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.

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.

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 does AO2 Clear fit 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. AO2 Clear delivers 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 Clear 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?
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 Clear 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?
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 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, you can taper off other products in a gradual fashion. If you started another product or medication at the same time as AO2 Clear, 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 regularly and switching to a new pouch every 2-3 weeks is the best way to optimize your results.