With consistent use your skin should be clearer, more hydrated, evenly textured, brighter, and overall healthier and better nourished. You should not experience the drying or irritation that accompanies many traditional acne products like Retin-A.

Because AO2 CLEAR is made with only oxygen and distilled water, and AO2 HYDRATE is made with only oxygen, distilled water, and glycerin, there is no potential for irritation or other adverse reactions with either product.

We recommend using AO2 CLEAR or AO2 HYDRATE twice daily after washing and drying your face with a mild cleanser. Each pouch is measured to provide 15 applications, twice daily for a week.

If using AO2 CLEAR or AO2 HYDRATE consistently twice daily, you should start to see improvement within the first two weeks. Because oxygen acts as a natural antibacterial against the specific bacteria that causes acne inflammation the preventative benefits act cumulatively—the longer you use the product, the more benefit you can expect to see—clarity, hydration, and even texture.

The sponges are sized to hold the correct amount of AO2 CLEAR and AO2 HYDRATE for each application making it easy to administer an equal amount. 

The sponges have also been designed to give you gentle exfoliation that can help clear your pores of dead skin cells and make way for our oxygen nanobubbles to get to work. If you notice any persistent redness or irritation it is likely that your skin needs less exfoliation and we recommend switching to a cotton round or fine gauze instead.

We recommend you use a fresh sponge with each application. A previously used sponge can harbor bacteria (either removed from your skin during the AO2 application or aerosolized in the bathroom). If you reuse the same sponge later you are risking adding bacteria back to your skin surface.

Your sponge is also compostable so you don't need to worry about filling up the landfill.  Toss them in your compost or the trash as they will biodegrade.

For the tray, you can reuse it. We recommend you wash the trays with soap and water and store them in a drawer or cabinet. Because they are not as porous as the sponges, a quick clean between uses will minimize any bacterial growth.

Closing the cap quickly and tightly is a critical step in ensuring maximum product effectiveness for the duration of each two week pouch. If left open the nanobubbles will begin to rise to the surface and pop, decreasing oxygen concentration in the solution. Without a high oxygen concentration AO2 CLEAR and AO2 HYDRATE will not work as well, so please close quickly and tightly. 

Nope! Because both AO2 CLEAR and AO2 HYDRATE are unique and hyper clean products they fit right into your existing routine, whether that’s cleanse and go a multi-step regimen. Start with your favorite cleanser, then apply either AO2 CLEAR or AO2 HYDRATE,  and allow the solution to air dry. Make sure your sponge is fully saturated and drippy, it will dry quickly and your face won’t be wet long. After that you can apply whatever creams or serums you like. 

Because AO2 CLEAR's hyper clean formula consists of just distilled water and oxygen nanobubbles that clear and hydrate your skin you can use it in conjunction with other treatments. But, many of our study participants and customers found it unnecessary to continue their other treatments because of how effective and gentle AO2 CLEAR is on their skin. For advice on any prescription medication changes, please contact your medical or healthcare provider.

We find that people with sensitive skin or severe or very inflamed acne should apply using light pressure so as not to irritate your skin with the sponge texture. Those who don’t have sensitive skin and/or have a lot of blackheads and whiteheads can press more firmly for more exfoliation. For your personal medical concerns please seek the advice of your medical or healthcare provider.

AO2 CLEAR and AO2 HYDRATE are the only product to harness nanobubble technology for such an extraordinarily high gradient of oxygen pressure. No other products are as clean and powerful.

The transfer of a gas like oxygen from one location to another depends on the difference, or gradient, in concentration between the two locations. If that gradient is significant, oxygen will move from the high-concentration one to the low-concentration one. In our case, the two locations are the skin surface and the skin pores. A good example of an oxygen gradient is hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This treatment is costly, cumbersome, and has the potential for serious side effects. AO2 uses the same principle of an oxygen gradient as hyperbaric therapy, but it’s convenient, low cost, and has no potential side effects.

Oxygen is critical in promoting healthy skin by supporting cell regeneration and collagen production. It helps enhance skin elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and contributes to a radiant complexion. Additionally, oxygen can assist in healing wounds and combating bacteria, promoting an overall rejuvenated and refreshed skin appearance.

Hydrogen, although it has some antioxidant properties, doesn’t play as central a role in these essential functions for skin. While ozone has some antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, its use in skincare is debated due to concerns about potential side effects and limited scientific evidence. Oxygen is generally considered safer and more widely accepted for skincare, offering proven advantages without the uncertainties associated with hydrogen and ozone.

The short answer is no. You would be hard-pressed to find any discussion of skin purging in peer-reviewed medical literature.

Unfortunately, this notion has been perpetuated by the skincare world (and occasionally even by dermatologists in popular magazines/internet articles). It is a myth that the skin goes through a detox stage after the introduction of a new product. Toxins are generally not processed and released through the skin. Eliminating toxins is a job primarily for the liver and kidneys.

Now how did this theory of skin purging become so ingrained in the beauty world?

It is likely due to confusion with another well-documented and proven reaction known as retinization. This is an adjustment period that the skin may experience in response to an agent that affects skin turnover. As suggested by the name, this reaction most commonly occurs after starting a retinoid which is a derivative of Vitamin A. Tretinoin (Retin-A), retinol, adapalene (Differin), and isotretinoin (Accutane) are a few common examples. It can also occur with alpha and beta hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. Redness and flaking are the classic features of retinization. If the application of the retinoid is not too frequent or intense, these symptoms should resolve within 3-4 weeks. Generally, breakouts are not common as part of this reaction unless the user is applying moisturizers to combat the dryness, and the moisturizers themselves are triggering the breakouts.

Where do AO2 CLEAR and AO2 HYDRATEfit in?
We know that a low oxygen state can impede turnover of the lining of the skin pore leading to the formation of the blackhead. Both AO2 CLEAR and AO2 HYDRATE deliver oxygen to the pore and, thus, corrects this turnover issue. So, in theory, a retinization-like adjustment period could occur while the skin acclimates to the new treatment. However, in our market study and from the data we have obtained since AO2 came to market, we have found only isolated reports of dryness or irritation. Furthermore, it is unclear if the solution itself was the culprit. It is likely that the hydrating properties of oxygen account for the lack of irritation seen clinically.

What should you do if you notice any irritation after starting AO2 CLEAR or AO2 HYDRATE?
It goes without saying that it is worth checking to make sure the irritation is not caused by another product or medication. Also consider the sponges: even though they are composed of pure cellulose without any additives, there is a small possibility that someone could react to them. We suggest substituting 100% cotton rounds (or some other product you know you tolerate) to apply the solution. If the irritation persists, then use AO2 every other day and increase the use of a moisturizer you tolerate well. Remember, the retinization process is temporary and should resolve within a few weeks. If you’re still having issues beyond this timeframe, contact us to arrange a refund. Rest assured though—we haven’t had any users who followed the above suggestions and still noticed irritation.

What if I notice new breakouts after starting AO2 CLEAR or AO2 HYDRATE?
This is likely not due to the process of retinization as breakouts are not a common feature. Some suggestions:
First, we recommend you incorporate AO2 CLEAR or AO2 HYDRATE into your existing routine rather than replacing all other products at once. Sometimes, we are not aware that other steps in our skincare regimen might be helping with breakouts until they are withdrawn. As your skin improves with AO2 CLEAR or AO2 HYDRATE, you can taper off other products in a gradual fashion. If you started another product or medication at the same time as AO2 CLEAR or AO2 HYDRATE, make sure this is not the cause of the breakouts. Other pointers: Never reuse the sponges! Clean the tray with soap and water regularly. Store the tray and the unused sponges in the supplied pouch, Ziplock bag, or other sealed container as bacteria can be aerosolized in bathrooms and colonize any products left unprotected. (Most of us know not to leave our toothbrushes out for this reason.) Finally, be consistent! Using AO2 CLEAR or AO2 HYDRATE regularly and switching to a new pouch every 14 days is the best way to optimize your results.