Clean First: Where EXOCARE, HX-01 and HX-03 Fit in Dog and Cat Skin Care
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By Treat Protocol Co. · Updated September 2026 · 4-minute read
Cleaning and skin care are different jobs. Do not use a leave-on care gel to cover ordinary dirt or rely on it to disinfect a wound. For dogs and cats, EXOCARE, HX-01 and HX-03 have different labelled roles; choosing a suitable routine starts with understanding those roles and the area involved.
Why cleaning comes first
For everyday care, inspect the skin and remove surface dirt using a method suitable for that area before adding a leave-on product. Applying gel does not remove the dirt underneath it. A clean-looking surface is not necessarily sterile, and a care product is not a substitute for an infection assessment.
For an actual wound, cleaning belongs within a veterinary wound-care plan. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that irrigation removes dirt and bacteria; damaged tissue may also need removal, and infected wounds can need additional treatment. A small bite mark can conceal deeper injury. Do not simply cover a bite, puncture, deep wound or painful, discharging area with gel and wait.
For a visual guide to cleaning versus antisepsis, the stages of skin repair and where EXOCARE fits, read The Science of Wound Care for Dogs and Cats: Cleaning, Skin Repair and EXOCARE.
Adhesion is not antimicrobial activity
The ability of a gel to stay on skin and its ability to control microorganisms are separate properties. Do not infer antimicrobial protection from a product’s texture, how well it stays in place, or terms such as “cell-free” and “exosome-rich”.
EXOCARE has no antimicrobial properties. Clean the surface before applying it. It is an oral and skin care gel that supports the skin’s natural recovery process, not a disinfectant or a replacement for prescribed antimicrobial treatment. Its ability to adhere to the skin is separate from infection control.
For the full formula and what its terminology means, read Inside EXOCARE: Cell-Free Conditioned Medium and What It Means for Dogs and Cats.
Sterile does not mean antimicrobial
The manufacturer confirms that EXOCARE is sterile and suitable for most animals. Sterility concerns the product as supplied; antimicrobial action means acting against microorganisms. Applying a sterile gel does not sterilise a dirty surface or treat an infection. Use clean handling and do not assume sterility persists after opening or contamination.
Research into exosomes explores repair-related processes, not a reason to skip cleaning. Read Exosomes and Wound Healing: What Dog and Cat Owners Should Know.
Three products, different roles
HX-01: skin support spray
HX-01's current online ingredient list names purified water and hypochlorous acid; check the full declaration on your own pack. It describes daily skin support for areas including the face, paws, skin folds and irritated skin. Use the finished product according to its own directions rather than transferring claims or protocols from another hypochlorous-acid product. Our Is Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) Safe for Dogs and Cats? A Label-First Guide provides background on the ingredient.
HX-03: cleansing pads with 0.05% chlorhexidine
HX-03’s directions describe antimicrobial support for daily skin hygiene. It directs gentle wiping once or twice daily or as directed, without rinsing. It is for external use; the current instructions say not to use it on deep wounds. Stop if irritation occurs and consult a veterinarian.
EXOCARE: the separate care-gel step
EXOCARE’s directions specify a small amount where needed on its named care areas. It is a care step, not the step that removes dirt. Read our How to Use EXOCARE for Dogs and Cats: Mouth, Skin, Paws and Outer Ear Care for the areas and precautions.
Does that mean everyone should use all three together?
No. A sensible routine chooses the cleaning approach needed for the particular area and pet, then considers whether an additional care step is appropriate. It does not automatically require both HX-01 and HX-03, and the individual labels do not establish a tested EXOCARE combination protocol.
Before layering products on the same area, ask your veterinarian or the manufacturers about compatibility, sequence and any interval. Do not mix the products in a container or improvise a contact time. If your veterinarian has supplied a wound-care or medication plan, follow that plan before adding another product.
Ear flap is not the same as ear canal
A blanket claim that chlorhexidine can never be used on ears would be inaccurate. Some veterinary ear formulations contain chlorhexidine, including a specific 0.05% formulation studied in dogs with intact eardrums. That study did not test HX-03 wipes. Read the ear-product study.
Safety depends on the full formula, animal species, site and condition of the ear. Experimental middle-ear exposure to 0.05% chlorhexidine caused cellular damage in cats; this is not the same exposure as wiping intact outer-ear skin. Read the middle-ear study.
Do not insert HX-03 wipes into the ear canal or squeeze liquid into it. For the ear flap, obtain confirmation that HX-03’s complete formula is suitable: its current printed instructions say to avoid eyes and ears. Use a veterinarian-recommended ear product for canal cleaning. Ear pain, discharge or persistent head shaking needs veterinary assessment rather than an improvised skin-care routine.
Adapting the routine for a cat
HX-01 and HX-03 both list cats as suitable users. That does not make every dog routine appropriate for a cat: clean only where needed, use calm handling and stop if the animal resists or seems painful. HX-01 can be applied to a clean cotton pad where that is easier than spraying. Follow HX-03's air-dry, no-rinse directions and do not let a cat chew the wipe.
Keep skin products out of the mouth and eyes. Do not treat normal grooming as a reason to keep reapplying. For recurring bald patches, itch or a sore chin, seek a diagnosis. Read the feline HX care guide for practical boundaries.
A practical starting point
- Identify the area and distinguish routine dirt from a wound or persistent symptom.
- Choose an appropriate cleaning method; do not apply care gel over dirt.
- If a care-gel step is appropriate, use EXOCARE according to its label and a confirmed sequence.
- Stop if an adverse reaction occurs and seek veterinary advice if symptoms persist.
For ordinary paws after walks, start with our How to Clean Dog and Cat Paws: After Walks, Litter and Everyday Dirt. For dry-looking pads and repeated licking, read our EXOCARE and Paw Care for Dogs and Cats: Dry Pads, Licking and When to See a Vet.
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Prepared by Treat Protocol Co., the Singapore importer and distributor of EXOCARE and the brand behind HX Care. Product information is based on product directions and manufacturer information; scientific references are linked at the relevant statements. The references do not evaluate or endorse a combination of these three finished products. This information does not replace veterinary advice. Cover image: AI-generated editorial illustration, not a clinical case.