Facebook Pauses Oculus Quest 2 Sales Due to Skin Irritation
Sales of the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset are on hold as Facebook rolls out a new silicone cover for the original foam interface that is causing skin irritation for some users.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) this week recalled some 4 million removable foam facial interfaces, which have been linked to skin conditions including rashes, swelling, burning, itching, hives, and bumps. In response, Facebook is introducing a new silicone cover that fits over the offending foam.
Starting Aug. 24, all Oculus Quest 2 headsets will come with the polymer casing, while existing Quest 2 or Fit Pack owners can also request a free cover online.
"We took the skin irritation reports very seriously as soon as we learned about them and, beginning in December, we promptly conducted a thorough investigation including receiving advice from leading dermatologists and toxicologists," Andrew Bosworth, head of Facebook Reality Labs, wrote in a blog announceme
Oculus reported receiving complaints of skin irritation from "about 0.01%" of Quest 2 users (approximately 5,716 accounts, according to the CPSC). "While the vast majority of cases are mild and cases should resolve on their own, this doesn't meet our high standards for customers experience," the firm said late last year.
Similar to other common headgear—motorcycle helmets, ski goggles, glasses—VR headsets can cause occasional skin irritation, according to Oculus, which blamed "substances introduced during the manufacturing process or reactions between materials in the headset and cosmetics or skincare products."
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