Xlear (American Fork, UT) celebrated 25 years of innovation in xylitol-based health at its Utah HQ, highlighting its origins, scientific mission, and global growth in nasal and oral hygiene.
American Fork, Utah — June 27, 2025
From a simple homemade solution to a globally distributed health brand, Xlear Inc. celebrated its 25th anniversary this week at its American Fork headquarters. Founded in 2000 by Dr. Lon Jones and expanded under the leadership of his son, Nathan Jones, Xlear has grown from a niche Utah startup into an international name in nasal and oral care, with its products now available in more than 40 countries.
What began as a grandfather’s effort to help his granddaughter avoid chronic ear infections has turned into a company credited with mainstreaming nasal hygiene in the U.S. “She was too young to chew xylitol gum, so I made a nasal spray instead,” said Dr. Jones at the event. “From the very beginning, we knew that xylitol could block the transmission of microbes. But there was no category at the FDA for ‘nose cleaning.’ They told me, ‘Then it’s a drug.’ But we couldn’t patent xylitol, so we rebranded it as a nasal wash.”
Xlear’s anniversary event featured remarks from company leaders, a facility tour, and a live music concert at the American Fork Amphitheater. American Fork Mayor Brad Frost also addressed the audience, thanking the company for its contributions to the city’s economy and identity. “You’ve hit walls and figured out how to navigate around them,” he said. “That’s a lesson for all of us.”
Nathan Jones, who took his father’s formula and commercialized it, emphasized the company’s mission during a press conference: “Nasal hygiene is even more common-sensible than washing your hands,” he said. “I don’t think the health industry is fully embracing that hygiene and sanitation matter just as much as the pharmaceutical industry. It’s 93% hygiene and sanitation, and 7% pharmaceuticals.”
That attitude has kept Xlear both innovative and sometimes at odds with regulatory bodies. Despite pushback from the pharmaceutical establishment and scrutiny from the FTC, the company has maintained its science-forward approach. “We’ve had to fight battles to keep sharing the science,” said Shad Slaughter, VP of operations. “Even when others pulled back, we stood firm — and we’ve grown because of that.”
Slaughter, who joined Xlear eight years ago, admitted he didn’t try the company’s nasal spray right away. “A few months in, I tried it and realized I could breathe better and just felt healthier overall,” he said. “That’s when I became a believer.”
At the anniversary event, Slaughter led a tour of Xlear’s American Fork facility, which spans 80,000 square feet—60,000 of which is dedicated to warehousing and production. The tour highlighted key operations, from product formulation and storage to ingredient receiving, quarantine, and verification testing. While most ingredients are sourced from outside Utah, some packaging components come from local suppliers.
The facility manufactures all liquid products in-house—including nasal sprays, mouthwash, toothpaste, and cough drops—while gum and mints are outsourced to trusted partners. The most popular cough drop flavors? Honey lemon and black cherry.
Colorful flags draped over storage racks represent the diverse nationalities of Xlear’s nearly 100 employees, including Native American heritage. The facility is regularly audited by the FDA, USDA, ISO, and retail partners like Walmart and CVS. In 25 years of operation, Xlear has never experienced a product recall.
The science behind xylitol is now better understood. Derived from natural sources like fruits and vegetables, xylitol has been shown to block bacterial and viral adhesion in nasal passages, hydrate sinuses, and stimulate natural immune responses. In oral care, it reduces cavity-causing bacteria and boosts saliva production. Xlear’s product line has expanded over the years to include the Spry Dental Defense System, a family of xylitol-based oral hygiene products available at natural grocery retailers.
Despite its growth, the company continues to prioritize public education — a theme echoed throughout the event. “We’re not just selling products,” said Nathan Jones. “We’re trying to shift the conversation about how people think about everyday health.”
For more information, visit Xlear's website, and view the video below: