Yes! The AO+ Mist is not a replacement for soap. We just want to help society understand that there’s a difference between "clean" and "sterile." Our obsession with being as clean as possible has generally resulted in removing all bacteria from our skin, including the beneficial and necessary ecosystem that is our skin microbiome.

When it comes to soap (or your favorite make-up, moisturizer, sunblock, etc. you-name-it), while it's unlikely we've tested the specific product you have in mind, it's okay to use products that are not compatible with the Mist, so long as your remember:

The important things are regular application of the Mist and application at night, when the Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria (AOB) have lots of time to operate (they like sweat, and you sweat a lot while sleeping) and when you have little else on your skin (or after anything you've applied has absorbed).

If you're going to shower frequently, using Biome-Friendly products makes it more likely that you will build up AOB on your skin. Mother Dirt Shampoo, Cleanser, and Moisturizer are particularly gentle and allow less-frequent reapplication of the Mist.

You can always try experimenting by using the Mist at night, by itself, for 30 days and then using the Mist in combination with your usual routine for another 30 days

Q. When is the best time to use the Mist?

See above. And also, use it at the end of your beauty routine, after other products have absorbed into your skin.

Q. When do the products expire?

Unlike most other products in your bathroom, you'll notice all of our products have an expiration date. That's because these products are unpreserved. Preservatives can prevent bacterial growth, so they are not compatible with the Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria in the Mist. 

The Mist will keep its potency for 6 months in the fridge (opened or unopened) or 4 weeks at room temperature (opened or unopened).

By refrigerating, you extend the life of the bacteria, but if you are moving the bottle in and out of the fridge, it's hard to say how long they will retain activity—somewhere between 4-8 weeks and the expiration date marked on the bottle. Taking the Mist out of the fridge for 24 hours once in a while, and then putting it back, shouldn't make much difference to its shelf-life.

The Cleanser does not contain live bacteria, and is completely sterile until your first pump. Once you begin using your Cleanser, it will last for 8 weeks. 

The Shampoo and Moisturizer do not contain live bacteria, and are completely sterile until your first pump. Once you begin using your Shampoo or Moisturizer, they will last 6 months from the first pump.