Gone are the days when a bar of soap was enough to cleanse our skin and wash away the dirt of the day. Whether you have a long commute to work or you exercise outdoors, pollution can wreak havoc on your skin, resulting in a dull complexion and leaving your skin vulnerable to pigmentation and breakouts.

You may have the best selection of skin care products – from hydrating sheet masks to super serums – but they won’t do anything unless you start with a clean slate.

While skincare buffs already recognize the power of sonic facial-cleansing brushes, everyone benefits by including one in their skin care routine. These tech tools deep clean with their whirring bristles and remove every last bit of make-up, pore-clogging sunscreen, or dust that settles onto your skin while you’re out and about. These brushes cleanse and clean your skin thoroughly, leaving it squeaky clean.

“Most people don’t always cleanse their skin as well as they should, or they tend to over scrub and damage it further. When it comes to washing your face with your hands, they can clean the surface of your skin but cannot do much for your blocked pores or stubborn dirt. According to the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology*, the oscillation of sonic speed in the sonic skin cleansing brushes, could help loosen the comodone, helping in a deep cleanse. A cleansing brush accompanied by a good quality cleanser is a must for your homecare treatments,” says celebrity skin expert, Dr Harshana Bijlani.

Cosmetic Dermatologist Dr Jaishree Sharad agrees —“Cleansing brushes are particularly important for those with oily or acne-prone skin as they unclog the pores and remove the entire dead layer of skin.”

Enter Foreo, the Swedish brand who’s giving our beauty routines a tech makeover with sonic toothbrushes, cleansing devices and eye massagers. We took their latest innovation LUNA 2 into our bathrooms to put it through a test.

First Impressions

When we first spotted the facial-cleansing brush that’s all over Instagram, we were instantly drawn to its pastel palette. LUNA 2 is available in five different colours and variants, made for tackling different skin types – baby pink for normal skin, mint for oily skin, lilac for sensitive complexions and a baby blue for combination skin. There’s also a LUNA 2 for men to address specific concerns.

How it works

LUNA 2 is made of silicone, which makes it extremely gentle on the skin—even the most sensitive skin types can use it. The silicone nubs are not only more hygienic as compared to nylon bristles (they don’t harbor bacteria) but also easier to clean. The device is water-resistant and deeply cleanses your face with up to 8,000 T-Sonic pulsations per minute, using silicone bristles that oscillate back and forth to reach every nook and cranny of your skin. The LUNA 2 comes with 12 power intensities, so you can fine tune and find a setting that works best for you. Flip it and it becomes an anti-ageing gadget, which minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles using lower frequency pulsations—it all feels like an indulgent facial in the comfort of your home.

Depending on your skin type, use the brush with an appropriate cleanser for best results. “The best way to use it—section the face, apply your facewash and then use the LUNA 2  sequentially starting with the forehead, go to the sides of the face, the temples and cheeks going for a single round. Be mindful to not over-do it as you don’t want to damage the skin to a deeper layer. Use a moisturizer meant for your skin type at the end,” says Dr. Sharad.

The cleanser combination

So what do you use it with? While using a skin cleansing brush, your choice of cleanser is important for the brush to work effectively. Here’s what Dr Bijlani recommends for each skin type.

Oily: Pair the mint green LUNA 2 brush with a gel or water based cleanser. Look for ingredients like salicylic or glycolic acid, niacinamides and clay. Avoid cleansers with alcohol at all costs—no matter what your skin type is, alcohol will instantly dry your skin and damage it in the long run.

Normal: Use the baby pink brush with a cleanser that contains ingredients like AHA and BHA, Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, witch hazel and spirulina.

Foreo Luna 2 Normal Skin Product

Combination: Pick the powder blue LUNA 2 and use it with a mild hydrating cleanser that is cream or lotion based. Look for hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide for brightening and lactic acid for exfoliation.

Foreo Luna 2 Combination Product

Sensitive: The lilac LUNA 2 is your saviour if you have sensitive skin. Opt for a soap-free cleanser that’s gentle and hydrating on skin.

Foreo Luna 2 Sensitive Skin Product

The LUNA 2 by FOREO is rechargeable and comes with its own charger. One hour of charging delivers a full charge, which lasts for over 7 months of use—we haven’t had to recharge our device yet. If baby smooth complexion is on your agenda, make some space on your shelf for this glow giver. Our verdict—clean sweep!

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