How to Use a Facial Cleansing Brush

We should perhaps be a little more specific when defining how to use a facial cleansing brush as there are many types out there. A facial cleansing brush can essentially be any brush used to cleanse the face. These might be handheld or incorporated into another type of exfoliator. The facial cleansing brushes we are discussing in this article are electric.

The reason these cleansing brushes need electricity is because they have a rotating head which enables it to clean the skin more thoroughly. This means it works similarly to an electric toothbrush, using electrical current to do the job manual brushing just can't. It also helps you to control the action much better. As a face scrub would do, it helps exfoliate the skin deeply and is perfect for a deep cleansing treatment.

You can attach different heads which will be more or less effective for your type of skin. The main reason for this is to prevent damage which might be caused by the wrong style of brush. There are also different skin brushes for different stages of the skin cleanse (more on that later).

Benefits

At the same time, skin cleansing brushes exfoliate and gently massage the skin to stimulate blood circulation. This also promotes the creation of collagen. That's why it leaves the skin feeling smoother, more radiant and luminous than washing it with just your hands. Moreover, it will also promote tighter skin once you know how to use a facial cleanser properly.

The brush will also help to get rid of dead skin cells. It does this as it smooths your skin during the skin cleanse, acting as a face scrub. It can help exfoliate your face, leaving it free of impurities and debris.

It has also been shown that when using this tool, the skin can better absorb the nutrients in any creams or treatments applied afterwards. This means that it will better abosorb the nutrients found in good moisturizers, but also allows make-up to sit better on the skin. This results in a more natural, uniform finish.

Contraindications

The cleansing brush is not for everyone, as it can harm people who have sensitive facial skin. This includes conditions which affect skin such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. If you have had some sort of microdermabrasion treatment or have recently got sunburn, we advise you to refrain from using it.

People with varicose veins on their face should refrain from using this treatment as it will likely cause a deeper problem.

Before explaining how to use a facial cleansing brush, it is important to at least choose the right brush for you. You will find many models on the market, but you should always ensure that you choose a brush with soft bristles. They should also be rounded at the ends to prevent damaging the structure of the skin. You can find facial brushes which are water-resistant, making them ideal for cleansing your face while you're having a shower or bath. Otherwise the water will short circuit the electronics.

You need to make sure that the brush you have is suitable for your skin. If you look at cheaper ones on the market, they may only have the one brush. We advise against this as cheap versions of cleansing brushes may do more damage than to your skin care regimen. Choose one which has a selection of brushes and you should see the benefit to your skin in days.

The procedure is quite simple. First, rinse your face with plenty of water and leave the skin wet. Next, apply a little of your usual facial cleanser or gel. Turn the brush on and start to move it gently over the entire face in circular movements. We recommend that you start with the cheeks, then move to the nose, chin and finish on your forehead. Keep the brush on each area of the face for a few seconds to make sure the accumulated oil and dirt gets cleaned away.

Note that you should only use it once or twice a week maximum. Using it more can create an imbalance in your skin's natural pH, as you would be getting rid of your skin's acid mantle and would thus make your facial skin more prone to infections and bacteria. You should only use it for a minute in total, something some companies have considered when manufacturing their product. These products will turn off automatically after a minute to ensure you remember not to go overboard.

Once finished, rinse the face with plenty of water again and pat dry with a soft clean towel. You'll notice how your skin looks and feels fresh and rejuvenated, without any trace of impurities. Above all, it is essential that your facial cleansing brush is kept for your sole use only and is not shared with anyone else.

If you do want to share the main electronic part, you can have more than one replacement head which can be used by someone else. This means they save money, but won't contaminate your personal brush.

For this cleansing regime to be truly effective, you should look after your facial brush. It is advisable to wash it with lukewarm water and a little mild soap after each use. Shake dry or use a very clean towel. Don't keep the facial cleansing brush in the shower or directly beside the bath. They are wired so that they are water resistant, but too much contact with water will cause mildew to grow on the brushes. Change the head approximately every three to five months.

Once you have finished using your facial cleansing brush, don't forget to apply your usual moisturizer to give your skin the hydration it needs to feel nice and soft. A facial toner might also be used if this is your preference.

Some cleansing facial brushes are even more advanced, like the Spin for Perfect Skin by VitaGoods. This has a brush for applying your cleanser or face wash to the skin. Use this in small circles all over the face. After one minute, turn off and rinse with cold water as before. Dry your face with a clean towel and change the applicator brush for the exfoliator brush. You can apply exfoliation cream also if you wish. Wash again, pat dry and apply your moisturizer. This one also has a pumice stone head, but be careful on your facial skin as this can be very abrasive.

Other facial cleansing brushes on the market have similar attachments. Some popular examples include the Clarasonic Mia series, Olay ProX, Lilian Fache SpaX and the LAVO Giro.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Use a Facial Cleansing Brush, we recommend you visit our Beauty & Personal Care category.

• If you have acne prone skin, using a facial brush may trigger acne breakouts. This is a normal skin reaction and pimples will quickly subside after using the brush regularly. However, you need to take good care of the brush so there is no bacterial buildup. However, we do recommend using an anti-acne skin treatment that has glycolic acid as an active ingredient before you start using the brush to avoid acne.
• The use of cleansing brushes is entirely uni-personal. Do not share it with anybody or use it on other parts of your body that are not the face.