Updated 1/16/18. As a skincare expert with 30 years of experience as an esthetician, I don’t typically review other skincare products. My blog is usually dedicated to sharing expert skincare tips and advice. However, I’ve noticed some skin changes in my clients who use Clarisonic brushes, and not all of them have been positive. My aim is to help you become informed skincare consumers, so I feel it’s important to share information about Clarisonic, especially if you’re currently using it or thinking about buying one. (This advice also applies to similar rotating or sonic brushes from other brands.)
Understanding Clarisonic Skin Care Brushes & Tools
Clarisonic is a skincare device available at specialty beauty stores that uses a soft brush head that oscillates gently on the skin. It’s marketed as a tool to “remove six times more makeup than cleansing by hand.” In my professional opinion, Clarisonic is essentially an exfoliation tool. It works by physically removing dry skin cells, along with dirt and makeup. Exfoliation is achieved through the action of the bristles moving across the skin. My concern with Clarisonic isn’t the brush itself, as exfoliation is a crucial part of skincare. The issue lies in the frequency of use they recommend. Clarisonic suggests it’s gentle enough for twice-daily use, but I believe this is excessive, particularly when combined with other exfoliating products you might already be using in your skincare routine.
While the Clarisonic may feel gentle enough for daily use, it’s crucial to understand how exfoliation impacts the skin. Whether it’s a Clarisonic brush, facial scrubs, chemical exfoliants like acids and enzymes, or even a simple washcloth, over-exfoliation can lead to skin damage and potentially accelerate premature aging.
The Potential Downsides of Overusing Clarisonic Brushes
Skin Fact #1: Over-Exfoliation Can Lead to Dryness
Exfoliating too aggressively or too frequently can disrupt the skin’s natural lipid barrier, leading to dryness and irritation. This barrier is essential for retaining moisture within the skin cells. When compromised, moisture escapes more easily, resulting in dehydration. Many of my clients, who typically have well-hydrated and balanced skin thanks to their Renée Rouleau skincare routines, began experiencing dryness and irritation. Upon investigation, we discovered that this dryness coincided with the introduction of the Clarisonic brush into their regimen. They were already following a comprehensive exfoliation routine with my products. Adding Clarisonic resulted in over-exfoliation, causing dryness and irritation. Reducing or stopping Clarisonic use quickly restored their skin’s healthy hydration and balance.
Skin Fact #2: Chronic Inflammation Risk from Excessive Exfoliation
Aggressive and frequent exfoliation can cause inflammation in the skin, even if it’s not immediately visible. This triggers a response that produces free radicals, which are major contributors to aging. Chronic inflammation over time is associated with tissue damage, ongoing inflammation, and the body’s attempts to repair itself. This is why it’s vital to consume antioxidant-rich foods and incorporate skincare products with stable antioxidants into your routine. You can see the power of antioxidants in this experiment where I applied a vitamin C serum to an apple!
Skin Fact #3: Controlled Skin Trauma Can Be Beneficial, But Not Constantly
It’s important to avoid exfoliating to the point of damaging healthy, living skin cells. When skin experiences controlled trauma, it initiates a repair process and stimulates cellular regeneration. This can be beneficial. However, if you constantly traumatize the skin through over-exfoliation, it leads to a continuous cycle of free radical damage, accelerating premature aging. This is counterproductive to maintaining youthful and healthy-looking skin. In contrast, professional chemical peels, performed a few times a year, induce controlled skin trauma that can stimulate collagen production, which is beneficial. Your skin benefits from occasional stimulation, but not constant aggression.
Skin Fact #4: Potential for Increased Skin Discoloration
Exercise caution with physical exfoliants like Clarisonic, washcloths, and facial scrubs, particularly if you have skin that is highly reactive to stimulation, such as deeper skin tones or skin prone to melasma. Gentle skincare practices are crucial to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which can worsen skin discoloration.
Skin Fact #5: Clean Skin is Good, But There’s a Limit
Clarisonic is marketed as a cleansing tool for removing dirt and makeup. While it’s important to keep your skin hygienically clean, it doesn’t need to be sterile. Healthy skin needs a certain amount of beneficial bacteria to function properly. Overusing your Clarisonic brush can strip away these essential components. This is also why I recommend using non-drying, sulfate-free cleansers. Cleanser Recommendations: Opt for sulfate-free gel cleansers. To determine the best cleanser for your skin type, take our Skin Type Quiz or schedule a virtual consultation for personalized advice via phone, Skype, or FaceTime.
How to Properly Incorporate Clarisonic Skin Care Brushes & Tools into Your Routine
I delve into this topic in more detail in my comprehensive guide to exfoliation. My general advice is to incorporate an acid serum into your nighttime skincare routine several times a week. On the nights you don’t use an acid serum, focus on nourishing and hydrating your skin with a serum appropriate for your skin type, allowing it to recover and rebuild. (A great serum option if you’re past your breakout years and focused on healthy aging is the Firm + Repair Overnight Serum.) Always apply a moisturizer after your serum to lock in hydration and benefits.
I also advise using a gentle facial scrub OR your Clarisonic brush only 2-3 times per week—maximum. The strategy is to use an acid serum to dissolve dry skin cells and a physical exfoliant like a scrub or Clarisonic to lift away dead skin cells. Both methods are beneficial for maintaining healthy and clear skin, but they work in different ways.
Consider incorporating professional chemical peels every other month and using an at-home, professional-strength peel (like the Triple Berry Smoothing Peel) once a week for deeper exfoliation.
If you are using a prescription retinoid, be extremely cautious and minimize the use of a cleansing brush like Clarisonic.
Conclusion: Moderation is Key with Clarisonic Skin Care Brushes & Tools
Many people enjoy using Clarisonic brushes, and I’m not suggesting you should stop using yours. My goal is to inform you that using it twice daily, especially in combination with other exfoliating products, may be detrimental to your skin’s long-term health. This is the opposite of what you want when caring for your skin.
For transparency, I did purchase a Clarisonic brush and tested it on my own skin. I found it too stimulating, which led to breakouts (common for breakout-prone and sensitive skin types). I personally prefer facial scrubs for physical exfoliation. However, if you find that Clarisonic works well for your skin, by all means, continue to use it—but always in moderation.
Renée Rouleau
Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert As a licensed esthetician with a background in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has dedicated 30 years to studying skin, educating others, and developing an award-winning skincare line. Her hands-on experience and trusted expertise have led to real-world solutions – products formulated for nine different skin types to ensure your skin receives precisely what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare enthusiasts globally, her extensive knowledge and ongoing research have earned her accolades, including Marie Claire calling her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”
