When we launched Thoclor Labs in 2018 we were one of the only companies putting hypochlorous acid (HOCl) into a skincare product. Most people we told about our GF1 and GF2 cosmetic sprays had never even heard of HOCl before. We received quite a few funny looks and there was plenty of scepticism at the time.
Fast-forward a few years, and we noticed some imitators and competitors arriving on the scene. Then Covid-19 happened, and suddenly everyone knew what hypochlorous acid was – it was in everything from hand sanitisers to fogging solutions. People were making it in their garages with gadgets bought from China. The result of all of this is that by now most people have heard of the solution, but very few really understand that not all hypochlorous acid is created equal. It’s like comparing a jalopy held together with duct tape to a sleek new German sedan on the show room floor. They might both be cars, but we all know the experience will not be the same.
These days, a simple online search for hypochlorous acid spray will return plenty of results, with more and more players seeming to enter the market on a weekly basis. We get several emails a month from people asking us how our solution is different from the others, and why ours is more expensive.
To answer these questions, we must give you a bit of a history lesson combined with a chemistry class. The closest cousin to our modern HOCl solutions was something called Dakin’s Solution, developed by an English chemist, Henry Dakin, and used during WW1 to disinfect soft tissue wounds. Dakin investigated over 200 different antiseptic substances to finally decide that a 0.5% buffered sodium hypochlorite solution satisfied his criteria for an ideal antiseptic.1 His solution was a mixture of bleach, boric acid and water. It had to be repeatedly applied to the wound because the germicidal action was very short-lived.2 But it saved many lives on the battlefield.
The evolution of this method eventually led to the creation of hypochlorous acid solutions through electrolysis. Electrolysis of a saline solution (water and sodium chloride) creates a liquid containing HOCl that we refer to as anolyte. Electrolysis results in a more stable and pH neutral mixture than the original Dakin’s solution, but it is by no means stable overall.
When saline is electrolysed, HOCl will form, but a high concentration of salt will also remain in the solution. As the bond in the HOCl molecule is unstable, the sodium will eventually knock the hydrogen out of the chain as it is a stronger molecule. Without the hydrogen molecule, you are left with NaOCl or sodium hypochlorite.
Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is a chemical compound commonly used as household bleach (typically at 3–6% concentration). It’s a pale yellowish liquid with a chlorine-like odour, also used as a disinfectant, sanitiser and in industrial cleaning products. It has no anti-inflammatory properties and is primarily a disinfectant.
So yes, anolyte solutions do contain hypochlorous acid at the time of their manufacture, in varying concentrations. As the HOCl degrades over time, other undesirable (and sometimes toxic) by-products and components (like NaOCl) will also be found in the solution. These variable levels of HOCl will of course give you variable results.
Did we mention that HOCl is an unstable molecule? It is also a bit of a diva. It doesn’t like air, or light, and is very fussy about the pH of the solution as well. Likewise, it does not play well with others, so it cannot be mixed with essential oils, fragrances or pretty much anything other than water.
Lastly, the packaging is just as important. HOCl does not like plastic. Plastic is not inert and chemicals from the plastic can leach into the solution, which further upsets & denatures the HOCl. Hypochlorous acid will also, in turn, break the plastic down over time, so you may end up with microplastics in the solution as well.
Our tip? Have a look at the label and packaging of the product you are wanting to buy and ask yourself:
- Are there ingredients listed like saline, sodium chloride, sodium hypochlorite or electrolysed water?
- Are there any essential oils or fragrances added?
- Is the product something other than a water-based liquid, like a gel, for example?
- Is the container plastic, glass, or aluminium?
- What is the date of manufacture? What is the stated shelf life? Is it only 6 months?
Rest assured that at Thoclor Labs we use a patented method of manufacture that does not use sodium chloride (salt / saline). Our pharmaceutical-grade hypochlorous acid solution has been independently verified to be stable for over 2 years. We also package in glass, which does not react with the active ingredient. Our hypochlorous acid products contain nothing but pure water and HOCl. They are therefore not only powerful antiseptics, but the solutions are also anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic (anti-itch), accelerating healing by up to 70% while reducing redness and pain.
When we say our products are the Rolls-Royce of hypochlorous acid solutions, we mean it. We are the only manufacturer certified to offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points to South African medical professionals. We also provide free training for our resellers via a mobile app. But don’t take our word for it, try our products for yourself and experience the difference.
Further reading
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2018.12.001
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6907325/
