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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
We wouldn't necessarily classify cleansing brushes as a must-have beauty product. Still, lots of people swear by these gadgets and reach for them multiple times a week—sometimes daily.
Not only do they offer a deeper clean when washing your face, but you'll enjoy some benefits of physical exfoliation, too. "Facial cleansing brushes act as mechanical exfoliators to help remove dead skin while also increasing blood flow to leave skin glowing," explains board-certified dermatologist Sheila Farhang, MD, founder of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics.
What's more, sloughing off all the gunk might help your serums and creams absorb better into your skin. To avoid irritation, Dr. Farhang recommends using a cleansing brush no more than a few times a week, preferably in the shower when your skin is wet and soft.
Meet the Expert
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.
Not all cleansing brushes are created equal, so to compile a list of the very best, we put one top contender to the test. Our tester used this brush for weeks at a time, rating how well it cleansed, exfoliated, and removed stubborn makeup. We then combined those results with our own research and expert recommendations from Dr. Farhang.
Ahead, the best facial cleansing brushes you can buy today.
Best Overall: PMD Clean Smart Facial Cleansing Device
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Courtesy of Sephora
7,000 sonic pulses per minute
Dual-sided
Antimicrobial
Expensive
Dr. Farhang is partial to cleansing brushes with silicone bristles, like the PMD Clean Smart. She appreciates that the vibrations not only offer a deep clean but also increase circulation to tone your skin for a younger-looking complexion.
While it boasts over 7,000 sonic pulses per minute, the bristles are gentle enough for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone. Thanks to the silicone head and handle, the Clean Smart is antimicrobial, meaning it won't harbor bacteria or mildew. It's also 100% waterproof, so go ahead and keep it in your shower.
Brush Material: Silicone | Skin Type: All | Features: Four modes, waterproof
Best Budget: EcoTools Deep Cleansing Brush
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Ulta
Budget-friendly
Travel-friendly
Made from recycled materials
Not long-lasting
The supremely wallet-friendly EcoTools Brush is a manual tool with extra-soft, dermatologist-tested nylon bristles that gently cleanse and exfoliate. Thanks to the compact size and handy storage cap, it's travel-friendly and ideal for on-the-go use.
Brush Material: Nylon | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, sensitive | Features: Plastic cover
Best Drugstore: Olay Regenerist Face Cleansing Device
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Courtesy of Olay
Budget-friendly
Soft bristles
Dermatologist-designed
Bulky design
We're also big fans of Olay's Cleansing Brush, which earned a 4.5 overall score from our at-home tester. Powered by two AA batteries (included) and suitable for all skin types, this waterproof gadget flaunts dual speeds and a rotating head.
Brush Material: Plastic | Skin Type: All | Features: Two speeds, waterproof, rotating head
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Byrdie / Jenna Igneri
What Our Testers Say
"After the very first use, I noticed a major difference in how much cleaner and smoother my skin felt post-cleanse compared to when I use my hands, though not so clean to the point where it felt stripped. My skin was baby-soft and had a much brighter appearance that lasted throughout the day." — Jenna Igneri, Product Tester
Best Splurge: FOREO Luna 3 for Combination Skin
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8,000 sonic pulses per minute
Antimicrobial
Long-lasting battery
Expensive
If you're open to shelling out the big bucks, you can't go wrong with the Luna 3. On account of the antimicrobial silicone head, 16 intensity levels, Bluetooth compatibility, and skin-firming massage function, this all-star device is also a favorite of Dr. Farhang.
Brush Material: Silicone | Skin Type: Balanced, combination, sensitive | Features: 16 intensity levels, waterproof, Bluetooth compatibility
Best Luxury: Michael Todd Soniclear Elite Cleansing System
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Courtesy of QVC
18,000 sonic pulses per minute
Antimicrobial
Hard-shell case
Five-year warranty
Expensive
The Soniclear Elite calls on state-of-the-art technology to gently yet effectively cleanse, massage, and exfoliate not only your face but your entire body. This top-shelf tool boasts a whopping 18,000 sonic pulses per minute (though you can opt for one of the five slower speeds), antimicrobial bristles, a built-in timer, and an included hard-shell case.
Brush Material: Nylon | Skin Type: All | Features: Rechargeable battery, six speeds, timer, two brushes
Best Manual: Naturopathica Facial Cleansing Brush
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Courtesy of Dermstore
Budget-friendly
Soft bristles
Stimulates lymphatic drainage
Tricky to clean thoroughly
You don't necessarily need an electric tool to get a deep clean. Case in point: Naturopathica. The brand's manual facial brush has soft, non-irritating bristles with contoured "massaging waves" to stimulate lymphatic drainage. Measuring just over 2 inches, it's also notably compact and great for on-the-go use.
Brush Material: Nylon | Skin Type: All | Features: Massaging waves
Best for Dry Skin: Buttah Skin Vibe Facial Cleansing Brush
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10,000 sonic pulses per minute
Gently exfoliates
Boosts radiance
Bulky design
Flaky, textured skin? Reach for the Buttah Vibe. Yes, it sounds and looks a bit like a sex toy, but it's a clutch skincare tool. This sonic cleansing brush gently exfoliates with silicone bristles to remove dead cells and address dullness, then delicately massages your dermis to increase circulation and tone your skin.
Brush Material: Silicone | Skin Type: All | Features: Water-resistant
Best for Oily Skin: Conair True Glow Sonic Facial Beauty Kit
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Amazon
18,000 sonic pulses per minute
Waterproof
Head doesn't rotate
For folks with oily complexions, we suggest True Glow. This facial cleansing device uses up to 300 sonic pulses per second to minimize greasiness on your T-zone and other oily patches while reducing the appearance of healed blemishes.
Brush Material: Nylon | Skin Type: Oily, combination, acne-prone | Features: Three speeds, rechargeable battery, timer
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Proactiv Charcoal Pore Cleansing Brush
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Soft bristles
Ergonomic design
Unclogs pores
Batteries drain quickly
The acne-prone camp can count on Proactiv for gentle yet effective at-home treatments and preventative skincare. Designed to help draw out impurities that clog pores and lead to breakouts, the tried-and-true brand's Pore Cleansing Brush has charcoal-infused nylon bristles and a 360-rotating head.
Brush Material: Charcoal-infused nylon | Skin Type: Acne-prone, oily | Features: 360-degree rotation, two speeds
Best for Blackheads: Shiseido Cleansing Massage Brush
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Nordstrom
Small head
Soft bristles
Tricky to clean
Shiseido's take on the facial cleansing brush is this slim, curved gadget. Thanks to the small head and soft tapered bristles, you can work it all around the contours of your nose, chin, and anywhere else blackheads crop up.
Brush Material: Nylon | Skin Type: All | Features: Massaging cushions
Best for Sensitive Skin: Nion Opus Luxe
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Shani Darden
Gentle
Antimicrobial
Ergonomic design
Expensive
The Opus Luxe is a prime option for the sensitive-skin set. Powered by a rechargeable battery, this three-speed facial brush has an ergonomic handle, an antimicrobial silicone head, a built-in timer, and three pulsating speeds that cleanse, massage, and oh-so-gently exfoliate.
Brush Material: Silicone | Skin Type: All | Features: Three speeds, timer, rechargeable battery
Best for Travel: Plum Beauty Compact Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush
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Amazon
Compact
Antimicrobial
Affordable
Batteries drain quickly
Going on a trip? Plum Beauty is your best bet. Measuring just 3.5 x 1.7 inches, this palm-sized silicone cleansing brush is notably compact. Not only that, but it charges with a USB cable, so you won't have to worry about bringing extra batteries.
Brush Material: Silicone | Skin Type: All | Features: Rechargeable battery
Best Exfoliating: Anisa Beauty Facial Cleansing Brush
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Affordable
Water-resistant
Unclogs pores
Tricky to clean
The Anisa Cleansing Brush works to unclog pores and exfoliate without irritation. "This is a nice option because the head has both silicone and soft brush bristles," Dr. Farhang tells Byrdie. We also like that it has a little ring where you deposit cleanser and a thumb grip for comfortable use.
Brush Material: Fiber, silicone | Skin Type: All | Features: Cleanser ring, thumb grip
Best Massaging: Laduora Liss Facial Sonic Skin Cleansing Brush
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Amazon
9,500 sonic pulses per minute
Waterproof
Antimicrobial
Doesn't include a storage case
The Laduora Liss offers more than sonic cleansing. This cleansing brush delivers spa-level facial massage along with the gentle heat of gemstones to increase blood flow. The result? Temporarily firmer, more elastic, radiant-looking skin.
Brush Material: Silicone | Skin Type: All | Features: Gemstone massager, heat therapy, three vibration levels, rechargeable battery
Best Set: Vanity Planet Facial Cleansing Brush Ultimate Skin Spa
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Hard-shell case
Unclogs pores
Water-resistant
Case isn't ventilated
AA batteries not included
Vanity Planet's Ultimate Skin Spa comes with a water-resistant, dual-speed handle powered by two AA batteries (not included) and three heads: one for daily cleansing, one for exfoliating, and a silicone one designed to unclog pores. You'll also get a hard-shell case for easy storage and organization.
Brush Material: Nylon, silicone | Skin Type: All | Features: Three interchangeable heads, two speeds, 360-degree rotation
Final Verdict
Our number one pick is the PMD Clean Smart Facial Cleansing Device, a dermatologist-recommended facial cleansing device with antimicrobial silicone bristles that oscillate at over 7,000 sonic pulses per minute. We also love the Foreo Luna 3, a top-shelf gadget with Bluetooth compatibility. On the other hand, the EcoTools Deep Cleansing Brush is a great manual option, and it'll only run you a few bucks.
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What to Look for in a Facial Cleansing Brush
Bristle Type
Typically made of either nylon or silicone, there are pros and cons to each. Nylon ones are generally more exfoliating, though silicone may be gentler on the skin as well as more hygienic and easier to clean.
Vibrating vs. Oscillating
Some brushes simply spin, while others deliver sonic vibrations. There’s nothing wrong with either, though the sonic vibrations may offer more, good-for-your-skin benefits.
Speed Settings
Ideally, you want at least two (though many brushes offer many more) so that you can best customize the intensity of the brush for your skin type and needs.
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Why Trust Byrdie?
Theresa Holland is a freelance copywriter specializing in beauty, wellness, and lifestyle. She compiled expert insights and editor recommendations for this article, then researched the various types, materials, and features of cleansing brushes. After considering dozens of models from several retailers, she selected options that stood out in terms of effectiveness, gentleness, notable features, and overall design. Theresa has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020, where she writes about skincare, makeup, and fitness gear.
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