In many ways, I feel like I’ve grown up alongside Ashley Iaconetti—and I’m certain I’m not alone in that. The reality star, 38, first entered our lives on Season 19 of The Bachelor back in 2015, then became a Bachelor in Paradise mainstay, where she met her now-husband, Jared Haibon. The two settled in his native Rhode Island in 2021, and Iaconetti has since added two sons, a café and one very buzzy new title to her résumé: Real Housewife. Unlike most of her castmates on Bravo’s record-breaking The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, she’s a Virginia native—which brings a much-needed balance of personalities, and accents, or lack thereof, to the Ocean State.
Iaconetti has also partnered with WellSpring, the consumer health-care company behind Bactine, vH essentials, A+D and Solarcaine—which together account for roughly half of any mom’s medicine cabinet, hers included. (Two boys under five will do that.) The products she’s most enthusiastic about are the brand’s new hypochlorous acid (HOCI) formulas. HOCl is the same compound white blood cells produce to fight infection, and it works as an antiseptic at concentrations mild enough not to sting.
Ahead, my interview with Iaconetti about her collab, what a season of Bravo taught her about glam and the products she keeps within reach of two very active boys.
You’ve been a longtime skin-care enthusiast. What first made you curious about hypochlorous acid?
“What made me most curious is that it’s good for people with acne issues. I’m always interested in anything that says it reduces redness and acne because I don’t know what I’ll break out from. It’s usually hormonal, but I’ve had a past of it, and my face is constantly red. So when I saw that hypochlorous acid helps calm inflammation and redness, I was like, ‘What is this? I need to know more.’”
What surprised you most about HOCl once you learned more about how it works and the different ways it can be used?
“I’ve always loved aloe for soothing and for post-burn relief from the sun. And then when I discovered hypochlorous acid, I was like, ‘Wait a second.’ It doesn’t just calm and reduce irritation, it also cleans your skin—they use it in hospitals to help reduce bacteria. That’s one of the reasons I started getting into it for wound care and irritation. It’s amazing.”
When do you personally reach for an HOCl product, and how has it fit into your routine?
“What’s great about the hypochlorous acid products is that when I get a scratch—and I tend to get them on my face, because my two-year-old is a clinger—I can use it right away. So I’ll use the Bactine, which is wound care. Not only is it going to help the look of it pretty quickly with its soothing properties, it’s also going to kill bacteria and make sure it doesn’t get infected, because I really don’t want anything infected on my face. I’ll also use the Bactine for the kids’ scrapes.
And I’m a big fan of A+D. I put that on more than just their booties—though my two-year-old is obviously still in diapers—and I like that it’s going to kill the bacteria in the area, not just soothe. It’s a two-in-one. And, you know, booties got bacteria. I’ll use it on their faces, too. I know that’s a little off-label, but my dad, who’s a doctor, has always said that for chapped skin, chapped lips, a little eczema, anything like that—try A+D on the area and it’ll be so good.”
Beyond the first-aid staples, where else has HOCl turned up in your routine?
“A little TMI, but vH essentials—I love a good intimate wash. I really do. And the A+D diaper change spray. Sometimes the kids don’t get a bath every day, they get a bath every other day, and I just really like it for refreshing the area. It’s a little moist and sticky down there, so I just need a little refresh, and that’s what this spray does. And it’s killing the bacteria when it’s down there—or helping, making sure it doesn’t spread.”
I’m sure you’ve tested plenty of beauty products over the years. What does a formula have to do to earn a permanent place in your routine?
“I would say to earn a spot in my regular routine, a formula has to be soothing and it has to absorb well—because I don’t want it to pill if it’s on my face. It just can’t pill. And I layer so many different products: serums, moisturizer, sunscreen. If a product’s going to pill with all of that, it’s really going to ruin my vibe. So: fast-absorbing, and anything that takes redness away is always a winner in my book.”
Did seeing yourself on camera throughout the season change anything about your beauty routine or the way you approach getting ready?
“This is a fun question. I’m actually in glam right now, recording this interview. Seeing myself on camera made me experiment with different looks, even a more natural look, because there were some scenes where I felt really pretty watching back and I had light makeup on. This was different than on The Bachelor, when I had dark makeup on and always felt like I looked good. I guess this comes with age—I mean, I’m 38, I’m still young, I feel. But sometimes a heavier eye makeup made me look sleepier and not as springy on camera.”
Did you pick up any beauty tips, product recommendations or treatment ideas from your ‘Real Housewives of Rhode Island’ castmates?
“The thing I learned from my Real Housewives castmates is that a spray tan is almost as important as good hair and makeup. I’m usually the last one to get the spray tan done—I’m lazy about prioritizing that stuff, like I don’t have time for all the extras. But I’ve realized a spray tan really, really is very important for the overall look.
I’ve also realized that I cannot do Real Housewives hair without a professional. I can do Bachelor waves, you know. Bachelor hair and makeup is totally different from when you’re in the confessional chair. I could never replicate what the professionals do with hair. So shout out to my girl Kauri Sartini.”
