Why You Should Have a Clarisonic

As an avid consumer of all things related to natural, organic, and non-toxic beauty products, I have been surprised at the lack of eco beauty experts singing the praises of the Clarisonic Face & Body system.

I’m not sure any product on the market today has been equally successful at winning the hearts of the mainstream beauty press, dermatologists and the population at large without the use of a single chemical. I have been using the Clarisonic Mia for well over two months now, and the Pro for the last two weeks, and thought I’d take a moment to fill you in on what I consider to be, without question, the single best investment you can make for your skin, without compromising your commitment to non-toxic skin care even a wee smidgy.

First, let me briefly describe my skin. I have pores so large I could probably store some loose change in a pinch, and they never look really clean. I first saw a dermatologist for acne when I was 11. I last saw a dermatologist for acne when I was 32. My cavernous pores often have slightly red rings around them, prompting me to apply foundation even when my skin is perfectly smooth to the touch. I also have folliculitis and a host of other issues. In other words, by no means do I have perfect skin. When I learned the Clarisonic was great for cleaning large pores, I jumped all over it. Rather than use their brand of skin cleanser, I’ve been using several brands from my store, including Logona Aloe Gel Cleanser and Naturopathica Aloe Cleanser, as well as one I don’t sell, an organic gel cleanser from Himalaya.

Now, a bit about the Clarisonic. It has been winning Best of Beauty awards since it launched in 2009. This year, InStyle magazine gave the Clarisonic its Best Cleanser and Best Exfoliator awards. Unlike many of its peers, however, the Clarisonic actually has independently-conducted research to back up the hype. As you can see from the photos below (from the brand website), your skin is simply cleaner after using the Clarisonic than it is when you rely on the power of your fingers (or even a washcloth) alone. No harsh chemicals, no irritating exfoliants, no moldy washcloth. And no surprise, really. This is, after all, the same company responsible for the tooth brush of the same name, which has been recommended to me by every dentist I’ve seen in the last 10 years. Using ultrasonic technology, the facial brush uses a sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to remove 6X more makeup and 2X more dirt and oil than cleansing with your hands alone. Even better, it does so without irritating the skin.

Now, my experience. Because I’ve been searching for a miracle facial potion for over 20 years now, I was admittedly skeptical that the Clarisonic would change my life, as the sales rep insisted it would. After all, my skin had improved so much since ditching things like synthetic fragrance and petroleum, I couldn’t imagine this buzzing brush would really produce visible results.

I was incorrect.

My skin felt better almost immediately. Within a few days, my face was so clear, my husband actually noticed without any prompting. Ever the scientist, I figured it was a hormone-related incident or other “confounding variable.” However, weeks passed, and then a month, then two months, and my skin remained beautifully clear and radiant. To summarize: In the nearly three months since I began using the Mia, I have yet to experience a single blemish, my skin is clearer than it’s ever been, and there is no redness whatsoever around my pores. My favorite observation is how much better the pores around my nose look. When truly clean, they appear much smaller! Who knew?! I’m sold.

I realize this sounds like a bit of an infomercial, but believe me, as the owner of an eco boutique and spa, it takes something pretty special to grab my attention. After all, I experiment with new skin care products for a living. So when I get all giddy and gushy about a product – let alone invest thousands of dollars so I can sell it at the shop – you know it has to be something pretty special.

At $125 for the Mia, and $199 for the Pro, it is no doubt something of an investment. The replacement brushes you need every 3-4 months are only $40 for a pack of two. Considering you can get phenomenal results with a $12 cleanser like Logona Aloe Gel Cleanser and don’t need an exfoliant, it doesn’t take long before the thing pays for itself.

Even those with the most reactive skin can benefit from the Clarisonic; skin is cleaner using the Clarisonic and warm water alone than it is using your favorite soap and your fingers. So even if does mean spending a bit more, it’s worth it when you can actually see the results. Your skin will look better, which means your makeup will also look better (and you’ll need less of it). I don’t even have a drawback to discuss. This is, from my experience, the perfect facial cleansing and exfoliating system, bar none, no toxins required.