Sure, a plain old facial cleanser and some water are all you really need to wash your face. If, however, you’ve never used a facial cleansing brush, you might just be missing out on the most thorough clean you can get.
For many people, when it comes to cleansing brushes, the Clarisonic immediately comes to mind. The nylon-bristle tool featured a swirling head that deeply cleansed skin, while also offering a light manual exfoliation.
Unfortunately, the Clarisonic was discontinued last year. While, technically, you can still get one while supplies last, once they’re gone, they’re gone. They’re also on the pricey side. The good news is there are plenty of other cleaning brushes on the market, and many are far more affordable, too. We’ve rounded up some of the best!
Best Dupe: Michael Todd Beauty Soniclear Facial Cleansing Brush System
Those looking for the closest thing you can find to a Clarisonic should certainly check out Michael Todd Beauty’s Soniclear brush. Yes, it looks similar to the Clarisonic, but that’s not what makes it the best dupe.
The brush features three different cleansing speeds that allow you to customize how you cleanse. If you have more sensitive skin, you can opt for the gentlest option. For those who want an extra-deep clean with a bit more exfoliation, there are settings two and three.
Like the Clarisonic, this brush beeps as you wash your face to signal it’s time to move on to the next area. This prevents you from overdoing it and stripping your skin’s natural oils. You’ll also get the serum-infusing head to massage serums and oils into your skin post-cleanse, and a charging dock and USB cable.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Foreo Luna 3
While the Clarisonic had nylon bristles, the Foreo is an example of newer technology. Instead of bristles, this cleansing tool features silicone beads along the top that vibrate to cleanse.
Like the Clarisonic, the Foreo offers some exfoliation, but it’s even gentler thanks to the silicone, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Yet another benefit of silicone is it’s simpler to clean, as bacteria can’t set into it the way it can on bristles, which makes this option far more hypoallergenic.
The Foreo also has a skin care mode on its other side that utilizes ridges for a facial massage and can help products absorb more deeply. It also only takes one minute for an all-over clean, so you’ll be done in a jiffy!
Best Multipurpose: PMD Clean Pro Smart Facial Cleansing Device
Those who are looking for a tool that has multiple functions should check out the PMD Clean Pro. Like the FOREO, the PMD uses vibrations from silicone buds to clean the skin. At 7,000 vibrations per minute, it breaks down dirt and oil, while also offering gentle exfoliation.
The brush also features a unique skin care technology others don’t: heat. After cleansing, you can activate the tool’s ActiveWarmth facial massage. The brush will warm up as its silicone bristles massage the skin care product of your choice into your skin. The heat helps serums, oils, and moisturizers penetrate deeper for greater efficacy.
Best Budget: Olay Regenerist Facial Cleansing Brush
Cleansing brushes can cost a pretty penny. Thankfully, there are some affordable options out there, like the Olay Regenerist brush, which has all the basic features you need in a facial brush.
Like the Clarisonic, it features traditional, nylon bristles, so you’ll get a similar feeling. It also features two speeds: slow for a gentle cleanse, and fast for more thorough exfoliation. While it might not feature any skin care application settings or fancy heat technology, this is still a quality brush. At this writing, it has a 4.6 star rating on Amazon. Plus, at around $21, the price is right!
If you were worried you’d never find a replacement for your Clarisonic, fret no more! From silicone-bristle technology to heat-infusion, you can keep your skin cleansed and looking gorgeous with any of these alternatives.
