Used and recommended by spas and dermatologists, Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing Systems use a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to gently, yet thoroughly remove 6X more makeup and 2X more dirt and oil than cleansing with your hands alone. Cleaner skin is the first step toward healthier skin. And healthier skin is smoother, more radiant and more beautiful.
- Clarisonic website
Last October, I took advantage of a Sephora discount to purchase the Clarisonic Mia2™ Sonic Skin Cleansing Holiday Porefection Collection1. I did copious amounts of research into whether or not a Clarisonic was worth getting and concluded that yes, this brush was a necessity in my life. This kit was a particularly good purchase because for $149 (the standard price for a Clarisonic Mia 2) there was also an additional brush head (each brush head values at $25) as well as deluxe samples of Boscia face wash, Dr. Brant primer and Murad moisturizer.
I’d read reviews where users experienced horrible purging periods where the Clarisonic brought all the gunk in the skin up to the surface, leading to massive and prolonged breakouts during initial use. I’d also read reviews where users experienced wondrous things with their skin and didn’t experience any sort of purging. These users reported that the Clarisonic made their skin look radiant and absorbed skincare products better, leading them to use less makeup to cover imperfections.
In short, I knew what I was getting into. I knew that the Clarisonic wouldn’t magically clear up my skin or eliminate the need for good quality face products, but I also knew that at the very least it would cleanse my skin 6x better than I would with my fingers. While I can’t speak to the precision of this claim, I can most definitely vouch for the fact that the Clarisonic gives my face a much better and thorough clean than just using my fingers or a washcloth would.
Clarisonic says that the brush is gentle enough to use 2x a day. For me, that was too harsh. My skin was irritated when I used my Clarisonic that often. But when I switched to using my Clarisonic once a day at night, I could start to see the effects of this face brush. It wasn’t so much visible as it was felt since I was battling a few different skin issues that the Clarisonic would not be able to solve. However, my skin did feel smoother, which has been a godsend during the winter months when my skin gets dry and flaky. My skin also began to absorb my skincare products much better than before. This alone was worth the price of my Clarisonic as better absorption meant I would have to use less product, which meant more money saved over time.
The kit I purchased came with two brush heads: sensitive and deep pore cleansing2. The deep pore cleansing brush was too much for my skin to be used regularly, even if it was only once a day. Using the sensitive brush regularly and the deep pore one whenever I want a deeper cleanse (roughly once or twice a week) turned out to be the winning combination for me. After each time I use my Clarisonic, I use a little bit of baby shampoo to clean the brush head to make sure it’s nice and clean for the next use.
For me, the Clarisonic delivered on its promises: it cleansed my skin better. That, in turn led to smoother skin with fewer blemishes and a more radiant glow. It didn’t banish all breakouts or heal scars or eliminate fine lines or whatever the hell people want this brush to do but never claimed it could do. With a bit of trial and error, I figured out how to get the most out of my Clarisonic so that it worked for me and my skin. Now, I can’t imagine my skincare routine without it!
I would definitely recommend this product to others, but I would also advise that every person needs to find their own balance with a Clarisonic to figure out what routine works best for their skin. When I first used the Clarisonic, I was a bit dismayed to see that I didn’t feel like it was doing anything special to my skin. But when I found the perfect balance of cleanser, brush head and frequency of use, that’s when I started to see the difference Clarisonic makes.
- This particular kit was a Sephora exclusive and limited edition. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available. [↩]
- Clarisonic also offers other types of brush heads for the Mia2: delicate, normal and acne. When I registered my Clarisonic online I got $25 off the Clarisonic website, so I’ll be trying out the acne one next. [↩]
I’ve always wanted to try this! I’m hesitant to try many beauty products for fear that they’re a fad, though, so I’m really glad to hear this has worked for you. I’ve recently started a somewhat regular face cleaning routine, and I usually use a bar of facial cleanser in the morning and then makeup removers with ~cleaning beads~ in the evening.
If you do try it, I recommend purchasing it through Sephora as they have an awesome return policy. Also, when you purchase a Clarisonic and register it on the Clarisonic website you get $25 credit, which is the cost of a new brush head!
i swear by my clarisonic and i’ve reviewed it before. i’ve never had acne and i have dry skin, so it works for me.
I still have my original Clarisonic Mia and I firmly believe it’s worth the investment. It’s definately trial and error to find out the balance of how often to use it without over-drying your skin, but once you find that balance, it’s priceless! (almost)
I love the Clarisonic Mia and was very pleased when the Mia 2 came out a few months back.
What I like about it is it still has the same feel, look and style of the Mia with the added bonus of the extra features such as multiple speed settings etc..
Only issue is price, but even that can be okay if you shop around to find the best price for it.