I bought the hype. I sprayed my face like a fern in a misting tent. Then I read the ingredient list and laughed out loud.
Your $30 spray is 99% saltwater with a fancy label. The real question is whether that’s actually a bad thing — and the answer is complicated.
Tower 28 Beauty calls it a “Daily Rescue Facial Spray.” It’s hypochlorous acid at 0.018%, which sounds scary but is just oxidized saltwater. The claim: it kills bacteria on your skin’s surface without wrecking your barrier.
Hypochlorous Acid 0.018%
Kills acne-causing bacteria on contact — proven in wound care for decades
Electrolyte Complex
Sodium chloride and potassium — literally just salt to stabilize the HOCl
No Fragrance or Alcohol
Smart — the only way this works is if nothing else irritates your skin
Photo: Sonia Roselli / Unsplash
Here’s where it gets weird. Your immune system already produces hypochlorous acid to fight bacteria. You’re literally spraying your skin with a diluted version of your own white blood cells’ weapon. That’s either brilliant or ridiculous — I’m still deciding.
The pH sits around 4-5, which actually helps maintain your acid mantle. But it’s not a treatment. It’s a maintenance tool.
- Hypochlorous Acid 0.018%: Surface bacteria killer, not a deep treatment
- Sodium Chloride: Stabilizer, prevents HOCl from degrading
- Potassium: Electrolyte balance for skin barrier
- Water: The other 99% — this is really just fancy saltwater
Photo: frank mckenna / Unsplash
Mist is fine — not luxurious, not irritating. Absorbs in about 20 seconds with zero residue. It feels like nothing, which is honestly the point.
Week two: my maskne on my chin cleared up. But I also realized this works best when I DON’T do my usual routine. Skip your acids, spray this, moisturize. Simpler is better here.
Photo: El S / Unsplash
My active breakouts calmed down in 4 days. My red marks? Same as before. This won’t fade hyperpigmentation or unclog deep pores. It’s a bouncer, not a cleaner.
Photo: Linh Ha / Unsplash
It’s not a savior. It’s a really good spot treatment for the surface stuff. Keep your expectations at “gentle antibacterial mist” and you’ll be happy.