Use a Facial Cleanser Brush to Exfoliate Your Skin
A face brush helps you clean your skin more thoroughly than simply using your hands alone. But, if you have sensitive skin, be sure to start out slowly and be gentle with your brush routine.
This brush features soft bristles for cleansing and extruding ridges that provide light facial massage. Our tester really enjoyed how simple it was to use.
1. Exfoliate
The face brushing technique — rubbing soft bristles over your skin to remove dead cells and stimulate circulation — has long been a beauty staple. Using a facial cleansing brush for exfoliation can be a great way to get an even more effective clean, especially when used in conjunction with your favorite cleanser.
The bristles on a face cleansing brush are typically made of soft, antibacterial silicone that feels good against the skin and won’t scratch or irritate it. Face brushes are generally motorized, although some are manual, and use a back-and-forth or circular motion to help loosen dirt and makeup residue, excess sebum (oil), and dead skin cells from the pores and face.
A few times a week, wet the brush and apply a nickel-sized amount of cleanser to it. Gently massage it into the skin for about a minute (some face brushes may come with an app to face cleanser brush time you). Rinse it thoroughly, and gently pat it dry with a clean cloth before storing it away.
It’s important to rinse and scrub your face brush after each use to prevent buildup of dirt, oil, and bacteria on the bristles, which can cause breakouts when reintroduced to the skin. Be sure to follow the specific instructions for cleaning your particular brush, but in general, it’s best to sanitize it with a disinfectant like rubbing alcohol after every use.
2. Cleanse
When it comes to cleansing your skin, brushing is a tried-and-true method that helps you remove makeup and dirt from the pores. You can also use it to massage your skin, which can increase blood flow, bringing more nutrients and oxygen to the area. The result is smoother, healthier skin.
There are many options for face cleansing brushes on the market, from manual to electric scrubbing tools. Some are made of silicone, which is safe for skin and doesn’t harbor bacteria, while others are made of more traditional materials, such as glass or plastic. It’s important to find a face cleanser brush that is suitable for your skin type and lifestyle, and you should always read the label and choose a product that is appropriate for your acne and pigmentation concerns.
We had a tester try the EZBasics Face Cleansing Brush, and she found it to be effective in removing her makeup and other impurities. She also liked how soft the bristles were, and she said it wasn’t too abrasive on her sensitive skin. However, she did note that it took a little longer to get her face clean when using the brush compared to when she used her fingers. She also noted that the bristles could leave her face with a light residue, which wasn’t ideal.
3. Moisturize
During her PEOPLE Tested review, our tester described how much she loved the way this brush made her cleanser really sudsy and helped to remove her makeup. She said it also left her skin feeling great, but that the bristles are a bit rougher than some of our other picks and might take longer to clean.
Another feature that stood out about this product is how easy it was to use and maintain. All you have to do is turn it on and slather on your cleanser; the app then tells you how long to massage each part of your face (and how to wash and rinse the actual brush). She did point make up bags for travel out that it might take a while to get used to using a new cleansing tool, but she also shared that it felt super refreshing afterward.
One thing to note about all of our brushes is that they are designed to be used with non-porous silicone, which makes for a very hygienic option versus the nylon facial brushes you may be more used to. Make sure to rinse and dry your brush after each use, too, as it can collect bacteria if it’s not cleaned properly.
It’s also important to keep in mind that overuse of face cleansers, including those used with a face brush, can lead to over-drying and potentially irritated skin. For this reason, it’s best to limit use to twice a week for normal skin and up to thrice a week for oily skin.
4. Hydrate
This face brush is a must-have for anyone who wants to give their skin a clean boost. It is made with safe silicone and can help to eliminate dirt and oil from pores with its vibrating pulses. The brush is also waterproof and rechargeable. It is also self-cleaning and comes with three different changing heads that are designed for specific areas of the face. One of the heads is softer than others to better cleanse delicate skin around your lips and eyes, while another has been specifically designed to cleanse sensitive areas like the nose and cheeks.
Our tester really enjoyed this facial cleansing brush because of its soft bristles and ability to remove makeup easily from her skin. She also liked that it connected to an app that provides visual guidance while you use the brush. However, she did note that the buttons on the brush were a bit hard to press.
She also recommends adding this to your skincare routine gradually and only using it a few times per week. She says that too much usage can disrupt your natural skin barrier and make your face feel tight and uncomfortable. If you do choose to start using a cleansing brush, she advises that you should wash your hands with warm water before removing any face makeup and starting to cleanse. This will prevent the spread of bacteria and prevent irritation.