Beauty tools and gadgets often make their way into our routines, promising a path to clearer, firmer and healthier skin. While some of them like gua shas and derma rollers might offer temporary benefits, some feel entirely gimmicky. Among these, silicone cleansing brushes have gained popularity for their perceived ability to deeply cleanse the skin.
So to understand whether they do what they claim to, we consulted with two expert dermatologists, Dr Nishita Ranka and Dr Shefali Trasi Nerurkar, and here’s what they had to say:
Are Silicone Cleaning Brushes Safe?
Dr Nishita Ranka, Medical Director and Founder of Dr Nishita’s Clinic for Skin, Hair & Aesthetics is an advocate for evidence-based practice. While acknowledging the generally hypoallergenic nature of silicone brushes, she says, “My clinical experience, backed by dermatological research, suggests that individuals with skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, rosacea or severe acne can experience exacerbated symptoms due to mechanical irritation.”
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While agreeing that silicone brushes are a great way to remove excess makeup, dirt and dead skin cells, Dr Shefali Trasi Nerurkar, MBBS, MD (dermatology), Consultant Dermatologist suggests, “In a sensitive skin individual, cleansing brushes should be used with caution. So start using a silicone brush once a week and if it suits the skin without causing any irritation, it can be further used once or twice a week for a good cleanse.”
What Sets Them Apart?
Some might argue the need for a cleansing tool when a good manual cleanse could do the job. Dr Nishita agrees that traditional cleansing methods do offer more tactile feedback and control, crucial for sensitive skin types where over-exfoliation can disrupt the outer layer of the skin.
On the other hand, comparing silicone cleansing brushes with other facial cleansing tools, Dr Shefali asserts their superiority in terms of effectiveness and gentleness. The non-porous and hypoallergenic nature of silicone brushes sets them apart, ensuring a hygienic and gentle cleansing experience.
Sensitive & Acne-Prone Skin
Navigating around sensitive and acne-prone skin can be tough, be it while incorporating new skincare products or beauty tools into your routine. Addressing these concerns, Dr Shefali emphasises the importance of using silicone cleansing brushes gently and says, “Acne is caused when pores get clogged with a sebaceous plug. Hence, thorough cleansing is essential to prevent acne formation and later to treat them effectively.” She recommends deep cleansing once or twice a week for normal to oily skin.
However, Dr Nishita points out the double-edged sword nature of silicone cleansing brushes for acne-prone skin. “While they may aid in unclogging pores, they can also irritate active acne lesions. On sensitive skin, the mechanical action can induce micro-tears and compromise the skin barrier.”
Everyone’s skin is different and so are everybody’s skin concerns. So the rule of thumb here is–when in doubt, visit your dermatologist!
How To Use Silicone Cleansing Brushes?
Dr Shefali notes that excess use of any product or device can harm the skin and irritate it. Hence, maintaining a good skin care schedule and using silicone brushes regularly but not daily is key.
Dr Nishita also believes in limiting the use of mechanical exfoliation tools like silicone brushes to no more than once a week and says, “Over-exfoliation can lead to a compromised skin barrier, resulting in increased sensitivity and irritation. Considering India’s diverse climatic conditions and environmental stressors, gentler and more adaptive cleansing methods may be more suitable. Products like pH-balanced cleansers, soft muslin cloths or micellar water can provide effective cleansing without the potential risks associated with mechanical exfoliation.”
Dr Nishita further suggests that our hands are more than enough to cleanse our face with a good cleanser, and tools for cleansing can have adverse effects that often don’t outweigh their benefits. So while silicone cleansing brushes have gained popularity for their potential benefits in skin cleansing and exfoliation, it is important to approach them with an informed perspective.
But if they do intrigue you, here are some silicone cleansing brushes you could try:
FOREO LUNA™ 3 Facial Cleansing Brush
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Nykaa Naturals CleanTouch 2-in-1 Face Brush
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Lisen Skin Pal Silicon Exfoliator
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Flawless Cleanse Facial Cleanser Brush
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