Facial cleansing brushes have been making quite the splash in the skincare sphere – and they have been for quite a while. Facial cleansing brushes are nothing new.
The purpose of using one is that when you use a brush when washing your face, you achieve deeper cleaning and extra exfoliation.
Obviously, you can’t just use any brush – that could be way too sharp and even damaging to your skin.
No, not just any brush – a special facial cleansing brush! This kind of brush helps penetrate your pores with a deep cleaning action and really leaves your skin feeling fresh and squeaky clean.
And the logic tracks.
You brush your hair. You brush your teeth. Why not brush your face?
Not all facial cleansing brushes are made equally, though. So we’ve rounded up some of the top ones based on reviews.
First, though, let’s get into the details about the brushes themselves and how they work.
Using Your Face Wash Brush with Cleanser
A facial cleansing brush works together with your cleanser to wash your face. Think of them as the dream team working together to make your face cleaner than you’ve ever experienced. The trick is finding the perfect pairing that is the right balance of cleansing and nourishing. So, before you find yourself the perfect facial cleansing brush, make sure you have the cleanser that works best for your skin.
The types of cleanser that work best for you will depend on your skin type, for example:
- If you have oily skin, prone to clogged pores, you may want something stronger, such as a product with salicylic acid in it.
- If you have dry or sensitive skin, you’ll want to use something gentler, such as a cream-based cleanser with hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
Finding the right cleanser can take some trial and error. And typically, unless you have an adverse reaction (like a rash or allergic reaction), you will need to try your cleanser for a certain amount of time before you know if it works for you and your skin.
And if you’re struggling with a good skincare routine, it’s always a good idea to work with a dermatologist.
Are Facial Cleansing Brushes Effective?
Like any beauty tool, there can be a range of opinions and information that contradicts each other regarding facial cleansing brushes.
The bottom line is that these brushes are designed to deep clean your pores and lift dirt and oil that can lead to clogged pores and blackheads. And at this job, facial cleansing brushes are effective.
As much as we want to cleanse our skin deeply and get that squeaky feeling, it’s a delicate balance between removing gunk from our skin without overdoing it. We unknowingly may damage the skin barrier with these kinds of tools.
This is where some critical opinions on facial brushes come into play.
You can cause problems for your skin when you use a facial brush when you:
- Use it too often
- Apply too much pressure
- Use a brush with bristles that are too firm
- Use it in conjunction with harsh scrubs and cleansers
- Have open or active acne spots
So, in conclusion, facial brushes are extremely effective tools to add to your beauty routine but using them with care and caution, and finding the right tool for your skin type, can lead to brighter, healthier skin.
How They Work
In a way, facial cleansing brushes work like toothbrushes.
And we mean this more literally than you may think.
That’s because the Clarisonic facial brush, one of the earliest and most popular facial brushes on the market, was created by the same person who made the Sonicare Toothbrush, Dr. Robb Akridge.
And really, when you think about it, facial cleansing brushes are kind of like toothbrushes for your face.
Essentially, the bristles (and the motor if it has one) work to scrub your face, lifting dirt from pores, providing a deeper clean, and an added exfoliating benefit.
Benefits of Facial Cleansing Brushes
As with other skincare products, facial cleansing brushes are purported to have various incredible benefits.
However, when it comes down to it, facial cleansing brushes aid in two major face care areas:
- Cleansing
- Exfoliating
Many of the other benefits you may hear, such as a deeper clean or an evened skin tone will come from those two main benefits of cleansing and exfoliation. Other benefits, like anti-aging, may come from the facial massage aspect of a facial cleansing brush. Facial massages have been known to have all sorts of benefits, one of which includes anti-aging or reducing the look of fine lines.
Best Facial Cleansing Brushes
Facial cleansing brushes have been chosen based on some of the top-rated reviews on Google.
They’ve been listed in no particular order.
The key facial cleansing brush categories and products we’ll look at today include:
- Classic facial cleansing brush
- Silicone face brush
- Smart facial cleansing brush
- Face scrubber machine
- Electric face brush
- Rechargeable face brush
- Face brush for acne
Best Classic: Clarisonic Face Brush
While it may not be as widely available as this once highly lauded product once was, the Clarisonic facial cleansing brush is still a top pick for facial brush lovers everywhere. Once touted as the best thing to have in your beauty toolkit by celebs from Oprah to Lady Gaga, this brush is now carried by beauty appliance source CurrentBody. So if you’re sweating being able to grab a pack of refill brush heads or get your hands on one of these OG facial cleansing brushes, have to fear.
Just keep in mind that these brushes are OG – meaning there have been plenty of updates to the technology in this area. For example, many of the brushes available today do not have replacement parts like the heads on the Clarisonic that need to be changed frequently. So, while it’s still a great option, we feel some new options are shaking up the facial cleansing brush world worth a look at.
Zohna Rating: 3.5/5
Best Silicone Face Brush: Foreo Luna
When it comes to a silicone facial brush, we have to pick this popular offering from Foreo. With a range of product colors, sizes, and even options for different skin types, Foreo has a silicone brush for just about everyone. A fan fave is their Luna 3, a rechargeable pore cleansing tool that requires no replacement parts ever, making it a sustainable option as well as an effective one.
We noticed reviewers touting the long battery life (up to 300 uses on one charge!) and how easy it was to use, thanks to the 16 settings of vibration and agitation. The silicone bristles are gentler on the skin and more sanitary than a traditional bristle, making this a gentle, safe option for facial cleansing brush fans. The only drawback we feel is important to note is the price point. Weighing in at a hefty $200 plus range, we know it’s not going to be the most affordable option for everyone.
Zohna Rating: 4.5/5
Best Smart Brush: PMD Face Brush
Looking for the best smart face brush? Check out this option from PMD Clean. This brand uses “Sonic Glow” technology and vibrates up to 7000 times a minute, loosening dirt from pores and revealing bright, clean skin. We like that this option has 4 modes, and you don’t need to spend extra money on replacement heads thanks to the (sanitary) silicone head.
When we checked out what reviewers had to say, we saw plenty of people highlight how it’s easy to use and helps you get clean, clear skin with the press of a button. Plus, if you have trouble maintaining or creating a skincare routine, this tool can be a great addition to your bathroom vanity.
Zohna Tip
Be sure your tool is safe to use or submerge in water before you run it under the tap. Most facial cleansing brushes have been created to get wet, but that isn't always the case, especially if batteries are involved!
Best Face Scrubber Machine: Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System
This affordable face scrubber machine bags a high rating for a great price! Focused on anti-aging and creating firmer, younger, and more rejuvenated skin, this tool has been around for almost a decade. That means plenty of reviews are out there that are based on several years or more of use, which is always a bonus to us. Reviewers note that they’ve seen improvement in fine lines with use over time, which is a great testament to the product’s functioning.
Just one thing – we don’t love that you have to buy replacement heads to use this product. However, these so-called “rejuvenating puffs” are preloaded with gentle cleansers and exfoliants, so you can skip buying additional products for your facial cleansing routine.
Best Electric Face Brush: Cora 3
When you want flexibility from your electric face brush, this option from Fancii is a great choice. With three heads that can be easily interchanged, you can choose what level of cleansing and exfoliating you need. The 360-degree rotary spin is ideal for a gentle but thorough scrub, and with two speeds, you can further control your cleanse.
We love that this option features a handy travel case, so you can keep your tools together whether at home or on the go. And if you’re worried about the tool breaking down before you get the most out of it, check out the two-year warranty.
Best Rechargeable Face Brush: FaceSpa Pro
Finding the best rechargeable face brush can be tricky! If you’ve been searching for an all-in-one tool that you can charge up, this option from Braun is perfect. Offering you the ability to epilate, exfoliate, and apply serums at a penetrating level can make this a worthy investment for skincare enthusiasts. We like that the interchangeable heads are reusable and easy to clean.
One drawback? Including three functional attachments makes the price tag on this option a bit heftier than a basic facial cleansing brush. Otherwise, this is a valuable addition to your suite of beauty tools.
Best Face Brush for Acne: EcoTools Deep Cleansing Brush
Looking for a face brush for acne that fits in the palm of your hand? This option from Ecotools packs a punch for acne-prone skin, all in a small, low-tech package. The key to exfoliating acne-prone skin is to use gentle, controlled exfoliants, which is why a manual choice like this one can be handy. With soft bristles and a handy cover, this is a good option for travel.
Coming in under $10, this facial cleansing brush is an affordable option for those on a budget, and is made of recycled materials. It should be noted that this may not be it if you’re looking for a firmer bristled brush. Since it is designed for sensitive skin, some reviewers have noted it doesn’t give you a deep clean feel like other brushes can.
FAQ
How to Use Facial Cleansing Brushes Effectively?
To use your facial cleansing brushes effectively, it’s best to follow the directions on the package, particularly if it’s electronic or motorized.
However, in general, to use a facial cleansing brush effectively, follow the guidelines below:
- Apply cleanser and water
- Gently massage the cleanser into your skin using your facial brush
- Rinse off your face
- Properly clean and store brush
How to Clean Face Brush Properly?
Different facial cleansing brushes will probably have different instructions for cleaning, depending on the material, how it’s made, and whether it’s electronic. So, ensure you read any instructions on proper cleaning, storage, and maintenance of any face brush you purchase.
How Often Should You Use a Face Brush?
Just like with anything to do with skincare, there can be too much of a good thing. If you aren’t careful, you can overuse your face brush.
Overusing your face brush can lead to over-exfoliation or stripping your skin of its necessary oils and bacteria, just like overusing any other exfoliator or cleanser. We suggest only using your facial cleansing brush three times per week or less, depending on the sensitivity of your skin.
If you notice more breakouts or irritation than usual, take a break from exfoliating and opt for a routine of gentle oil-based cleansers and hydrating moisturizers for a few days, and never exfoliate broken skin. This can lead to making acne worse or can introduce bacteria to open wounds – not so conducive to glowing, beautiful skin.
It's important to keep any tools you'll be using on your body (in this case, your face) clean so that you aren't breeding any harmful bacteria and spreading them onto you, possibly encouraging an infection.
Final Thoughts
Now if you want to try facial cleansing with a brush (or just try out a new brush), you’ll know which facial cleansing brushes to try!
Or you’ll at least have a list of where to start.
Not every brush will be right for every person, so you may need to kiss a few of these frogs before you find which one’s your prince.
Maybe you like an electric facial cleansing brush, maybe you prefer a manual. Maybe you prefer one of the ones with a more traditional brush handle, maybe you prefer the ones that can fit into the palm of your hand.
Whatever facial cleansing brush works best for you is the real best facial cleansing brush, and
whatever your price point, with our list, you’ll be able to find the perfect facial cleansing brush for you.
