If you want a deep cleanse in a short amount of time, the best facial cleansing brushes are worth adding to your skin care routine. Not only do they help remove dirt, makeup, and impurities from the surface of the skin, but they also help improve the penetration of skin care products like serums or creams, says Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. They’re also quite beneficial if you deal with breakouts (me) or wear heavy makeup (also me). Below, I tested a handful of the most popular facial cleansing brushes recommended by dermatologists. My top pick was the PMD Clean Mini Smart Facial Cleansing Device, which felt the most gentle on my skin and thoroughly cleansed off all of my foundation and eyeliner. The brush head is also noticeably smaller than the other picks I tried—and that made a huge difference in my ability to get into every nook and cranny. Let’s just say, my complexion has never felt so squeaky-clean.
The best facial cleansing brushes, at a glance
How we picked the best facial cleansing brushes
I evaluated facial cleansing brushes based on how easy they were to use, how they felt on my skin (it was a hard no if they were too abrasive or rough), and how clean my skin looked and felt post-scrub. I also paid attention to the bristles, whether they were nylon or silicone (I learned that I much preferred the latter) and how effective they were at lathering facial cleanser on my skin. Of course, I also looked at whether (and how much) makeup was left behind, and the good news is for basically all of these: This wasn’t the case!
1. Best Overall: PMD Clean Mini Smart Facial Cleansing Device
Original video by Glamour reviewer Alanna Martine Kilkeary using PMD Clean Mini Smart Facial Cleansing Device
This device is our overall pick because it’s suitable for all skin types and uses a whopping 7,000 vibrations per minute to deeply cleanse the skin and improve blood flow. Pooja Rambhia, MD, a New Jersey–based dermatologist at UnionDerm is a fan of the silicone brush head because it’s gentle on the skin. “Silicone-based brushes are ideal for preserving the skin barrier, as their soft, nonporous bristles are less abrasive than traditional nylon bristles,” she says. Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, also loves this device because of its dual-sided functionality. “One side is designed for deep cleansing, while the other offers a massaging feature that enhances the absorption of serums and moisturizers,” she says. It gives your skin a luxurious spa-like experience at home and will leave you looking radiant and glowy.
“I’ve always been intimidated by facial scrubbing tools—they just look so aggressive, and I worried that they might be too harsh on my already sensitive, acne-prone skin. This mini facial device proved me wrong: It’s super gentle to the touch, incredibly soft, and vibrates so lightly as you move it around your face. I used it to remove my full face of makeup and loved how well it removed everything. It was easy to lather the silicone head as well to remove excess foaming or soap, and it left my complexion looking fresh, soft, and clear—with no redness in sight. I mostly used the first setting since the others (which had multiple pulsations) were a little too strong for me. I would recommend making sure you use a thicker face wash with this, something with a gel-like texture that will grip onto the brush head more easily,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary.
2. Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Benefit The POREfessional All-in-One Mask Wand
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Benefit The POREfessional Mask Wand
“An advantage of the silicone cleansing brushes is that they are easier to clean and less likely to harbor bacteria, and they do not have brush heads that need to be replaced frequently,” says Hadley King, MD, a New York dermatologist. This cleansing brush is no exception, and is a great option for someone with oily skin who needs a deep clean to get rid of makeup build-up.
“I really liked how gentle this cleansing brush is even as it cleaned so effectively. The silicone bristles on this pick are short and smooth at the tips, and they slightly bend upon contact, which makes them a bit more flexible than some of the other cleansing-brush bristles on this list. I also liked the dual-end mask applicator spatula that kind of gives you a two-in-one experience so you can start off with a facial massage and cleanse, and then finish your routine with a face mask,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
3. Best for Sensitive Skin: Foreo Luna 4 Face Cleansing Brush
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Foreo Luna 4 Face Cleansing Brush
“Silicone sonic facial cleansing brushes, like the Foreo Luna, are a great choice because the silicone nubs cleanse and exfoliate without being too abrasive—they offer a cleansing option even gentler than nylon brushes,” says Dr. King. Dr. Garshick also loves this particular cleansing brush because it deep-cleans pores but is extremely gentle, even on the most sensitive skins. It’s also extremely compact, making it perfect to travel with, and it doubles as a facial massager. If you want to try this brush option without having to splurge, the Foreo Luna Mini 2 has the same style bristles for half the price.