Just as sonic cleansing brushes hit the shelves about a decade ago, so came the hotly-debated question among skin-care professionals as to whether they were worth investing in. Some, like facialist Joanna Vargas, have argued that a cleansing brush is just the thing we need to keep pores gunk-free and really release all that sunscreen and makeup buildup from our faces. Others, like aesthetician Caroline Hirons , maintain that the use of cleansing brushes is likely to lead to over-cleansing, and inflammation and broken capillaries in the process.
But time has produced a wealth of options and improvements on original devices, with plush brushes, silicone surfaces, and more affordable versions entering the fold. What's more, today's cleansing devices do much more than just clean your face: They create custom cleansing settings, analyze your skin's progress over time, and set phone reminders for when to cleanse and replace brush heads.
Ahead, we tried four different options at a range of price points. The one thing they have in common? They're all ultra-gentle on the skin, something that may just settle the age-old "to brush or not to brush?" argument once and for all.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Ulta's offering comes with an additional silicone head for extra-gentle cleansing, a stand, and two AA batteries — all for just $25. If you're used to intense oscillating brushes, you may not be impressed by the slower spinning speed of the brush head, or the way it seems to pull the skin into its orbit rather than gliding on top of it, but it's a gentle, affordable option that gets the job done. Plus, because it's battery-operated, it comes in handy for international travel.
Ulta Beauty Advanced Cleansing Rotating Facial Cleansing Brush, $25, available at Ulta Beauty
A new Clarisonic might sound like an unnecessary indulgence — after all, they can last for years and still work just fine — but the newer models boast all kinds of new features, thanks to a connected app that (along with a few selfies) helps track skin-care goals and sends alerts when it's time to cleanse every day and replace the brush head. (If you really want to get fancy, the Smart Mia can also offer lymphatic drainage, skin contouring, and smooth makeup application via different brush heads — but we're here for the cleansing.) While data and push notifications are definite perks, they don't distract from the wand's mission to leave skin feeling deeply clean while not roughing it up in the process. The bundled brush head is plenty soft, the device has gentle and customized settings to ensure the vibration isn't too aggressive for your skin type, and its oscillating brush head means no tugging at the skin.
Clarisonic Mia Smart 3-in-1 Connected Beauty Device, $199, available at Ulta Beauty
When trying this battery-operated cleansing brush, we ran into the same hitch as with the affordable option from Ulta: The rotating brush head is harder to control and seemed to steer itself into tugging at the skin — and this baby can be feisty. That said, the brush head's charcoal fibers are ultra soft and the wand itself is extremely ergonomic. It's also nice that it can stand on its own without a cradle, but it would be that much cooler if it came with a cover for the exposed brush head.
Proactiv Charcoal-Bristle Pore Cleansing Brush, $55, available at Proactiv
Cuteness aside, the "eyes" on this device actually work as skin sensors, used to read moisture levels on the cheeks, nose, and forehead before first use. The device takes that data and sets cleansing times for those parts of the face, and gives you skin intel on the brand's app that you probably don't want to know (like its assessment of how your skin's age stacks against your actual age). But actually cleansing with this tool is simple — even if you have your doubts about how much a textured silicone slab the size of a hockey puck could deep clean, skin feels surprisingly fresh after. The rounded edge makes it easy to get into the corners of your nose where oil and dirt collect, and the size and reusable case make it easy to tote along to the gym.
Foreo Luna Fofo, $89, available at Sephora
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
11 Coconut Oil Beauty Products To Get Dewy Summer Skin Year-Round
Reese Witherspoon's Travel Skin-Care "Secret Weapon" Just Went On Sale At Amazon
Squish Beauty Is Here To Change How You Feel About Your Acne