If it’s time to exfoliate your skin, nothing achieves a deep clean better than a facial cleansing brush. Designed to get rid of dirt deep in your pores, a facial cleansing brush is also a great way to prime your face for all of your serums and toners. If that sounds right up your alley, then you’re in luck, because we’ve tested and compared the best facial cleansing brushes of 2024 in this curated list. The Visofo Facial Cleansing Brush wins our vote as the best overall choice for its all-in-one brush set, but we’ve got plenty more recommendations and buying tips below!
If you’re worried about a facial cleansing brush’s compatibility with your skin type like I was, don’t fret. You can never go wrong with the 360-degree-rotating facial cleansing brush from Visofo. This powerful brush comes with seven brush attachments, designed for gentle washing, deep pore cleansing, exfoliating, callus removal, and so much more.
It also has two speeds suited to your preference. So whether you have sensitive or resilient skin, this product has got you covered. The brush comes with 2 AA batteries, but it’s also USB rechargeable, which makes it ultra-convenient. For its versatility and various attachments, this facial cleansing brush easily wins our vote as the best overall choice on this list.
Olay is a household name, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth with the Regenerist Facial Cleansing Brush. Unlike other popular facial cleansing brushes on the market, this one features a scrubby brush surface designed to deep clean and soften skin pores to produce an anti-aging and polished effect.
It also has two different settings, one for everyday cleaning and another for thorough exfoliation, which I found is perfect for makeup removal after a long day! Simple and straightforward to operate, it’s also waterproof, making it ideal to use in the shower or bathtub.
If you’re always on the go, the compact Ezbasics Facial Cleansing Brush might be the option for you. Small but powerful, this face exfoliator can deep clean your face at five different speeds. It’s also made of hypoallergenic and extremely robust silicone, which makes it ideal for all skin types.
As for its maintenance, the silicone material makes it easy to clean. It also has magnetic recharging capabilities and a long-lasting battery. As for its water resistance, you can easily use this in the shower to bath without worrying about getting it underwater.
The famed Foreo Luna Mini 2 Facial Cleansing Brush can deep clean your skin in as little as a minute. If you’re a skincare enthusiast like me, then you know that this brand’s quality is on the next level. This palm-sized facial cleaning brush gives you a spa treatment at home and is tested and certified to eliminate up to 99.5% of dust, oils, dead cells, and leftover makeup.
Made from hypoallergenic silicone, this product is 35 times cleaner than nylon. And if you’re not a fan of multiple brush attachments, this product doesn’t need brush-head changing as the design and material get the job done. The product is specifically constructed to have various-sized soft touchpoints positioned all over the device, allowing the brush to transmit up to 8,000 pulses per minute into your skin for a serious deep clean.
Some might argue that cleansing, as the first step in every skincare routine, is also the most important step, which makes facial cleansing brushes all the more essential. Washing your face with your hands is perfectly fine, but when I’ve had a long day and can feel the dirt or grime on my face, a deep clean with a quality facial cleansing brush is just what I need to feel clean and prevent an acne breakout.
Although a simple search can show you tons of products to scroll through when it comes to finding the one you can trust with your skin, all this variety is confusing. So, what exactly do you look for in a facial cleansing brush? How do you pick the finest option for you? What factors should you consider? Let’s find out!
Your choice of bristle type should be based on your skin type and intended use. Depending on your skin type, the bristles should be strong enough to perform the job, are equally soft, and do not cause inflammation or irritation to your skin.
The two most popular choices for bristles are nylon and silicon.
Most beauticians believe that silicone is a better alternative since it’s more hygienic. Silicone is also a better option for people with sensitive skin because it’s softer and more hypoallergenic. In contrast, nylon offers high exfoliation, if that’s what you want in a cleansing brush. Nylon is best suited for those who don’t have sensitive skin and require a serious deep clean, like oily skin.
The variety of speed and massage settings of a brush allows more flexibility and intensity. Choose a brush with different speeds varying from soft to vigorous for a personalized skincare session. Most people can make do with just two speeds, one for gentle cleansing and another for deep exfoliating, but if you want a more personalized skincare routine, multiple speeds can be useful.
Probably the most prominent and only drawback of face cleansing brushes is inadequate storage. Like all other skincare products, your cleansing brushes can also develop germs if not properly cared for in between uses. If you opt for a brush with nylon bristles, you’ll most certainly need a case to keep it sanitized. Some brushes come with cases, but watch out for those that don’t because that might mean an added expense.
Although facial cleansing brushes are primarily used in damp places, some aren’t water resistant and should be avoided. Always use water-resistant brushes to enjoy deep facial cleaning in the shower or bathtub. If you do your skincare exclusively at a sink, then this shouldn’t be a problem for you.
Like most skincare products, facial cleansing brushes don’t last forever. The body should survive for some time, but some brush heads, especially bristled nylon brushes, might need to be changed every three months or as quickly as they begin showing signs of wear and tear.
On the other hand, silicone cleansing brushes do not require replacement, except in the case of damage. That’s why silicone cleansing brushes tend to be more expensive than their nylon counterparts. While a silicone brush is more expensive upfront, a nylon brush would require a replacement. This might be an issue if you plan to use a facial cleansing brush every day, but less so if you only plan to use it for deep exfoliating.
Even with their widespread popularity and promotion by beauty influencers and models, many people still have concerns about using a facial cleansing brush. At first glance, a facial cleansing brush might seem aggravating to the skin, but a study found that using a facial cleansing brush can effectively prevent acne and improve your overall skin.
Many cleansing brushes come with super-soft silicone heads that gently rotate on your skin removing any signs of dirt, debris, or oil. Some brushes contain finer and thinner bristles that penetrate deeper into your skin pores. By exfoliating the skin, they bring out a brighter glow on your face.
Most dermatologists and experts agree that facial cleansing brushes have a positive impact on your skin, but moderation is the key. One dermatologist said that you can get first-degree burns “too-aggressive cleansing,” so it’s important that you cleanse responsibly.
While most facial cleansing brushes can remove makeup from your skin, it’s advised to do it manually beforehand with a makeup remover. Allow the cleansing brush to clear off any leftover makeup instead.
Gently apply your facial cleanser evenly to your face. Some might argue that you should put the product onto the brush itself, but I’d argue that it’s not a toothbrush.
There’s no right way to apply a facial cleansing brush. What’s important is that you use it gently. Whether you use it in circular motions or in an up-and-down motion matters less than the amount of pressure you’re applying. Use a light hand and let the brush’s motor do the work for you.
There is such a thing as too much cleansing. The moment you see any redness or irritation, it’s time to slow down and turn the brush off. Skip a day or two of using the brush and only use it once you’re sure your skin has recovered.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember about facial cleansing brushes is that you have to clean and maintain them. They’re of no use to you dirty, so make sure that you have a clean place to store them and that you regularly clean the bristles of the brush.
It’s recommended that you use a facial cleaning brush a maximum of once a day. Like skincare serums and creams, you need to build tolerance to it. When you first start using your facial cleansing brush, only use it once a week. Allow your skin to get used to it before you build up to using it on a daily basis. Once you do, I’d opt for using it only in the evenings so you can cleanse yourself of all the dirt and grime of the day.
Absolutely! Cleaning brushes include bristles that softly exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells, debris, and surplus sebum — all of which are factors in the development of blackheads. Daily cleansing coupled with a blackheads-fighting serum is a good combination to get rid of blackheads.
Aside from a deep clean, facial cleansing brushes can also give you a natural glow. They work by effectively removing the upper surface of dead skin to enhance the skin's glow and smoothness. Thanks to its circulation-stimulating benefits, you can use it for the face and neck.
No, if you use it carefully, a facial cleansing brush won’t damage your skin. Cleansing brushes only remove the top layer of your skin, which often has stubborn dust and dirt particles, and don’t affect the inner layers. But it's important to use a facial cleansing brush in moderation so you don't aggravate your skin too much.
Dermatologists recommend that you use a facial cleansing brush only once a day. Any more than that and you might aggravate your skin. Start out by using the cleansing brush once a week, then gradually build up to once a day.
Dermatologists agree that facial cleansing brushes are great additions to your skincare routine, so long as you use them gently and with a gentle cleanser. There's even a scientific study that found that facial cleansing brushes are a good way to maintain and treat mild to moderate acne.