A Face Cleanser Brush is a Game-Chaner

A face cleanser brush is a hand-held game-changer that helps your favorite cleansers penetrate the skin better than soap and water. It can also help reduce the appearance of pores and prepare the face for hydrating serums.

The best brushes are gentle enough for sensitive skin and have different functions that make them stand out. We spoke to a dermatologist to help you pick one that fits your skincare needs.

Makeup Remover

Makeup remover helps dissolve makeup so it can be easily wiped away during your daily cleansing routine. It’s also important to use a makeup remover to cleanse your skin before using a face brush to prevent any residue being left behind which can clog pores and cause breakouts.

You’ll want to opt for a makeup remover that is gentle yet effective at breaking down makeup and impurities. The best makeup removers will be free of harsh ingredients and fragrance that can irritate your skin. Makeup removers also come in a variety of textures and formulations such as micellar water, cleansing oils and balms so you can find the one that is best for your skin type.

When choosing a makeup remover to use with your facial cleanser brush, look for an option that is non-drying and gentle on your skin. Some makeup removers are formulated with oil-absorbing ingredients such as ginger root and sunflower seed oil to help eliminate excess sebum and prevent future breakouts.

If you’re prone to eyelash and lip makeup falling off during the day, try an eye makeup remover that is specially formulated with nourishing coconut oil. This formula gently melts away mascara and lipstick while providing the skin with a deep cleanse that leaves it soft, smooth and hydrated. The natural lauric acid and caprylic acid in this formula also provide the skin with antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant benefits.

Exfoliation

One of the best things you can do for your face and body is regularly exfoliate. That means scrubbing away the buildup of dry, flaky skin cells that can make your skin look dull and uneven in tone. It’s also key to preventing clogged pores and boosting the effectiveness of any serums or magic moisturizers you use.

A facial brush can help with this task by providing a gentle and effective method of physical exfoliation in addition to the cleansing benefits face cleanser brush it offers. Most notably, these brushes are typically battery operated and come with built in timer features to ensure your skin receives the right amount of exfoliation at the ideal frequency.

For those with oily or acne-prone skin, a physically exfoliating cleanser may be particularly helpful, as it can unclog pores and reduce excess sebum. However, it’s important to start slowly and only use the brush a few times a week at first to avoid irritation.

And just like a regular toothbrush or cloth, your brush should be sanitized with alcohol after each use to kill any leftover bacteria on the bristles. It’s also a good idea to replace the brush head every three months or so for maximum cleanliness and efficiency.

Pore Cleansing

You can use your brush to wash away sweat and excess oil, and that helps reduce the appearance of pores. But to really minimize those pesky blackheads and whiteheads, you need a deep-cleansing product that can actually penetrate the skin. Look for one that’s formulated with ingredients like charcoal and salicylic acid, which help dissolve impurities that may be trapped in your pores, such as pore-clogging makeup debris or dead skin cells.

If you have oily or combination skin, you can even consider using your face cleanser brush as often as daily—though it’s best to ease in if you skincare wand have sensitive skin, which could become dry and itchy with overbrushing. But for normal skin, a few times a week should do the trick!

The other benefit of using a facial cleansing brush is that it promotes great circulation, which keeps your skin healthy and glowing. Just be sure to wash your brush head regularly—at least once a month—to keep it from breeding bacteria that can cause acne breakouts.

With regular cleansing, your face will start to look clearer and healthier, and that’s what everyone wants! To really get the most out of your brush, follow it with a soothing face mist spritz. Shankara’s Rose Mist is a gorgeous elixir infused with the power of pure Indian rose petals, and it’s designed to de-stress, tone, fight dryness, hydrate and calm the complexion.

Massage

The pulsating vibration settings on this facial brush not only feel good, but they actually help boost microcirculation and enhance skin vitality. Our testers who used it reported less puffiness and brighter, more youthful-looking complexions after just a few cleansing sessions. This brush is made with soft, antibacterial, clinical-grade silicone that’s gentle on the skin, too. Plus, the surface of the brush head has soft bristles on one side for cleaning and extruding ridges for light facial massage. “If you’re a teeth-grinder or jaw-clencher, the pulsating setting can help relieve some of that tension, too,” says our expert dermatologist.

For a manual face cleanser brush without the extra features of electric ones (such as sonic vibration or different speed settings), we love this hygienic pick from Naturopathica. It’s super easy to use, requiring only that you wet the face with water and apply your favorite cleansers, then gently brush your face in small circles around the forehead, nose, chin, and jawline. The brush is also easier and faster to clean than many electric brushes, and doesn’t require air dry time between uses.

The Grace & Stella brush can be used with either your favorite cleanser or any face serum or mask, and has 7 different replaceable brushes to slough away dead skin cells, stimulate blood flow, unclog pores, etc. We don’t love that this one requires a battery and charging cable, but we do appreciate its high-quality construction and cute, compact size.