Hi Doctor, what is your opinion on all the face brushes that are being released on the market at the moment (such as the Clarisonic)? Are they safe to use, and what are the benefits? Also, would they interfere with a skincare routine that contains lots of active ingredients such as retinol?
Dr Maureen Allem from Skin, Body & Health Renewal responds:
“Thanks very much for your question. If you are someone who has no concerning skin conditions (such as acne, rosacea, sensitivity or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation), and the device is used correctly, ie. not too harshly or aggressively, then it can certainly be used to improve skin cell turn over. However, if you do have any of those skin concerns, and if you are already using very active ingredient that promote skin cell turn over (such as retinol and acids with a low pH), then you may actually cause unnecessary sensitivity, inflammation and in the long run, this can cause pigmentation or more breakouts or prolonged sensitivity. So it really comes down to being wise in the treatment of your skin.”
Do you have a skin-related question for Dr Allem? Ask it here.
Other articles you may be interested in:
Coming clean: Everything you need to know about face brushes
Different cleansers for different skin concerns
The most reviewed cleansers of 2013
What is the correct way of using retinol?
Pregnancy and pigmentation
4 Responses
Thanks for the good advice, my skin is acne prone and I was thinking of trying one of these brushes.
I tend to break out when I use these.
Good questions, now I know to rather stay away from these products.
Great question, as I was wondering about this!