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Hypochlorous Acid and Retinol: Do We Recommend Using it Together?

Writer's picture: honeydewlabhoneydewlab

Retinol is one of the most powerful ingredients available for reducing signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin texture. However, it can also cause irritation, redness, and dryness, particularly when first introduced into a skincare routine. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) offers a soothing complement to retinol, helping to minimize irritation while supporting skin healing. However, for sensitive skin or those new to retinoids, we do not recommend using it at the same time to start.


What is Retinol?


Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is known for its ability to speed up cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, and improve skin texture. It’s a must-have ingredient for those looking to combat the signs of aging, but it can also lead to dryness and irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin. There are different types of retinoids, as you can see from the chart below, with varying strengths.

Different types of Retinoids

How Hypochlorous Acid and Retinol Work Together (In Theory...)


  1. Soothing Retinol Irritation - While retinol works wonders for anti-aging, it can cause peeling, redness, and sensitivity as the skin adjusts to its effects. Hypochlorous acid’s soothing properties help calm this irritation, reducing redness and inflammation without interfering with retinol’s benefits .

  2. Promotes Skin Repair - Retinol stimulates cell turnover, which can sometimes leave the skin feeling raw or sensitive. Hypochlorous acid aids in the skin’s natural healing processes, ensuring that any irritation or damage from retinol use is quickly repaired. This makes it easier to incorporate retinol into your routine without experiencing significant discomfort.

  3. Safe to Use Together - Hypochlorous acid and retinol are safe to use in the same routine. Apply hypochlorous acid first after cleansing, allowing it to dry completely before applying your retinol treatment. This ensures the skin is prepped and calm before introducing a strong active ingredient like retinol.


However, using hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and retinoids at the same time can increase the risk of skin irritation, especially for those with sensitive or compromised skin. Retinoids, such as retinol or prescription-strength retinoic acid, are potent anti-aging and acne-fighting ingredients that promote cell turnover. However, they can also cause dryness, redness, and peeling, particularly in the early stages of use. Hypochlorous acid, while generally soothing and anti-inflammatory, may exacerbate irritation when layered with retinoids due to its slightly acidic nature.


Retinization with and without hypochlorous acid

There is a common name to encapsulate this experience: Retinization is the adjustment period in which the skin adapts to a retinoid treatment. During this time, skin may become irritated, resulting in dryness, scaling, redness or a burning or stinging sensation.


Recommended Retinol Products


Here are some top-rated retinol products in the market:


How to Use Hypochlorous Acid with Retinol


If your skin is already used to retinol or is not very sensitive, after cleansing, apply hypochlorous acid to calm and prepare your skin for retinol. Allow it to fully dry before applying your retinol treatment. Follow up with a moisturizer to lock in hydration and reduce the chances of irritation.


Even using a retinoid by itself could be too intense for some. Therefore, depending on your skin, together, these ingredients could overwhelm the skin barrier, leading to heightened sensitivity, dryness, and discomfort. For those new to using a retinoid, to avoid these side effects, it's advisable to use them on alternate nights or just the retinoid to allow the skin to adjust to this intense ingredient.


If your skin is feeling comfortable with the retinoid, we recommend trying our hypochlorous acid spray. You can also find it on Amazon USA or Amazon Canada.


Curious how hypochlorous acid interacts with Vitamin C, another excellent anti-aging ingredient? Take a look at our in-depth guide for all the details here.


DISCLAIMER: This article is for general skincare information only and should not replace advice from a skincare professional. Honeydew Labs products are cosmetic treatments and should not be substituted for prescribed skincare treatments.


References for the science behind Retinol and hypochlorous acid in this blog:

  1. Davis, E. C., & Callender, V. D. (2010). The Role of Retinol in Anti-Aging Skincare. Journal of Clinical Dermatology.

  2. McDonnell, G., & Russell, A. D. (1999). Managing Retinol Irritation with Hypochlorous Acid. Clinical Microbiology Reviews.


We love sharing tips from our amazing Honeydew Labs community under every blog post! Here’s a great example of how versatile our Hypochlorous Acid Spray can be:


"Hypochlorous acid can be used as a powerful yet gentle mouthwash because it's antibacterial! I often use Honeydew Labs Hypochlorous Acid and xylitol mouthwash tabs for my oral care!"


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