Expert Shopping: Facial cleansing brushes
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Washing your face twice a day can be a drag, especially if you have to remove makeup or any residue from sunscreen. Facial cleansing brushes were developed to help wash your face, exfoliate to reveal softer skin and help minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles.
Ava Shamban, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, and founder of said touchless skin gadgets are beneficial. “Touchless options are a great tool to help keep bacteria transfer from fingers to face, potentially spreading COVID or other conditions that can affect either our health or skin,” she said. “However, these home devices are only as good as the care taken by the operator using them.” While facial cleansing brushes may save you time from washing your face, it is important to make sure you take care of the device. Which includes washing the brush after each use to help prevent bacteria from forming and extending the life of the device.
SKIP AHEAD Features | Best facial cleansing brushes
What to look for when shopping for a facial cleansing brush
Shamban said these brushes are more effective in removing layers of skin care and makeup, along with sweat, dead skin cells and other debris. Some brushes mildly exfoliate using movement and friction to lift what is sitting on the surface of the stratum corneum, which is the outer layer of the skin. She suggests looking for the following features when shopping for a brush:
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Aerodynamic shape and weight that feels good in your hand
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Easy to use (and clean) design
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Preferably, silicone bristles, which are non-porous, as opposed to nylon bristles
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Multiple settings or areas for different types of skin and skin needs
It’s important to find a face cleansing brush that won’t cause unnecessary damage, especially if you have sensitive skin. Adam Mamelak, MD, an Austin-based dermatologist, said there are side effects and myths about using facial brushes, but the key is knowing your skin. “Sensitive skin types and those with rosacea have to be careful with brushes and exfoliating as they can lead to increased irritation,” he said. Mamelak’s biggest tip is to use your face cleansing brush of choice no more than once or twice a week “to make sure your skin tolerates it well.” Another pro tip? Find a face brush and face cleanser which plays nicely with your skin type. He also advises you use a different brush head for your face then your face, because body brushes tend to be harsher
Overall, if you’re interested in having a better exfoliation at home, then a face cleansing brush could be right for you. To help guide you through your shopping process, we’ve rounded up seven of the best facial cleansing brushes of 2020. From expert-recommended picks to highly-rated devices available to shop on and Sephora, we included different price points to ensure all budgets and skin types could benefit from our guide.
Best facial cleansing brushes of 2020
1. PMD Clean Pro
PMD Clean Pro is a smart cleansing brush that uses a technology called to clear the skin of dirt and impurities while lifting and toning the skin with its 7,000 vibrations per minute. The other side of the device is a proprietary ActiveWarmth heat therapy massager with anti-aging benefits and feels soothing on the skin, like a heated towel pressed against your face. PMD says the odor-resistant, antibacterial silicone brush comes with four modes and can be used on all skin types. PMD Clean Pro facial cleansing brushes are available in four colors: , Teal with Brushed Aluminum, Berry and White. They also have a dedicated line of skin gadgets specifically for teens and men, so you can help your loved ones establish their skin care routine in-between virtual school and working remotely.
PMD Clean Pro
2. Clarisonic Mia Smart Anti-Aging and Cleansing Skin Device
Unfortunately, Clarisonic is shutting down on Sept. 30, but the good news is that everything on their website is 50 percent off, including the Clarisonic Mia Smart Anti-Aging and Cleansing Skin Device. According to Clarisonic, it’s designed to give you more youthful-looking skin by reducing puffiness around your eyes and minimizing the look of your pores in four weeks. You can also purchase different attachments to help de-puff eyes, blend makeup and exfoliate.
Clarisonic Mia Smart Anti-Aging and Cleansing Device
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Clarisonic Mia Smart Anti-Aging and Cleansing Device $84.50 at Clarisonic
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Clarisonic Mia Smart Anti-Aging and Cleansing Device $160.99 at
3. Shiseido Cleansing Massage Brush
Shiseido Cleansing Massage Brush is made with a combination of soft, tapered bristles and silicone cushions to massage your skin. This handheld brush is the only non-electronic device on our list. However, it’s still a practical option for exfoliation, especially for sensitive skin as the bristles are much softer than some of the other face brushes on the market. Shiseido’s option works well with foaming cleansers to penetrate the skin deeper.
Shiseido Cleansing Massage Brush
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Shiseido Cleansing Massage Brush $25.00 at Sephora
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Shiseido Cleansing Massage Brush $25.00 at Macy’s
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Shiseido Cleansing Massage Brush $26.70 at allbeauty
4. FOREO Luna 2 Facial Spa Massager
Shamban recommends Foreo Luna 2 because of its softer silicone bristles which she says are antimicrobial and antibacterial yet non-abrasive to skin. Foreo says the two-sided brush gently exfoliates on one side which removes 99.5% of dirt and oil, resulting in softer, smoother skin. The other half uses gentle vibrations to massage the skin and leave behind anti-aging effects. Plus, the travel-friendly facial cleansing device comes in four pretty pastel colors that correlate to your skin type (combination, sensitive, oily, and normal).
FOREO Luna 2
5. Olay Regenerist Face Cleansing Device
The Olay Regenerist Face Cleansing Device is an affordable brush which helps to remove makeup and gives your skin a deeper clean. It features two speeds — one for daily cleaning and the other for a deeper exfoliation — and is made with a brush head versus a silicone brush like other brands. Olay said its cleansing brush is also water-resistant, making it okay to use in the shower. Apply your cleanser to your face, dampen the brush head then move the device around your face for 60 seconds to help reveal softer skin.
Olay Regenerist Face Cleansing Device
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Olay Regenerist Face Cleansing Device $29.99 at Ulta
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Olay Regenerist Face Cleansing Device $24.94 at Amazon
6. Proactiv Deep Cleansing Brush with Silicone Head
Proactiv, a skin care brand known for its three-step system to fight acne, developed this cleansing brush to help you get softer and more radiant skin. The cordless brush comes with two brush head attachments that move in a 360-degree rotation to exfoliate the skin gently and help make your pores look smaller. Proactiv recommends using the product once a day. However, if your skin is prone to drying out, then you can minimize use to once or twice a week.
Proactiv Deep Cleansing Brush with Silicone Head
Proactiv Deep Cleansing Brush with Silicone Head $55.00 at Proactiv
7. Clinique Clean Skin, Great Skin Sonic Brush
Mamelak said the oval-shaped brush allows better cleaning in hard to reach areas. The facial brush uses sonic vibration to cleanse the skin gently, making it safe for all skin types including sensitive. The gift set also includes a creamy Clinique facial soap made for all skin types. You can choose between four brush head attachments — Acne Solutions, City Block Purifying, Extra Gentle and Purifying — to cater to your specific skin issues.
Clinique Clean Skin, Great Skin Sonic Brush Set
Clinique Clean Skin, Great Skin Sonic Brush Set $53.70 at Macy’s
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