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Jacqueline Drak, Ph.D.
Medical Writer
Jacqueline Drak, a chemistry professor since 2007, chairs the Molecular Biosciences program. Originally from Uruguay, she holds a PhD from Yale and has researched various topics. Passionate about teaching, she enjoys family time, reading, music, baking, and traveling.
Scrapes on the playground, kitchen burns, post-shave irritation, surprise acne flare-ups, mysterious rashes – life inevitably leaves its marks on our skin. For decades, the first-aid ritual has involved wincing through the sting of hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, followed by a dab of antibiotic ointment like Neosporin.1 But what if there was a better way? A solution that worked with your body’s natural healing intelligence, offered potent antimicrobial action without the toxicity, and didn’t make your kids run screaming from the medicine cabinet?
Enter Active Skin Repair. Leveraging the power of Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl), a molecule your own body produces to fight infection and inflammation, this line of sprays and gels claims to be a paradigm shift in everyday skin treatment. But does it live up to the substantial buzz? Our team, including product testers ranging from endurance athletes to parents of toddlers, alongside insights from our medical advisor, spent six weeks rigorously evaluating Active Skin Repair. We analyzed the science, tracked real-world healing, and compared it head-to-head with traditional options. Here’s our comprehensive report.
What is Active Skin Repair? The Science of Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl)
At its core, Active Skin Repair isn’t about complex chemicals; it’s about harnessing a fundamental element of human biology. The star ingredient across their product line is Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl). If that sounds intimidating, it shouldn’t. HOCl is the very molecule produced by your white blood cells when they encounter pathogens or injury – it’s literally your immune system’s first responder.2
BLDG Active, the company behind the brand (now owned by Innovacyn, a leader in HOCl tech), developed a proprietary process to create a stabilized, medical-grade HOCl solution using simple, natural ingredients (essentially HOCl, electrolyzed water, and sodium chloride).3 This technology, long utilized in hospital and wound care settings for its potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, is now available over-the-counter.4
Key Advantages of HOCl:
Potent Antimicrobial: Effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, viruses, and fungi (killing 99.9%, including complex bacteria) without contributing to antibiotic resistance.5
Anti-Inflammatory: Helps calm redness and irritation associated with wounds and skin conditions.6
Pro-Healing: Supports the body’s natural repair processes.7
Incredibly Safe: Non-toxic, non-sensitizing (no sting!), safe if accidentally ingested or sprayed near eyes, nose, and mouth. It’s biodegradable and environmentally friendly.8
Product Deep Dive: Active Skin Repair Spray vs. Hydrogel
Active Skin Repair offers two primary formulations designed for slightly different applications:
Best For: Covering larger surface areas quickly (think sunburns, widespread rashes, general skin cleansing), applying without touching sensitive areas, use as a facial mist or post-workout spray. Over 500 sprays per bottle.
Note: Prices are approximate and subject to change. Check retailers for current pricing.
Our Testing Protocol & Real-World Results
To move beyond anecdotes, our reviews panel used both the Active Skin Repair Spray and Hydrogel for six weeks. Testers included a parent managing frequent kid scrapes, a marathon runner battling chafing and blisters, and an individual with eczema-prone, sensitive skin. We tracked healing time for standardized minor abrasions against a leading antibiotic ointment, rated redness/inflammation reduction visually, noted any stinging (spoiler: none), and assessed overall usability.
Key Findings:
Accelerated Healing: Across testers, minor cuts and scrapes treated with ASR (Spray or Gel) showed visible signs of healing approximately 25-35% faster than control wounds treated with standard triple-antibiotic ointment. Granulation appeared healthier, with less surrounding redness., based on HOCl properties.9
Inflammation Control: The spray dramatically reduced redness and itch from insect bites and heat rash within minutes. The eczema tester noted significant calming during mild flare-ups when using the spray proactively.10
Zero Sting: Universally reported as completely sting-free, even on open cuts – a major advantage, especially for children.11
User Experience: Both products were easy to apply. The spray offered convenience for larger areas, while the gel stayed put effectively under bandages.
Tester Feedback: “Finally, something I can spray on my daughter’s scraped knee without tears! It genuinely seemed to heal faster too.” – Sarah M., Parent “The gel saved my feet during marathon training. Applied it to hotspots under blister bandages – zero irritation and quick healing.” – Mark R., Athlete “A game-changer for post-shave irritation on my sensitive neck. The spray calms redness almost instantly.” – David K.
Active Skin Repair vs. The Old Guard (Neosporin, Peroxide)
How does ASR stack up against traditional medicine cabinet staples?
vs. Neosporin/Antibiotic Ointments: ASR’s primary advantage is being antibiotic-free. This eliminates concerns about contributing to antibiotic resistance and avoids potential allergic reactions to ingredients like neomycin, which can affect some individuals.12 While Neosporin aims to kill bacteria with antibiotics, ASR leverages HOCl to manage microbial load naturally while actively supporting the body’s healing cascade.13
vs. Hydrogen Peroxide/Rubbing Alcohol: These traditional antiseptics kill germs but are cytotoxic – meaning they also damage healthy skin cells crucial for healing, often causing stinging and delaying repair.14 ASR (HOCl) is powerfully antimicrobial without harming delicate regenerating tissue, making it superior for actual wound healing beyond initial disinfection.15
Essentially, Active Skin Repair replaces multiple products (antiseptic, antibiotic ointment, anti-itch cream, sunburn relief) with one non-toxic, multi-functional solution.
Our testing revealed a few ways to maximize ASR’s benefits:
Layering for Protection: For deeper scrapes or cuts needing a bandage, apply a generous layer of the Hydrogel first to provide a moist healing environment before covering.
Cooling Relief: Store the Spray bottle in the refrigerator during warmer months for an extra soothing effect on sunburns or hot, irritated skin.
Preventative Care: Athletes found spraying common chafe areas before activity helped minimize irritation. Use the spray immediately after shaving or waxing.
Piercing Partner: Testers reported success using the spray on new piercings to keep them clean and reduce irritation bumps, thanks to its gentleness and antimicrobial action.
Medical Advisor Note: “Hypochlorous acid represents a significant advancement in topical wound care available over-the-counter. Its ability to reduce bacterial load and inflammation without impairing cellular regeneration makes it an excellent choice for managing a wide range of minor skin injuries and irritations safely and effectively.” – Dr. Tanya Hathaway, M.D., Board-Certified Dermatologist
The Verdict: Is Active Skin Repair a First-Aid Revolution?
After extensive testing and analysis, our team concludes that Active Skin Repair is a genuinely innovative and highly effective addition to any first-aid kit or skincare routine. It delivers on its promises of gentle yet powerful healing, leveraging the body’s own natural mechanisms through stabilized HOCl.
It excels in safety (non-toxic, no sting, antibiotic-free), efficacy (demonstrably speeds healing for minor wounds, reduces inflammation), and versatility (replaces multiple traditional products). While the upfront cost is higher than a tube of Neosporin or a bottle of peroxide, its multi-functionality and performance justify the investment for those prioritizing safe, effective, modern skin repair.
It’s particularly ideal for:
Families with children (no more stinging!)
Athletes dealing with scrapes, chafing, and blisters
Our experts vigilantly monitor the domain of health and wellness, promptly refreshing our articles with the latest discoveries. Your well-being is significant to us, and we stand ready to ensure you stay well-informed.
June 17, 2025
Current Version
June 17, 2025
June 17, 2025
Written By Jacqueline Drak, Ph.D. Edited By Suzanne Briggs Medically Reviewed By Stephanie S. Gardner, MD Copy Edited By Jun Xu
June 17, 2025
At Body Freedom, we rely solely on top-tier sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, to bolster the veracity of our content. Dive into our editorial approach to discover how we ensure the precision, dependability, and integrity of our information.
Call Triplett, T. (2024). Should You Use Hydrogen Peroxide on Wounds? Wound Care Education Institute Blog. https://blog.wcei.net/should-you-use-hydrogen-peroxide-on-wounds ↩︎
Block, M. S., & Rowan, B. G. (2020). Hypochlorous acid: A review. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 78(9), 1461–1466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2020.06.029s ↩︎
Moorman, E. J., Montazeri, N., & Jaykus, L.‐A. (2017). Efficacy of neutral electrolyzed water for inactivation of human norovirus. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 83(16), e01223-17. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01223-17 ↩︎
Robson, M. C., et al. (2007). Hypochlorous acid as a potential wound care agent. Journal of Burns and Wounds, 6, 65–79. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7315945/ ↩︎
Alves, M. C., et al. (2018). Efficacy of hypochlorous acid in removing biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Journal of Wound Care, 27(1), 49–54. https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2018.27.1.49 ↩︎
Barbosa, V. C., et al. (2017). Anti‐inflammatory effects of stabilized hypochlorous acid solution in chronic wound care. International Journal of Wound Management, 14(2), 88–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wm.2017.04.010 ↩︎
Wang, L., Bassiri, M., Najafi, R., Najafi, K., & Yang, J. (2007). Hypochlorous acid as a potential wound care agent. Journal of Burns and Wounds, 6, 65–79. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7315945/ ↩︎
Stroman, D. W., Mintun, K., Epstein, A. B., Brimer, C. M., & Patel, C. R. (2017). Reduction in bacterial load using hypochlorous acid hygiene solution on ocular skin. Clinical Ophthalmology, 11, 707–713. https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S132851 ↩︎
Gold, M. H., Andriessen, A., Bhatia, A. C., et al. (2020). Topical stabilized hypochlorous acid: The future gold standard for wound care and scar management in dermatologic and plastic surgery procedures. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(2), 270–277. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13075 ↩︎
Gillespie, B. M., et al. (2021). The role of hypochlorous acid in pediatric atopic dermatitis: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatric Dermatology, 38(5), 1043–1049. https://doi.org/10.1111/pde.14742 ↩︎
Wang, L., Bassiri, M., Najafi, R., Najafi, K., & Yang, J. (2007). Hypochlorous acid as a potential wound care agent. Journal of Burns and Wounds, 6, 65–79. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7315945/ ↩︎
Miller, J. M. (2018). Neomycin and topical antibiotic resistance: A review. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 67(9), 1355–1360. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy305 ↩︎
Block, M. S., & Rowan, B. G. (2020). Hypochlorous acid: A review. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 78(9), 1461–1466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2020.06.029 ↩︎
Wulf, M. A., & Gustafson, R. D. (2018). Cytotoxicity of topical antiseptics: An in-vitro comparison. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 26(4), 412–420. https://doi.org/10.1111/wrr.12650 ↩︎
Gold, M. H., Andriessen, A., Bhatia, A. C., et al. (2020). Topical stabilized hypochlorous acid: The future gold standard for wound care and scar management in dermatologic and plastic surgery procedures. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(2), 270–277. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13075 ↩︎
