Hypochlorous acid, HOCL, is a naturally occurring molecule that can be found in the human body. It’s the body's natural response to bacteria and is produced in our white blood cells to fight infection. When manufactured outside of the body as a disinfectant it’s made from salt and water and then electrolysed to change its chemical structure. This creates a solution 60x more powerful than bleach but completely safe and non-toxic. While commonly used within the cleaning industry, it is a multi-purpose solution for many other uses.

            Wound care

The origins of HOCl lie in wound care. In 1834 a French chemist discovered the infection fighting compound in white blood cells, leading to the discovery of HOCl. This consequently led to HOCl being used in both World Wars for wound cleaning and neutralising chemical burns. HOCl is an oxidant, which means it leaves behind nothing for viruses and bacteria to become resistant to, meaning it does not contribute to the superbug dilemma; this makes it a preferable solution to antibiotic and antiseptic treatments over long periods of time. The non-toxicity of HOCl means that it is safe to use on human skin while effectively fighting infection and killing bacteria. 

Agriculture

What many people don’t know is that HOCl is also used within agriculture.

It is one of the most effective known biocides as it kills 99.9999% of bacteria and has many animal health and hygiene applications. The non-toxic qualities of HOCl mean that it is completely safe to use around animals and livestock, making it a major step forward in the safe sanitation and welfare of places such as dairy and poultry farms.

HOCl has even been used by the likes of the Royal Veterinary College, where researchers trialled HOCl on a UK dairy farm. It was used to clean infected lesions on cows, 350 of which were lame, and after 3 weeks there was a significant reduction in the number of cows that were lame. [1]

            Dermatology and skin care

While HOCl has been around in skin care for some time now, it became much more popular throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as we learnt more about disinfectants. HOCl is especially helpful to those with sensitive skin, prone to things such as acne or eczema, as the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects are useful for fighting breakouts, soothing the skin and repairing damage. As it can be found naturally in the body, it is non-irritating and ideal for all skin types.

“There are several products out there that use hypochlorous acid. You can identify serums, cleansers, sprays, and creams that have it by reading the label before buying a product. You can use it to disinfect your mask and cleanse your face on the go when travelling during the pandemic,” suggests Dr Sharma, the head dermatologist at Cureskin. [2]

Pathisol Disinfectant is proven to kill 99.9999% of bacteria and is a highly effective solution in keeping environments safe. It is available to buy in sizes ranging from 750ml – 5L as well as discounted rates on multipacks.   

References:

1. https://canamscientific.com/hocl-for-agriculture/#:~:text=HOCl%20is%20a%20powerful%20biocide,and%20welfare%20for%20dairy%20cows.
2. https://www.healthshots.com/beauty/skin-care/skin-troubles-get-your-glow-back-with-the-help-of-hypochlorous-acid/