SOS Intensive Redness Relief Serum with Hypochlorous Acid

The texture became thick. Impossible to apply. I didn't like it.

I really wanted to like this product, but unfortunately I had issues with the packaging and consistency from the beginning. The pump never dispensed properly—it would often spray the product out with surprising force and distance, so I regularly lost product when trying to use it. The serum itself also seemed quite watery. Eventually the pump stopped working altogether. Because the bottle still felt surprisingly heavy, I opened it and discovered that it was nearly full, but the product inside had turned into a thick, almost solidified gel that could no longer be dispensed. For a product at this price point, I expected the packaging to allow me to actually use the product for its intended lifespan. I can't say whether I received a defective bottle or whether this is a broader packaging/formulation issue, but unfortunately most of what I purchased ended up being unusable.

What a horrific product. I have been a long-time fan of the moisturizer, as the silky, silicone like texture is perfect for my morning routine and creates a wonderful primer base for makeup. I figured I would try this, as I use tretinoin religiously and with no coloration on my face, my fair-neutral-toned cheeks are red and vibrant. Always searching for the perfect skin to not worry about foundation, I thought I would try this. But it's awful! It's gritty, sandy, thick, clumpy. I have tried shaking it, swirling the pump around to re-mix it, but it remains uncomfortably textured. It literally feels like micro-cuts on my skin when I rub it in. When I opened it to check inside, the neck was coated in a powdery, thick coating of the product. I cleaned it up and reincorporated the thick silicone into the rest...which then promptly clogged the pump. All that aside, it's extremely drying. For my tretinoin skin, it makes me flaky and dry. So now I trade one issue for another. Plus, it's hard to tell if it's doing anything for my redness, since I'm not convinced the formula is even right to do what it needs to, nevermind the grittiness and shard-of-glass texture. I want to use it for my money's worth (past the return window, OF COURSE), but it's simply not worth it. Use a spray, and you can find cheaper ones than Tower 28.

So, crystallization in your sos serum means the serum is degraded and inactive. I got 4 bottles like that and eventually researched it bc the serum wasnt working properly. crystallization = inactive serum and can cause micro tears on your already reactive skin. i contacted tower 28 directly. im supposed to hear back soon as this appears to be a major manufacturer malfunction spanning over many months... this used to be my holy grail... until this issue is fixed, I cannot recommend it. :(

The product is great, but the pump is not. It seems like the product may be too thick for it to work so you need to scoop it out. When hypochlorous acid is exposed to air, it degrades.

I ignored the reviews that the pump wouldn't work after about a month but I should have listened. I ended up scooping the product into a clean air tight container but it ended up having black spots in it after another month or two and now I don't want to put it on my face. Very disappointed as I feel I wasted my money.

I love anything that has HOCI but this item pills. All the time. I’m not sure why. I apply it over clean dry skin and it pills. If I add it on top of other skin care, it pills. I dont know why this one does it. I have 2 other brands and neither of them do it.

This is an amazing serum that has done so much for my sensitive, dry, acne-prone skin, but I cannot reccomend it. I don’t know why there are no other reviews mentioning this but unfortunately the product turns into a thick goop over time and becomes unusable, which is extremely wasteful. I have purchased three bottles over the last year and it has happened to all three. It’s a shame as it’s really great for my skin. I have recommended it to all of my friends and do not know what I will replace it with. I have just reached out directly to the brand, so hopefully they can improve the formula with time. It is a very good serum before it congeals, but do not expect it to keep its thin texture before you are able to use up the bottle.

i bought one to try during the Sephora sale in Apr 2026. After using up my last serum, i opened this just tonight, i felt some small beads on the palm of my hands after the first pump, thought they were dissolvable; however, after a few more pumps, i was still feeling those hard particles on my hands. im not sure if i bought a defective product or what, it is just NOT ok to have something scratch my face like that. and since it has been more than a month since i purchased it, i wont be able to exchange/return it. i am never buying this again :(

I have sensitive, acne prone, reactive skin that gets irritated from just about anything. I use this on and off when my skin is going through a particularly rough time, usually after I've traveled (something about changing environments because most of the products I pack with me are ones I use at home). The soothing feeling is almost instant, and my skin recovers fully after a couple days. Most recently, I came back from a trip and went through a week's worth of pimple patches before remembering to use this, I saw improvements the next day. I should always use this anytime my skin reacts.