Does Hypochlorous Acid Disrupt or Balance the Skin Microbiome?
Skincare That Works With Your Skin, Not Against It
As skincare evolves, one concept has reshaped how dermatologists and formulators think about skin health: the microbiome. Far more than a trendy buzzword, the microbiome is a complex community of microorganisms that live on your skin’s surface, helping to protect, heal, and maintain balance. But modern life—pollution, stress, harsh cleansers—often disrupts this delicate ecosystem, triggering everything from acne to eczema.
At Stamina Cosmetics, we believe that skincare should be as smart as it is effective. That’s why we focus on “Microbiome-Intelligent Skincare” —solutions that support the skin’s ecosystem rather than disrupt it. Central to this approach is one powerhouse ingredient: hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Yet, not all HOCl are the same! Formulation of medical grade HOCl is the key to its microbiome interaction.
What Is HOCl? A Biomimetic Hero for Modern Skin
HOCl might sound high-tech, but it’s actually biomimetic, meaning it’s modeled after a natural process within your own body. Produced by white blood cells—specifically neutrophils—HOCl helps your immune system neutralize harmful pathogens while protecting surrounding tissue.
This bioactive yet gentle behavior makes it ideal for dermatology. HOCl provides targeted antimicrobial action without the harshness of alcohol or peroxide. In short, it delivers “Skin Defense, the Way Nature Intended.”
In skincare, HOCl is used to:
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Calm inflamed or acne-prone skin
- Disinfect without disrupting
- Reset the skin barrier after stress or environmental exposure
- Soothe sensitive or reactive conditions like rosacea and eczema
Hence, due to its multi-modal beneficial and non-harmful effects on the skin, our founder, Dr. MBK, categorizes our Stamina HOCl active ingredient as skin adaptogen, agent that helps adapt best to stress.
HOCl and the Microbiome: Does It Disrupt or Defend?
The relationship between HOCl and the skin microbiome is nuanced. Like any antimicrobial, it has the ability to affect microbial populations. But what sets HOCl apart is its selectivity. Rather than wiping out everything in its path, HOCl is believed to target harmful microbes while sparing beneficial flora. This is why it’s used in clinical wound care and dermatology—contexts where balance is crucial.
When used in short bursts or as part of a well-formulated product, HOCl rarely disrupts the microbiome. In fact, it often helps reset skin that’s already imbalanced from breakouts, over-cleansing, or external stressors. However, frequent use of highly concentrated HOCl—or products with poor formulation—could cause temporary dysbiosis (a microbial imbalance), leading to tightness or sensitivity.
That’s why formulation matters deeply, especially when microbiome harmony is the goal.
The Stamina Standard: Microbiome-Respectful, Dermatologist-Designed
Our commitment to Microbiome-Intelligent Skincare begins with the science of biomimicry but equally important is how we formulate it: precisely stabilized, gently buffered, and cleanly preserved to maintain its efficacy without compromising the skin.
Our skincare philosophy is built on four foundational pillars:
Biomimetic & Bioactive
HOCl mimics your skin’s natural defense mechanisms. Its targeted action neutralizes harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi—without damaging skin tissue or good microbes. It’s the intelligence of your immune system, bottled.
Microbiome-Respectful
Unlike alcohol or benzoyl peroxide, HOCl works with your skin’s natural flora. It doesn’t sterilize; it resets and rebalances, especially when the barrier is under stress from over-cleansing, pollution, or hormonal changes.
Dermatologist-Designed, Science-Backed
Our formulas are rooted in clinical studies and tested on real skin, not just in theory. We use a medical-grade, pH-specific hypochlorous acid that is microbiome-friendly. Every concentration of HOCl is carefully chosen for maximum efficacy with zero compromise to comfort.
Luxe Simplicity
We believe you don’t need a medicine cabinet of products. Just clean, pure, fragrance-free solutions that are as soothing as they are effective. No stinging, no synthetic scents—just what your skin needs to reset and breathe.
Product Spotlight: Stamina Mist & Stamina Serum — Barrier Support at Every Level
When we set out to design our flagship microbiome-balancing formulas, we started with a simple question: What does stressed skin really need?
The answer became two essentials: Stamina Mist and Stamina Serum —both powered by stabilized HOCl to support skin health in different but complementary ways.
Stamina Mist is a fine, microbiome-friendly spray designed to rescue and reset the skin barrier anytime it’s under duress. Whether it’s a long-haul flight, a high-intensity workout, or a day in the city smog, this mist instantly neutralizes environmental aggressors while restoring microbial balance.
Stamina Serum delivers a more therapeutic, longer-lasting benefit. Also formulated with HOCl, it offers deeper barrier support for skin experiencing chronic stress, inflammation, or sensitivity—ideal for daily use or recovery routines.
Both are free from alcohol, oils, and synthetic fragrance, making them as gentle as they are effective—suitable for face, neck, and even sensitive body areas.
It’s “Pure HOCl Powered by Skin Science”—whether you mist or treat, your barrier’s covered.
HOCl: The Future of Microbiome-Intelligent Skincare
The shift toward biomimetic, microbiome-respecting skincare isn’t just a trend—it’s the future. As we learn more about the connection between the skin’s ecosystem and its visible health, ingredients like HOCl are leading the charge. They represent a new era of precision care: targeted enough to resolve skin issues, but gentle enough to preserve what makes skin