The Big Spray
The Big Spray
Product Description
Product overview
Honeydew Labs The Big Spray is a minimalist 3-ingredient hypochlorous acid mist (6.8 fl oz / 200ml) designed to calm breakouts, soothe redness, and refresh the skin barrier — pH-balanced at 5.5, fragrance-free, and gentle enough for face, body, and post-workout use on all skin types.
Antimicrobial Action
HOCl is the same molecule white blood cells produce naturally — it kills acne-causing bacteria without disrupting the skin microbiome.
Texture & feel
SENSORYAntimicrobial Action
HOCl is the same molecule white blood cells produce naturally — it kills acne-causing bacteria without disrupting the skin microbiome.
Soothes Redness Fast
Anti-inflammatory by nature, calming visible flushing, post-workout heat, and irritation from shaving or sun exposure.
3-Ingredient Minimalism
Just water, salt, and HOCl — no preservatives, fragrance, alcohol, or fillers that could trigger sensitive skin.
Versatile Body Mist
Big 200ml format made for full-body use: bacne, scalp, gym bag essential, post-shave, even for pets and minor cuts.
Safety & compatibility
SAFEBrand explicitly confirms safety during pregnancy. No retinoids, salicylic acid, or restricted ingredients.
Zero esters, fatty acids, polysorbates, or oils. One of the safest formulas for malassezia-prone skin.
Gentle enough for babies' rashes, teens with acne, and adults with rosacea or sensitive skin.
Compatible with retinol, vitamin C, AHA/BHA, and SPF. Apply first and let dry before other actives.
Like any spray, avoid spraying directly into open eyes. Safe to mist around the eye area on closed lids.
Often recommended after micro-needling, lasers, extractions, and tattoos for its gentle antimicrobial action.
Ingredient breakdown
INGREDIENTSWater (Aqua) ~99.5%Proven
The water in this formula is electrolyzed — passed through an electric current with sodium chloride to generate hypochlorous acid in situ. It is the primary delivery vehicle and accounts for the vast majority of the formula.
- Function: Solvent and base for the active HOCl molecule.
- Source: Purified, deionized, and electrolyzed for stability and skin compatibility.
- Skin effect: Provides momentary surface hydration and a refreshing cooling sensation.
Sodium Chloride ~0.485%Proven
Pharmaceutical-grade salt. Two roles here: it's the precursor that gets converted into HOCl during electrolysis, and the leftover trace amount stabilizes the finished solution and prevents rapid degradation of the active.
- Function: Stabilizer and HOCl precursor.
- Concentration: Trace amount — well below any tightening or drying threshold.
- Safety: Non-irritating at this level, recognized as safe by the CIR for cosmetic use.
Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) 0.015% (150ppm)Proven
The hero active. HOCl is naturally produced inside human white blood cells (neutrophils) as part of the innate immune response. The topical version mimics this biological process to neutralize bacteria, viruses, and fungi on contact — without the cytotoxicity of bleach or alcohol.
- Concentration: 150ppm — the sweet spot recommended by formulators (100-200ppm).
- Mechanism: Disrupts microbial cell walls within seconds of contact.
- Research: Published studies in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology support its use for acne, eczema, and post-procedure healing.
- Endorsement: Recognized by leading dermatologists for managing redness, blemishes, and barrier-stressed skin.
3 ingredients
Water (Aqua), Sodium Chloride, Hypochlorous Acid (0.015%).
Where it fits in your routine
ROUTINEApply directly after cleansing on dry skin and let it air-dry fully before adding actives — this prevents HOCl from reacting with vitamin C or acids and ensures it stays on skin long enough to work.
How to use
HOW TO USECleanse & Pat Dry
Wash your face with your usual cleanser and gently pat dry. HOCl works best on clean, dry skin.
Mist Generously
Hold the bottle 15-20 cm from your face and spray 2-4 pumps. Cover the full face, neck, or any irritated body area.
Let Air-Dry
Wait 30-60 seconds for it to evaporate completely. Do not wipe off — let HOCl stay in contact with skin to do its work.
Continue Routine
Once fully dry, layer your serums, moisturizer, and SPF as usual. Use morning and night, plus post-workout or anytime skin feels reactive.
Who is it for?
WHOPerfect for you if:
- You break out post-workout, after sweating, or from masks
- You have acne-prone, sensitive, rosacea, or eczema-prone skin
- You want a Tower 28 SOS dupe at a fraction of the price per ml
- You need a body spray for bacne, chest, or scalp issues
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding and need a safe spot-treatment
- You like minimalist, fragrance-free clean formulas
- You have post-procedure skin (peels, lasers, micro-needling, tattoos)
Consider alternatives if:
- You expect a hydrating mist with humectants (this is purifying, not deeply hydrating)
- The faint chlorine/pool scent bothers you
- You need cystic-acne treatment (this is a calming adjunct, not a replacement for prescription care)
- You want long shelf-life — HOCl degrades within 12 months of opening
- You're looking for visible anti-aging results (no peptides, antioxidants, or retinoids here)
Skin type compatibility
SKIN TYPESWatery, weightless mist with zero oils or comedogenic ingredients — won't add shine or clog pores.
Soothing but not deeply hydrating — always layer a humectant serum and moisturizer on top.
Balances oily T-zone bacteria without dehydrating drier cheek areas.
Three ingredients, fragrance-free, and pH 5.5 — among the gentlest options on the market.
Targets C. acnes bacteria directly, non-comedogenic, and fungal-acne safe — a top pick for blemish-prone skin.
Many users report calming results, but patch-test first — a small minority find HOCl too drying for very compromised barriers.
Results timeline
MONTH 2+Instant Calming & Refreshing
A cooling, weightless sensation. Surface redness from heat, exercise, or sun exposure visibly settles within minutes.
88% noticed immediatelyActive Breakouts Shrink Faster
New blemishes feel less inflamed overnight. Existing acne reduces in size and tenderness with twice-daily use.
72% saw reduced rednessFewer Random Breakouts
Post-workout and post-mask breakouts become noticeably less frequent. Skin tone looks more even and less reactive.
68% reported fewer flare-upsCalmer, More Resilient Barrier
Long-term users describe the spray as a "skin reset button" — eczema, dermatitis, and rosacea flares feel more controlled.
81% repurchasedRatings by platform
1K+ REVIEWSPros & cons
BALANCEDPraised
- Calms post-workout breakouts and redness within minutes
- Same active ingredient as Tower 28 SOS at half the price-per-ml
- Generous 200ml bottle ideal for face + body use
- Truly minimalist — zero fragrance, oils, or fillers
- Safe during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and for kids
- Soothes eczema, rosacea, and shaving irritation
- Refillable cap design
- Made in Canada with transparent dating on every bottle
Criticized
- Faint swimming-pool scent while wet (normal for HOCl)
- Not deeply hydrating — needs a moisturizer on top
- 12-month shelf life after opening (HOCl is unstable)
- Can feel slightly drying on very compromised barriers
- No anti-aging or brightening benefits
- Not sold in Sephora, Ulta, or major brick-and-mortar retailers yet
Budget-friendly alternatives (dupes)
DUPES
Identical 3-ingredient formula (water, salt, HOCl) at a slightly higher concentration. Larger 8oz bottle but pricier per ounce. Markets to wound-healing more than skincare.
Pure HOCl with no added stabilizers, very similar profile. Available in larger refill sizes. Less polished mist nozzle and packaging compared to Honeydew Labs.
Same hero ingredient at a similar concentration but in a smaller 4oz bottle. Easier to find in drugstores. Slightly less generous on volume but excellent value for occasional use.
Adds magnesium and electrolyzed water for slightly more hydration. Comparable mist quality. Fewer reviews and a smaller 4oz format.
Comparison with competitors
SIDE-BY-SIDE
Mario Badescu — Repairing HOCl Spray
Storage & shelf life
12 MONTHS12 months after opening. HOCl is naturally unstable, so finishing within a year ensures full potency.
Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Refrigeration is optional but extends freshness.
Opaque PET spray bottle with fine-mist trigger and unscrewable refill cap. Recyclable.
200ml exceeds TSA carry-on limits — buy the smaller Honeydew Labs travel size or decant for flights.
Frequently asked questions
FAQYes. Honeydew Labs explicitly confirms it is safe for external body use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The formula contains zero retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, or chemical sunscreen filters — just water, salt, and naturally occurring hypochlorous acid (the same molecule your white blood cells already produce). As always, check with your OB if you have specific sensitivities.
Yes — and it's one of the safest products you can use if you're prone to fungal acne. The 3-ingredient formula has zero fatty acids, esters, polysorbates, ferments, or oils that can feed malassezia yeast. HOCl can actually help reduce fungal overgrowth thanks to its antimicrobial action.
Yes, but with one rule: apply The Big Spray first on dry skin and let it air-dry completely (about 60 seconds) before layering actives. HOCl is fast-acting and once it dries it won't interfere with vitamin C, retinol, AHAs, or BHAs. This sequencing also protects the active itself, which can be neutralized by acidic ingredients while still wet.
It excels for oily, combination, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. Rosacea and eczema-prone users also tend to love it. Dry skin can use it but should always layer hydration on top — this is a calming/purifying mist, not a deeply moisturizing one. It's gentle enough for babies and reactive skin, with a pH of 5.5 matching your skin's natural acid mantle.
Many users notice instant cooling and reduced redness on first use. Active breakouts typically calm within 24-48 hours of consistent twice-daily application. For long-term improvement in skin reactivity, breakout frequency, and barrier resilience, expect 2-4 weeks of regular use. Results vary by skin type and severity of concerns.
Right after cleansing on dry skin — before toner, serums, moisturizer, or SPF. Mist 2-4 sprays, let it air-dry for 30-60 seconds, then continue your routine. You can also use it as a midday refresh over makeup, post-workout, or anytime your skin feels reactive. Use both morning and evening for best results.
No — it has a comedogenic rating of 0/5. The formula contains zero oils, butters, silicones, or pore-clogging ingredients. Honeydew Labs explicitly markets it as non-comedogenic, and HOCl actually helps reduce the bacterial overgrowth that contributes to clogged pores and breakouts in the first place.
12 months after opening. Each bottle is stamped with a manufacturing (MFG) and expiration (EXP) date. Hypochlorous acid is naturally unstable and gradually degrades over time, so the brand recommends finishing within a year for maximum potency. Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat to preserve effectiveness.
Verdict: The Big Spray is one of the smartest hypochlorous acid sprays on the market — a near-identical formula to Tower 28 SOS in a 200ml bottle that costs significantly less per ml. With just three ingredients (water, salt, HOCl 0.015%), pH 5.5, and a generous full-body size, it's an outstanding pick for acne-prone, post-workout, sensitive, pregnancy-safe, and fungal-acne-safe routines. The faint pool scent and modest 12-month shelf life are minor trade-offs for a product that does exactly what it promises: calm, purify, and reset reactive skin.
Product Overview
What are Quick Product Notes?
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Paraben-Free
Paraben-Free
Understanding Parabens
Parabens are a large group of preservatives which are used to prevent bacteria growing in cosmetic formulations. There has been some healthy controversy surrounding them due to a few studies finding paraben presence in breast tumours and breast tissue. However, the majority of the scientific community have deemed these findings non-conclusive due to the limitations of these studies. There's still a lot of support for avoiding parabens following the better safe than sorry route. If you do we completely support you! If you are concerned about the health safety of parabens, then feel free to avoid them by looking out for the Paraben-Free icon. If not, don't worry about it - they do have had one of the longest safety records as preservatives!
Which Ingredients are classified as Paraben?
A product will be paraben-free if it does not contain any of the following parabens:
- Sodium Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Ethylparaben
- Sodium Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Sodium Methylparaben
- Methylparaben
Sulfate-Free
Sulfate-Free
Understanding Sulfates
Sulfates are a large group of ingredients which act as cleansing agents in Cosmetics. They help loosen up the dirt and grime from your skin and hair to allow for water to wash it away with ease. However some sulfates are so good at their job, they can wash off your skin’s own natural oils that keep it moisturised and protected which can lead to dryness and irritation. Most people will find no issues with sulfate, however if you find your skin doesn't like sulfates then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the sulfate-free icon on Skincarisma.
Which ingredients are classified as sulfates?
We've taken the Sulfates which are considered more harsh for our Sulfate-Free status. A product will be Sulfate-Free if it does not contain any of the following Sulfates:
- TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- PEG-15 Cocamine
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
- Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
- Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
- Ammonium Xylenesulfonate
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Xylenesulfonate
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
Alcohol-Free
Alcohol-Free
Understanding Simple Alcohols
Alcohol ingredients are widely used in cosmetics and come in different types. For the most part alcohols are not problematic at all. However one type of alcohols, simple alcohols can be quite drying to the skin because it evaporates very quickly. This can cause irritation which can also lead to other skin complications. These alcohols should never be used alone on your skin, but combined with other cosmetic ingredients, they are normally without issue. However, for some people with sensitive and easily irritable skin, avoiding products with these simple alcohols may be beneficial. If you find your skin doesn't like these simple alcohols, then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the Alcohol-Free icon.
Which Ingredients are classified as Alcohol?
A product will be alcohol-free if it does not contain any of the following alcohol ingredients:
- SD Alcohol
- Alcohol Denat
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Alcohol
Silicone-Free
Silicone-Free
Understanding Silicones
If you've ever used a skincare, makeup or beauty product that's made your skin look and feel smoother tempoarily - it's likely contained Silicone. They are a popular class of ingredients found in cosmetics due to their smooth, soft, easy-to-spread and smooth properties that help creates an artificial layer/barrier on top of skin or hair (commonly found in conditioners).
For the same reasons they are popularly used, they are also commonly avoided. Anecdotally, many individuals have reported that Silicones cause/excerbate breakouts, irritation, cause a feeling of skin being unable to breathe, cause clumping of cosmetic products and find it difficult to wash off. As a result, those who find them problematic are avoiding them and increasingly, cosmetic companies are avoiding them as well.
If you have had bad experiences with Silicones in the past, or suspect they are problematic then look out for the tick on the Silicone-free label.
Disclaimer
The Silicone-free label only includes the most common Silicone ingredients that have indentified been reported by individuals that could potentially cause issues.
These include: Amodimethicone, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethiconol, Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Stearoxy Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone.
Note, that this does not include all ingredients part of the Silicone class of ingredients.
EU Allergen-Free
EU Allergen-Free
Understanding the Identified Contact Allergens
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has identified and established 26 cosmetic ingredients that are likely contact allergens (potential to cause skin allergies) as demonstrated in clinical or epidemiological studies. The EU's SCCS have recommend cosmetic companies to disclose them on the labels if used and in cases where the concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, then they must be labelled.
Look out for the tick on the EU-Allergen free label to know your cosmetic is free from any of the 26 identified cosmetic ingredients.
For more information regarding the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, please visit their official website.
Disclaimer
The EU Allergen Free label is for the 26 ingredients identified by the EU SCCS and products will be only flagged if a suspected ingredient is on it's ingredient list. It is possible for cosmetics to contain one of the suspect ingredients without it appearing on the ingredient list due to it not reaching the concentration threshold to disclose it and cosmetic manufacturers choice to not disclose it.
Also note, the EU Allergen Free label is not personalized for your own allergies you may have and it does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Understanding Fungal Acne (Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia Folliculitis)
Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia folliculitis or simply known as Fungal Acne is a persistent acne-like condition that commonly responds poorly to traditional acne-treating methods. Unlike most cases of Acne where bacteria is the culprit, Fungi is the culprit of Fungal Acne (Hence the name!). There are certain classes & groups of ingredients that have been shown to promote and feed the growth of the Fungal Acne, Fungi such as fatty acids, oils, esters, polysorbates and fermented ingredients.
For more information regarding Fungal Acne, please visit Simple Skincare Science (f.c) - #3 of our Recommend Skincare Resources for an amazing comprehensive guide!
Please Read: How to use the Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Label
At SkinCarisma, we've done our best to identify as many ingredients as possible but note the fungal-free label may not be 100% accurate due to the complexconditions and combination of ingredients that malezzeria can thrive on.
Additionally, products that may contain ingredients that have shown to feed Malassezia may not neccessarily exacerbate the condition due to concentration of ingredient used in the product, this information is simply not available on the products.
As a result, please note this is only an experimental label that can be best used to possible identify problematic products you have used in the past. It is in no way a perfect identifier nor a predictor in whether or not it will exacerbate or cause fungal acne. It will continue to be worked on as more information and research comes to light.
If you find any ingredients you believe should be included, please email us at snails@skincarisma.com.
Disclaimer
Due to the lack of substantial research into this area it is very likely there are other ingredients and class/groups of ingredients that could feed Fungal Acne which have not been indentified.
The Fungal-Safe label does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging «promises» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
Ache-fighting from 1 ingredient(s):
What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
Pro Tip Alert!
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Dry Skin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Sensitive Skin
What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
Pro Tip Alert!
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Sodium Chloride
Masking, Viscosity Controlling, Bulking Agent
|
|
|
| 0 |
Hypochlorous Acid
Antiseborrhoeic
|
Ache-fighting
|
|
| 1 |
Water
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
|
|