I recently reviewed two of my favorite products for washing the face, reusable microfiber facial cleansing sponges and microfiber face washing wristbands.
Today's health and beauty product review is about another favorite tool in my skincare routine: silicone face scrubbers that I use a few times a week to help gently yet effectively deep clean pores around the oilier T-zone and to gently exfoliate and plump the lips.
These inexpensive silicone facial scrubbers are also hygienic and can't harbor bacteria like face towels, so they're great for anyone who deals with acne or blemishes.
Proper Cleansing Is Key to a Clearer, Smoother, Brighter Complexion
As I mentioned in previous reviews, the most important steps for achieving and maintaining your best complexion are 1) cleansing your face properly both morning and night (and after exercising), 2) using good skincare products targeted to your skin type and skin concerns, and 3) applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen that will provide UVA, UVB, and blue light protection 365 days a year, rain, snow or shine.
Washing your face properly means cleansing gently and thoroughly with lukewarm water and a good facial cleanser, lathering and massaging your face for 30-60 seconds, either once (single cleanse) or twice (double cleanse), either with the same cleanser or with two different cleansers, usually an oil-based cleanser for the first cleanse to break down sunscreen and/or makeup and a water-based cleanser for the second cleanse to break down excess oil and sebum.
The Right Tools Help Cleanse Your Face Thoroughly and Gently
I like to wear a terrycloth headband to hold my hair back away from my face and microfiber face-washing wristbands to keep my arms dry when I am cleansing my face. I also use soft microfiber facial cleansing sponges rather than a washcloth as part of my facial cleansing routine, for reasons I explained in my recent microfiber facial cleansing sponges product review.
At age 69, my former peaches-and-cream complexion with virtually invisible pores is no longer. Inevitably, the pores in my T-zone have enlarged with age. And, despite never having had so much as a blemish or a blackhead through my teens and twenties, I now have to deal with periodic, random blemishes.
That's why I have also started using silicone face cleansing brushes to gently but thoroughly clean the pores in my T-zone.
I have two kinds of silicone facial scrubbers, as they are often called (although I caution against using them to aggressively scrub your skin): a silicone facial brush and a silicone lip scrubber.
How to Use Silicone Face Cleansing Brushes and Lip Scrubber Brushes
Here is how I recommend using these types of brushes for cleansing the skin effectively, applying skincare products after cleansing, and exfoliating and massaging the lips before applying lip balm, gloss, or lipstick.
Silicone Face Cleansing Brushes AKA Silicone Facial Scrubbers
The facial cleansing brush is an oval pad with small, fine silicone bristles covering most of it and a smaller section at one edge with larger, round nubs.
The small, fine brush bristles deep-clean pores around your nose and the rest of your T-zone more deeply than by using cleanser and water with your hands or the microfiber face washing sponges I recommend. If you have oily or combination skin or are blemish- or acne-prone, adding these silicone facial cleansing brushes will help keep your pores clear and avoid spreading bacteria from your hands or a cleansing cloth.
The small silicone brush bristles are also great for applying your skincare products after washing your face. It allows you to cover more surface area with the same amount of product by spreading it without absorbing it (like your fingers and palms do), which makes your investment in your skincare products go further. It's also a more hygienic way of applying these products to your face.
The section with the larger nubs is great for giving yourself a gentle facial massage, either with cleanser and water immediately after you have used the fine silicone brush bristles to cleanse your pores or with a facial oil, serum, lotion, or cream when you are applying your skincare. A facial massage will increase circulation, giving your skin a more youthful glow.
Silicone Lip Scrubbers / Lip Brushes
One side of the silicone lip scrubber has small, fine brush bristles. The other side has larger, round nubs.
The small, fine silicone brush bristles can be used with your facial cleanser to gently and lightly exfoliate lips and remove dead skin. You can also use them to gently dry brush your lips before applying lip balm.
Keep in mind that the skin covering your lips is extremely thin and delicate. Don't rub hard and don't over-exfoliate!
I also like using this side of the lip brush to deep clean the pores around my nostrils.
The side of the lip brush with the larger, round nubs can be used to massage lips, increasing circulation that will temporarily give you plumper, fuller-looking lips.
Note: Although there is an oval hole in the handle of the lip scrubber for extracting blackheads, I strongly recommend against using it for that purpose. Using a combination of gentle but effective chemical and physical exfoliants is much safer and less likely to damage your skin!
Benefits of Silicone Face and Lip Brushes Recap
- Helps to cleanse pores gently yet effectively.
- Hygienic and antibacterial.
- Perfect for oily, combination, blemish- or acne-prone skin.
- Improves circulation for a more glowing complexion.
- Bonus: Can be used to apply facial oils, serums, lotions, or creams to make your skincare products go further.
A 5-Piece Silicone Face and Lip Brush Set at a Great Price
I bought my silicone face and lip scrubbers on Sephora a while back. The ones I bought, which are hot pink in color, are no longer available (although Sephora does carry other versions). However, I found almost identical ones on Amazon in a 5-piece set that costs less than either the single face brush or lip brush I purchased on Sephora!
For just $6.99 with free Amazon Prime Delivery (at the time of this post's publication), you can get a set of three silicone lip scrubber brushes and two silicone facial cleansing brushes. It's a fantastic deal that lets you keep one set in the bathroom, one set at your skincare or makeup dressing table (if you have one), and an extra lip brush for your purse (to massage and plump your lips before reapplying lip balm, lip gloss or lipstick during the day).
Thoughtful, Affordable Gifts for Beauty and Skincare Lovers
If there is a woman you know who enjoys skincare products and taking good care of her skin, she would probably love to receive a gift set of these silicone face cleansing brushes and lip scrubbers, along with the plush microfiber face-washing puffs and microfiber spa wristbands I reviewed previously and a pair of cushioned terrycloth headbands.
3 Silicone Exfoliating Lip Brushes and 2 Silicone Facial Cleaning
Brushes
Vtrem 4 Colors Reusable Soft Facial Cleaning Puffs
8 Pcs Microfiber Face Washing Spa Wristbands
Set of 2 Terry Cloth Spa Headbands for Washing FaceThe Best Silicone Face Cleansing Brushes for Better Skin and Smoother Lips by Margaret Schindel
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Oh I really like these silicone scrubbers for all areas in the home and now for my face too! Wow! I would never have thought of this use for a silicone scrubber and it's great to know that this works so well. Guess what? I need some more of these! Thank you Margaret for this review!
ReplyDeleteOlivia, while they’re not the same as the household silicone brushes, they do share the same hygienic, antibacterial properties and gentle yet effective cleansing abilities. These do such a great job of facial cleansing and massage, lip exfoliation and plumping, and making your skincare products go further (so they pay for themselves in just a few uses if you are using high-end skincare products!).
DeleteThank you for this interesting and in-depth review of silicone face cleansing brushes, especially helpful for people with oily skin. My face has always been too dry, so I have to add moisture. :)
ReplyDeleteThese actually are beneficial for all skin types, Elf. I especially love that they’re more hygienic than using your hands for cleansing and applying skincare and that they help your serums and moisturizer go further and last longer.
DeleteThanks for the interesting review. Lots of good products out there that we never would know about without reviews like this.
ReplyDeleteYou’re very welcome, Mary Beth! I know we all love sharing great product finds here on Review This Reviews.
DeleteVery interesting indeed! I have seen these facial scrubbers in the store before, but had no idea how or why to use them. I appreciate the explanation, plus the details on exactly how to use them. I fear I would have been too forceful.
ReplyDeleteCalling them “scrubbers” is absolutely a misnomer. I have no idea why marketers use that term, but apparently it must sell, since that word is so widely used for these gentle brushes. Glad my usage tips were helpful, Sylvestermouse!
DeleteWell one thing is for sure, you don't look your age! So you're absolutely onto something with this disciplined skincare routine you have. I love to read about your recommendations because this is an area that I know little about!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the kind complement, Barbara! I learned most of what I know about effective skincare late in life and didn’t start practicing a disciplined, well-informed skincare routine until I reached my sixties. What I’ve learned is that it’s never too late to make significant improvements to our skin with small but impactful changes to our routines.
DeleteP.S. That’s “compliment” vs. “complement” (autocorrect thinks it can spell better than I do, but apparently not, lol).
Delete