The 7 Best Facial Cleansing Brushes of 2023, Tested & Reviewed

But as with most skincare tools, not all facial cleansing brushes are the same. So, we put some of the most popular and highly rated options to the test in our lab facility in NYC, and assessed them based on ease of use, effectiveness, comfort, and ease of cleaning. Those that scored the highest are on this list.

In addition to offering a deeper cleanse when washing your face, some of them allow you to enjoy benefits like physical exfoliation or even massage, too. “Facial cleansing brushes act as mechanical exfoliators to help remove dead skin while also increasing blood flow to leave skin glowing,” explains board-certified dermatologist Sheila Farhang , MD, founder of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics.

Facial cleansing brushes aren’t necessarily must-have beauty products, but lots of people swear by these gadgets and reach for them multiple times a week.

While the brush does feature a heating function, our tester noted that she didn’t feel much of a difference between the heated setting and the regular setting, saying that the heat emission was very minor.

Skincare tools can be really fun additives to your skincare routine, but if they’re too complicated to use, chances are we’ll give up on them after only a few uses. That’s why we love this one—it’s simple and intuitive. Our tester said she had no issues setting it up, holding it, or using it, and she found that it did a great job of giving her skin a deep cleanse. She expressed that it’s likely ideal for a weekly deep cleanse as opposed to a daily cleanse because the bristles aren’t ultra-soft —this is definitely something to keep in mind if you have sensitive skin. Regardless, she shared that the bristles were effective and not overly abrasive.

In addition to how well it works to remove makeup, she noted how much she liked the soft bristles, saying that they weren’t too abrasive on her sensitive skin. Something really unique about this particular facial cleansing brush is that it connects to an app specifically designed to use in combination with the tool. She expressed that it was really cool to have visual guidance while cleansing, and the app shares the ideal amount of time you should spend cleansing each part of your face, but our tester said it definitely took some work to figure out how to change the settings and customize the app to her liking.

We recommend breaking down your makeup with an oil-based cleanser prior to going in with your face wash ( double cleansing ), but it doesn’t hurt to have a tool that does an excellent job at removing makeup. Our tester was pleasantly surprised by how well this one removed her foundation, lipstick, and even eyeshadow, saying that while there was the tiniest bit of makeup residue left on her skin after using the brush, a few splashes of water got rid of it.

App that comes with the tool is a bit challenging to customize

“The brush did a wonderful job of exfoliating and cleansing my skin. It felt like it was able to get a good amount of makeup off while also removing dead skin.” —Michelle Cabrera, Tester

While it didn’t fully remove 100 percent of her makeup, this isn’t a dealbreaker for us as it does an excellent job at cleansing bare skin and exfoliating to reveal a glowing complexion.

If you’re in the market for a facial cleansing brush that will effectively resurface your skin , we recommend this one. In addition to its lightweight and compact design, and the variety of speed settings it has, our tester loved how well it worked to cleanse and exfoliate her skin. She noted that while the bristles didn’t feel harsh or abrasive, they are a bit more stiff compared to many options on the market, making it a good choice if you enjoy physical exfoliation.

In addition to appreciating that the brush fit into the palm of her hands, our tester loved the texture of the bristles and the pulsation feature. She noted that the pulsation provided a massage and an invigorating sensation, leaving her feeling energized. After using it, she shared that she could no longer see any traces of dead skin, and her skin was left looking clean and glowy. One thing she noted was that she had to scrub the brush a bit to get all traces of makeup off of it, but all things considered, we still highly recommend this tool.

Buttah was created with melanin-rich skin in mind , and this facial cleansing brush is excellent for all skin types. It works to cleanse the skin of excess oil, rid it of dead skin cells, and improve radiance. It features two modes of pulsation, which provide a gentle facial massage, and the silicon bristles are delicate enough not to irritate the skin, but effective enough to effectively exfoliate it.

“The bristles really conformed to every area of my face with ease, and I could even use it on my sensitive skin without irritation. I have some minor skin irritations at the moment, and this brush didn’t aggravate it.” —Lee Hubilla, Tester

Our tester said that the wooden handle is easy to grip, and she loved how compact the brush is, making it a great option to travel with. She said it helped to make her cleanser really sudsy, and it worked beautifully to remove makeup and give her skin a deep clean without feeling harsh or stripping. The one downside? Because the brush features bristles that are light in color, if you use it to help remove makeup, it might stain a bit. And as opposed to silicone which can be cleaned in a few seconds, this brush takes a bit longer to fully clean.

Unlike a lot of facial cleansing brushes that are made of silicone and feature various mechanical modes, this one has soft synthetic bristles—similar to a makeup brush—and is meant to be used manually. The ultra-soft bristles bump up the lather of foam cleansers and work to give the skin a deep yet gentle clean. The bristles also provide very subtle exfoliation, perfect for those with sensitive skin that struggle to exfoliate without creating irritation.

She was very impressed by how well it cleansed her face of multiple layers of foundation without being too abrasive or causing irritation on her sensitive skin . She noted that while she often finds silicone bristles to be too harsh on her skin, the bristles on this brush are totally gentle. It does take a few minutes to heat up if you choose to use that setting, but our tester shared that it did add to the experience of using this brush. Once she cleansed her face, it was left feeling great, and the brush was easy to clean afterward.

Another silicone facial cleansing brush, this one also received very high scores during our test. It features a heating capability, a magnetic charging port, and gentle vibrations. While our tester shared that she needed to carefully read the instructions to understand how to use it properly, meaning that it was not the most intuitive, she noted that the instructions were clear.

Understanding how to to use the brush may require you to carefully read the instructions

“The surprise winning feature is the massage setting which is total bliss and a bonus. The silicone bristles are soft and non-irritating on my sensitive skin, and do a good job of cleaning. I actually enjoyed using this brush and would happily use it every day.” —Alison Green, Tester

The design is compact and ergonomic, and it’s made with soft, anti-bacterial, clinical-grade silicone that feels gentle on the skin. One minor flaw is that the speed and on/off buttons are camouflaged into the handle and are a bit tricky to press, but other than this, it’s a nearly perfect facial cleansing brush.

This is our favorite cleansing brush thanks to its ease of use, compact and functional design, variety of features, and effective yet gentle cleansing capability. Our tester was really impressed by how user-friendly it is, sharing that it’s easy to understand how to use the functions. It gave her skin a thorough cleanse without feeling abrasive , and she loved how it shuts off after two minutes to ensure you don’t overdo it. She was also pleasantly surprised by the massage feature, saying that it felt like a mini skin treatment.

The speed change and on/off buttons are embedded in the handle and a bit challenging to push

Final Verdict

Our favorite cleansing brush is the RoseSkinCo. Petal 2. It’s intuitive to use, has a compact and functional design, and effectively cleanses the skin. But if you’re looking for a very delicate, manual cleansing brush, we recommend the Tata Harper Cleansing Kabuki Brush. And if physical exfoliation is your goal, try the Ezbasics Facial Cleansing Brush.

How We Tested

Each facial cleansing brush was set up according to manufacturer directions and then wet with warm water and turned on if electric. Our testers then applied a quarter-sized amount of foaming cleanser to the brush heads and cleansed their skin for two minutes. They then turned the brushes off and cleaned them under warm running water. Each brush was evaluated based on ease of use, effectiveness, comfort, and ease of cleaning, and those with the highest scores made this list. 

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Testing Facial Cleansing Brushes for All Skin Types

Other Options We Tested

Olay Regenerist Facial Cleansing Brush

While our tester appreciated how soft the bristles on this affordable cleansing brush are, they said they struggled to get it to effectively remove makeup and noted that it was difficult to clean. 

Byrdie / Tamara Staples

Sephora Collection Vegan Makeup Remover and Cleansing Brush

This manual cleansing brush is simple and easy to use, but despite promising to effectively remove makeup, our tester did not find this to be the case. 

Refa Clear 3D Sonic Cleansing Brush

Our tester appreciated that this electric cleansing brush was easy to set up, but she said that the bristles were pretty stiff as she cleansed her face, making it not the most comfortable experience. 

Byrdie / Tamara Staples

Meet the Expert

Sheila Farhang, M.D., is a double-fellowship trained board-certified dermatologist, reconstructive skin cancer (Mohs micrographic) surgeon, and cosmetic surgeon in Tucson, TX. She has authored numerous publications in top dermatology journals and is considered a media expert by the American Academy of Dermatology.

What to Look for in a Facial Cleansing Brush

Bristle Type

Facial cleansing brushes are made out of various types of materials, some of the most popular being silicone or synthetic bristles. Choosing the appropriate material comes down to your goals. If you’re simply looking for a gentle tool that will aid in cleansing and increase the lather of your cleanser, a brush with ultra-fine, synthetic bristles, like the Tata Harper Cleansing Kabuki Brush, or even fine silicone bristles is best for you. If you’re hoping to achieve exfoliation benefits with your cleansing brush, we recommend something with thicker synthetic bristles or an option like the Ezbasics Facial Cleansing Brush, which has larger silicone bristles.

It’s also worth noting that if you’re concerned about bacteria, opting for a silicone brush is wise because many silicones used in making facial cleansing brushes are anti-bacterial. 

Features 

Some facial cleansing brushes are simple, manual tools that give you full control—and they’re great for basic cleansing and exfoliation. But if you’re looking for something more high-tech, keep an eye out for special features, like heating functions, vibrations, and massage capabilities. If a heating function is intriguing to you, we recommend the NågraCoola Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush. 

Speed Settings

Ideally, you want at least two (though many brushes offer many more) so that you can best customize the intensity of the brush for your skin type and needs.

FAQ

• Are facial cleansing brushes good for your skin?

  They have their benefits—namely, more effective cleansing and exfoliation. However, being overzealous with your cleansing brush or using it too often might cause redness and irritation. To avoid irritation, Dr. Farhang recommends using a cleansing brush no more than a few times a week, preferably in the shower when your skin is wet and soft.

• How do you use a facial cleansing brush?

  Dr. Farhang suggests making it a part of your shower routine so that skin is already soft and wet when using one (this helps minimize irritation). Pair it with a gentle cleanser, and use it only a few times per week, rather than daily, especially if your skin is on the sensitive side. If you’re working with an eclectic brush that has several features, refer to the directions on the packaging of your device. 

• What products do you use with a cleansing brush?

  Keep your cleanser simple and gentle; using formulas that contain chemical exfoliants such as AHAs or BHAs can up the likelihood of irritation, notes Dr. Farhang. She also adds that you shouldn’t use a scrub with a cleansing brush.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.