07/12/2026
Beyond Saline: Why We Created XyloClean™
Richard D. Downs, DDS
Not all nasal sprays are the same.
The nose is far more than an air passage. It is a sophisticated organ that warms, humidifies, filters, and conditions the air we breathe. It contains an intricate mucosal barrier, a mucociliary transport system, and innate immune defenses that continuously work to protect the lungs and lower airways.¹
Many nasal products are designed to address only one aspect of nasal symptoms. We developed XyloClean™ as a drug-free approach intended to support several of the nose's natural physiologic functions simultaneously.
Ordinary Saline Sprays
Traditional saline sprays primarily work by rinsing and moisturizing the nasal passages. Saline can help loosen mucus, remove environmental debris, and temporarily improve comfort. Saline irrigation has also been shown to support mucociliary clearance and improve symptoms in various sinonasal conditions.²
However, saline alone does not actively address microbial adherence, moisture retention, or some of the other factors that may contribute to chronic nasal discomfort and irritation.
Corticosteroid Nasal Sprays
Intranasal corticosteroids are highly effective medications for reducing inflammation associated with allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis and are often considered first-line therapy for moderate to severe nasal allergy symptoms.³
However, corticosteroids work by modifying inflammatory pathways and may cause local adverse effects in some individuals, including nasal dryness, irritation, crusting, and nosebleeds.³ Many people prefer to reserve steroid use for periods when symptoms warrant medication and seek non-drug approaches for everyday nasal hygiene.
Decongestant Nasal Sprays
Topical decongestant sprays can provide rapid relief by constricting blood vessels within swollen nasal tissues.⁴ Unfortunately, prolonged use may result in rebound congestion, known as rhinitis medicamentosa, where symptoms worsen when the medication is discontinued.⁴ Because of this risk, these products are generally recommended only for short-term use.
Antihistamine Nasal Sprays
Antihistamine nasal sprays can effectively reduce sneezing, itching, rhinorrhea, and congestion associated with allergic rhinitis.⁵ They may also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in some patients. However, they remain medications and may produce local irritation, bitter taste, or drowsiness in certain individuals.⁵
Why Xylitol Is Different
XyloClean contains xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that has been studied for its ability to support nasal health in several ways.
Research suggests that xylitol can help attract and retain moisture on mucosal surfaces and may help support the body's natural cleansing mechanisms.⁶ Studies also suggest that xylitol may reduce the ability of certain respiratory pathogens to adhere to mucosal tissues and may thereby support a healthier nasal environment.⁶⁻⁷
Clinical studies of xylitol-containing nasal irrigations have demonstrated improvements in sinonasal symptoms and patient-reported quality of life in individuals with chronic sinus complaints.⁸ Several studies have reported improvements in symptom scores, and some have demonstrated greater benefits than saline irrigation alone, particularly in postoperative chronic rhinosinusitis patients.⁹
There is also evidence that xylitol irrigation may increase nasal nitric oxide production and increase expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase within the sinus mucosa.¹⁰
Nitric oxide is a remarkable molecule naturally produced within the nasal passages and paranasal sinuses. It possesses antimicrobial activity, supports ciliary function, contributes to local immune defense, and reaches the lungs during nasal breathing, where it participates in pulmonary regulation.¹¹ Supporting normal nasal physiology may therefore have effects extending well beyond the nose itself.
The Philosophy Behind XyloClean™
XyloClean is not intended to function as a drug. It is designed as a daily nasal hygiene product that works with normal physiology rather than attempting to override it.
For individuals seeking daily nasal cleansing, support during seasonal irritant exposure, or a drug-free approach to maintaining moisture and comfort, XyloClean offers a simple strategy that goes beyond ordinary saline alone.
A Follow-Up: Why We Developed HypoNasal™
While XyloClean focuses on moisture balance, osmotic support, and helping discourage microbial adherence, we also recognized that some individuals desire an additional level of cleansing.
HypoNasal™ utilizes hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a molecule naturally produced by human neutrophils as part of the body's innate immune defense system.¹² Every day, our immune cells generate hypochlorous acid to help neutralize invading microorganisms.
HOCl has been extensively studied and demonstrates broad antimicrobial activity in laboratory settings while exhibiting excellent tissue compatibility when appropriately formulated.¹² It has been used safely in wound care, ophthalmic preparations, and sinonasal applications.¹³
Clinical studies have shown that HOCl nasal irrigation can improve symptoms in individuals with allergic rhinitis and is generally well tolerated.¹⁴ Importantly, antimicrobial activity alone does not necessarily imply disruption of the nasal microbiome. The nose is not the gut. It contains a far less diverse microbial ecosystem and possesses robust innate defense systems, including continuous nitric oxide production and naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides.¹¹
Rather than viewing these approaches as competing therapies, we see them as complementary.
XyloClean focuses on hydration, comfort, and supporting normal nasal physiology. HypoNasal builds upon that foundation by utilizing a molecule inspired by one of the body's own natural defense mechanisms.
Healthy breathing begins with a healthy nose. Sometimes the best solutions are those that work with human physiology rather than against it.
References
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Tomooka LT, Murphy C, Davidson TM. Clinical study and literature review of nasal irrigation. Laryngoscope. 2000;110(7):1189-1193.
Wise SK, Lin SY, Toskala E, et al. International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2018;8(2):108-352.
Graf P. Rhinitis medicamentosa: aspects of pathophysiology and treatment. Allergy. 1997;52(Suppl 40):28-34.
Brożek JL, Bousquet J, Agache I, et al. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines—2016 revision. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017;140(4):950-958.
Hui N, Cervin A. Xylitol nasal preparations in sinonasal disease: A literature review. Aust J Otolaryngol. 2022;5:26.
Sakallioğlu Ö, Güvenç IA, Cingi C. Xylitol and its usage in ENT practice. J Laryngol Otol. 2014;128(7):580-585.
Weissman JD, Fernandez F, Hwang PH. Xylitol nasal irrigation in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis: a pilot study. Laryngoscope. 2011;121(11):2468-2472.
Jiang RS, Liang KL, Hsin CH, et al. Efficacy and safety of xylitol nasal irrigation after functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Biomedicines. 2024;12(6):1377.
Lin L, Tang X, Wei J, Dai F, Sun G. Xylitol nasal irrigation in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Am J Otolaryngol. 2017;38(4):383-389.
Lundberg JO, Weitzberg E. Nasal nitric oxide in man. Thorax. 1999;54(10):947-952.
Winterbourn CC, Kettle AJ, Hampton MB. Reactive oxygen species and neutrophil function. Annu Rev Biochem. 2016;85:765-792.
Del Rosso JQ, Bhatia N. Status report on topical hypochlorous acid: clinical relevance of specific formulations and potential modes of action. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(11):36-39.
Jiang RS, Liang KL, Hsin CH, et al. Clinical evaluation of hypochlorous acid nasal irrigation in allergic rhinitis. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2022;36(1):129-134.
