The Best Sonic Facial Brushes, Tested and Approved

Do you own a Sonic Facial Brush? These facial cleansing devices are a popular way to deep clean skin, remove makeup, exfoliate skin, and stimulate blood circulation.  When it comes to achieving radiant and healthy skin though everyday cleansing, a sonic brush is an easy way to accomplish several skin goals at once. 

 Overall sonic cleaning brushes tend to promise a deep cleanse, exfoliation, and overall improvement in skin texture and appearance, such an minimizing fine lines and preventing acne.

In this article, I look at the benefits of sonic facial brushes, provide guidance on how to choose the right one for your needs and skin type, and highlight the best facial cleansing brushes available in the market across multiple price points.

Benefits of Using a Sonic Facial Brush

Sonic facial brushes utilize sonic vibrations, typically ranging from 200 to 400 oscillations per second or 7,000 or more per minute. The effect is gentle cleansing and gentle exfoliation of the skin. The sonic technology helps to dislodge dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities from the pores more effectively than manual cleansing alone. 

Here are some key benefits of incorporating a sonic facial brush into your skincare routine:

1. Deep Cleansing: The rapid oscillations of the brush bristles help to dislodge debris from the pores, providing a more thorough cleanse compared to traditional cleansing methods. This can be great for acne-prone skin and for removing makeup residue.
2. Exfoliation: Sonic facial brushes can aid in exfoliating the top layer of dead skin cells, promoting skin cell turnover and revealing smoother, brighter skin.
3. Enhanced Product Absorption: By effectively cleansing and exfoliating the skin, sonic brushes can help improve the absorption of your favorite serum, moisturizers, and other skincare products. This is actually my faorite use of the brushes.
4. Stimulation of Blood Circulation: The gentle massaging action of sonic brushes can help stimulate blood circulation, leading to a healthier complexion. Some brushes come with differing massage options.

How to Choose the Right Sonic Facial Brush

With numerous options available in the market, choosing the right sonic facial brush can be a daunting task. Here are some factors to consider before making your purchase:

1. Skin Type: Different brushes are designed for various skin types. Some brushes offer adjustable settings to cater to sensitive, normal, or oily skin. Choose a brush that suits your skin’s unique needs.
2. Bristle Type: Brushes come with various types of bristles, including silicone, nylon, and natural fibers. Consider your skin’s sensitivity and your personal preference when selecting a bristle type.
3. Settings and Modes: Look for a brush that offers multiple speed settings and cleansing modes to customize your skincare routine according to your preferences.
4. Waterproofing: Choose a waterproof brush if you plan to use it in the shower or while cleansing your face with water.
5. Battery Life: Ideally your brush will have a rechargeable battery.  Since you will probably utilize your brush for daily cleansing and everyday use, check the battery life of the brush to ensure it can last through your desired skincare routine without frequent recharging.
6. Additional Features: Some brushes come with extra features like different interchangeable brush heads, massage functions, or heating elements. Consider whether you need different heads for your brush and whether these features align with your skincare goals.

Choosing a Brush Based on Skin Type

Generally most sonic brushes will be suitable for all skin types. However, there are some things to take into consideration if you feel your skin type affects how you approach cleansing. Below are some things to consider, including which bristle type to use if your brush offers interchange options.   

Sonic Facial Brushes for Oily Skin or Acne

Oily skin tends to produce excess sebum, leading to clogged pores and potential breakouts. Sonic brushes for oily skin should focus on thorough cleansing without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. If you have extremely sensitive skin, a sonic brush might not be for you. Instead look for a manual brush with very soft bristles. 

You might want to opt for a sonic brush with nylon bristles if your skin is oily. These bristles provide a deeper exfoliation and help dislodge oil and debris from the pores effectively. Nylon bristles are also less porous and do not trap bacteria as much as silicone can, which can lead to acne.

Also important is that your brush is particularly suitable for deep cleansing to thoroughly remove excess oil, dirt, and impurities from the skin’s surface. A  brush with a slightly higher oscillation frequency, around 300-400 Hz, may also be advantageous to effectively address the excess oil production.

Finally, for oily skin, it is generally safe to use the sonic brush up to twice a day, but monitor your skin’s response and adjust as needed. Try lower and more gentle cleanising modes as needed.

Sonic Brushes for Dry Skin or Sensitive 

Dry skin requires gentle yet effective cleansing to remove impurities without further drying out the skin. Sonic brushes for dry skin should prioritize hydration and protection of the skin’s moisture barrier.  The same goes for sensitive skin.

For dry skin, opt for a sonic brush with silicone bristles. These soft bristles are gentler on the skin and provide a softer cleansing experience.

Dry skin often is more sensitive, so look for a brush with multiple speed settings. Start with a lower setting and use the brush on the gentlest mode to prevent over-exfoliation.  Some brushes also offer a hydration or moisturizing mode. This mode can help infuse your skin with hydration while cleansing.

If you have dry or sensitive skin, Use the sonic brush 2-3 times a week to avoid over-cleansing and to maintain the skin’s natural moisture balance.

Sonic Brushes for Combination Skin

Combination skin presents a unique challenge, as it combines both oily and dry areas. The goal with sonic brushes for combination skin is to balance the needs of different areas while maintaining overall skin health.

You will likely be fine with any bristle type, but a sonic brush with dual bristle types or interchange heads—silicone and nylon—can cater to both the oily and dry areas of your skin.

If you have combination skin, use the brush 2-3 times a week, focusing more on the oily areas and being gentler on the dry areas.

How to Use a Sonic Cleansing Brush

Ease of use is one of the top reasons people choose sonic cleaning brushes. Use is simple, just follow these steps: 

Step 1 Wet Your Face 

Splash your face with lukewarm  or warm water to dampen the skin. This will help create a smooth surface for the brush to glide on.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Cleanser and Brush Head

The type of cleanser and brush head you use can greatly influence the effectiveness of your sonic facial brush routine.

Pick a cleanser that suits your skin type—oily, dry, or combination. Avoid harsh or abrasive cleansers that may cause irritation. Likewise, select a brush head appropriate for your skin type and the level of exfoliation you desire. Silicone bristles are gentler, while nylon bristles offer a deeper cleanse.

Step 3: Applying Cleanser and Starting the Brush

 Now is time to put your sonic facial brush to work. Apply cleanser by squeezing a small amount of your chosen cleanser onto the damp brush head. Pick a cleanser appropriate for your skin type such as a gentle facial cleanser or face wash to remove makeup, dirt, and impurities from your skin’s surface. Next, choose the desired brush speed or mode

Step 4: Gently Cleanse Your Face

Place the bush on you skin and activate it, follow these techniques for effective cleansing:

• Divide Your Face: Divide your face into sections—forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.
• Circular Motions: Hold the brush to your forehead and move it in gentle circular motions. Continue this technique on each section of your face, avoiding the delicate eye area.
• Time Management: Spend about 15-20 seconds on each section, ensuring a thorough cleanse without overdoing it.

Step 5: Rinsing and Drying

As your cleansing session comes to an end, it’s time to rinse and prepare your skin for the next steps. Turn off the brush and rinse your face with lukewarm water to remove the cleanser and debris. Then, gently pat your face dry with a clean, soft towel. Avoid rubbing, which could irritate your freshly cleansed skin.

Step 6: Follow-Up Skincare

Now that your skin is prepped and clean, it is an ideal opportunity to apply your favorite skincare products such as Serums and Moisturizers. Apply your favorite serum, moisturizers, and other skincare products while your skin is still slightly damp. The sonic facial brush has prepared your skin to better absorb these products.

Step 7: Cleaning and Maintenance of the Brush

To ensure the longevity of your sonic facial brush and maintain hygiene, proper care is essential.  After each use, detach the brush head and rinse it thoroughly with water. Some models may also be dishwasher-safe.

Also be sure to replace the brush head as needed.  Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for when to replace the brush head, typically every 3-6 months. Although some brushes such as the Foreo Luna have a reputation for lasting much longer. 

The Best Sonic Facial Brushes 

I have tested and reviewed a number of brushes. In my opinion, these are the best sonic facial brushes currently avaialbe. 

Where applicable, I am linking to my individual review of the brush. I also am providing Amazon links and encourage you to read the sonic facial brush reviews there, as direct purchase user reviews are often a great source of information about  the quality and durability of  a beauty product or device.

Foreo Luna  

The Foreo Luna is my top pick for the best sonic facial brush. 

 Running at around $175 for the Foreao Luna 3, this product is not cheap. However is it a very high quality, silicone bristle brush, that offers a gentle cleanse.  It comes in various models for different skin types. It is known for its particularly long battery life, durability, and customizable settings. The Forea Luna gets consistently great reviews and is a good product for the money.

A unique characteristic of the Luna line is that the company offers different versions for differing skin types or uses, such as normal, combination, sensitive, firming, antiaging, massaging, etc.  

The Foreao Luna 4 is the most recent update and costs an additional $100. If you want a Luna, I recommend saving the money and getting a version 3 while it is still available. Foreo also offers other models such as the Foreo Luna Mini.

At the bottom of this list is also a good budget silicone bristle option if the Luna is simply just too far out of your price range. 

Michael Todd Beauty Soniclear Elite

Priced at $169, The Soniclear Elite is also on the pricier side of the various brushes covered here. However, it provides a lot of bang for your buck and is my favorite nylon bristle option.  

The package include includes a face brush, body brush, and serum infusion head. Bristles are nylon. Meanwhile the brush offers 6 speeds and is known for its antimicrobial brush head, designed to provide a hygienic cleansing experience. This makes the brush particularly well suited for oily or acne prone skin.

The brush also comes in a variety of colors. It is waterproof and has a decent rechargeable battery life .

I previously reviewed an earlier version of  the Michael Todd brush here: Michael Todd Soniclear Review.

PMD Clean – Smart Facial Cleansing Device

At $69, the PMD Clean is a more affordable silicone bristle option over the Foreo. It is a a good device that gets solidly good reviews. While I like the Foreo best, the PMD is a great option for those who want a silcone brush and need to save a little money.

PMD also offers the pricier PMD Pro which combines sonic cleansing with active warmth therapy. Thus offering a unique approach to skincare.

Ultimate Luxury Multi-Tool: Therabody TheraFace Pro

Luxury and antiaging combine in this pricy but highly rated facial skin care device. The Therabody Face Pro is more than just a cleansing brush, It has multiple heads for different functions, including a silicone cleansing brush, 

The Therabody Face Pro gets great reviews and is a multi-tasking device with the following: 3 percussive attachments (Cone, Micro-Point, Flat), Microcurrent Ring, LED Light Therapy Ring (Red, Blue, & Infrared Light), and the Cleansing Ring. If you can afford it, I highly recommend it, but at  $397 it is out of the budget for many people. 

Clarisonic Mia

Clarisonic has long been one of the leaders in  sonic cleansing. While the Clarisonic Mia is the standard and widely available product, I have previously reviewed the Aria, which is really essentially the same. You can read my review of that here: Clarisonic Review. 

Priced at around $129, the Clarisonic Mia has two speeds and nylon bristles. Clarisonic also offers a wide range of replacement heads for different uses and skin types.  

Pros are it is a trustworthy product with a long history and has alternate head options. Cons are that it offers less speeds and options than other products at its price point or cheaper products such as the budget options below. 

Budget Brush With Extra Features: Spa Sciences NOVA 

A budget friendly brush at approximately $38, the Spa Science Nova brush has nylon bristle and a 2 hour battery life. The brush is waterproof, has three speed settings and also comes with a metal serum infusing head.  

Budget Nylon Option: True Glow by Conair Sonic Facial Brush 

Running in the $20-$30 range, the Conair True Glow is the most budget -friendly option with nylon bristles, it is a rival to the Clarisonic but at a much cheaper price pint. Overall it is a decent exfoliator and cleanser for those seeking an affordable alternative to a pricier sonic brush.  

Budget Silicone Option:  NågraCoola Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush

Coming in at around $30 the NagraCoola Sonic Brush is a great budget option for sensitive or dry skin. It gets goods reviews and I consider it a great value for the money. If you are unsure about spending the money on something like the Foreo Luna, perhaps try this brush first and upgrade later if you find you really enjoy using the brush.

In conclusion, sonic facial brushes can be a valuable addition to your skincare routine, offering deep cleansing, exfoliation, and improved product absorption. When choosing a sonic facial brush, consider factors such as your skin type, bristle type, settings, waterproofing, and battery life. While the market offers various options, popular choices like the one provided here are excellent contenders for achieving radiant and healthy skin. Remember that consistency and proper usage are key to maximizing the benefits of a sonic facial brush in your skincare regimen.