Midlife Acne and Body Odor? It’s a Hormone Thing (and I’ve Got a Secret Weapon)
If your skin and body odor have gone a bit rogue in midlife, you’re not losing your mind.
Seriously—welcome to the hormonal chaos that is perimenopause and menopause.
Here’s what might be happening:
When estrogen drops faster than testosterone, your body may perceive you as having “more” androgens (aka the hormone family that includes testosterone). And when androgens take the lead, you can start feeling like a teenage boy again:
Breakouts. Oily skin. Body odor. WTF.
But I’m On Testosterone Therapy—Is That the Problem?
Maybe.
Women absolutely need testosterone—just in the right amount. But if you’re on testosterone and noticing your skin is oilier, you’re breaking out more, or your armpits are, um, extra musky... your body might be telling you it’s getting a little too much.
There are a lot of reasons for acne and odor, especially in midlife. But today, I want to share one of my favorite secret weapons.
No, this isn’t sponsored. I don’t even have a coupon code. It’s just that good.
Meet Hypochlorous Acid (HA)
I know—“acid” sounds scary. But trust me, it’s not.
Hypochlorous acid is incredibly safe and surprisingly powerful. It’s a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, which means it goes after:
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungus
Spores
Your own immune system even makes it! When your white blood cells detect a bacterial invader (like after you cut yourself), they produce HA to help fight it off. Pretty cool, right?
Despite its name, it’s pH neutral, and when properly formulated by commercial companies, it’s safe for your skin, eyes, and lungs.
What It Helps With
Based on both clinical research and real-life reports, the skincare form of hypochlorous acid seems to help with:
Acne
Dermatitis
Bug bites
General skin inflammation
Cuts and scrapes
And yes—body odor
You can even spray it directly into your armpits to kill the bacteria responsible for the stink. Game-changer.
One Downside: Shelf Life
The only real downside? HA can be unstable.
It starts to lose potency when exposed to air or light, which shortens its shelf life. Some companies claim to have solved this (and I’ll link a couple good ones below), but in general:
Don’t decant it into a smaller bottle
Don’t leave it sitting open on your counter
Use it regularly—don’t let it just sit there
Most commercial versions last anywhere from 30 days to a year, depending on the formula. Always check the label or product page for stability info.
Also:
It should smell faintly like a swimming pool.
If it smells like plain water, it’s probably lost its punch.
How to Use Hypochlorous Acid
For your face: Spray it on clean skin and let it soak in before applying the rest of your skincare.
For body odor: Spray directly into your armpits or onto a cotton pad and wipe it in.
After workouts: Can’t shower right away? Spritz your chest, back, or wherever you tend to break out post-sweat.
It’s that simple.
What It Costs (and What It Shouldn’t)
Don’t fall for overpriced marketing. HA is effective, but it should still be affordable.
Most good-quality versions should cost around $4 or less per ounce.
My Go-To Options
Here are two I really like:
Final Thoughts
I really think you’re going to start hearing a lot more about hypochlorous acid sprays. Once I learned about it and started using it regularly, it quickly became a staple in my routine.
So if you’re feeling a little more breakout-y or, let’s be honest, funky lately—blame the hormones, then grab a bottle of this stuff. You’ll thank me later.