Do You Need to Add a Facial Cleansing Brush to Your Skincare Routine?

Two beauty experts help you weigh the pros and cons of this sworn-by skin smoothening tool.

12 August, 2021
Do You Need to Add a Facial Cleansing Brush to Your Skincare Routine?

Been hearing about a facial cleansing brush for far too long but intimidated to give it a shot? We get it—one often feels overwhelmed when asked to take a beauty gizmo for a test run. But the thing is, this skincare device is pretty simple: All you've got to do is to dab on your favourite cleanser, dampen your brush, and move it over your face in gentle, circular motions. The result? Soft, supple, and smooth skin that serves as the perfect base for the remainder of products to be applied.

"Facial cleansing brushes, as is quite self-explanatory, helps facilitate the cleansing action on your skin. Used with a cleanser or an exfoliant, they help get rid of dirt and debris more efficiently, and intensify exfoliation for increased skin cell renewal. While you may experience enhanced congestion and breakouts, at first, regular use of the brush will improve this condition," explains Hinaa Khan, Head of Education, Dermalogica India.

However, since this skincare tool ain't suited to all skin types, it's important to figure out whether you're the right candidate for using this device or not. To help you make the correct decision for your skin, we've got two experts on board who will tell you how to use the brush, its benefits, as well as weigh in on the pros and cons and dos and don'ts of trying out the equipment. 

According to Dr Manasi Shirolikar, Head Dermatologist at Remedico, a facial cleansing brush is best used by those who possess an oily skin type. It also works well for those who wear water-resistant makeup and sunscreen. Although, people with sensitive and dry skin should avoid using the tool, or must do so with utmost caution. "Before using the brush, make sure that you remove your makeup, rinse your face with water, and apply a cleanser. Dampen the surface of the brush and begin to move it gently over your face in circular motions. Do not press hard on your skin and avoid the sensitive eye area. Once finished, rinse your face with water, pat dry, and resume the rest of your routine."

"The bristles present on the head of the cleansing brush oscillate at a sonic frequency of 127 Hz. This rapid movement deep cleanses your skin by instantly getting rid of makeup residue, thus cleaning out your pores and offering light exfoliation. Although, overuse of the tool or combining it with exfoliants can break the skin’s natural barrier, leading to irritation, redness, and increased sensitivity," she adds.

Elucidating the dos and don'ts of using this device, Hinaa Khan puts forth, "To begin, use the cleansing brush with a cleanser that is gentle on your skin. Perform a circular motion for 1-2 minutes, after which clean the brush and leave it to air dry. Follow this up with a moisturiser suited to your skin type, as well as a gel-based sunscreen if you're planning to step out. Avoid using the skincare tool with abrasive, granular scrubs over pustular acne, and ensure that you do not share it with others." 

Moving on to the benefits of using a facial cleansing brush—yup, it offers quite a few—Khan says, "The tool lends a deeper cleanse, clears blocked pores, stimulates blood circulation, helps detoxify your skin, refines and smoothens its texture, and allows for quick absorption of products applied thereafter—such as serums and moisturisers—to provide maximum results. 

Dr Shirolikar adds, "If you tend to wear long-lasting makeup products, a deeper facial cleanse may be required since it will be slightly more difficult to get rid of the makeup, particularly in the facial folds, open pores, wrinkled areas, and acne scars. In fact, research suggests that a sonic cleansing brush is more effective in removing makeup than manual cleansing."

There you have it—now choose wisely!

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