Heyedrate vs Avenova Hypochlorous Acid Eye Spray [DOCTOR REVIEW]

What is Hypochlorous Acid?

HOCl  is a completely natural substance released from the body's neutrophil cells. HOCl functions well to support the health of the skin and, specifically, the skin of the eyelids.  Hypochlorous acid is an important substance in the body, and it is becoming more mainstream as a way to support the body's natural defenses. It has shown very low toxicity as well, which is why it’s becoming so useful in many facets of healthcare, including eye care, dental, and surgical.

What is Heyedrate Lid and Lash Cleanser?

If you suffer from eye irritation, crusty eyelids and lashes, or blocked meibomian glands, you may have already heard about hypochlorous acid (HOCl). We’ll dive in deeper on what it is in a few moments, but first we’re going to cover two popular brands of hypochlorous acid that your doctor may be recommending. Heyedrate Lid and Lash Cleanser is a proprietary hypochlorous acid formula. It is manufactured without bleach impurities (without sodium hypochlorite), and it is safe for use by all ages, from infants to 100+.

Heyedrate Lid and Lash Cleanser is easy to use and incorporate into a daily routine, kind of like brushing your teeth, and it’s recommended to use this cleanser twice per day (morning and evening). Simply wash your face and spray the solution onto a cotton ball or round. Wipe over the eyelids, concentrating at the base of the eyelashes. There’s no need to rinse this solution off!

What is Avenova Spray? 

Avenova is FDA approved for the removal of microorganisms and debris that contribute to eye irritation. The company claims that Avenova is the only pure hypochlorous acid on the market, meaning it is made without bleach impurities and is safe for long term use. They have their own proprietary manufacturing process, just like Heyedrate. For years we, and many other doctors, happily used Avenova in our practices with much success. It was only recently that we began exploring other options due to the price point of this product, which we’ll get into a bit later.

Avenova is also simple to use, and the directions are the same. You’ll want to remove any makeup and wash your face prior to use. Simply spray the solution onto a cotton ball or round and apply to the eyelids. There’s no need to rinse it off, so just let it dry and go about your day.

As I’ve already stated, cost was a big factor in switching from using Avenova in our practice to exploring other options for our patients. While Avenova started out at a lower price, they quickly raised it to high levels that our patients could not afford. It’s a great thing that they are now both prescription and over-the-counter because it gives people easier access to the medication, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still expensive. Everyone’s definition of expensive is different, however, so let’s look at the price per ounce of Avenova vs. Heyedrate.

Avenova is available with a prescription in a 40 mL bottle and is available in some doctors’ offices in a 20 mL bottle. You can expect to pay around $300 for the prescription version, without insurance (from GoodRx). The 20 mL bottle is now also available on Amazon. 20 mL is equivalent to 0.68 ounces. As the price stands today, in late 2021, you can purchase this solution on Amazon for around $44/ounce (the 20 mL bottle costs around $30).

When we look at Heyedrate Lid and Lash Cleanser, the 1 ounce bottle is a little less than $20 with a coupon. While there are many definitions of expensive, this cleanser is more cost effective for those concerned about the cost of medications.

Heyedrate Lid and Lash Cleanser Ingredients

Heyedrate Lid and Lash Cleanser contains just three ingredients: hypochlorous acid 0.015%, electrolyzed water, and sodium chloride. When looking for products for use on the face and around the eyes, we believe it’s best to choose products that are not only natural, but that are also made with minimal ingredients. This helps prevent sensitivities to chemicals and additives that are present in many cosmetic and other over-the-counter products.

Heyedrate also has NO detectable bleach byproducts in its solution. 

Avenova Ingredients

Avenova’s proprietary formula contains Neutrox (pure hypochlorous acid) 0.01% (as a preservative) in normal saline. It is safe for daily, long-term use, with a recommendation of use twice daily, and it is safe for use in all ages.

Avenova has 1-3% bleach as part of its solution.  The rest of the hypochlorous acid products in this space have 15-23% bleach in their solution. 

Avenova and Heyedrate have been proven as industry leaders in reducing the bleach byproducts in their solutions.