These 11 Facial Cleansing Brushes Will Seriously Boost Your Cleansing Routine (2024)

Washing your face isn't as simple as using soap and water. Sure, you can use micellar cleansers, oil cleansers, or even just cleansers, but if you want to give your cleansing routine a bit of extra oomph, you might consider adding in a facial cleansing brush which can help you achieve a deeper cleanse.

"Facial cleansing brushes clean the skin by increasing the amount of lather formed from cleansers and by exfoliating," says Dr. Sara Hogan, MD, board-certified dermatologist. "This results in the lifting and mechanical removal of makeup, oil, dirt, and dead skin cells." Dr. Hogan says that facial cleansing brushes might be a good option to remove heavy makeup, but recommends using these brushes sparingly, especially if you have sensitive skin, eczema or rosacea, since "there is a risk of causing injury to the epidermis with aggressive or prolonged scrubbing." Start by using once a week and increase usage as tolerated.

To find the best facial cleansing brushes out there, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab tests the devices to find which are easy to use, have gentle brush heads that provide gentle exfoliation, and help skin feel smoother after use. In some cases, testers reported clearer, more radiant skin after just a week. We also checked products for safety, ease of use, and performance.

In our last facial cleansing brush test, we parsed though 165 questionnaires, 630 captures from Visia imaging (which analyzes changes in complexion), and 1,260 data points to find the only ones worth buying. We used our categorical expertise and previous testing findings, as well as products with rave user reviews from brands we trust to round up the best facial cleansing brushes for a deep, spa-like cleanse. Here, our favorite facial cleansing devices of 2021:

Olay's cleansing brush has two speeds, so you can choose a deep cleanse or opt for a gentle exfoliation at a faster speed."I was skeptical about adding this brush into my routine as areas of my face are more sensitive than others, but I am beyond ecstatic I bought it," says one reviewer."My skin looks revived! There’s a natural glow and my skin is so soft." In Lab tests on a similar model in 2015, testers loved how light and easy to use the brush was.“It was gentle on my skin but effective at the same time," one tester said.

This silicone facial cleansing device lacks a traditional brush, making it inherently more hygienic at a nice price."I was very pleasantly surprised by this little scrubber," says one reviewer."This is a great alternative for around $20 and it left my face feeling very smooth after just the first use."

Talk about customizable — this device has seven interchangeable brush heads. It's racked up over 21,000 reviews on Amazon with an average 4.4 star rating."I use it in the shower and the waterproof feature is one of my favorite parts," says one reviewer."It's amazing how much gunk it gets off my face even after I already took my make up off. I love that you can buy and replace the heads."

If you'd prefer a manual silicone brush to keep in your shower, this option is perfect for you. It's easy to use, gentle on reactice skin, and thelittle brush is easy to hold and use, and gently exfoliates."This is a gentle enough way to exfoliate that it gets the job done for me without irritation," says one reviewer.

This is another one of Dr. Hogan's favorite options."The Ultimate Skin Spa Facial cleansing brush from Vanity Planet contains three interchangeable brush heads that are customizable for different skin types, from acne-prone to sensitive," says Dr. Hogan."The speed settings allow the user to cleanse with control and to avoid overdoing it. Plus, it comes in a cute and portable case."

While this ultra-soft brush doesn't oscillate or vibrate, it's still a game changer. Fine nylon bristles cut at different lengths help you get into every nook and cranny. "This a really great and handy brush that helps you cover all surface area of the face, plus those angled and hard to reach places," says one reviewer. "It dries quickly after use and is super soft."

Another manual option, people love how silky-soft the bristles on Shiseido's brush are. These bristles are designed to give you a face massage while remaining as gentle as possible. "This brush cleanses, exfoliates, and massages my face in one step," says one reviewer. "I look forward to cleansing my face with it. I have suffered fewer breakouts and my face is much smoother."

This dual-sided manual brush has the best of both worlds — ultra soft bristles on one side, and a silicone massager on the other. "This is not too rough on my face at all and is actually quite soothing," says one reviewer. "The bristles are extremely soft but still can cleanse dirt and oil." The combination of silicone and nylon bristles makes this brush stand out, according to Dr. Hogan."This allows for both lifting of makeup, oil and dirt and exfoliation at the same time," she says.

Not only does this brush help cleanse your face, it also claims to lift and firm your skin, using 7,000 vibrations per minute."It not only cleans but massages the skin," says one reviewer."I use the opposite side of the device to massage my serums into skin. I can really see a major difference. Also a big plus for me is that it uses a single battery rather than having to plug it in to charge it, which is great for travel." It's also odor-resistant, antibacterial, and much easier to clean than traditional brushes.

By far the most expensive on the list, but reviewers swear that this brush is worth the splurge. It has three different application modes that use sonic ion technology to helpcleanse without stripping, according to the brand. "This is like having a facialist come to your house and give you a facial," one reviewer raves.