Dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons alike recommend the Clarisonic system; it’s the go-to system for smooth, clear skin. And best of all, you don’t need special products to get good results – once you find formulas suited to your skin type, you can use Clarisonic with a wide array of products and brands. In this article, you’ll learn how to choose the right Clarisonic brush head for your skin and pair it with helpful products.

Finally, if you’re shopping for new formulas, learn about Clarisonic’s advanced collection of pH-balanced, paraben-free skincare products designed specially for use with the Clarisonic skincare system. There’s a formula for every skin type, and these will improve your results.

Choose your device

Oily or dry? Aging skin or acneic skin? Or maybe your skin can’t make up its mind? Clarisonic is all about personalized balance. Over time, this cleansing system will help you to get rid of both oily and dry patches, bringing your skin to a state of equilibrium. And, because your skin isn’t the same from one day to the next, you can alternate brush heads depending on what type of cleansing your skin needs on a given day.

• Oily or acneic skin Clarisonic Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head. It’s great for oily skin and large pores, and also good to alternate with your regular brush head for a deeper clean.

• Sensitive skin (or new to the Clarisonic system): Clarisonic Replacement Brush Head - Sensitive. This soft nylon brush head will gently but effectively cleanse your skin of impurities, without irritating sensitive complexions.

• Normal skin: Clarisonic Replacement Brush Head - Normal. Achieve luminous skin with this soft nylon brush head. You can even use it on the décolleté and body.

• Skin conditions or special concerns: Clarisonic Replacement Brush Head - Delicate. This brush is ultra-soft, with longer bristles, and works on even the most sensitive skin.

Using the device

If you’re confused about how to use your Clarisonic, or how often to use it, it’s time to make the process a little easier. Regardless of your skin type or specific concern, the steps in your daily regimen should look the same:

1. Prepare: Make sure that the handle is charged up in the charging cradle and your brush head is clean and ready to use.
2. Wash: This is the penultimate step in your Clarisonic skincare ritual. First, wet your face. Then, apply just a dab of your facial cleanser to the head of the brush. Cleansing itself takes just one minute – apply the device for 20 seconds on the forehead, 20 seconds on the nose and chin, and 10 seconds on each cheek, using a circular motion.
3. Clean brush: When finished, simply clean the brush using a mild antibacterial soap and hot water. You can use the same brush head for 3-4 months before replacing it with a new one.

Clarisonic is gentle enough to use twice a day and only takes one minute to fully clean your face. If you’re noticing irritation, try a gentler brush head, or ask your dermatologist for a recommendation – the sensitive and delicate brush heads make deep-cleansing possible for even the most sensitive skin.

Create your regimen

Once you’re comfortable with using the device, it’s time to think about products. If you’re not satisfied with your current regimen, it’s a good time to try something more suited to your skin’s needs. The Clarisonic removes six times more makeup and twice as much dirt and oil than regular cleansing, which means that any products you invest in will be better able to penetrate into the pores. So, evaluate your regimen and decide where you’d like to make some changes.

• Cleansers

Starting your regimen with a quality cleanser is crucial, especially when you’ve invested so much in a cleansing device. To determine if your cleanser is meeting your needs, ask yourself the following questions:

• How does my skin feel after I cleanse – a little tight and stripped, or not quite clean?
• Does my skin look too oily, or too dry, an hour or so after cleansing?
• Does it feel like the cleanser is rinsed away completely, or does it leave a film on my skin?
• Does the fragrance or texture bother my skin?

If your current product isn’t meeting your needs, it might be time to try something new.

Experiment until you find the right product for you. Clarisonic works with virtually any non-abrasive cleanser. Or, try one of Clarisonic’s targeted cleansers:

• Sensitive skin. Soothe and comfort a delicate complexion with Clarisonic Nourishing Care Cleanser. This non-foaming formula is rich with antioxidants and contains aloe, cucumber, vitamin E and green tea.
• Oily to combination skin. For a balancing formula, Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser is a foaming cleanser that contains the beta-hydroxy acid willowbark extract. This cleanser works to decongest the skin while improving hydration. It also contains bearberry extract to brighten a dull complexion.
• Dry or aging skin. Parched skin needs a creamier cleanser, like Clarisonic Nourishing Care Cleanser. This formula helps to improve the skin’s moisture levels and protect from free radical damage. Nourishing ingredients like olive oil, shea butter and sodium hyaluronate make this ideal for fragile skin.

• Moisturizers

No skincare regimen would be complete without a dose of much-needed hydration. Regardless of your skin type, follow up with a facial moisturizer designed for your skin type.

• Oily skin. Look for a lightweight formula that won’t leave you feeling greasy; make sure it doesn’t clog pores either. Look for phrases like “non-comedogenic” or “oil-free.” For acne-prone skin, you can opt for a moisturizer that also has active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, so you’ll be hydrating and clearing skin simultaneously.
• Normal skin. Even normal skin can have its quirks, so don’t think that just any formula will work for you. Many women find that moisturizers either leave the cheeks feeling dry, or leave the t-zone too oily. And, your skin will change throughout the year, so you might find yourself alternating formulas to keep your skin balanced.
• Aging skin. Aging skin is typically on the dry side, although for some women, menopause can increase oil production and lead to oily skin. Whether oily or dry, treat aging skin with a moisturizer that contains potent anti-aging ingredients that stimulate cellular turnover and smooth the skin, to make the most of your Clarisonic.

• Treat. Should you choose Clarisonic over your regular anti-aging formulas? Not necessarily. The Clarisonic will give your skin a deeper clean than manual cleansing, allowing your skin to better absorb nutrients and active ingredients in other products – so you’ll know that every drop of your serum is being used to its fullest.

Clarisonic will enhance the results of the treatment products you’re already using, or you might consider one of the Clarisonic products.

• Clarisonic Renewal Serum. Use this soothing serum just after cleansing to improve the health of your skin and leave it looking luminous. It contains potent ingredients like peptides and CoQ10, in addition to green tea and vitamins C and E for their antioxidant benefits. This serum works for all skin types and all ages.
• Clarisonic Opal Anti-Aging Sea Serum. Concerned with fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area? This serum is designed specifically for the Clarisonic Opal Infusion System and uses advanced technology to target those fine lines while hydrating skin and reducing puffiness.
  

• Clarisonic Refining Skin Polish. Get your skin glowing from head to toe with this smoothing polish. This refining formula was designed for sonic cleansing using the Clarisonic PLUS Spot Therapy Brush Head and is especially helpful in exfoliating areas like the décolleté, feet, elbows and hands. It contains antioxidants and hydrating ingredients like jojoba beads and prickly pear.

After you’ve mastered the art of using your Clarisonic and are satisfied with your daily products, make sure to schedule a little patience into your routine. You’ll probably notice small changes right away, like reduced pore size and cleaner skin, but long-term, visible benefits – like healthier, more radiant skin – will come with time.

See also:

Clarisonic Skin Care System Review: Devices and Accessories

Clarisonic Mia Sonic Cleansing System: Glowing Skin on the Go

Clarisonic Skin Care Brush System Kit: a Sure Fire Way to Beautiful Skin

A Guide to Facials for the Professional Woman