The Best Facial Cleansing Brushes For Every Skin Type
Gone are the days when our skincare routines consisted of just a facial cleanser and a moisturizer. These days, taking care of your skin entails a half-dozen products, cleansing not once but twice, and splurging on high-tech devices to make our products more effective. Enter: facial cleansing brushes. They were first introduced as powerful devices to boost your cleansing routine, but modern versions boast way more than a deep clean and let’s just say we’re hooked.
You don’t have to be obsessed with skincare to invest in a facial cleansing brush, but it is important to choose the best brush for your skin needs and concerns. There are some with bristles, some made with silicone, some are electric and some are manual. It can be tough to discern which brush is best for you. That’s where we come in. We’ve rounded up the best facial cleansing brushes to date so shopping for your new device just became way easier. From the best acne-friendly option to the best tool for aging skin, these are the best cleansing brushes on the market.
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Best Electric Option: Clarisonic Mia Prima Sonic Facial Cleansing System
Best Silicone Option: Foreo Luna 3
Best Rotating Option: Michael Todd Soniclear Cleansing System
Best Affordable Option: Olay Regenerist Face Cleansing Device
Best for Sensitive Skin: TAO Clean Orbital Facial Brush and Cleansing Station
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Proactiv Charcoal Pore Cleansing Brush
Best for Anti-Aging: REFA CLEAR Facial Cleansing Brush
Best for Oily Skin: Ecotools Facial Cleansing Brush
Best for Dry Skin: PMD Clean
Best for Combination Skin: Lax Care Sonic Face Brush
Best Manual Facial Cleansing Brush: Sephora Collection Precision Pore Cleansing Pad
Read on below to see why each of these devices made the cut.
Best Electric Facial Cleansing Brush: Clarisonic Mia Prima
Clarisonic might just be the OG of facial cleansing brushes, and for good reason. These vibrating brushes have been on top of the game since day one and have only gotten more swoon-worthy with every new release. The Mia Prima not only cleans skin, it also minimizes the appearance of pores and helps slough off dead skin for a more even complexion. But it doesn’t stop there. We also love how user-friendly this brush is, with one button for simple, yet effective cleansing. The brushes are gentle enough for all skin types to use.
Shop now: $99; amazon.com
Best Silicone Facial Cleansing Brush: Foreo Luna 3
While old-school cleansing brushes come with nylon bristles (like the Clarisonic), modern versions like this one from Foreo are relying on silicone to remove dirt and debris. According to the brand, silicone is super hygienic, gentle on the skin, and durable. Fun fact: Foreo brushes never need to be replaced due to bacteria. Since silicone is non-porous, bacteria build-up — that unpleasant odor that appears out of nowhere after a few months of using a sinkside cleansing tool — won’t occur. As for the brush itself, it uses T-sonic pulsations to sweep away dirt and debris. With 16 different pulsation intensities, you can customize your cleanse with each use.
Shop now: $199; amazon.com
Best Rotating Facial Cleansing Brush: Michael Todd Soniclear Cleansing System
This sonic cleansing brush uses sweeping motions to rid skin of dirt and grime. While it may not be measureably more effective than pulses and other vibrations, sometimes it just feels like it’s doing harder work, which can be satisfying while you cleanse. According to some skincare experts, the rotating brush actually helps draw out oil and debris instead of sloshing it around your face. The brush itself is waterproof with six speed settings and two brush heads. What really sets this model apart from the rest is the built-in antimicrobial protection guards on the bristles that keep odor and bacteria at bay for up to six months, making this the perfect option for those of us that tend to procrastinate.
Shop now: $149; amazon.com
Best Affordable Option: Olay Regenerist Face Cleansing Device
Whether you’re new to cleansing brushes or you’re just looking for a wallet-friendly option, this drugstore option really delivers. It removes stubborn makeup, gently exfoliates, and gives a deeper clean than using your fingers or a cloth. Don’t expect tons of bells and whistles with this budget buy — advanced options and settings definitely come with a higher price tag. But with two cleansing speeds, this affordable option does just enough to get the job done.
Shop now: $25; amazon.com
Best for Sensitive Skin: TAO Clean Orbital Facial Brush and Cleansing Station
When you’re dealing with sensitive skin, picking any ol’ cleansing brush won’t do. Using a brush that’s too harsh will irritate and inflame skin, but using a brush that’s too soft will leave skin feeling barely clean in the first place. Thankfully, this system features soft bristles that aren’t too soft or too firm and gently cleanse skin without irritation. There are two settings, super-clean mode and sensitive-clean mode, and a built-in timer so you won’t overdo it. The best part about this system is the ergonomic handle and patented docking station. After cleansing, return your brush to the dock, which dries your brush to eliminate mildew and uses a UV-C lamp to kill germs. This may be one of the most tech-advanced options on the market.
Shop now: $79; amazon.com
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Proactiv Charcoal Pore Cleansing Brush
Proactiv is a go-to for busting breakouts and this brush is no different. The brush features long bristles with 360-degree rotation that truly sweep pores clean. The bristles are infused with charcoal, a detoxifying powerhouse that deep cleans skin to reduce blemishes. Unlike other brushes, Proactiv recommends only using this brush once a day for a clearer complexion. Another plus to note is that the brush can stand on its own without a dock. Not only does it limit clutter on the bathroom counter, it makes storing it a breeze.
Shop now: $48 (Originally $55); amazon.com
Best for Anti-Aging: ReFa Clear Facial Cleansing Brush
A great option for mature, aging skin the RaFa Clear, which features 3D sonic ion technology that moves bristles in both vertical and horizontal directions, combined with vibrations to deep clean. Another unique feature of the brush is its varying lengths of super-fine bristles. The tapered bristles conform to the skin for the closest cleanse possible. Trust us, no clogged pores here. Plus, we love how gentle this brush is on aging skin. There’s no pulling, no tugging, and no irritation for these pillow-soft bristles.
Shop now: $300; nordstrom.com
Best for Oily Skin: Ecotools Facial Cleansing Brush
Another affordable option, this tiny facial cleansing brush is great for pulling excess oil out of pores and buffing away dead skin. We love the compact size, which makes it ideal for packing in your gym bag or taking along on your weekend travels. You won’t find any buttons or modes on this device as it’s manual, so you can apply as much or as little pressure as you’d like. And of course, like all Ecotools products, this brush is PETA-certified which means it’s cruelty-free and vegan.
Shop now: $6; amazon.com
Best for Dry Skin: PMD Clean Smart Facial Cleansing Device
Similar to those with sensitive skin, dry skin types should opt for products and devices that won’t irritate or overdo it. That’s why this silicone-bristle option pairs best with dry skin. The smart device uses over 7,000 vibrations per minute to cleanse, lift and firm skin. And since no pourous bristles are involved, the chances of the device drying out skin are minimal. This option is also battery operated so you don’t have to clear up space for a charging dock.
Shop now: $99; sephora.com
Best for Combination Skin: Lax Care Sonic Face Brush
With a whopping seven speeds and two modes, this cleansing tool was practically made for combo skin. There are thick bristles to work the t-zone and fine bristles to clear our pores on the cheeks and chin. On the back side of the device, there are massaging bristles with heat technology to help lift and firm the face, while allowing skincare actives to deeply penetrate the surface of the skin. And for less than $40, we consider it a win-win no matter what skin type you have.
Shop now: $38; amazon.com
Best Manual Facial Brush: Sephora Collection Precision Pore Cleansing Pad
If you’re looking for a tool to amp up your beauty routine but you’re not interested in investing in a high-tech device, this cleansing pad is for you. On one side, you’ll find little silicone nubs to massage your face and clear out pores, and the other side is a suction holder that helps to grip while you scrub and later attach to the wall of your shower for easy access. Don’t let the price tag fool you. It may not be high-tech, but it certainly gets the job done.
Shop now: $7; sephora.com
