To Use or Not to Use – Facial Cleansing Brushes

That is the Question!

Facial cleansing brushes aren’t new. In fact, they have been available on the market for many years, but that doesn’t stop them from being a very popular skin care tool. There must be a good reason for people to continue to add them to their skincare routine. In this article, we are going to explore the facial cleansing brush. You will learn exactly what the device is and does, what skin types it is ideal for, and what the benefits of using the brush may be. Hopefully, once you are armed with all of this knowledge, you will better understand if facial cleansing brushes are right for you.

What Are Facial Cleansing Brushes?

Facial cleansing brushes are kind of like the power tool of the skincare world. It is a handheld device that contains a battery operated motor. The motor causes a repetitive motion that aids you in cleaning your face.

Some devices will use a circular motion, and other devices may use a back and forth motion. There are also brushes that vibrate instead of moving very much. The motor-function combined with the bristles, allowing you to exfoliate while you give your pores a deep cleanse.

A sonic brush oscillates at a high frequency. This creates over 300 cleansing movement per second. Many of the facial cleansing tools are considered sonic. These brushes claim to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as offering a deep cleansing action.

Many of the facial cleansing brushes include a timed shut-off. The timed cleansing combined with the constant pressure can offer a more standardized cleansing method than just using your hands.

Are Facial Cleansing Brushes Good For All Skin Types?

Normal Skin: If you have normal skin, you can use your facial cleansing brushes more often. Dermatologists agree that you probably don’t want to use it more often than every other day. However, if your skin is especially thick and isn’t sensitive, your dermatologist may approve daily usage. Normal skin can handle a micro-polishing brush with various heads to switch from daily to weekly treatment styles.

Oily Skin: If your skin is on the oilier side, you can probably use your facial cleansing brushes on a daily basis without any ill effects. Your excess oil will protect your skin from over-drying, and it will most likely become much less prone to breakouts once you start using the facial cleansing brush regularly. A rotating brush with bristles may be a good choice for someone with oily skin.

Dry Skin: Dry skin may feel tight if the cleansing device is overused. You may want to limit your exfoliating treatments to once or twice per week. Also, make sure you are diligent with your moisturizing routine. The exfoliation can have a bit of a drying effect, but if you are careful not to overuse the tool or skip your moisturizer, you should still be able to enjoy the deep-cleansing benefits. A bristled cleansing brush that has a low setting can be a good choice for dry skin.

Combination Skin: If you have combination skin, you may want to limit your brush usage to a few times per week to avoid drying out the already dry areas. If your skin is more normal/oily, you can likely use it every other day without issue. Pay attention to both areas of your skin to make sure that you are not irritating things. A gentle silicone sonic facial cleansing tool works well for combination skin.

Sensitive Skin: If you have sensitive skin, then you will want to be a bit more careful when making the switch to facial cleansing brushes. You will likely only want to use the brush a maximum of two times per week. You can consider it more of a treatment than a daily cleansing device. Try not to switch your cleansers immediately after or before introducing the brush. This will be beneficial if you have a reaction to the brush or the process. You can be sure that any irritation is from the tool and not the new cleanser. When using the brush, don’t press down too hard or use the device for too long. If your device’s instructions recommend usage in a spread of time like 3-5 minutes, use for the lower number on the spread. A gentle sonic brush with a low setting and antimicrobial protection is a good tool for those with sensitive skin.

Avoid using facial cleansing brushes if you are suffering from psoriasis or an eczema flare-up. You also do not want to use the brush on skin that is sunburned or broken. After an aggressive facial treatment like microdermabrasion, you will need to avoid your facial brush for the length of time specified by your esthetician.

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What Are The Benefits?

Using a facial cleansing brush has plenty of benefits. Many people find it a more convenient way to scrub, and others find that it feels great like a mini-facial. However, one of the biggest benefits of using the brush comes from increasing your skin’s natural cycle. The brush gets rid of the dead skin cells quicker than normal everyday cleansing would remove them. This, in turn, causes the skin to produce collagen at a higher rate. The increased collagen production makes the skin appear tighter and more youthful.

It is also good to use a facial cleansing brush if you suffer from breakouts and acne. The brush penetrates deep into your pores which removes excess oil and dirt from the skin. This keeps your skin more clear. Also, if you are using a medicated acne treatment, the sloughing off of dead skin will allow your medication to penetrate more deeply.

Some skin care experts say that using a facial cleansing device can improve the circulation in your face. The stimulation from the brush on the skin’s surface causes increased blood flow. This increase can give you a healthier look.

How Do You Use One?

Adding a facial cleansing device to your skincare routine is not difficult. In fact, very little will change in the actual process. Start by removing your makeup. Heavy or thick foundation will be difficult to clean off with your facial cleansing brush, and it may actually be pushed into your pores while cleansing. Use a makeup remover and a towelette or cotton ball to remove your makeup before moving onto the cleansing process.

Choose a very gentle foaming cleanser that is formulated for your skin type. You do not want to use any cleansers that contain microbeads or other exfoliating particles because it will be too abrasive combined with the brush.

Use the brush and cleanser according to the instructions that came from the manufacturer. You may want to focus on the T area (nose, chin, forehead) of the face because that is generally where the dirt and oils build up. Use caution not to press too hard with the brush, and also don’t use it over the recommended time limits. Also, to avoid over-exfoliation, do not use the brush more often than is recommended.

You never want to use a facial cleansing brush on your eye area. The skin around the eyes is very delicate, and the facial cleansing device is much too harsh for the area. You can actually damage the skin and increase the look of aging by using the brush in this area.

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Tips For Facial Brush Newbies

1. Before you make the switch to the facial cleansing brush, start using a facial wash for acne treatments. Choose a cleanser that contains salicylic acid or glycolic acid. This will help reduce the initial breakout period many people experience the first few weeks after switching to the tool.
2. Don’t rush it! Ease the facial cleansing brush into your daily routine instead of jumping in full-force. Start with using the brush only a couple times per week, and then you can slowly increase the frequency.
3. If you use topical acne medications, apply them after cleansing with the facial brush. As we mentioned before, the exfoliating factor of the brush will allow the medications to penetrate more deeply into the pores.
4. Don’t be too aggressive with your cleansing. It is possible to give yourself first degree burns from pressing too hard or rubbing too vigorously. If anything feels uncomfortable, ease up on the pressure you are applying.
5. Keep your brush clean. Your brush head should be cleaned after every use or you run the risk of introducing bacteria to your skin. Rinse it under warm water, and use a makeup brush cleanser or unscented soap to clean the bristles. Make sure you allow it to dry before storing. It is also a good idea to soak it once per week in rubbing alcohol to kill any residual bacteria. Your brush head should be changed at least every three months. Change it sooner if recommended by the manufacturer.
6. Don’t ever share your brush with someone else. Just like you shouldn’t share your makeup brushes or your toothbrush, your facial cleansing device should also be considered a personal item. You and your friend can spread bacteria between the two of you if you use the same brush.

Silicone vs Bristles

In general, your facial cleansing device will either come with bristles or silicone protrusions. Choosing between the two is generally a personal preference or based on your skin type.

If you have more sensitive skin, silicone may be the best route because the nubs are much more gentle on the skin than the bristles. The bristle brush heads tend to be firmer, but as you use the brush regularly, they will lose some of their firmness. Either can be used on sensitive skin if you are careful about the pressure that is applied during cleaning.

The bristles will offer a deeper exfoliation than the silicone nubs. The firm bristles are able to reach deeper into the pores, and they are a stronger exfoliant. That isn’t to say that the silicone brush won’t clean the dirt and oil off of your skin, it definitely will. However, it may not offer the deeper clean than a bristle brush can manage.

One of the biggest upsides of choosing the silicone brush is that it is more resistant to bacteria. The bristle brush can easily accumulate bacteria if it is not properly cleaned after each use. While you should clean your silicone brush as well, it isn’t in danger of the clumping bristles that increase drying time. The increased drying time can lead to bacteria growth or even mildewing. 

Facial Cleansing Brushes and Breakouts

When you first start using your facial cleansing brush, no matter which type you choose, you may notice that your skin breaks out a little or a lot during the first couple of weeks of use. This is perfectly normal.

The initial skin flares are due to clogged pores. There will be a lot of built-up dead skin cells the cleansing brush will remove. These cells find their way into your pores, clogging them up and causing breakouts. Once your skin becomes accustomed to the process and you get rid of the build-up, your skin will clear up again and breakouts will become less likely.

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Conclusion

Facial cleansing devices can be a great tool to add to your skin care regimen. If you are smart about using them, pay attention to what your skin is telling you, and keep them properly cleaned, you will see great benefits.

When choosing your brush, do your research. Make sure you are choosing one that will give you the functions that you need. You will be on your way to clean and clear skin in no time!

More Great Facial Cleansing Brushes Resources:

The 5 Best Cleansing Brushes For Your Skin Type

Is The Clarisonic Brush Harmful Or Helpful To The Skin?

Debunking 12 Myths About Cleansing Brushes