About a year ago, Instagram served me an ad for a facial spray marketed as a multitasking miracle. Since it used hypochlorous acid as its hero ingredient and had an aesthetically pleasing design, I was immediately intrigued by Magic Molecule’s The Soultion Spray. The ad mentioned a slew of benefits, including removing bacteria, and healing eczema flare-ups, sunburns and even bug bites from skin. So as a beauty reporter and skin care enthusiast, I wanted to learn more about what it could potentially do for my skin.
I’ve been dealing with body eczema my entire life, but in the past year, it spread to my face. Since most over-the-counter body care products are too strong for the delicate skin on my face, I haven’t been able to treat the condition the way I’d like to. So I hit the checkout button on the advertisement hoping this spray would be the healing force I’d been waiting for.
Cut to a full-year later and I’ve never been happier spending money on a product. It transformed my skin beyond what I ever imagined — my eczema flare-ups aren’t as flaky, dry and red as they used to be — and it works quickly. I don’t have to wait weeks to see results; I can see a visible difference on my skin within hours.
SKIP AHEAD What is Magic Molecule’s The Solution? | How I use Magic Molecule’s The Solution | Why I love Magic Molecule’s The Solution | The bottom line | Why trust NBC Select?
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What is Magic Molecule’s The Solution?
Magic Molecules’ The Solution ($32) is an FDA-cleared hypochlorous acid spray suitable for all ages, including babies as old as one month. You can find hypochlorous acid, which is made of hydrogen, oxygen and chloride, in our white blood cells — our bodies naturally and continuously produce it, according to Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist. It’s especially great for topical skin use because it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This allows it to cleanse, repair and maintain the skin, she says. Brands like Magic Molecule have replicated it (through an electrochemical process combining water, salt and an electrical current) for topical application.
Magic Molecule’s spray, which has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, can help treat concerns such as breakouts, eczema and cuts by soothing the skin, reducing redness and removing the bacteria, according to Magic Molecule. One 8-ounce bottle has a shelf life of up to 24 months and can last around 1,400 sprays.
You can use this spray in three ways: post-cleansing, as a spot treatment and post-workout. Magic Molecule recommends using it after washing your face cleansing and before putting on any serums or moisturizers — as you would with a toner since it has antimicrobial and soothing properties. You can also use it on problem areas (for all ages) to heal flare-ups, cuts, diaper rash, acne, and more. Lastly, you can spray it on your skin post-workout to reduce irritation and redness and remove bacteria, according to the brand.
How I use Magic Molecule’s The Solution
In the past year, I used the spray differently depending on the state of my skin. When I first got it, I used it as a toner during my morning skin care routine to rehydrate my skin after washing it and to reinforce a clean slate since it helps remove bacteria.
I would typically close my mouth and spray it all over my face using roughly five pumps — one for each of the following areas: forehead, chin, cheeks and the center. Since it’s similar to water in terms of its consistency (it has no color), I didn’t worry about getting it on my clothes or in my hair. I also didn’t have to wait a long time before my skin absorbed it. If you’ve ever used a makeup setting spray, this feels comparable because it coats your face without irritating or disrupting anything. All I have to do is fan myself and wait a minute for it to fully melt into my skin before going in with the rest of my products.
When my eczema flare-ups escalated in the fall (I was experiencing small patches of dry, red and flaky bits), I stopped cleansing my skin in the morning and used this instead as a spot treatment. Following the same application method, I would add two to three sprays to the directly affected spots throughout the day but would skip it if I had makeup on since your face is supposed to be clean when using it.
I also experimented with using it as a post-gym solution when I couldn’t immediately wash my face. The easiest and most convenient way was to close my eyes, spray all five points of my face and let it air dry. Sometimes, if cotton balls are available in exercise studio bathrooms, I dabbled with spraying The Solution directly on some to help evenly apply the spray on my skin and remove any excess gunk.
Why I love Magic Molecule’s The Solution
This hypochlorous acid spray has been the perfect answer to various skin issues on my face and body. I found it incredibly soothing and fast-acting. Aside from how gentle and easy it is to use, it also lasts a long time; in my year of regularly using the product, I’ve only had to replace the bottle once.
Cleanser replacement
My eczema spreading to my face was detrimental to my self-esteem. It formed a bright red, itchy, flaky, dry spot right above my eyebrow that came completely out of the blue. My skin care routine at that point was thorough and consistent — I regularly used a cleanser, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, sunscreen and the occasional facial oil. When I noticed the new eczema spots , I immediately scaled back my routine focusing heavily on cleansing and moisturizing my skin. Nothing was helping so I was left wondering if I was overdrying my already dry skin by washing it too often. (My dermatologist confirmed as much to me.) To try to rehydrate my skin and heal my new face eczema I cut out my morning face wash step, replacing it with this hypochlorous acid spray.
Was it a risk because I have such sensitive, reactive skin? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Simplifying my routine and swapping out my morning cleanse for this spray left my skin clean, smooth and, more importantly, soothed. Not once did I experience a burning, stinging, drying or tightening sensation with this spray and it also quickly helped restore my overdried skin barrier. Before using it, my face felt like it had no stretch because it was so tight from stripping it from its natural oils, but after swapping in this spray, that severely dry feeling and all my eczema symptoms were gone. The spray felt like magic calming water on my face and despite me cutting out a full face-wash step in my routine, I didn’t notice an increase in breakouts or clogged pores, so the spray really held its own in terms of keeping my skin as clean as before without having to deal with any associated dryness. It was a win-win in my book.
Since keeping my skin clean is one way I stay on top of my eczema, I also carried the mini version of Magic Molecule’s spray in my gym bag to use as a cleanser post-workouts. Some gyms and studios have a face wash in their bathrooms, but I worry about trying random products because I don’t know how my skin will react and tolerate them. With the travel-sized spray, I can rid my skin of bacteria, sweat and gunk. My only concern with using it in public was that people could smell it since it has a slight pool water scent, but it quickly disappears and doesn’t linger on my skin.
Spot treatment
To prevent my eczema spots from worsening, I also experimented with using the solution as a spot treatment one to three pumps on clean skin once or twice throughout the day. When I did this, my flare-ups immediately looked less inflamed and red than before, and I noticed that any tightness and dryness were significantly reduced, so I didn’t see many flakes, and my skin feels calmer.
In addition to using it as an eczema treatment, I noticed my acne looked more minimized and significantly less noticeable than when I don’t apply the spray. Usually, to get these results, I would have to use a prescription cream, but that could take a few days to a few weeks. This spray works quickly — when needed, I would saturate my face in the spray, focusing on the problem areas and overnight, I would see a difference in its appearance.
I also tested the solution on my body whenever I had a cut or slight break in my skin, whether from shaving, falling or picking at a bug bite. It immediately helps soothe the area and reduce inflammation. I also noticed that gashes close up quicker with the spray than when I leave them alone, so it’s been a great tool to have on hand to help speed healing along. Overall, I noticed my wounds looked better (as fast as the next day), and I could feel a difference in just a few hours. Any gashes or nubs were less bothersome and perhaps, best of all, the spray made me forget they were even there in the first place, so I wasn’t messing with them, further delaying any healing.
Size and price
Hypochlorous acid sprays have always piqued my interest, and when considering which one to buy, I found that Magic Molecule’s The Solution is one of the best deals on the market. The brand sells its 8 ounce-bottle for $32. Other alternatives, like Tower 28’s SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray (4 ounces for $28) andMario Badescu’s Repairing Facial Spray with Hypochlorous Acid (4 ounces for $18), retail for a similar price but only give you half the amount of product.
Considering how much I use this to maintain my skin and treat all sorts of ailments, Magic Molecule is the best for my wallet and usage. One bottle lasted me 10.5 months. I spray a lot on my face daily — 10 pumps each day (five in the morning and five at night), and occasionally, when I have a spot or flare-up, I usually add an extra 5-10 pumps depending on its severity. I’ve also made all my friends and family try it, so I’m sure if I toned it down a little, it could’ve lasted me the entire year.
The bottom line
Not only is it straightforward to use, there’s no learning curve, but it’s also highly effective. After a few days of consistently spraying my skin and problem areas, I see quick and fast results. It clears my skin of any gunk that can further exacerbate my concerns and makes it look better than before.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m an associate reporter where I write about new product launches and beauty and wellness topics, including recent stories on the best body washes for dry skin and dandruff shampoos. For this story, I shared my experience with using Magic Molecule’s hypochlorous acid spray for over a year.
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