Clarisonic - does it work?

[Alexiszoe]

I have been using it for a year now, and didn't really see a huge difference in my skin - but it really does clean my skin a lot better (that or my skin has changed). I discovered this only recently: shortly before I purchased the Clarisonic I fell in love with a particular brand's foundation, but after using it for a few days it broke me out. I tried several times (resting for a week and trying the foundation again) because I loved it so much only for the same thing to happen. So I tossed it until a month ago when I received it as a GWP. Since I have the Clarisonic now, I thought: the deep cleansing claims might help to remove make up more thoroughly so...why not?

I have been using the foundation+Clarisonic for a month now and no break outs so far. I am still using the same cleansers and skincare so either my skin has changed or Clarisonic really is effective at deep cleaning to remove my make up more effectively! I only use it once a day in the evenings nowadays and find it works better for me than the twice daily routine I had when I first purchased it.

 

[jazzoboe]

Another vote here for the Olay knock-off. I know it's smaller and I don't think it uses the same motion exactly, but... it's $30. I don't have blackheads, so I guess I can't really help with OP's question, but just to add to the conversation, I do like how it works on my skin. I have very dry skin, as in if I don't exfoliate for a day or 2, when I put on moisturizer, or god forbid a little makeup, my dead skin just peels off when I touch my face. Disgusting. It also gets itchy if I don't moisturize within a couple minutes of getting out of the shower. Anyway, I use my Olay brush maybe every other day, and it definitely makes my skin feel more smooth and clean. The biggest advantage for me is that my skin drinks up my moisturizer really well afterwards and there isn't a bunch of dead skin left behind to peel off. I would not use it every day, though, and I am careful about how I use it, because I have also heard a lot of comments about how they can damage your skin. But frankly, it's the best thing I've ever tried so far.

 

[Malbec54]

My BFF uses baking soda and her complexion is AMAZING.
Each person is different---I broke out more with the clarisonic and Proactiv--yet people swear by it.
I think weather, genetics and diet also play a HUGE part of how the skin reacts to certain products and treatments, but that's a whole different topic.

 

[mrs jam]

My BFF uses baking soda and her complexion is AMAZING.
Each person is different---I broke out more with the clarisonic and Proactiv--yet people swear by it.
I think weather, genetics and diet also play a HUGE part of how the skin reacts to certain products and treatments, but that's a whole different topic.

Agree 100%! Everyone has to find their own Holy Grail of skin (and hair, too) products.

 

[PintoBean]

I like gentle cleansers for my face like Johnson and Johnson's head to toe. However, when I'm wearing foundation, its not strong enough to remove my makeup. This is where my clarisonic mia comes into play. The head to toe with the mia effectively removes my makeup without me needing to switch to a stronger cleanser.

 

[monkeydogsundog]

Have you tried adding a sprinkle of baking soda to your face wash? I do this about 3x a week, and it's worked wonders for my complexion.

Please, please use products that are made specifically for use on skin -- your face is not a toilet bowl or a sink. They are balanced by cosmetic chemists and generally use tried-and-true ingredients for cleansing or moisturizing.

I'm perfectly aware that my face is not a toilet bowl. Neither is my cake nor my chocolate chip cookies. But thanks for the tip.

I've been using a sprinkle of baking soda mixed in with my face wash for over 20 years now. A very small amount added to a mild face wash makes a wonderfully gentle exfoliant. At the risk of sounding immodest, it's the not-so-secret secret of my beautiful and soft skin.

"Cosmetic chemists" made me laugh; thanks! I prefer my beauty and household products green, simple, and vegan, so I'll stick to my sodium bicarbonate.

Well, I've been a dermatologist for 12 years now and I can tell you what I've seen in my patients who have used it. But you're right, I'm sure your green and vegan methods are safer and you know better. I mean, it's not like medical school teaches you anything.

 

[sphenequeen]

I love mine. It has made such a difference in how my skin feels. I love the way my face feels right after I use it. So that I don't forget to use mine, I take it in the shower with me in the morning and use it as I wash my face. It has been a great investment.

 

[momhappy]

Have you tried adding a sprinkle of baking soda to your face wash? I do this about 3x a week, and it's worked wonders for my complexion.

Please do not use baking soda on your skin! it is NOT safe!!!


If you remember anything from your high school chemistry class, you'll remember that the pH scale works like this: 1 is acidic, 14 is alkaline. Things are either more acidic or more alkaline based on where they sit on the scale (unless it is 7, in which case it is neutral). As a reference point, your skin is roughly a pH of 4.5-5, blood is 7, an effective AHA or BHA is 3.5-4, baking soda is a 9, and the average WHITE vinegar (5-10% acetic acid) is 2.40-3.40.

pH is so very important in skincare -- too alkaline and the skin barrier is disrupted or damaged, too acidic and you risk burns.
Skin care problems are generally caused by genetics, diet, and mistreatment of the problem to begin with, such as scrubbing dehydrated, acne skin with baking soda, which damages the skincare barrier and makes your face a bacterial breeding ground. Think of your skin barrier as part of your immune system -- it is essential for keeping the bad guys out and the good stuff in, such as moisture. Scrubbing it with a too-alkaline cleanser is increasing moisture loss and decreasing the ability to keep bacteria on your skin in check. Worse, by toning your skin with a product with a pH of 2.4-3.4, you are putting your skin at risk for chemical burns, which at best are uncomfortable and at worst will scar.

Please, please use products that are made specifically for use on skin -- your face is not a toilet bowl or a sink. They are balanced by cosmetic chemists and generally use tried-and-true ingredients for cleansing or moisturizing.

Baking soda is safe when used in moderation (even for those with sensitive skin). http://www.livestrong.com/article/195381-baking-soda-skin-care/
I would even venture to guess that many products that are designed specifically for skin/face, contain more chemicals (and are therefore more harmful to skin) than baking soda. There is nothing wrong with utilizing natural ingredients in our skin care/beauty regimens and there are many books on the market that are full of recipes and/or beauty tips that are designed with natural products, food products, etc. (like this: http://www.amazon.com/Homemade-Facial-Masks-Natural-Recipes/dp/1938942000/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362866477&sr=1-12&keywords=natural+beauty+tips)
For example, I add baking soda to my shampoo once a week as a clarifier (it removes product build-up, instead of pricey lotions I moisturize my body right out of the shower with a jar of pure coconut oil, I use olive oil as a deep conditioning treatment on my hair, I have made a natural body scrub with olive oil and brown sugar, and many, many more.

 

[rubyshoes]

Thanks for the responses, guys! I just went to Walgreens and picked up the Olay cleaner. If you look on the Walgreens website, it's on sale for $21.99. In-store it was 30 bucks but when I told the cashier he matched the price for me. Going to use it tomorrow morning, yay! I've kept the receipt in case I have issues with it and need a refund.

ETA: how do you guys keep the brush head clean? Wash with regular soap or antibac soap and then just leave to dry?

 

[momhappy]

If I use my Clarisonic regularly (and I admit that I don't), I rinse it with alcohol every few washes.

 

[alisonia333]

I bought a full size one a few years ago and I ended up with tiny little broken capillaries on my face that didn't go away. Probably will get a laser treatment to zap them at some point, but it definitely pisses me off. Don't get it!