Do you actually need a cleansing brush? The experts reveal all (2024)

Do you actually need a cleansing brush? The experts reveal all (1)

If a splash of water and a scrub with your fingertips isn’t enough to cut through your makeup, then maybe it’s time to invest in a facial cleansing brush.

With their whirring bristles and high-tech features, cleansing brushes are designed to work alongside your face wash to slough away dead skin cells and excess sebum. It's a similar concept to brushing your teeth; a cleansing brush is moved about manually to thoroughly wash your face. (City dwellers, they’ll be especially good for you.)

Despite growing in popularity, these gizmos were once subject to a bit of controversy. Previous models were designed with nylon bristles which would collect bacteria and, when used vigorously, could cause harm to the delicate skin barrier.

Here’s the good news, however. Thanks to a new crop of innovations, cleansing brushes are mostly made from synthetic bristles – this makes them far more hygienic, FYI – and many come with techy features, like LED lights, to enhance your cleansing experience.

Top facial cleansing brushes

Before we delve into the best facial cleansing brushes on the market, let’s work through the guidebook to effective face washing, alongside Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist at Self London.

What are the benefits of using a cleansing brush?

Any skincare expert will tell you that the serums and lotions that line your skincare shelf will only work if they’re applied onto properly cleansed skin, which is where a cleansing brush comes into play.

Many of the top performers use electrical vibrations to cleanse, rather than moving in circular motions like the scrubbers of old. Their short, silicone bristles gently oscillate to kick oil and makeup to the curb and exfoliate away grime to prevent it from settling into your pores.

The vibrations can also help to increase the flow of blood in your lymphatic system, working to shift fluid and swelling in your face. So, over time, you may notice a lifted visage.

But here’s the truth (sorry). As swanky as these brushes seem, they’re deemed as more of an indulgence than a necessity. ‘Cleansing brushes are not strictly needed to cleanse your skin. Your hands and a flannel are effective tools for this. If, however, you enjoy using one and it’s not causing any skin issues or irritation, continue to use it in your routine,’ says Dr Mahto.

If you are poised to purchase – and you know your skin can tolerate one – there are two pearls of wisdom that Dr Mahto shares. Choose a brush with soft, synthetic bristles and one with a timer function. ‘Synthetic bristles are far better than natural bristles, which can harbour bacteria, and a timer will prevent over-cleansing and ensure you don’t spend too much time on one area,’ says Dr Mahto.

How do you use a cleansing brush?

No matter how thorough you are with washing your face, debris and grime can still be left behind. So, it’s wise to know how to best use a cleansing brush to leave your skin squeaky clean (in a good way, of course).

‘Start by dampening your face and apply a gentle cleanser. Then wet the cleansing brush and in gentle, circular motions move the brush across your face, avoiding the delicate eye area,’ explains Dr Mahto.

You can also focus the brush on areas where congestion is more likely, such as around your nose and chin. The silicone bristles will help to manage blackheads and remove build-up.

While watching the makeup melt off your face may be satisfying, Dr Matho raises caution about pressing too hard or over-scrubbing as this can lead to irritation. ‘Use gently and just be sure to allow the brush to air dry in between uses,’ she adds.

Can a cleansing brush be harmful to the skin barrier?

Essentially, yes, cleansing brushes can cause irritation and damage if used aggressively. If you have a sturdy skin barrier, using a cleansing brush should benefit your skin to give you a smoother complexion, while also working to unclog congestion. However, if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, Dr Mahto suggests avoiding cleansing brushes altogether.

‘Overuse or aggressive scrubbing with these brushes may lead to irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin,’ says Dr Mahto. No matter the model you use, using a cleansing brush on temperamental skin can cause more harm than good, and may lead to concerns like redness and inflammation.

Can cleansing brushes remove blackheads?

The question you’ve all been waiting for: can cleansing brushes remove those pesky little dots? Well, the good news is, yes, they can. ‘The exfoliating action of cleansing brushes can promote a clearer complexion and smoother skin texture, potentially reducing the appearance of blackheads,’ explains Dr Mahto.

However, if you’re serious about blackheads, she strongly advises using skincare ingredients, like salicylic acid or retinoids, to unclog pores and prevent the formation of new blackheads. Even if used in the right way, you can’t depend on a cleansing brush entirely for lifting congestion.

The top facial cleansing tools to invest in now...

1

Foreo LUNA 4 Smart Facial Cleansing and Firming Massage Device

Do you actually need a cleansing brush? The experts reveal all (9)

It would be rude to talk about the best cleansing brushes without shouting out Foreo’s Luna 4. This high-tech gadget is one of the most popular devices on the market, and for great reason.

The two-in-one tool has 16 intensities of the T-Sonic pulsations – a delicate massage technology which elevates your cleansing experience to remove every morsel of makeup and dirt. The gentle vibrations oscillate through the layers of the skin to improve blood flow and reduce muscle tension while you move the brush over your skin.

Anyone adverse to cleansing brushes will be converted once they feel the soft, silicone bristles. They effectively melt through makeup while gently gliding over the skin.

2

Magnitone London XOXO SoftTouch Silicone Cleansing Brush

Do you actually need a cleansing brush? The experts reveal all (10)

Do you actually need a cleansing brush? The experts reveal all (11)

Cleansing brush newbies, look this way. The petite price point of Magnitone’s Softtouch Cleansing brush is only half the draw – the real allure comes from its vibrating pulsations which effectively cleanse, without feeling like you’re drilling into your barrier.

With 8000 micro-sonic pulsations per minute, alongside eight speed settings, the tiny tool gets into all the nooks and crannies to lift dirt and impurities. You also have three texture zones to choose from so you can personalise your experience depending on your cleansing preference. The compact bristles will offer a deep cleanse, while the ridged surface is ideal for a thorough massage.

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3

Sensse Energy Face Cleanser

Do you actually need a cleansing brush? The experts reveal all (12)

This pocket-friendly gizmo may be small, but it packs a punch in its pulsating prowess. Sensse’s Energy Face Cleanser implements heated, high-vibrancy oscillations to work harmoniously with its diddy design.

As you work the brush over the skin, you’ll notice that the bristles are short and dense, meaning they’ll effectively lift out the makeup and oil that sit within pores.

Another inviting feature is that it utilises microcurrent and LED light technology to promote a unified complexion. Blue and purple light work to improve skin clarity, while red is often used to plump the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Of course, it’s not going to work as effectively as an advanced LED mask, but it will certainly supercharge your routine.

4

Beauty Pie Super Facial Vibrating Cleansing Brush

Do you actually need a cleansing brush? The experts reveal all (13)

Members price: £40

Beauty Pie’s Facial Cleansing Brush wins the top spot for its soft and fine bristles. The massage head comes with three speed settings to cleanse the skin, which can then be swapped out for a massage head to work in serums and facial oils. The tool also comes with a timer (a recommended feature from Dr Mahto) so you can ensure you’re cleansing for the optimal time.

We passed Beauty Pie’s brush onto a tester who found that that the tool left her skin ‘crazy soft and was glowier than usual.’ However, one gripe is that the large surface makes cleansing the nooks and crannies a little more challenging. Although, our tester thoroughly enjoyed the charging stand to keep the bristles away from bathroom surfaces, so maybe that makes up for it.

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5

benefit All-in-One Face Mask Wand

Do you actually need a cleansing brush? The experts reveal all (14)

Benetint and Hoola may first spring to mind when you think of Benefit but know that the beauty brand also has some stellar skincare products too – particularly in the pore-minimising region.

The All-in-One Face Wand is specifically designed to apply and remove face masks. The silicone spatula allows you to glide on the formula, while the textured paddle helps to remove the mask. We passed it onto a willing tester with acne-prone skin who found that the wand was easy to use, not too rough and helped cleanse the skin.

6

Magnitone London BareFaced 3 Vibra-Sonic Cleanse and Massage Brush

Do you actually need a cleansing brush? The experts reveal all (15)

Do you actually need a cleansing brush? The experts reveal all (16)

Magnitone's Barefaced3 cleansing brush comes with two heads: one to cleanse and the other to massage in your skincare products. Powered with sonic vibrations, use the silicone bristles to gently work over your skin to remove makeup. Once cleansed, switch the head to the massage applicator to boost circulation.

Barefaced3 even managed to convert a cleansing brush-adverse tester. She found that the tool was best used as a second cleanse to remove the remaining residue, and that it left her skin soft and not irritated. Easily slotting into her skincare routine, it only took one minute to cleanse and didn’t stress out her reactive skin.

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7

By Beauty Bay The Facial Cleansing Brush

Do you actually need a cleansing brush? The experts reveal all (17)

Do you actually need a cleansing brush? The experts reveal all (18)

Beauty Bay’s model is budget friendly, but it still comes with a few bells and whistles that you’d expect to find in a pricier alternative. With an impressive 12,000 pulsations per minute and uber-soft silicone bristles, the brush doubles up as a facial massager and a cleansing device.

While it may not hold a first place position in the attractiveness competition, we’re more than happy to overlook that in exchange for a smooth and cleansed complexion that doesn’t break the bank.

Do you actually need a cleansing brush? The experts reveal all (2024)

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