If you’ve ever felt like no matter how many times you double cleanse throughout the day, your cleanser doesn’t leave your skin feeling clean and radiant, you’ve come to the right place.
Before we get started, let us first recommend that you don’t over-wash your face, especially if you’re using a cleanser with active ingredients. This may work to damage your skin long-term by destroying the skin barrier. Instead, let us introduce you to the marvellous invention that is the facial cleansing brush. Whether powered by ultrasonic pulses or entirely manual, the hygienic silicone bristles on a standard cleansing brush are imbued with near-magical properties.
We chatted with one of Lookfantastic’s expert skincare buyers Meg Carins for some insight into the wonderful world of cleansing brushes.
What are cleansing brushes and how do they work?
“Cleansing brushes are designed to give you a deep in-pore cleanse, removing dirt, oil and makeup residue,” explains Carins. “They also help to boost circulation and collagen, reduce puffiness and improve absorption of active ingredients.” If you want to get the most out of your favourite expensive cleanser, it seems a cleansing brush is the way to go.
What are the benefits of using cleansing brushes?
Carins tells us that those who use cleansing brushes can expect, “improved overall skin wellness, reduced blemishes, reduced breakouts and all-round cleaner and clearer skin.”
Are cleansing brushes hygienic?
“Yes they are hygienic, but to keep your cleansing brush hygienic it is recommended you wash it thoroughly after each use,” says the beauty buyer. She then advises on best practices when it comes to keeping your cleansing brush clean, “wash the brush surface with water and soap, then rinse with warm water. Pat dry with a lint-free cloth or towel. Never use cleaning products containing alcohol, petrol or acetone, as they may irritate the skin and damage the silicone.”
What's the difference between nylon and silicone bristles?
“Silicone is more environmentally friendly, durable and lasts much longer than nylon bristles,” Carins explains. “Silicone is recyclable but not biodegradable. However, it doesn't break down into micro-plastics making it ocean-friendly and less harmful to humans. Based on third-party clinical trials, silicone bristles are actually 35 times more hygienic than brushes with nylon bristles.”
We’ve curated a selection of the best and most effective cleansing brushes on the market right now. Keep scrolling for glowing skin.
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FOREO Luna 4
When FOREO launched the first LUNA way back in 2013, it had a tough job on its hands. The brand had to educate the consumer to replace their traditional (and free) manual method of facial cleansing with this hi-tech alternative. While your fingers can do a fine job in your morning and night routine, it has nothing on the facial cleansing device that has silicone touchpoints and deep cleansing modes that not only are more thorough but boost circulation and encouages collagen production at the same time.
The LUNA 4 - as the name suggests - is the latest iteration of the gadget that still boasts all the features you know and love of its predecessors but with added NIR LED light, heating and microcurrent. There are a variety of modes for gentle or deep cleanses and different massage patterns that you can control through the accompanying app. When on-to-go, you’ll appreciate the new travel lock.
Buy now £169.00, FOREO
FOREO Luna 3
Bring your beauty routine into the tech sphere with a FOREO device. The Luna 3 is a high-tech 2-in-1 cleansing and firming tool which will exfoliate your skin and leave it feeling fresh.
The device is made out of velvety soft silicone which is bacteria-resistant and 35 times more hygienic than nylon brushes.
It works to remove impurities trapped deep within your pores, in turn, reducing the chances of a breakout.
Whilst its massaging side will boost microcirculation, giving you a brighter, healthier complexion, the silicone touchpoints will gently exfoliate the face, banishing dead skin cells with zero abrasion.
Buy now £109.00, Amazon
Beautifect HeatSonic
The HeatSonic by Beautifect is a deceptively powerful and wonderfully effective, palm-sized cleansing device.
With the help of stimulating oscillation which is delivered at a range of between 10,000 to 15,000 RPM, the vibrating cleansing gadget allows silicone bristles to gently work your favourite cleanser into the skin without overly exfoliating or damaging the skin barrier.
Thermal technology heats up the device to an optimal cleansing temperature of 42°C in approximately 30 seconds, a feature which works together with those stimulating oscillations to boost blood circulation and help to provide an all-over healthy glow. Applying cleanser with this brilliant little device helps to effortlessly remove a day’s worth of build-up to reveal a silky-smooth, surprisingly bright complexion beneath.
The HeatSonic, unlike its competitors, also comes with a brilliant matching magnetic travel case so that you never have to worry about the beauty-safe silicone gadget getting lost and dirty in the bottom of your travel bag.
Buy now £129.00, Beautifect
Braun FaceSpa Pro
Get ready to supercharge your beauty routine with the Braun facial cleanser that works six times more effectively than cleansing by hand. Approved by dermatologists, the FaceSpa Pro has multiple heads to cleanse, tone and even epilate, removing facial hairs quicker and more efficiently than tweezers.
The cleansing brush has different head types for exfoliating or heads for more sensitive skin, while always ensuring a deep pore cleanse. The toning head has micro-vibrations with different modes that encourage the product to penetrate more than just the surface of the skin. What’s more, this innovative device has a smart timer to tell you when it’s time to change the treatment area.
Buy now £87.15, Amazon
Sensse Energy Face Cleanser
Innovative and value-for-money, the Sensee Energy Face Cleanser utilises EMS microcurrents, energy heating and high-frequency vibration to help deliver a thorough yet gentle cleanse.
It has an impressive three different LED modes which are designed to address varying skin concerns. Red is to help open up the pores with heat, purple uses EMS microcurrents to support skin elasticity while blue is said to encourage meticulous facial cleansing. It comes with a built-in rechargeable battery and a USB cable.
Buy now £34.99, lookfantastic
benefit All-in-One Face Mask Wand
A brilliant, two-in-one magic wand worth adding to your skincare arsenal, this brilliant little brush by Benefit works as a face mask applicator and manual facial cleansing brush. The flexible spatula helps to spread face masks and other skincare formulas evenly, while the silicone bristles on the opposite end help to buff away the mask or work in your favourite cleanser.
Buy now £14.40, lookfantastic
Magnitone XO Lights Out LED Tri Colour Cleansing Brush
We’re big fans of the extended surface area on this Magnitone LED cleansing brush. It’s equipped with three different LED modes: red light (620-750nm) for skin firmness and improving the appearance of fine lines, yellow light (590-620nm) to stimulate blood flow and reduce inflammation, as well as blue light (476-495nm) for oil control.
To use this brush, Magnitone recommends first removing the day’s build-up with a cleansing cloth before using the brush to apply your favourite cleanser in 20 to 30-second intervals all over the face.
Buy now £39.99, Magnitone
skinovationLab Klia Sonic Cleanse Pro
With its rather futuristic appearance, the skinovationLab cleansing brush would suit any forward-thinking beauty lover’s skincare shelf. The high-octane device utilises 7,600 soundwaves per minute to remove 99.5 per cent of makeup, dirt and oil.
It features both thick and fine silicone bristles to deliver precise and deep cleaning to hard-to-reach areas, while the EMS metal base releases EMS microcurrents to restore skin vitality and stimulate facial muscles.
Buy now £115.00, skinovationLab
