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Can I Use Hypochlorous Acid with Vitamin C?

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably stared at your skincare shelf wondering, “Wait… can I use these two together?” That’s exactly how I felt when I first started using hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and vitamin C.


They’re both amazing in their own ways—HOCl is that gentle, calming spray that your skin instantly loves, while vitamin C is the go-to for brightening, evening out tone, and helping with that healthy glow. But using them together? That’s where things can get a little confusing.

Let’s break it down — real talk, no fluff.


vitamin c, skincare, HOCL spray, gentle, acne prone skin

What Do These Ingredients Actually Do?


First up, hypochlorous acid. It sounds intense (hello, “acid”), but it’s actually super gentle. Your body naturally makes HOCl to fight off bacteria and help heal wounds, so it’s basically like giving your skin something it already knows and loves. It’s anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and amazing for calming redness, breakouts, or just resetting irritated skin.


Then there’s vitamin C—the overachiever of skincare. It helps fade dark spots, protects against sun damage, and boosts collagen. But it’s also a little picky. Vitamin C (especially in the L-ascorbic acid form) likes to work at a low pH and doesn’t always play nice with others.


So... Can You Use Them Together?


The short answer: yes, you can!

But the how matters. Here’s what I’ve found works best:

  1. Start with your hypochlorous acid spray

  2. Let it dry for about 30–60 seconds (this part’s important).

  3. Then apply your vitamin C serum. Some good ones I love:


This way, you get all the calming and cleansing benefits of HOCl first, which actually helps prep your skin to absorb vitamin C even better. Think of HOCl as the gentle introvert that quietly sets the stage before vitamin C bursts in with the glow-up energy.


What You Shouldn’t Do


Try not to spritz hypochlorous acid after your vitamin C. Since HOCl is water-based, applying it over vitamin C can dilute or mess with the pH balance of your serum—especially if you're using pure L-ascorbic acid. You want that vitamin C to really sink in and do its thing without interruption.

Also, if you’re using other strong actives (like retinol or AHAs), I’d recommend using HOCl either before or on completely separate days to avoid irritation. It’s gentle—but not magic.


Bonus: What to Pair With Them


After your vitamin C, you can lock it all in with a nice, neutral moisturizer. A few that never fail me:



These won’t mess with either ingredient and keep your skin feeling balanced and hydrated.


Final Thoughts


Yes, you can use hypochlorous acid with vitamin C — and honestly, they’re a pretty underrated duo. HOCl calms your skin down and gives it a clean, happy base, while vitamin C steps in to brighten, even out tone, and boost glow.


Just remember: use HOCl first, give it a sec to dry, then follow with vitamin C. It’s an easy tweak that makes a big difference.


And if you’re curious, our Honeydew Labs Hypochlorous Acid Spray is available on Amazon Canada and Amazon USA. It’s lightweight, soothing, and sprays evenly — which honestly matters more than you'd think.


hypochlorous acid, face mist, face spray, self-care, self-love, confident

Do you think you could use your hypochlorous acid spray as a hand sanitizer? Find out the answer now.


Disclaimer:

This blog is meant to share personal experience and information, not medical advice. Always check with a dermatologist if you’re dealing with specific skin concerns or starting a new active ingredient!


References:

  1. Del Rosso, J. Q. (2016). Use of a stabilized hypochlorous acid solution in wound care and scar management. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 9(6), 36–44.

  2. Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., & Vissers, M. C. (2017). The roles of vitamin C in skin health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080866

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