clarisonicMy beauty regimen would fall into the "low-maintenance" category. Don't get me wrong, I HAVE a regimen...but I tend to keep it simple and stick with the basics. I DO believe in getting facials every six to eight weeks or once every season, at the very least. And, I DO believe in investing in a good skin care line that is made of good ingredients, helps with anti-aging and protects against free-radicals.
However, when it comes to buying a lot of different gadgets, that is not me. So, when my aesthetician recommended I try the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush, you could say I was skeptical. What convinced me, however, was one simple thing: It was touted as being a great makeup remover. For years, I found that unless I washed my face with a washcloth, I didn't get all of the make-up residue off my face...and that was frustrating. So, I made the $200 investment and brought home my new shiny Pro-Model brush, eager to find out if it worked. Here is the scoop: What it is... Developed by the same people who developed Sonic Care Toothbrushes, the Clarisonic Cleansing System uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean your skin. Specifics The Clarisonic system comes in four types - Mia, Classic, Plus and Pro. Here is a comparison:
- MIA: $149; for on the go or at home - 1 speed
- Classic: $195; Original system - 2 speeds
- PLUS: $225 - $250; LiFor Face and body - 3 speeds
- Pro: $195/$225; Sold by Skin care Pros - 4 speeds
- Normal: For normal skin, shaving prep and use on body.
- Sensitive: For sensitive to normal skin types.
- Delicate: Ultra-soft brush for delicate or extra-sensitive skin.
- Spot Therapy: For cleansing areas of the body needing extra care and attention, including the décolleté, hands, arms, elbows and feet. Works with Clarisonic PLUS and PRO models.
- Removes 6x more makeup than manual cleansing: TRUE. Although I can't measure "6x," I definitely get all of the makeup off of my skin, without the need for rough and irritating washclothes.
- Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother: TRUE. Be sure to use the right brush for your type of skin so you don't overdry!
- Products absorb better: TRUE. Because dry patches are diminished, I find that my products smooth on more easily.
- Gentle for use 2x daily: TRUE. If you have sensitive or delicate skin, however, you MUST use the right brushes. Using Clarisonic twice a day with the wrong brush may irritate your skin.
- Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes: PARTIALLY TRUE. I have combination skin, and although I have found that my skin is smoother and that dry patches have diminished, I would not say that my oily areas have reduced.
- Helps reduce appearance of visible pores: PARTIALLY TRUE. Again, texture is improved, but in certain areas (chin), I have not seen diminished pores. In other areas (nose), I have.
- Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: PARTIALLY TRUE. I would argue that Clarisonic makes a difference with fine lines, but not with deep wrinkles.
- Make sure you purchase the right brushes for your skin type. This is very important in ensuring you don't irritate your skin.
- Don't buy their cleansers. Frankly, you can use your own cleanser and their products contain ingredients that I recommend you avoid.
- Purchase the model you think you will most benefit. There is no need to buy the most expensive model. The technology is the same...and if you are a simple person (like me), you most likely won't use the extra bells and whistles of the Plus or Pro models.
Related topics:
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- Cosmetic Expiration Dates: When to Throw them Out
- Skin Care
- Cheap Ways to Get Your "Spa" on
- Beauty Product Ingredients Worth Avoiding
