Reading time: 5 minutes
What I Discuss with Justin Gardner:
- What hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is, how white blood cells use it to kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and accelerate healing, and how Justin turned this non-toxic, body-made molecule into Active Skin Repair (use code BEN to save 30% off through 5/28/26)…05:43
- How he stumbled onto HOCl and how it can be 100x more powerful than bleach without driving bacterial resistance…07:42
- How HOCl is stabilized for a two-year shelf life, and why maintaining a skin-friendly pH range is the key to skin repair, and what separates medical-grade from cosmetic formulations…10:22
- HOCl as the “new school” first aid: how it replaces Neosporin for cuts and scrapes, and why it's also used for acne, eczema, psoriasis, sunburn, and skin inflammation…13:01
- How alcohol and hydrogen peroxide can kill healthy growth factors and stall healing, while HOCl targets bad bacteria without stinging, preserves the skin microbiome, and supports skin repair…21:03
- How formulation and pH determine the real antimicrobial power of HOCl cosmetic products, and what research and COVID-era EPA approvals reveal about its virus-killing effectiveness…23:26
- Active Skin Repair's FDA 510(k) clearance for use on open skin, how this differs from cosmetic sprays, and why formulation, packaging, and bottle size are critical…27:17
- How HOCl may help prevent staph and MRSA, replace alcohol swabs without damaging skin, and serve as a safe solution for kids' skin issues like diaper rash and eczema…29:32
- Post-procedure and aesthetic uses for HOCl, including in microneedling recovery and sunburn relief, and how a 15-second application window maximizes its effectiveness before layering serums like hyaluronic acid…33:16
- Who is using Active Skin Repair, from endurance athletes and parents to eczema sufferers, and the expanding product line of sprays, hydrogels, hyaluronic serums, sunscreens, and lip balms that meet EWG‘s highest verified standards…38:50
- HOCl as a non-toxic hard-surface cleaner via at-home generators, why home-generated versions are not medical-grade for skin, and its effectiveness for bug bites, itching, and everyday inflammation relief…42:02
- Why HOCl deserves a spot in every medicine cabinet, gym bag, and first aid kit…44:45
In this fascinating episode with Justin Gardner, you'll explore the science behind HOCl, a compound generated by white blood cells that plays a central role in immune defense, wound repair, and skin health.
You'll also discover how this fast-acting, non-toxic antimicrobial works without damaging healthy tissue, why it may outperform staples like hydrogen peroxide and Neosporin, and how formulation, pH, and stability determine whether it actually works. Additionally, you'll gain insights on what research shows about bacterial resistance and the skin microbiome, how it's being used for everything from acne and eczema to post-procedure recovery, and how to apply it correctly to get effective results.
Justin Gardner is a medical technology entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience working with hospitals and physicians to bring regenerative and clinical innovations to market. He previously led an agency focused on launching advanced medical technologies before licensing and scaling hypochlorous acid-based solutions into the consumer space through Active Skin Repair.
You can learn more about his work and products at Active Skin Repair, where medical-grade hypochlorous acid formulations are designed for wound care, skin health, and everyday use.
For the next week, you'll receive Active Skin Repair's biggest discount: 30% off all their products when you visit activeskinrepair.com and use code BEN at checkout.*
*After May 28th, the code will return to their standard discount.
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Episode Resources:
People
Companies
- Active Skin Repair (use code BEN at checkout for 30% off through 5/28/26)
Devices
Studies
- Hypochlorous Acid as a Safe, Effective, and Low Cost Disinfectant for COVID-19 in Clinical Settings
- Topical Hypochlorous Acid in Dermatology: Antimicrobial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Wound-Healing Benefits
- Status Report on Topical Hypochlorous Acid: Clinical Relevance of Specific Formulations, Potential Modes of Action, and Study Outcomes
Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for Justin Gardner or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!