This is The Craziest Acne Product I've Seen in 2025.
We Took a Look at SEEN and AO2 Clear
Let’s be honest. Acne is the worst.
It pops up at the worst times, and sometimes it feels like nothing works to get rid of it.
But here’s something you might not know.
The bacteria that causes most acne is called P. acnes (short for Cutibacterium acnes), and it’s actually kind of weak when it comes to oxygen.
That’s because P. acnes is what scientists call anaerobic, which means it doesn’t like oxygen and can’t survive around it.
It hides deep in your pores, where there’s no air, and causes breakouts from the inside.
So here’s the big question, what if you could fight acne with oxygen?
Let’s talk about two brands: SEEN and AO2 Clear.
Spoiler alert, you’re going to want to read until the end. The AO2 section gets crazy.
(And make sure you actually do read to the end, there’s a short list of my favorite acne products that are totally worth trying.)
SEEN: Haircare That’s Also Skincare
SEEN was created by Harvard-trained dermatologist Dr. Iris Rubin.
She noticed that every time she got her hair done or used certain products, she’d break out.
Turns out, a lot of hair care is full of stuff that can clog pores and irritate skin.
So she created SEEN, a line of clean, non-comedogenic hair care products that help you get soft, healthy hair without messing up your skin.
Here are a few of their bestsellers:
SEEN Shampoo: This gentle shampoo is sulfate-free and gives a rich, foamy lather. It rinses clean without drying out your scalp. It’s safe for sensitive skin and won’t clog pores.
SEEN Conditioner: Lightweight but still smoothing. It helps reduce frizz and breakage, and it’s great for normal or oily hair types.
SEEN UNSEEN Pimple Patch: These clear little stickers help shrink pimples fast using hydrocolloid and bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative that’s gentle on skin.
If your breakouts show up near your hairline, neck, or back, your hair products could be the reason.
SEEN might be exactly what your skin needs.
AO2 Clear: Treating Acne With Oxygen
Now let’s look at AO2 Clear.
I was delighted to write this because I have, quite literally, never seen a single product like this before.
While SEEN focuses on haircare and preventing breakouts caused by outside products, AO2 Clear goes after the acne-causing bacteria itself and it does it with oxygen.
AO2 Clear is made of only two ingredients: distilled water and oxygen nanobubbles.
These bubbles are so tiny they can travel deep into your pores, where they release oxygen directly to the spot where P. acnes lives.
Here’s why that matters: P. acnes can’t survive around oxygen.
So when AO2 Clear brings oxygen into your pores, it helps kill the bacteria before it causes swelling, redness, or breakouts.
One of their popular products is the:
AO2 Clear Travel Pack: It comes with ten single-use pouches of the oxygen formula, a set of biodegradable sponges, and a tray for easy application. All you do is cleanse your face, dab on the treatment, and let it dry. That’s it.
AO2 Clear is great for people with hormonal acne, sensitive skin, or anyone who’s tired of using harsh products that burn or sting. It’s super gentle and super clean.
My Other Favorite Acne Products
These are tried-and-true staples I always come back to.
Yepoda The Bubble Double: A gentle foaming cleanser with salicylic acid and pomegranate. It foams up beautifully and helps unclog pores without drying out your skin.
Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10%: This serum combines azelaic acid with niacinamide, vitamin C, and coffee seed extract. Perfect for sensitive skin. Helps with acne and calms down red spots.
NIOD Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist (SDSM2): A light, water-based mist that helps protect your skin from environmental stress and water loss. It hydrates, soothes redness, and supports antioxidant defense without clogging pores.
Image from niod.com Hero Cosmetics Pimple Patches: Simple, effective, and great for emergencies. They stick well and really help calm a spot overnight.
Image from herocosmetics.us Differin Gel (Adapalene 0.1%): One of the best over-the-counter retinoids for long-term acne control. Just go slow if you’re new to it, it can be strong.
Final Thoughts
If you're struggling with breakouts and nothing’s working, it might be time to think differently.
SEEN can help if your acne is being triggered by haircare. It keeps your scalp and strands happy without hurting your skin.
AO2 Clear goes deeper, using oxygen to clean out your pores and target the bacteria that actually causes acne.
They’re not the same, but they work really well together.
One stops new breakouts from starting, and the other helps clear up the ones already forming.
Smart, simple, and skin-friendly.
Cheers,