Is it worth shopping for the best facial cleansing brush? Is a facial cleansing brush the right exfoliation method for our skin? The answers can definitely be yes and yes.
Let’s investigate more by reviewing some of the best facial cleansing brushes. I’ll only recommend a few models but the advantage is that with just a few models I can address all skin types, all skin needs, and all budgets.
There’s really no need to review 10 models and make our choice more complicated when the best facial cleansing brush can be picked in a few minutes.
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Best Facial Cleansing Brush: My 4 Picks
Before actually reviewing the best facial cleansing brushes, let’s talk about how you should use one.
Well, all models come with their own set of instructions and you must follow them for optimal skin health. Moreover, pick the one that works for your skin type. Don’t just a bristle brush that states that it’s good for normal skin if you have sensitive skin. It will irritate your skin and it can get quite serious.
As I said, these tools are best used together with your facial cleanser. You can apply the cleanser on damp skin and then use the brush, moving it in circular motions and up and down on your nose, or you can pour a bit of cleanser to the damp brush and the move it all over the face and the neck.
It varies from brush to brush, that’s why I said that it’s best to read the instructions, since there are no universal rules.
1. Olay Facial Cleansing Brush – Best for Normal Skin
The Olay Cleansing System is one of the most affordable best facial cleansing brushes. It’s also a bristle brush that’s very good for normal skin. If you are acne-prone, absolutely don’t use it.
This is a system that cleanses through rotation. It is powered by 2 AA batteries.
You should also be aware that you will have to replace the brush heads once every 2-3 months. They’re an extra expenditure and yet another thing to remember that you have to add to your shopping list once in a while.
How to use it
Olay has a 2-speed rotating facial brush, meaning that you can either get a deep cleansing or a gentle exfoliation, whatever you prefer.
For example, you can do a deep cleansing before each hair removing session and use the first speed the rest of the time.
Or do a deep cleansing once a week. Up to two times a week should be more than enough.
You can use the gentle speed once daily, preferably in the evening in order to remove everything that has made contact with your facial skin throughout the day.
It also works as a makeup remover, with the sole exception that you can’t use it around the eye area.
It’s water-resistant so you can use it under the shower, as well. After usage, you can carry on with your normal beauty routine, without ever forgetting about the moisturizing part.
Just remember that the Olay cleansing brush is not recommended for people suffering from acne or having zits because it might make the matter worse with its rotations.
2. PMD Clean Pro RQ – The Overall Best
The first thing you’ll notice about the PMD Clean Pro is the quite expensive price. It’s very popular and highly praised by those who can afford it but it would be even more popular if it were to have a slightly cheaper price.
But there are a number of factors that justify the high price.
Works for all skin types
It’s a brush with 7,000 vibrations per minute and SonicGlow™ Technology. It’s powerful without causing any irritation to the skin.
The very impressive thing about this best facial cleansing brush is the fact that it’s gentle enough that it works perfectly for all skin types, including those with sensitive and acne-prone skin.
A big plus for this model is that there are no brush heads that need to be changed. It’s a brush from one piece. You just buy the PMD Clean Pro RQ and that’s it, there are no additional expenses for many years to come.
There are actually two sides to this brush:
- one side with the soft silicone bristles, which is also known as the cleansing side where you apply the facial cleanser – it has two modes (gentle vibration and intense vibration)
- the other side is a rose quartz stone that can help with reducing inflammation and tension and it also has two modes (gentle pulsation and intense pulsation) – it’s the side that can become warm thanks to the ActiveWarmth button (it will enable a deeper absorption for oils, serums, and moisturizers), the one that massages the skin through pulsation, you can also add serums and other skincare products to this side so that they can be massaged into the skin by the heated rose quartz stone
There are also two power buttons: SonicGlow for the bristle side and ActiveWarmth for the rose quartz stone side.
This is a best facial cleansing brush that actually has a rechargeable battery. The impressive thing is that you only need to recharge it once every 2-3 weeks and it takes about 3 hours.
The instructions for the PMD Clean Pro RQ are quite simple:
- wet your face with warm water
- apply your facial cleanser to the brush and wet it with water, then choose between the two cleansing modes
- move the brush in circular motions for about a minute
- rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat it dry
- next, apply your usual serum to the rose quartz stone, power on ActiveWarmth and choose between modes 3 and 4 for massaging the serum into the skin, this is the part that’s taking care of the skin’s firming and toning
Using this brush will feel like having a mini-spa experience every day in the comfort of your home.
The silicone makes it very easy to clean. It’s waterproof.
The PMD Clean Pro RQ is definitely something special. An absolute best cleansing brush for those won’t be deterred by the price.
3. Ezbasics Facial Cleansing Brush – Cheap Silicone Facial Cleansing Brush
If you want a cheap alternative to the PMD and you really don’t care for that rose quartz stone thing, then look no further than the Ezbasics Facial Cleansing Brush as your best facial cleansing brush.
It’s quite loved by users and incredibly popular.
What it offers
First of all, it works for all skin types. How does it achieve that?
Through the fact that it has an ultra hygienic soft silicone rubber exterior. This gentle exterior translates into the softest and most gentle face cleansing and massage for all skin types.
The Ezbasics is a sonic brush that has 5 speeds. If you have sensitive skin, just try the speed 2 and 3 first. Those with normal skin, who are looking for a vigorous facial massage, can jump straight to speed 4.
It is shaped as an oval, it can be easy to hold while cleansing your whole face, while keeping it away form the eye area. It is also easy to carry it with you wherever you go if you travel often.
If you clean it properly to prevent bacterial buildup, you won’t have to change it for years to come.
It’s rechargeable but it only takes 3 hours until it reaches full charge.
4. Shiseido The Skincare Cleansing Massage Brush – Great for Sensitive Skin
This is a manual best facial cleansing brush. There are no batteries to be purchased and no brush heads to be replaced. It’s a no-fuss cleansing brush for face.
At first glance, one would call it simple. But that’s the whole point. The sole attraction and the reason for why it’s just so good consists only in the silky-soft bristles.
There are also silicone cushions for massaging the skin while you cleanse it.
Since I mentioned silky-soft bristles, you can draw the conclusion that it works for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. It can diminish the severity of breakouts and prevent blackheads.
Since it’s so gentle, it can be used daily. Just don’t forget about using it together with a cleanser, that’s the only way it works.
The price is really affordable. If you wash it and dry it properly, this brush doesn’t have to be changed for years to come.
How Do Facial Cleansing Brushes Work?
For an even more comprehensive understanding of how they work, check out my article on silicone vs bristle cleansing brushes. You can easily see what the difference is between these two categories and gain an even more deeper understanding of how the world of facial brushes is divided.
Facial cleansing brushes can be an amazing tool for a complete beauty routine if you know how to use them. They can help us achieve smooth facial skin and lessen our breakouts. They can helps us fight blackheads and whiteheads and breakouts in general.
How do they do that?
The best facial cleansing brushes are important exfoliation tools. That’s what they do and their purpose is the removal of dead skin cells.
They can also make using a facial cleanser an absolute delight and make facial cleansers even more effective.
That’s the easiest and best way to use facial cleansing brushes: drip a few drops of facial cleanser on the brush and then start moving it all over your face. You don’t need to use a large amount of cleanser because the brushes will create more foam than our fingers can.
The most important thing is that they prevent clogged pores, clogged pores being the common cause of all forms of acne.
Once you start using a cleansing brush, you’re going to ask yourself why you haven’t done that any time sooner since it’s so amazing.
However,
I must warn you that some of the best facial cleansing brushes are not cheap. Not at all. But they can last quite a long time so, it’s an investment in a skincare tool that can bring you wonderful results over the years.
For those few models that need to have their brush heads replaced, they need to be changed monthly or every 2-3 months if you use it regularly.
The cleaning is very simple for all models: you need to wash it and let it dry after each cleansing. You can also pour some rubbing alcohol once in a while.
How to Pick the Best Facial Cleansing Brush for Your Needs
Facial cleansing systems fall into two categories:
- cleansing brushes that clean the skin through rotation – the very affordable option but they don’t work for acne-prone skin types, they can harm the skin and create even more inflammation
- and pulsating/sonic facial cleansing brushes – the gentle expensive amazing cleansing tools
If you don’t have any breakouts or acne you can use a system that cleans your skin through rotation. Those are cheap. You don’t have to spend big to feel clean and have a glowing facial skin.
On the other hand, use a pulsating/sonic system if you don’t want more breakouts or zits. The good news is that your zits/acne have a very good and efficient enemy. The bad news is that the price starts from $100 and it can even get past $200. Not everyone can afford it.
Clarisonic had some of the best sonic cleansing brushes. They were truly good, although they were really expensive. Unfortunately, the brand closed in 2020. For the moment, PMD seems to be the best successor.
Why Should You Start Using a Brush for Face
This exfoliation tool can be used by everyone, both men and women. Let’s explain which are the advantages for both sexes.
Men should use a facial cleansing brush, too
First of all, this beauty tool is not only for women. Men should try it, too. You’re going to see why in a second.
A major advantage of using the best facial cleansing brush is that it helps prevent ingrown hairs, fights razor burns and bumps. That happens because this is an exfoliation tool.
You get the same results if you’re using a good chemical exfoliator, like the Tend Skin Solution, which is extremely affordable.
If you throw in a great razor, a good shaving cream, and an aftershave balm or moisturizer, you shouldn’t have anything else to worry about.
What about women?
I don’t think much explaining is necessary because women know and understand the value of exfoliation done regularly, its immense value for the health of our facial skin and what it does for our body.
It’s not only about having an absolutely clean facial skin. It’s also about how smooth and soft your skin gets because the dead skin cells are removed.
It will also appear younger and glowing.
Washing your face twice daily, after exercising, and after wearing a mask, can be enough. But using a cleansing brush can take it to the next level.
People with dry skin can also benefit from using a facial cleansing brush. The dry skin will be removed and the moisturizer will be more deeply and quickly absorbed.
Moreover,
If you’re using an epilator for face or a waxing kit or facial waxing strips and you get acne from these facial hair removal methods that remove the hairs from the follicles, a best facial cleansing brush can solve part of the problem. You should use it right before removing any facial hair. After you’ve removed the hair, apply a calamine lotion and an aloe vera gel plus a nourishing facial cream. That should work and I truly hope it does.
For those suffering from acne, you should apply your acne treatment immediately after using a cleansing brush. It will be more effectively absorbed, just like any other product that you apply on your face.
Cleansing Brushes vs Chemical Exfoliators
There is one more question to be answered.
Do you need to get a best facial cleansing brush if you’re already using a chemical exfoliator at least a couple of times per week?
No, you don’t.
Chemical exfoliators for face, if they’re good, are full of benefits and they can handle the removal of dead skin cells by themselves so, I don’t see the need for an additional exfoliation tool but you can decide that based on what you feel that your skin needs and, most importantly, how resilient it is.
It’s definitely not necessary for those with sensitive skin.
Chemical exfoliators alone are fantastic for sensitive skin types. And they’re more than enough for people with acne-prone skin.
Both chemical exfoliators for face and facial cleansing brushes remove dead skin cells, that’s the major thing they have in common.
Both of these exfoliation tools can also help with reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and even out skin tone, especially chemical exfoliators.
The conclusion?
As long as you exfoliate regularly, with the help with whatever you end up choosing, whether it’s the best facial cleansing brush or a chemical exfoliator, that’s what matters, both for the face and the body.
