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I’ve had sensitive, easily stressed-out skin since my teen years and I still deal with this as an adult. Perhaps my current moisturizer or the overly polluted city I live in is to blame, but my face often feels greasy, irritated and more prone to redness during the day. People around me have been raving about the Tower 28 Beauty SOS Facial Spray ($28), claiming that it calms their skin, so I was intrigued, but still hesitant to use another product on my already sensitive skin. But after chatting with a few dermatologists about hypochlorous acid, the star ingredient in the SOS spray, I decided to give it a try. Here’s my honest review of the viral beauty product.
The brand recommends using the facial spray in the morning or at night in place of a toner, which I took into consideration for my own routine. After cleansing my face, I would spray a generous amount of product twice a day, focusing on my problem areas (i.e., cheeks, jawline). I spent a few weeks documenting the results, taking a closer look at how using the SOS spray affected my skin.
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The Tower 28 SOS Facial Spray promises to soothe and clarify stressed out skin. It features hypochlorous acid, a buzzy ingredient that’s been shown to reduce redness, soothe irritation and protect skin against harmful bacteria. The formula also includes water and sodium chloride to make it gentler for sensitive skin.
I’m already familiar with the brand, thanks to other faves like SunnyDays Tinted Foundation and Swipe All-Over Concealer, but I’d never tried their OG product that first put them on the map. Now, I’m not one to hop onto every skincare product that’s out there, but many people were vouching for SOS as a great spray for acne-prone and sensitive skin. As one Sephora reviewer shared, “This product literally saved my skin! My skin was super red, sensitive and dry, but this spray took it all away. [I] repurchased multiple times. It’s definitely worth the hype.”
I’m a sucker for great packaging and this facial spray comes in a vibrant red color that I can spot from a mile away, which is helpful if I throw it in my work bag. The label is very informative and gives an insight into Tower 28 as a brand. The first line on the back of the bottle reads, “The happy solution for angry skin.” The bottle also has helpful information on hypochlorous acid and how to use it in your skincare routine.
It’s fairly straightforward: Spray the product on your face as needed. I’ve dealt with finicky pumps before, but there’s none of that with this spray. Once I press the nozzle down, it dispenses a generous amount of spray, so I can easily cover my entire face with just a spritz or two.
100 percent. Since it’s alcohol- and oil-free, it doesn’t feel drying or heavy on my skin. The facial spray is also fragrance-free, so it’s great for sensitive and acne-prone skin. TBH, it sort of smells like pool water at first? But don’t be alarmed by that description. It’s not strong and it doesn’t linger either. One more thing: The product has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, which makes this a suitable item for those with eczema, too.
Once I sprayed it on my face, I noticed an immediate difference—really. My skin felt calmer and hydrated. When I used the spray consistently, it helped minimize redness, soothe irritation and prevent future breakouts. I usually apply it in the morning or when I’m at work and need a midday pick me up. You can use it as much as you like. Since the spray is water-based, it absorbs quickly and calms my stressed out skin.
I’ve definitely seen a difference in my skin after using the facial spray. It’s since become a regular part of my morning routine, and I use the spray whenever my skin feels irritated. The formula is gentle and lightweight, though I do notice slight oiliness at times, but not enough to cause a shiny T-zone at the end of the day. Like some reviews from various sites (like Sephora, Reddit and Tower 28) mentioned, I found the bottle to be pretty small for its $28 price tag. If I used it multiple times a day, I can it running out pretty quickly. Still, I’d say the SOS Spray is worth the buzz, especially if you have sensitive, acne-prone skin.
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