Also, Day notes that these tools work best with water-based gel cleansers rather than foaming or cream face washes. “I find the texture helps them to move easily and the vibrations will also lather up the cleanser,” she shares. If you’ve always felt too intimidated and confused to add a facial cleansing brush to your skincare routine (like, how—and why—do you even use one?!), you’ve officially come to the right place. Surprisingly, facial cleansing brushes are actually pretty simple to use: All you need to do is grab your favorite face wash, dampen your brush, and move it over your face in small, circular motions. The result? Skin that’s cleaner, softer, and ready for the rest of your product lineup . A good cleansing brush can not only remove makeup and grime more effectively but also help prep your skin for whatever the next step in your routine is — but it's not always clear what makes one tool better than another. One way to narrow down your options is to focus on dermatologist-recommended face cleansing brushes. These brushes get the experts' seal of approval not just for their ability to deep-clean your skin, but also for doing so gently. Some of them work manually, while others are electric and use light vibrations or sonic technology to completely remove the day's accumulation of oil and debris from your skin. What reviewers say:“Within three days of using this, I saw a significant difference in my skin and my acne cleared up almost immediately. It feels fresh and relaxing, and I leave feeling refreshed with a deep clean. And the different brushes help with sensitivity.” With five different modes to choose from (ranging from soft gentle vibrations to more intense settings) you can truly customize the intensity to your skincare needs. Plus, you can also adjust the temperature with the heating and cooling modes. The former helps open up your pores for a deep clean, while the latter tightens and firm your skin. Our tester found that adjusting the temperature settings wasn’t very straightforward, but once she got the hang of it she liked the options. Once you find the perfect speed and temperature, the smart device automatically saves it so everything will already be set the next time you use it. It doesn’t stop there: The unique tool also takes you through your whole skincare routine.

Now, let’s get into the specs: This rechargeable body scrubber uses PMD’s proprietary SonicGlow Technology to break down dirt and oil from within your pores at a whopping 7,000 vibrations per minute. The Clean Body also has four customizable modes and a silicone brush head that’s suitable for all skin types to use. It’s also worth noting that if you’re concerned about bacteria, opting for a silicone brush is wise because many silicones used in making facial cleansing brushes are anti-bacterial.

Sheila Farhang, M.D., is a double-fellowship trained board-certified dermatologist, reconstructive skin cancer (Mohs micrographic) surgeon, and cosmetic surgeon in Tucson, TX. She has authored numerous publications in top dermatology journals and is considered a media expert by the American Academy of Dermatology. What to Look for in a Facial Cleansing Brush Bristle Type While the brush does feature a heating function, our tester noted that she didn’t feel much of a difference between the heated setting and the regular setting, saying that the heat emission was very minor. There’s no one size fits all when it comes to the best cleansing brushes — the best type will differ based on your skin’s needs. If you have super sensitive skin, opt for a gentle tool like the Vivalui Wireless Ultrasonic Silicone Electric Facial Cleansing Brush. On the other hand, if your skin seems super congested, you may want something with stronger bristles to deeply cleanse your skin, like the Alder New York Cleansing Facial Brush.

Too much of anything is never a good thing,” Plunkett says. However, you should always use a cleansing brush in moderation, especially depending on your skin type. “I suggest using a cleansing brush as part of your nighttime routine to remove the day’s makeup, oil, and debris. Depending on your brush, make sure to clean and change the head of your device regularly to make sure it stays clear of bacteria, or else it could cause breakouts,” Plunkett explains. Do dermatologists/skin experts recommend facial cleansing brushes? Silicone cleansing brushes are often more gentle and hygienic than those with nylon bristles, making them great for all skin types — and this one from Vivalui is one of the best. Made of a luxurious silicone material that gently cleanses the skin, this tool dissolves makeup and clears clogged pores. Compact and lightweight, this brush features two modes (lower and stronger vibration options), and even includes a heating setting to open up your pores. While our tester notes she felt little difference between the two settings, she says that her skin “felt noticeably more cleansed than when I use my hands.” The brush effortlessly unclogs pores by shaking sebum loose, leaving you feeling refreshed and oil-free. As a bonus, the brush is even easy to clean: “I noticed all the suds and residue sliding off the brush when placed in water,” our tester says. Our testing review: “I’ve been using this product almost every night as it leaves my face feeling exfoliated, fresh, and clean. Plus, it’s super powerful and easy to use, which means it doesn’t consume much of my time”What reviewers say: “I use this every morning and every night, anywhere from three to 15 minutes and it has made a huge difference in my skin. I used to wash my face with just my fingertips, but this is truly working in your pores and getting everything out. My favorite brush head is the silicone option. It’s really easy for me to use with products and cleanse.”

What reviewers say:“In the past, I’ve just used my hands to wash my face. But after using this brush I feel like my face has finally been actually getting clean. It’s not rough on your skin and lathers up very well.”Unlike a lot of facial cleansing brushes that are made of silicone and feature various mechanical modes, this one has soft synthetic bristles—similar to a makeup brush—and is meant to be used manually. The ultra-soft bristles bump up the lather of foam cleansers and work to give the skin a deep yet gentle clean. The bristles also provide very subtle exfoliation, perfect for those with sensitive skin that struggle to exfoliate without creating irritation. It felt like it was able to get a good amount of makeup off while also removing dead skin,” our tester shares. “I think it's a great alternative to facial scrubs or harsher tools that might be irritating.” It’s important to note that while she doesn’t think the bristles are necessarily abrasive, she says they are “a little rougher than the average cleansing brush.” Overall, with such a great price tag and its ability to fit it in the palm of your hand, the device is great for travel and gives you more control when cleansing. She was very impressed by how well it cleansed her face of multiple layers of foundation without being too abrasive or causing irritation on her sensitive skin. She noted that while she often finds silicone bristles to be too harsh on her skin, the bristles on this brush are totally gentle. It does take a few minutes to heat up if you choose to use that setting, but our tester shared that it did add to the experience of using this brush. Once she cleansed her face, it was left feeling great, and the brush was easy to clean afterward.

What reviewers say:“I’m so happy I have this as part of my morning and night routines. The silicone bristles are very pliable, and I like the three different vibration settings. I’ve seen a noticeable difference after just two weeks of use. The Opus Luxe leaves my skin feeling cleaner, smoother, and more radiant.” Look for a brush that has multiple speeds so you can adjust the exfoliation level for your skin," says Dr. Lal. He also recommends keeping an eye out for a facial brush that is antimicrobial—meaning it will not harbor bacteria—and waterproof so that you can use it in the shower without fear of it breaking. Know how to use it correctly While the Petal 2 from RoseSkinCo. looks like any other facial cleansing brush, it’s unique handle and curved head truly set it apart. The handle is designed to fit perfectly into the palm of your hand, giving you more control, and the shape of the head allows the bristles to effortlessly cup your face, allowing it to more easily cleanse, massage, and rejuvenate your complexion. “The small, light, aerodynamic shape of the handle makes this brush very easy and comfortable to use,” our tester shares. Featuring circulating beads that pulsate over 10,000 times per minute, this brush will transform your skin. Do facial cleansing brushes really work? | Do dermatologists recommend facial cleansing brushes? | Can I use facial cleansing brush everyday? Best facial cleansing brushes at a glance:

4. TAO Orbital Brush System

The cult-favorite Japanese skincare brand’s luxurious cleansing brush is the perfect hybrid of silky-soft, finely tapered bristles and silicone cushions made to gently massage the skin. With an ergonomic, curved handle, users can grip it without it slipping, and breeze over natural facial contours. It also allows for a gentle facial massage (great for microcirculation) and overall skin vitality and radiance. However, due to the softness of the bristles, this brush isn’t as effective at exfoliating.