It’s thought to help patients with eczema by reducing the levels of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the skin.īut the evidence is a bit contradictory, the recommended concentration of sodium hypochlorite in bleach baths was ineffective in reducing populations of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria in lab tests ³.Ī systematic review comparing bleach baths and just water baths found that they both helped with eczema symptoms, with little difference between them ⁴. Some dermatologists might recommend a patient with eczema to take a 5-to-10-minute bath in very dilute bleach (0.005%). Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and the hypochlorous acid (HClO) and hypochlorite anions (ClO⁻) it dissociates into have some uses in skincare. Regardless of the source, the chemicals are the same. Regardless of the process: saltwater electrolysis, diluted chlorine bleach, or enzymatic action - we end up with an equilibrium of hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite anion in the water. The proportion of hypochlorite anions that become hypochlorous acid and vice versa depends on the pH of the water. A hydroxide (OH⁻) can steal a proton (H⁺) from hypochlorous acid (HClO) leaving hypochlorite anion (ClO⁻). Acidic water has lots of protons and alkaline water has lots of hydroxides.Ī proton (H⁺) from water can associate with hypochlorite anion (ClO⁻) and form hypochlorous acid (HClO). Water is also constantly dissociating and associating, between H₂O and protons (H⁺) and hydroxides (OH⁻). It forms a sodium cation (Na⁺) and a hypochlorite anion (ClO⁻). Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) dissociates completely when dissolved into water. The equilibrium between hypochlorous acid (HClO) and hypochlorite anion (ClO⁻) in the water depends on the pH, as we learned.Īnother way is much simpler, just add chlorine bleach also known as sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) to the water. We have sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) combined in different chemicals. Sodium cations (Na⁺) can associate with the hypochlorite anion (ClO⁻) to give sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), but it stays dissociated when dissolved in water. When electricity is run through the solution, chlorine gas (Cl₂) is produced which reacts in the water and forms hypochlorous acid (HClO), which can dissociate to produce hypochlorite anion (ClO⁻). When dissolved in water (H₂O), sodium chloride (NaCl) dissociates into sodium cations (Na⁺) and chloride anions (Cl⁻) Saltwater electrolysis uses a solution of table salt (sodium chloride, NaCl). There are different ways hypochlorous acid is made. Hypochlorous acid is more microbicidal than the hypochlorite anion ². This oxidizing action can kill germs by denaturing or distorting the shape of the germ’s proteins. When they oxidize another molecule, they steal an electron from it. Adding acids to these mixtures can be dangerous.īoth hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite anion are oxidizing agents. Between pH 4.5 to 6.5 ¹ it exists mostly as hypochlorous acid.īelow a pH of about 5, poisonous chlorine gas begins to be released. As the water becomes more alkaline (higher pH), more hypochlorous acid (HClO) becomes hypochlorite anion (ClO⁻). As the water becomes more acidic (lower pH), more hypochlorite anion becomes hypochlorous acid. In water at a pH of about 7.5, there will be about 50% hypochlorous acid (HClO) and 50% hypochlorite anion (ClO⁻). The loss or gain of protons occurs simultaneously and reaches a balanced state called equilibrium – like a seesaw. The reverse can happen too, a proton (H⁺) can join a hypochlorite anion (ClO⁻) and become hypochlorous acid (HClO). In water, hypochlorous acid (HClO) can separate into a hydrogen cation, called a proton (H⁺), and a hypochlorite anion (ClO⁻). That means each molecule of hypochlorous acid is made up of one hydrogen atom (H) bonded to one chlorine atom (Cl) bonded to one oxygen atom (O).
It’s marketed as a soothing ingredient and sometimes, often illegally, as a disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, acne treatment, or something that can “trigger an immune boost…repair and heal skin”.īut what is it? The chemical formula of hypochlorous acid is HClO. Hypochlorous acid is an ingredient that is growing in popularity in skincare.
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