4 Best Facial Cleansing Brushes

Everyone loves the feeling of having a clean, refreshed face. Before facial cleansing brushes became a thing, we were all content with slapping on some facial wash using our hands. But alas, the introduction of these mighty tools showed us what we were really missing: the unbeatable combo of deep pore cleansing and mild exfoliation.

All of a sudden, cleansing with our bare hands never felt the same. Truly, the facial cleansing brush is that unexpected stunner you never knew you needed, but it changed your whole skincare game after giving it a shot.

If you’re new to the world of these mighty tools (or are looking for a better alternative to your older cleansing brush), you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we’ll talk about everything there is to know about choosing the best facial cleansing brush, as well as some maintenance tips and usage tricks.

Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Why Use a Facial Cleansing Brush?

• It exfoliates. Accumulated dead skin cells may just be the culprit behind your dull and rough complexion. Whether you’re using a silicone tool or a bristle head, using a facial cleansing brush will help exfoliate the topmost layer of your skin and get rid of dead skin cells that may be getting in the way of a healthy glow.
• It cleans better than washing with your hands. Facial cleansing brushes use vibrating heads to thoroughly clean your skin in a way that your hands simply cannot accomplish on their own. If you regularly wear makeup or are exposed to pollutants all day long, you’ll notice a huge difference once you switch to a special face brush.
• It’s both gentle and effective. In spite of being amazing at exfoliation and cleansing, facial cleansing brushes are generally gentle on the skin. Of course, you would have to be cautious about using these tools properly. But for the most part, they’re safe to use even for those with sensitive skin. In fact, we recommend cleansing brushes as a gentler alternative to harsh facial scrubs.
• You absorb skincare products better. Even if you invest hundreds of dollars in luxurious, state-of-the-art skincare products, your skin will not reap the maximum benefit if it’s clogged and dirty. But when the skin on your face is really clean, the active ingredients in your serums, essences, and creams will be able to really get in there and work their magic on your skin.

• It boosts blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. Improving blood circulation around your face will do wonders for your complexion. Good blood circulation results in a healthy glow and younger-looking skin. Also, using a facial cleansing brush can help drain excess fluids from your face—combatting puffiness and swelling in the process.
• It can get rid of acne and blackheads. Because a facial cleansing brush can make your face cleaner than ever, you’ll be less prone to acne breakouts, blackheads, and whiteheads. These blemishes happen because leftover dirt and sebum inside your pores become infected by bacteria, resulting in inflamed spots.
• It’s compact and portable. These days, facial cleansing brushes continue to get lighter and lighter with every iteration. They’re portable enough to bring with you on your travels are compact enough not to take up too much space on your bathroom counter.
• Using it can be therapeutic. Facial cleansing brushes are designed to clean and massage the skin. After a long, tiring day, nothing feels better than using such tools to give your face an instant massage at home.

Rotating Bristles vs. Sonic Cleansing

From our list above, it’s easy to tell that facial cleansing brushes generally come in two forms: one with rotating bristles and one that uses sonic technology.

Sonic facial brushes are usually made of silicone. The nubs on the brush’s head oscillate at a sonic frequency that makes them highly efficient at dislodging dirt from your pores and massaging the skin. One of the pros of using silicone brushes is that they’re more resistant to bacteria than rotating bristle brushes.

Meanwhile, rotating brushes have bristles that move in a circular motion. Basically, you’re brushing your face at a fast speed. Sonic facial brushes are gentler than rotating brushes. However, rotating brushes do a more solid job as far as exfoliation is concerned.

Other Factors to Consider

Your skin type

Generally, people with more sensitive skin types should opt for sonic cleansing brushes. They’re not as abrasive as rotating brushes but still do a good job at cleansing the face. Those with super delicate skin can even go a notch higher and buy sonic tools that are designed specifically for ultra-sensitive skin.

Number of settings

We all know that our skin changes every once in a while. Our diet, stress levels, and even the weather can make the most resilient skin feel sensitive for a few days. Likewise, introducing a new skincare product in your routine can turn your skin from oily to flaky or vice versa.

That’s why having a facial cleansing brush that boasts multiple settings is great. It allows you to switch between different cleansing intensities depending on how your skin feels on a particular day. Plus, if you like using your cleansing brush on other parts of your body, being able to customize its speed is a definite win.

Timed shut-off

Cleansing tools are very efficient at removing dirt and grime, but they shouldn’t be used for more than a few minutes at a time. In fact, some manufacturers have very specific instructions about the number of seconds you can use your brush on a particular area of your face.

Many facial cleansing brushes have a timed shut-off feature that helps you avoid over-cleansing your face. The brush will have a timer that’ll automatically shut off the device after a set time. That way, you won’t have to constantly count in your head to make sure you’re staying within the limits recommended by the manufacturer.

Special features

What special features do you appreciate in a brush? What special components are you willing to pay extra for? For example, some rotating brushes come with multiple brush heads for various uses—such as a gentle brush head for the face, a bigger brush head for the body, and a brush head that’s designed to massage tight muscles.

Your budget

Facial cleansing brushes tend to be pricier than other skincare products, but they’re well worth the investment. Nonetheless, know that you don’t have to break the bank just to get yourself this awesome cleansing tool. Check out our list above to find out more about the best facial cleansing brushes that are not as expensive as the FOREO and Clarisonic models.

How Often Should You Use a Facial Cleansing Brush?

Facial cleansing brushes make your skin feel super clean, and it’s easy to see how anyone can become sorta addicted to this feeling. However, dermatologists recommend that you use these tools just once a day max.

Although some models are gentle enough to be used twice a day, it’s utterly unnecessary. After all, how dirty can your face actually be in the morning, especially if you’ve already used a facial brush the night before? You really don’t need to bust out your facial brush in the A.M. If you do so, you’re just exposing yourself to unnecessary risks, such as over-exfoliation, redness, and dryness.

If your face is particularly sensitive, we recommend that you scale down your usage even further to every other day. This is especially true if it’s your first time incorporating a facial cleansing brush in your skincare routine. Over time, you can build up your usage to once a day as your skin gets used to the cleansing tool.

Things to Remember When Using a Facial Cleansing Brush

1. Ease into it.

If it’s your first time to ever try a facial cleansing tool, ease into it. Even if you have thick, oily skin, we don’t recommend that you use your brush every single day right away. Start off by using it every two days or less and see how your skin reacts to it. If your skin appears to take it well, you can start using it every other day, and so on.

We all react to skincare tools differently. Just because someone with a similar skin type as you can get away with daily use without a problem doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get the same results. It’s always best to err on the side of caution. That way, you’ll be able to avoid untoward reactions more effectively.

2. Always use light pressure.

Facial cleansing brushes are already equipped with top-notch technology that efficiently cleans your pores. No need to exert pressure and really “push” it onto your skin! These tools should be used with a light hand. Hold it in such a way that it simply “floats” over your skin. Pushing too hard or applying too much pressure can cause irritation, broken capillaries, and redness.

3. Use the right facial wash.

You can have the best cleansing brush in the world, but if you’re using the wrong face wash, there’s a chance that your skin might not improve. We recommend that you use a nice, gentle cleanser to pair with your brush. Avoid anything that has beads or any other abrasive substance. After all, your facial cleansing brush is already taking care of your physical exfoliation needs.

4. Avoid brushing the eye area.

The skin on the eye area is very delicate. Using a facial cleansing brush around the eyes is way too harsh, and it might even lead to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.

5. Sharing is caring—not.

Treat your facial cleansing brush like you would a toothbrush. Never share it with anyone else! Even if you clean your brush, there’s a chance that some bacteria could still be on it. And you don’t want someone else’s bacteria on your skin, right?

6. Be mindful of gunk.

All cleansing tools must be regularly cleaned themselves. The best way to do this, of course, is to check the manufacturer’s instructions as the proper way to clean may vary from brush to brush. At the very least, always make sure to rinse your brush with running water after every use. This way, you help get rid of any residue that could potentially build up on the bristles.

7. Store the brush properly.

Most facial cleansing brushes come with a dedicated stand that you can use for storage. But on top of that, you should always keep your brush in a dry and well-ventilated place. Storing your tools in a dark and damp environment promotes the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. Of course, you wouldn’t want your facial brush to become a breeding ground for these nasties!

Caring for Your Facial Cleansing Brush

You should always clean your facial cleansing brush according to the manufacturer’s instructions. However, here are some general tips that you can follow to maintain your brush in tiptop shape.

• Rinse your brush under warm running water after every use. Use your palms and fingers to help dislodge any makeup or dirt that may have gotten stuck within the brush’s bristles or nubs.
• Use a gentle soap or a special brush cleaner to thoroughly clean your facial brush at least once a week. This prevents nasty microorganisms from accumulating on your brush.
• Soak your facial cleansing brush in rubbing alcohol if you want to kill residual bacteria. We recommend that you do this once a week, as well.
• Regularly replace your brush head/s according to the frequency recommended by the manufacturer.