A facial brush will level up your cleansing game and revitalise your skin – and here, we break down the best options to buy. By Dani Maher

BUY ALL THE SERUMS you want, but if you aren’t cleansing your face properly at the end of each day, your skin is going to suffer.

I speak from experience: any time I get lazy at the end of a night out and opt for a lazy cleanse (or, shockingly, no cleanse at all), I regret it the next day when I wake up with dull, thirsty, and irritated skin.

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But at the end of 2020, I made a change to my skin routine that has well and truly levelled up my cleansing game: I started using a cleansing brush. Specifically, a FOREO Luna device. And honestly, I was amazed by just how good it made my face feel – it was instantly smoother and more elastic, and my skincare products applied like a dream on my rejuvenated skin.

Over time, I’ve definitely watched my face improve. I’ve ditched all other exfoliants, because it does all I need, and every time I use it, I’m left with squeaky clean, radiant skin. If you’re yet to dip your toe into the world of facial cleansing brushes, worry not – I’ve rounded up the top picks for you to invest in below.

FOREO is practically synonymous with cleansing – the Swedish beauty-tech innovators burst onto the scene a few years ago and quickly won the hearts of many a beauty expert.

The Play Plus 2 is pocket-sized yet powerful. It’s 100 per cent waterproof, made from body-safe silicone, and has a two-zone brush head for deep cleansing and massage that will leave your skin squeaky clean. Having used their products before, I can guarantee that they’re as good as they sound – and they’re well worth the spend.

This multi-use device from PMD Beauty is waterproof, rechargeable, and all-round luxe. Offering the hardcore-science of 7000 vibrations a minute it provides a deep cleanse, while lifting, firming and toning the skin’s appearance.

It’s best feature? After using it to cleanse, you can switch to the ActiveWarmth mode and use the rose quartz side to gently massage in products, allowing for better absorption of your products.

A full-sized facial cleansing brush with an affordable price tag, the Go Bare is a great budget cleanser.

Suitable for all skin types with seven sonic vibration intensities, the dual-purpose device can be used for gentle exfoliation as well as massage application. Made from hygienic silicone and waterproof, it’s available in five colours.

Designed to help massage in skincare products that soothe, firm and calm skin with a gentle action, the Luna 3 for Sensitive Skin is tailored to your specific needs. Also available in variations catered to normal and combination skin types, the Luna 3 has four built-in massage treatments, 16 power levels, and is 30 per cent larger and 25 per cent softer than its previous iterations.

The low-maintenance device only needs to be charged after 650 uses – almost a whole year of twice-daily usage – and for the frequency with which you’ll be using it, it’s more than worth the investment.

If you’re not a fan of the silicone cleansing devices, the Clarisonic Mia Prima is a great alternative. Six times more effective than manual cleansing, the Mia Prima is simple to use with one button offering two modes of all-round one-minute sonic cleansing that lead to softer skin.

100 per cent waterproof, the brush is soft enough to use on all skin types – even sensitive. Plus, you can swap out the cleansing head to any other Clarisonic brush head or applicator, from those suitable for acne-prone skin to those ideal for a luxe eye massage.

Prefer things analogue? Shaquda’s elegant Suvé Face Cleansing Brush allows you to gently wash away dirt, impurities and makeup better than with your hands alone.

With its gorgeous (and ergonomically designed) curved walnut handle and combination of fine goat hair and synthetic bristles, it’s a beautiful way to add a touch of luxe to your daily routine.

Cleansing brushes can efficiently and effectively cleanse your face of 99.95 per cent of dirt, impurities, oil and makeup. They can be great for your face, depending on your skin type – those who are prone to sensitivity or acne should check that the device in question is recommended for them.

I’m partial to silicone facial cleansing devices. The silicone bristles are the most hygienic option, as they are non-porous and therefore resistant to bacterial buildup that could actually irritate your skin. Plus, the silicone bristles offer a gentle exfoliation that massages your skin for a glowing complexion.

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