The best facial cleansing brushes to supercharge your skincare routine

Cleansing with a face wash is great, but the best facial cleansing brushes can really supercharge your routine. Designed to thoroughly remove daily grime and makeup, these techy tools deeply clean pores while preparing skin for serums and treatments. One step further than applying a cleanser with hands, a facial cleansing brush is a brilliant investment but does require some research to find the top tool for you. 

“We all know that cleansing is an important step in keeping the skin healthy,” says Dr Osman Bashir Tahir, aesthetic doctor and founder of Halcyon Aesthetics. In your skincare routine, the best cleansers take off the day and help prime the skin to effectively absorb the rest of your skincare ingredients. “When used correctly, a cleansing brush can provide a deeper clean while exfoliating the surface of the skin,” adds Dr OBT. 

Whether you’re on the hunt for a gentle device to elevate a skincare routine for sensitive skin or need a hard-hitting tool to help regulate oil production—we’ve got you covered with our complete guide to the best facial cleansing brushes.

How to pick the best facial cleansing brush for you

According to the experts, there are several factors to consider in order to find the best facial cleansing brush for you. From price to material, these are their top tips: 

• Bristles vs silicone: “Cleansing brushes with bristles aren’t suitable for all skin types—those with particularly sensitive skin should avoid them," says Dr OBT. "Bristled brushes can also be harsh for those with acne, rosacea, or eczema. If you do have sensitive skin, try a silicone brush which is less abrasive.”  
• Consider your skincare routine: “Ask yourself if it can work alongside your current skincare routine,” advises Chris Luckham, FOREO’s education specialist. “If you’re using harsh topical ingredients such as retinoids, AHA or glycolic acids, adding a cleansing brush into the mix could be too much,” adds Dr OBT. The same goes if you are having regular professional peels or laser treatment. So how often should you wash your face with a cleansing brush? If it's gentle enough, daily is fine. But many are designed to be used a few times a week as intensive treatments. 
• Consider power: “If you’re a frequent flyer or always on-the-go, look at uses per charge,” advises Luckman. This way, you can take your tool away without having to pack a charger. 
• Consider warranty: As with any gadget, facial cleansing brushes run the risk of breaking or developing faults. “Look for one year minimum as an industry standard,” says Luckman. 
• Budget: Prices range from $40/£30 to $400/£300 so set a budget before you shop. "Some brushes have costs incurred for repeat brush head purchases—make sure you factor that into your budget," advises Dr Sophie Shotter, aesthetic doctor and founder of Illuminate Skin Clinic. 

The best facial cleansing brush, chosen by our beauty team

A firm favorite among celebrities and beauty editors alike, the FOREO Luna 3 has quickly (and deservedly) attained cult status. Featuring soft hypoallergenic bristles and a large head, the vibrating tool with 8000 T-sonic pulsations per minute glides over skin to remove dirt, excess sebum, and makeup. A joy to use, it feels like a pebble, fitting to the contours of both your face and hands. 

"My favorite brushes are the silicone ones like the Foreo Luna which are easy to clean," says Dr Shotter, "it suits all skin types and can help stimulate circulation." Setting it apart from other devices on the market, FOREO’s facial cleansing brush can be paired to an app. At first, it can take a little while to set up but once you’re in there’s the option to select the intensity of T-sonic pulsations via the app as well as a selection of firming massages including full face, jaw, mouth, eye, and neck for an at-home facial. We found that, along with several reviewers, the massage feature is a great addition that turns everyday cleansing into a treat as opposed to a chore. 

Once set up, it’s easy to use and can be recharged via a USB cable, which is included. You won’t have to do that too often either, as this boasts an impressive battery life of 650 uses in between charges. 

Not only does PMD’s Clean Pro Device look the part, but it also acts the part. With an easy-to-use handle, the double-sided brush features a silicone cleansing head on one side and a soft rose gold massaging head on the other. 

Begin by applying your go-to cleanser before turning on the seriously luxe device, which delivers 7000 vibrations per minute, then move it in circular motions to remove dirt and makeup. Rinse, then apply a serum or oil and massage it in with the warming rose gold side. Waterproof, anti-bacterial, and hypoallergenic, the brush can easily be cleaned after use. 

A real skincare treat, we recommend using this device to upgrade your skincare night routine. The only downside? It is fairly powerful so may be too intense for sensitive skin. Dr OBT recommends always doing a patch test first—"your jawline is usually best for this." 

You don’t have to splash the cash to get your hands on the best facial cleansing brushes. Case in point: Beauty Bay’s The Facial Cleansing Brush. With several 4-star and 5-star reviews, the lime green tool is a great choice for those who want to give a cleansing brush a go without having to spend hundreds of pounds. 

We found this to be simple to operate, and enjoyable to use. On the front of the device, you’ll find an ‘+’ button which can be pressed to adjust the settings. The first option is ideal for massage, delivering 8000 vibrations per minute. The second increases to 9000 vibrations per minute, a great choice for cleansing sensitive skin. The third, 10,000 vibrations per minute, gives a gentle cleanse for normal skin, and the final setting deeply cleanses with 12,000 vibrations per minute. 

Once you decide on the setting, you can use the silicone bristled side with your favorite cleanser in circular motions to deeply clarify the skin. On the other side, you’ll find a massage tool with grooves that can be used post-cleanse to really stimulate the skin and encourage circulation, which we found easily gave us as much glow as the best gua sha tools. A great purse-friendly pick, this tool is vegan, waterproof, and comes with a storage bag. Be aware that some reviews report issues with recharging the device—however, we didn't experience any issues and it does come with a money-back promise.

Although Clarisonic sadly discontinued their devices in 2020, its bestselling Mia Smart device is still available to purchase in several US and UK retailers. Great news for those of us who adore Clarisonic, this beloved device uses patented oscillation technology (delivering over 300 pulsations per minute) to flush pores with water for surface and deep pore cleansing. This makes it a smart choice of skincare for oily skin.

Asides from its cleansing abilities, the device also targets not one but 15 signs of aging. These include reducing inflammation like puffy eyes via a lymphatic drainage massage and smoothing the appearance of fine lines such as crow's feet by gently exfoliating the skin. What’s even more impressive is that it can also be used as a makeup blending brush—simply apply the Sonic Foundation Brush attachment (sold separately) to expertly blend in your base. We were particularly impressed with the battery life of 100 minutes, although it’s worth noting that the brush heads need a thorough clean between uses and replaced every three to four months.

Manual brushes can be just as effective as high-tech ones. Crafted from 100% natural goat hair bristles, this super soft-bristled brush can be used like the best facial exfoliators to gently buff away dulling dead skin cells while also boosting circulation. After use, the skin feels soft and looks more radiant. Tick, tick!

Unlike hi-tech devices, this brush is best used on dry skin after cleansing. Simply work the brush around the face in circular sweeping motions. The trick here is not to be too firm with the brush as you don’t want to aggravate the skin. Simply move it around, applying light to medium pressure. Then, finish with a serum and SPF. 

While we enjoyed the super-soft bristles and would recommend this to anyone with sensitive skin, some testers found the bristles too soft. If you prefer a deep, thorough cleanse, opt for a hi-tech facial cleansing brush instead. 

If you’re after salon-worthy results in the comfort of your home, this could be the best facial cleansing brush for you. A serious piece of kit, BeGlow’s Cleansing Device has a silicone cleansing brush on one end and a microdermabrasion device on the other. 

The idea is you use the cleansing side first, which boasts 4500-8500 pulses per minute, with your go-to cleanser for an all-over deep clean. Out of all the tools we’ve tried, this one definitely feels the best and really gives you that fresh-faced feeling. Next, you move onto the toning side which uses microelectronic technology to contract facial muscles for a more lifted, defined look. This site works best with water-based skincare like one of the best hyaluronic acid products. 

After a few uses, we noticed our skin looked clearer and felt firmer—two big asks from one device—very impressive. We’d highly recommend this for anyone who’s prepared to splurge for visible results. It’s also worth noting, the battery can last between one and two months and it comes with a two-year warranty for peace of mind. 

Always on the go? Turn your face to the Foreo Luna Mini that’s designed to be the perfect travel partner. Just like its big sister, the Luna mini features 8000 T-sonic pulsations per minute to deep-clean pores and shift those last scraps of foundation that even the best makeup removers can't reach. What’s more, it’s designed to be paired with an app so you can tailor the device to your specific needs—a huge plus point for some, although others may be put off by the need to download an app.  

Once you’re connected, however, it’s a total gamechanger and we love the fact that you can adjust the intensities via the app for different areas of the face. Like other FOREO devices, it’s also rechargeable via a USB cable and boasts an impressive battery life of 400 uses in between charges. Plus, it’s waterproof and hypoallergenic, thanks to medical-grade silicone. Oh and the best part? It has a ‘Find My Luna’ function that allows you to track it down in your skincare stash. 

How to use a facial cleansing brush

Even the best facial cleansing brush needs to be used correctly, otherwise, you can aggravate the skin or push debris deeper into the pores. "Like any new skincare product, it's usually best to ease a cleansing brush into your routine," says Dr OBT. "Start by using the device once a week and gradually build up." Here's how to use a facial cleansing brush, according to the experts:  

• Step 1: "First step is to splash water over the device and your face," says Luckham. 
• Step 2: "Follow with your cleanser either directly onto your skin or directly onto the device. I recommend applying the cleanser onto your face first with your hands, this allows you to get in touch with your skin and notice any areas that perhaps need a little more attention," adds Luckham. 
• Step 3: "Start to move the device in sweeping motions, working outwards from the center of the face," says Luckham who also recommends using smaller circular motions for a more intense exfoliation to help tackle oiliness and unclog pores. 
• Step 4: "Ensure you avoid the delicate areas of the skin such as the eyes, and only use the brush with non-abrasive cleansers (nothing with exfoliating beads or scrubs)" says Dr OBT. 
• Step 5: Finish with your favorite serum or best face moisturizer. Ideally both! 

"Use a cleansing brush one to two times per week, at night, so you get a deep cleanse after a day of having product and environmental insults thrown at the skin," says Dr Shotter.

woman&home thanks Dr Osman Bashir Tahir at Halcyon Aesthetics, Chris Luckham at FOREO and Dr Sophie Shotter at Illuminate Skin Clinic for their time and expertise.