7 Best Facial Cleansing Brushes of 2024, According to Experts | Allure

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The best facial cleansing brushes can be the skin-care game-changer you shouldn’t sleep on. If you’re still washing your face with just your hands, it’s like trying to clean your floors with a toothbrush. Sure, it technically works, but is the most efficient way to get the job done? Not really.

These handy tools turn your regular face-washing session into a spa-like clean. Why should you care? Because they do what your hands can’t. “Facial cleansing brushes are a great way to get a deeper clean than just using your hands or a washcloth,” says Alexandra Bowles, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Cincinnati, OH. We’re talking every ounce of dirt, excess oil, and makeup. “Plus, facial brushes add an extra level of exfoliation. Along with sloughing off dead skin cells, the gentle massage helps to boost circulation and gives your skin a healthy glow,” adds Dr. Bowles.

To help narrow down which facial cleansing brush is the best, we tapped our pros for their favorite recommendations and buffed our way through a lineup of top-rated options. Here are the ones that’ll have you wondering why you didn’t switch sooner.

Foreo

Amazon

Nordstrom

Dermstore

Why we love it: The Foreo Luna 4 is an investment, but let’s be honest—here at Allure, we don’t recommend a splurge until it’s totally worth it. And this brush seriously changes the game. It’s got high-tech innovation, versatility, and is perfect for all skin types. With 16 (!) vibration intensities and three cleansing modes (gentle, regular, and deep cleanse), it caters to your specific skin type and needs. Plus, it pulls double-duty as a face massager. Hook it up to the app for eight massaging techniques that boost blood flow and de-puff skin as if you just got back from your aesthetician. The LUNA 4 has even softer silicone bristles than their older models, which feel like a hundred little pillows on your skin. “Silicone is gentle and great for sensitive skin types. Silicone brushes are also easier to clean than regular brushes and are less likely to harbor bacteria or mold,” says Mona Foad, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA Dermatology in Cincinnati, OH.

Editor tip: For sensitive skin, don’t use your brush more than two or three times a week to avoid overexfoliation.

Material: silicone | Who it’s for: sensitive skin | Special features: 300 uses per charge, T-Sonic™ massage, stands on its own

Beauty Pie

Beauty Pie

Why we love it: It might be tiny (and adorable), but it’s mighty. The Beautypie Super Facial Vibrating Cleansing Brush keeps things straightforward yet effective. It’s a great choice for beauty newbies who are overwhelmed by too many different modes or ways to use their brush. With just one mode of operation, all you have to do is hold down the button for two seconds to start and let the brush do all the gentle vibration work. No guesswork, no switching between settings—just a steady and thorough clean that keeps going until the device automatically shuts off. The low-maintenance tool makes deep cleansing a breeze.

Editor tip: Make the most of your shower time by bringing this device along to multitask—just enough time for your conditioner to sink in. It's shower-safe, so you can easily cleanse your skin as you wait. Just be mindful not to submerge it fully.

Material: silicone | Who it’s for: all skin types | Special features: S-ion Technology antibacterial silicone surface, charging stand

PMD

Amazon

Nordstrom

Dermstore

Why we love it: If you actually want to look forward to washing your face at night, the PMD Clean might be key. Its four customizable settings cater to your skin’s needs, depending on how sensitive it is or if you’re just looking for a deeper cleanse and exfoliation. The first two modes offer high or low vibration intensities to thoroughly cleanse and lift away dirt, oil, and makeup. Flip over the brush and use the pulsing sensation on the backside for a rejuvenating facial massage. This boosts circulation, helps your skin absorb other skin-care products like face serum more effectively, and makes you feel more refreshed.

Editor tip: Thanks to the exfoliating powers of a facial cleansing brush, you might experience what’s known as a skin purge. This is when your skin starts pushing out all the built-up gunk from deep within your pores, which can lead to temporary breakouts. It can be frustrating, but it usually means your skin is detoxing and clearing out all the bad stuff, so stay consistent with your routine and hang in there.

Material: silicone | Who it’s for: all skin types | Special features: SonicGlow technology that delivers 7,000 vibrations per minute, stands on its own

Naturopathica

Dermstore

Naturopathica

Why we love it: If high-tech facial cleansing brushes aren’t your vibe, the Naturopathica Facial Cleansing Brush is the perfect back-to-basics alternative. Don’t let its simple design fool you—this manual brush is as efficient as its vibrating counterparts. The unique, uneven bristle pattern is made to give you a deeper clean, easily maneuvering around tricky spots like your nose to get into every nook and cranny. Plus, the super soft nylon bristles are gentle enough to use on your neck, promoting lymphatic flow while staying kind to sensitive skin. Just be sure to rinse it with mild soap and water after each use and let it fully dry before your next cleansing session. To avoid any buildup on the brush head, it’ll need to be replaced about every two to three months.

Editor tip: A manual facial cleansing brush with nylon bristles, like this one from Naturopathica, works best when paired with an oil-based cleanser that gives it a nice, smooth glide. If you opt for a foaming cleanser, you’ll feel the bristles more, which gives a bit of a scrubby, exfoliating action rather than a gentle massage.

Material: nylon | Who it’s for: all skin types, especially sensitive | Special features: contoured bristles, stands on its own

E.L.F.

Amazon

Why we love it: If you want a basic intro to facial cleansing brushes, this keeps things simple. On one side, you've got ultra-soft, densely packed bristles that contour to your face as you move it, giving your pores a gentle, deep clean and exfoliation without any harshness. Flip it over, and you have a textured silicone surface perfect for massaging your skin—especially when paired with a serum for a little extra slip. The ergonomic handle gives you full control, so you can easily adjust the pressure depending on what your skin needs. Just a heads up: those long bristles are great for a deep clean, but they can take a little longer to rinse out and dry. Still, it's totally worth it for that fresh, glowing skin.

Editor tip: After cleaning your facial brush, lay the brush flat to dry. To avoid bacteria buildup at the base of the brush, it’s best to hang the bristles off the edge of a counter or your sink (you might need something heavy to lay on top of the handle side so it doesn’t tip over).

Material: silicone and synthetic bristles | Who it’s for: all skin types, especially sensitive | Special features: manual ergonomic control

Proactiv

Amazon

Proactiv

Why we love it: Super easy to use and perfectly sized to fit in the palm of your hand, this rotating cleansing brush packs some extra cleansing power with its charcoal-infused bristles. Charcoal acts like a magnet, pulling out impurities and excess oil while giving your pores a deep, refreshing clean. With two speed settings (high and low), the brush's 360° continuous rotation not only exfoliates but gives your skin an ultra-thorough cleanse—ideal for oily or combination skin types. “They’re great for oily or combo skin, but rotating brushes and longer bristles can be a little harsh for sensitive skin,” says Dr. Bowles. If you have sensitive skin, use it sparingly or go for a gentler option to avoid irritation.

Editor tip: Avoid keeping the cleansing tool in one place for too long. “They’re easy to overuse,” says Dr. Bowles. Give it about 20 seconds before moving onto another section of your face to avoid overcleaning or overexfoliating.

Material: charcoal-infused bristles | Who it’s for: oily or combo skin| Special features: rotating head

Michael Todd Beauty

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: Raise your hand if the skin below your neck doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Enter this 3-in-1 dermatologist favorite with three interchangeable heads: a face brush for deep cleansing, a body brush to tackle those rough patches, and a serum infusion head to supercharge your serum game. Whether battling Sahara-level dryness or an unexpected breakout, its six customizable speeds let you tailor your cleanse to whatever your skin needs. “The bristles have rounded tips to prevent scratching and irritation,” says Dr. Foad. And while its antimicrobial bristles keep things ultra-clean, they do taper off after about six months, so you’ll want to swap out the head for maximum freshness.

Editor tip: Use a higher setting to remove makeup and grime for a deeper clean. In the morning, switch to a more gentle speed to refresh skin without stripping away natural oils.

Material: carbon fiber bristles | Who it’s for: all skin types | Special features: Sonic technology moves 18,000 times a minute, interchangeable heads, charging stand

Yes, facial cleansing brushes can be good for your skin, but it all comes down to your skin type and making sure you’re using them properly. “Many people find that these brushes help to clear away dirt, makeup, and dead skin cells more effectively than just using their hands without causing any damage,” says Dr. Foad.

But if you have super-sensitive skin or skin conditions like rosacea, take note: “For people with more sensitive skin, mechanical devices like these can do more harm than good by creating micro tears and other skin irritation. These irritations can cause exacerbation of certain skin conditions like acne or rosacea. I do think that some of these devices can help with circulation and lymphatic flow when used to massage the skin's surface. I like the devices with a vibration function for this,” says Kristina Collins, MD, FAAD, a double board-certified dermatologist in Austin, TX.

While dermatologists emphasize that facial cleansing brushes can work wonders for your skin, it’s all about using the right one for your skin type and how you use them. “Most of the time, these brushes are very helpful and allow us to get a deeper clean by removing any dirt, oil, or makeup that may have built up throughout the day. These brushes also help to exfoliate the skin gently. Silicone brushes are the safest to use but may not give you as deep of a clean as a vibrating brush. Make sure you use the brush best suited for your skin type and do not overdo it,” says Dr. Foad.

Ultimately, the best facial cleansing brush for you comes down to your skin type, personal preferences, and skin-care goals. That said, one standout option dermatologists keep raving about is the Foreo Luna 4. Its gentle, non-abrasive silicone bristles make it perfect for all skin types, plus it’s super easy to keep clean—no brush head replacements needed, thanks to its bacteria-resistant silicone design. The catch? You’ll need to be a bit tech-savvy, as accessing all its features requires Bluetooth and the Foreo app.

After each use, “the brush should be cleansed with a little bit of warm, soapy water and then allowed to completely air dry before storing. I would not put a wet brush into an enclosed container to reduce the risk of bacteria buildup,” says Collins.

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