Purify pores for a smoother, more radiant finish

I was probably one of the last people to jump on the Clarisonic bandwagon. I thought it was gimmicky, expensive and hated the idea of a company telling me that after 30 years of washing my face, I was doing it all wrong. As soon as I heard it would not only give me a deeper clean, but that my lotions and serums would penetrate deeper, giving me better results, I knew I had to try it. Fast forward a year, and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t use it. Whether it be morning or night, I can’t live without it.

When I heard about the launch of the new Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush, as much as I wanted to give it a go, I was scared to give up my Clarisonic. I thought, was it necessary to invest in another system, will it give me added benefits that my beloved Clarisonic cannot, what’s different about it, etc.? I quickly learned that it’s designed to work in partnership with Clinique’s custom-fit 3 Step Skin Care System to instantly provide purify pores for a smoother, more radiant finish.

Let me just say, Clinique Sonic System is totally different. First up, its swiss-engineered oval brush head and ergonomic handle are truly unique. The oval brush head tilts for targeted cleansing, allowing you to focus and reach problem, and hard to reach areas, like the nose and chin. The handle fits perfectly into the palm of your hand with a comfortable grip. Its compact design makes it perfect for traveling, while its waterproof design allows you to cleanse your skin in the shower, safely. It features two speeds, allowing for personalization with a built in timer that automatically turns off after 30 seconds. It also contains 2 different bristles that target different areas of your face. The light green bristles are firmer, rougher and shorter to help deeply cleanse the T-zone where oil production and clogging occur in the pores. The white bristles are softer for an all-over cleanse on more sensitive spots like the cheeks. The sonic vibrations gently massage the skin, loosening stubborn dirt and oil and is tolerable for even the most sensitive skin.

I’m in love with the Clinique Sonic System cleansing brush. It fits the contours of my face beautifully and gets into all the crevices that the Clarisonic cannot. It does take some time to get used to, as I was confused on where to place the green and white bristles properly on each section of my face. I quickly learned that the brush head tilts up and down, depending on how you hold it, making it fairly easy to place the bristles in the correct spots. The small green section is definitely harsher than any other brush I’ve used, but it’s perfect for getting deep, down into pores and clearing up those pesky blackheads. Another added bonus is a single charge has a life battery of 3 hours without having to recharge. I’ve been using this device for over 3 weeks now, without having to charge. My Clarisonic has to be charged weekly, again, making this the perfect travel companion (no need to bring a charger). I guess the only thing I like better on the Clarisonic is the timer. As much as I appreciate the self-timer of 30 seconds, which is the perfect amount of time for beginners, I find it somewhat annoying for those that are already comfortable with a minute to a minute and a half session.

The Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush does everything I’d expect it to do. It helps me remove makeup, dirt and oil, a lot easier and more efficient than my hands alone, which results in fewer build ups on the skin that can cause blackheads, blemishes and dullness. It still only takes a minute a day to remove all impurities from the skin and pores, yet is gentle enough to use twice a day. Like all cleansing systems, don’t worry if you see more breakouts than normal your first few weeks, it’s just your skin getting used to the system and bringing all the dirt and oil to the surface. Remember to remove all makeup before you start, I find this just helps to keep your brush cleaner and more hygienic. Skin will instantly look smoother within the first clean, within a few short days, you’ll experience a healthy radiant glow and with continued use.

For those that are unfamiliar on how to use a cleaning brush system, it couldn’t be easier. Wet your face and brush head, apply your favourite cleanser to your skin (or the brush head) and turn it on. Select your speed and massage in a circle motion on cheek area using white bristles, then tilt the brush head to use the green bristles on your T-Zone. Massage for 10 seconds on forehead, 10 seconds on nose and chin and 5 seconds on each cheek. When increasing to 1 minute, just double your times. It will automatically turn off after 30 seconds though, so you’ll need to re-hit the button to start again. Make sure you change your brush head at least every 3 months. This entire system, which comes with handles, 1 brush head and charging dock, retails for $95 and each individual replacement brush head for $29 at your local Hudson’s Bay, Sephora and select Shoppers.