Facial Cleansing Brush by Olay Regenerist, Face Exfoliator

 

Facial Cleansing Brush by Olay Regenerist, Face Exfoliator with 2 Brush Heads

In addition to providing a level of deep cleaning and exfoliation that your hands alone could never do, facial cleansing brushes also manage to be less abrasive than a washcloth. In light of this, I was excited to test out the Olay Regenerist Face Cleansing Device, a less expensive alternative to the Clarisonic (RIP!). I put this drugstore favourite to the test for a week to see if it lived up to the hype after receiving editor approval from Byrdie. 

I would, however, be the first to say that I have never used a cleaning brush. Even while I am aware of how genuinely amazing they can be, I have always been happy with my present in-shower routine, which is uncomplicated and tech-free. Would this battery-operated device permanently alter the way my skin looks and consequently how I clean? Find out by reading on.

Regarding My Skin new to cleaning brushes and normal to dry

I've always gone about cleaning in a fairly straightforward manner. Depending on the time of year, my skin can be normal or dry. Depending on how my skin is feeling, I alternate between gel cleansers, oil cleansers, and the occasional manual exfoliation.  When I feel like I need extra exfoliation or help removing stubborn makeup, I will occasionally use a muslin cloth or a washcloth (very gently, I swear!). I usually simply use my hands to soap up, help remove any makeup, then rinse off.

I never wanted to overcomplicate things or have fancy tech gadgets and tools in my shower, even though washing is undoubtedly an important component of one's beauty routine. As a result, I had never used Olay's cleansing tool before. It wasn't difficult to incorporate it into my routine: When I performed my morning or evening cleanse, I used it every other day. In the shower or at the sink, I would wet my face, apply a gentle cleanser (at the moment, I'm in love with Herbivore's Pink Cloud Cleanser) or makeup remover (Augustinus Bader's The Cleansing Balm is my new favourite), and then begin the procedure. I used to wet the brush with water first, scrub my face for a full 60 seconds, and then rinse. Simple as pie.

Design: Simple to use and hold

Olay did a fairly good job with the design. It is simple to use at the bathroom sink or in the shower because it is easy to grasp, water-resistant, and powered by batteries. Just two buttons—one to turn it on and the other to choose between the two speed settings—are there. Although it performs what it needs to do, the plastic body does have a slightly shoddy feel to it, reflecting its low price. The bristles will need to be well cleaned in between uses because they are composed of plastic and not sanitary silicone, like some of the more expensive ones on the market. 

I believe it to be a really functional design, however it is a little bit hefty. It's simply my preference, but I would choose a device with a more streamlined form that takes up less room in my medicine cabinet or shower caddy, like the PMD Cleansing Brush and the Foreo Luna 3. The cost of the smaller, "prettier" cleaning brushes is often more.

How to Apply: Leave the work to the brush.

You're ready to use once the battery has been installed and the brush head has been securely fastened to the handle. Apply your cleanser all over your dampened face. Then, for the next 60 seconds, move the brush softly about the face, allowing it do all the job, and avoid getting too near to the eyes. Set the brush's speed to the setting that suits you best. You're finished once you've thoroughly rinsed your face and the brush head.

It actually depends on what works best for your skin because Olay doesn't expressly state how frequently to use this product. Normal and oily skin types can typically use a cleansing brush everyday (as long as the brush and speed aren't too harsh), but dry and sensitive skin types should use one less frequently—once or twice a week—and should choose softer brush heads and slower speeds that won't irritate their skin. My skin varies between normal and dry, so I went with every other day.

The Science: A boost for congested, lacklustre skin

Is this really important when buying a cleansing brush, whether it's one like this one from Olay or something more sophisticated? I found out if cleansing brushes are authentic by speaking with Dr. Tatyana Nektalova, a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology. 

She advises against using them daily (or nearly daily), saying that they are more of a once-a-week treatment. When your skin is looking dull and congested, exfoliating once a week with a cleansing brush can help, she explains. I wouldn't advise using one every day because it can be too harsh. It may be a good compromise for some individuals between using just their hands (which I advise for daily cleaning) and a washcloth. Additionally, I never, ever suggest using a washcloth! Exfoliation, as we all know, can also make it easier for our skin to absorb products, which over time can increase the advantages of the remainder of your skincare regimen.

How can one determine which brush is best for them? Nektalova advises basing your decision on your skin type. For those with sensitive skin, she suggests silicone bristles (which are provided by some high-end brands). Some brush heads include antibacterial qualities that are excellent for acne-prone patients. You shouldn't feel compelled to spend a lot of money on an elaborate, interchangeable device if a drugstore option offers a straightforward product with a single strength that works for you. She also doesn't believe that a variety of brush heads or speed options are necessary.

The effects: smooth, scrubbed skin

After just one application, I was immediately struck by how much smoother and cleaner my skin felt after cleansing compared to when I used my hands, yet not as clean as to feel stripped.

Any traces of foundation or raccoon eyes were completely gone, but I had to carefully remove the mascara with my fingers because the brush isn't designed to be used on the eyelids.

However, it wasn't quite as gentle as I had anticipated. Normally, I don't have sensitive skin I didn't find the bristles to be physically exfoliating, but I did think they were a little too abrasive for me. I experimented with pressure and decided to only use the low speed, however after each use, my skin would feel somewhat irritated (though never appear that way). I believe I would keep using this only once per week, treating it more as an exfoliating treatment than a component of my daily cleansing routine. No matter how frequently you use it, it always works!

The Value: A fantastic price range

The Regenerist Face Cleansing Tool is priced fairly, in my opinion. The gadget and one replacement brush head are both included in the purchase, which is priced at $24 but can often be found on sale for under $14. It completed the task and provided me with the outcomes I wanted. You're getting what you pay for, even though it's not too fancy like some of the silicone cleansing brushes available.

Similar Products: You can choose.

A Liberex Sonic Vibrating Facial Cleaning Brush costs $35. Comparable in price to Olay's cleansing brush is the highest-rated Liberex Sonic Vibrating Facial Cleansing Brush. For just a few more dollars, this egg-shaped cleaning brush system includes all the bells and whistles. This product features three options compared to Olay's two: gentle massage, medium-speed exfoliation, and a stronger, thorough cleansing option. Every setting has a smart timer that slows down every minute to prevent you from overdoing it and reminds you to move on to a new area of your face every 20 seconds. Additionally, it has three detachable heads: a silicone brush head for soothing exfoliation and massage, a gentler brush for sensitive skin, and a deep cleansing brush.

Olay is a good product if you want simplicity, while Liberex is the clear pick if you want a little more value for your money.

$100 for the PMD Clean Smart Facial Cleansing Device: The PMD Clean Smart Facial Cleansing Device is a stylish alternative that offers both deep cleaning and anti-aging advantages if you're searching for something a little more opulent.  The company's SonicGlow technology comes in four different working modes and can vibrate at a rate of up to 7,000 times per minute, which can lift, firm, and tone the face. Its bristles and body are made of silicone, which is extremely hygienic, odor-resistant, antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and waterproof. As a result, there is no need to be concerned about accidently doing more harm than good. Additionally, this man only has to be bought once because the head will never need to be changed.