botanical extract from the Alps. It’s basically salt, water, and electricity. If that sounds like something you could make in a middle school science fair, you're not entirely wrong. But there is a reason dermatologists and gym-goers are obsessed with it.
Honestly, it's kind of a miracle for people with "angry" skin. You know the type—the skin that breaks out because you looked at a slice of pizza wrong or gets red because the wind blew too hard.
What actually is hypochlorous acid anyway?
Let’s get the science out of the way first. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) isn't some new Silicon Valley invention. Your white blood cells actually produce it naturally to fight off infection and bacteria. It’s your body’s own built-in disinfectant.
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When you spray it on your face, it acts as a powerful antimicrobial agent. It’s like a peace treaty for your pores. It kills the bacteria that causes acne and helps soothe inflammation without the stinging or peeling you get from stuff like benzoyl peroxide. It’s incredibly gentle. Like, "safe for babies" gentle.
Tower 28 made it cool, but the medical world has used HOCl for decades. Surgeons use it to irrigate wounds. Optometrists prescribe it for blepharitis (eyelid inflammation). The magic of the Tower 28 hypochlorous acid formula specifically is the pH balance. If the pH isn't exactly right, the solution becomes unstable and turns into bleach or just plain old saltwater. Tower 28 managed to stabilize it for shelf life, which is why it costs more than the DIY stuff.
Why the Tower 28 version specifically?
There are cheaper versions of HOCl on Amazon, often marketed for wound care or even veterinary use. People buy the gallon jugs and refill their own bottles. It's a "skincare hack" that makes some people nervous.
Tower 28 was the first brand to take this clinical-grade ingredient and put it in a bottle that looks good on a vanity. But it's more than just the packaging. They received the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance. That’s a big deal. If you have eczema, you know that almost everything—even "gentle" moisturizers—can feel like liquid fire. This spray doesn't.
The "Maskne" and Gym Skin Hero
During the height of the pandemic, this spray became a cult favorite because of "maskne." Trapping sweat and breath against your skin for eight hours is a recipe for a breakout disaster. A quick spritz of Tower 28 hypochlorous acid before and after wearing a mask effectively sanitized the skin surface without drying it out.
Now, it’s the ultimate gym bag essential.
Think about it. You finish a workout, you’re sweaty, and you have to drive thirty minutes home before you can actually shower. That sweat is just sitting there, mixing with oil and bacteria. Spritzing this on your face immediately after a workout stops those "sweat-born" breakouts in their tracks. It’s a literal game changer for athletes.
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Does it actually smell like a swimming pool?
Yeah, kinda.
Since it’s a chlorine-based molecule, it has a faint scent of a public pool. It’s not overpowering, and it dissipates in seconds, but it’s definitely there. If you’re used to skincare that smells like roses or vanilla, this will be a shock. But honestly? The "pool smell" is a sign that it’s working. It means the HOCl is active. If your spray smells like absolutely nothing, it might have degraded into plain water.
How to use it without ruining your other products
One thing people get wrong is where this fits in a routine. It’s not a toner in the traditional sense. It’s a treatment.
Ideally, you want to use it on clean skin. Wash your face, pat it dry (or leave it slightly damp), and spray. Let it dry completely before you move on to your next step. This is crucial because hypochlorous acid is a strong oxidant.
If you apply a Vitamin C serum or an antioxidant-rich moisturizer while the spray is still wet, the HOCl might actually neutralize your expensive serums. It basically "cancels them out." Wait thirty seconds. Once it’s dry, it’s inert, and you can go in with your Hyaluronic Acid or Retinol.
The big debate: Tower 28 vs. generic brands
You’ll see a lot of "dupes" for the Tower 28 hypochlorous acid spray. Brands like Prequel or Briotech offer similar products for a lower price point per ounce.
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Prequel’s Universal Skin Solution uses a similar concentration but comes in a larger bottle. Briotech is the OG in the industrial space. So, is Tower 28 worth the premium?
It depends on what you value. Tower 28’s nozzle is arguably the best in the business—it creates a super fine mist rather than a "jet stream" to the eyeball. Also, if you’re shopping at Sephora and want the convenience of a return policy and a brand that focuses heavily on sensitive skin, Tower 28 wins. But if you’re using it on your entire body after the gym, you might want to look at the bulk options to save some cash.
It’s not just for faces
The versatility is what keeps people buying it.
- Post-Piercing: Many piercers recommend HOCl over harsh saline or soaps for new ear or nose piercings.
- Sunburns: It takes the sting out and reduces the redness fast.
- Hand Sanitizer: In a pinch, it’s a non-drying way to clean your hands.
- Eczema Flare-ups: It stops the "itch-scratch" cycle by killing the staph bacteria that often colonizes eczema patches.
A few warnings and limitations
It’s not a moisturizer. If you just spray this and nothing else, your skin might feel a bit tight. You still need to hydrate.
Also, it won't fix everything. If you have deep, cystic, hormonal acne caused by internal factors, a surface-level antibacterial spray isn't going to be a "cure." It helps with the inflammation, but it’s not a replacement for a dermatologist-prescribed routine for severe acne.
Actionable steps for your skin
If you’re ready to try the Tower 28 hypochlorous acid spray, don't just spray it randomly. Use it strategically.
- The Gym Test: Keep a travel-sized bottle in your workout bag. Spray your face the second you finish your last set. Don't wait until you get to the locker room.
- The Morning Refresh: If you have dry skin and don't want to use a cleanser in the morning, try a quick spritz and a wipe with a cotton pad. It cleanses without stripping.
- Check the Date: HOCl has a limited shelf life. It usually lasts about 6 to 12 months after opening before it loses its potency. If you’ve had a bottle sitting in your cabinet since 2023, it’s probably just expensive water now.
- Avoid Layering with Actives: Never mix it directly with Vitamin C or Copper Peptides. Let it dry 100% first.
Basically, if your skin is acting out, give it a break from the harsh acids and try the salty water. It’s one of those rare "hyped" products that actually lives up to the reputation because it’s based on simple, proven biology rather than marketing fluff.