73 replies to this topic

[ayla]

It was Oprah's favorite things show. My bf watched and suggested it to me The reviews on MUAC and amazon are really good - but $195 good?

Anyone have one? Want one? Know someone with one? lol, I'm very tempted to ask Santa.

[Teirrah]

It was Oprah's favorite things show. My bf watched and suggested it to me The reviews on MUAC and amazon are really good - but $195 good?

Anyone have one? Want one? Know someone with one? lol, I'm very tempted to ask Santa.

Wow I haven't heard of the clarisonic before but reading the reviews it sounds great! Very pricey though. Hmmm, now I'm wondering if I should try it. Just seems to kinda go against the whole "not irritating your skin to stay clear" theory that the regimen promotes ya know?

[vpm]

Okay, I jumped in and bought one.
It is so spendy, but I got it at Nordstrom so I would have a hassle free return if I needed it.
I only got it 2 days ago, so I have only used it a few times.
I am using it AM and PM, with the sensitive brush head.
I haven't used the cleanser it comes with, I have been using my own Arcona cleanser.

So far I really like it.
My skin is super shiny though, it is glowing almost too much!
My pores are clearing out amazingly well, the blackheads in my t-zone are dissapearing, even on my nose - amazing!

I had some small bumps on my forehead and they are gone. And, my awful red spots have noticeably diminished in only a few days of use - I hope that continues.
My skin is super soft, I noticed that right away too.
I do feel like my products are more effective, that seemed like an immediate result.
I am a bit afraid to use any of my glycolics with this thing, it may be too much.
I may reduce them from 3x week to once a week and see how that works.
Let's hope it doesn't aggrivate any nodular acne that I get sometimes on my jawline and cheeks - If I am lucky it will prevent them (fingers crossed).
I will keep you posted on my progress.

[ayla]

OMG... want it now.... Keep me posted!

And yeah, I'd stay away from the cleanser included, it looks pore-clogging.

[Cecelia]

When I was a teenager I had this thing called a Skin Machine. It looked exactly like this ClariSonic. I *loved* it and it kept my skin very clear. I have been hesitant to spend $195 bucks on the ClariSonic, so I'm anxious to hear what people think of it.

[Foomph]

Considering I spent well over $1500 CAD for accutane, $195 is nothing. If I still had acne I'd buy it and if it ever comes back (knock on wood) I'm getting it. I say go for it.

[acne_battle]

I dont have one of those brushes. Although, the last time I had a facial, my facialist used that brush on me and it felt wonderful

[erin6]

oo i want it now too!! something else to add to my christmas list

[vpm]

I first posted after using it only 2-3 times. I got mine on Monday 11/3 and it is only early Thursday (haven't used it yet this morning) but my skin looks amazing!
I think this product is not intended for acne, but if your acne is helped by facials, it should work for you. My skin is mostly nice but I get nodules (I don't think they are cysts) and a few small breakouts here and there; plus lots of oil in the T. I so hope this doesn't aggrivate those, and actually stops them from forming - wouldn't that be great!?! I don't expect that one though, it would be too amazing.

People without acne would love this too, just about everyone gets dull skin or tiny blackheads or bumps, even if they don't have any real acne.

I have noticed in only 5 uses that my red marks are fading away.
I get red marks that last for months, even a year sometimes, so this is major!

I think the gentle massage that it gives helps the circulation to the skin and promotes healing (just a guess). I feel like my skin looks way better than after getting a facial.
It is hard to explain but I really do feel like my treatments/serums/creams are working better too.

One of the most noticeable things is the t-zone blackheads.
I can never get rid of them on my nose, and I have tried everything.
They are almost gone after just 5 uses (AM & PM).

I use Arcona Toner Tea cleanser with it (look it up online-it is so awesome, I have been using her cleansers for about 2 years), I also have her raspberry acne cleanser, but haven't used that with my clarisonic.

I will keep you updated on my progress - red marks, future breakouts, nodules, etc.
I did just start a new BC pill (litterally just the other day, so no effect yet), so if I am lucky that will stop the nodules from forming.

[ayla]

I ordered it... I feel so guilty! I really hope it helps, I'm a whopping 30 yrs old now, and along with the damned acne, I now have dry skin, fine lines, and sensitivity I never had before. Cross your fingers for me! I'll keep you all posted!

[Foomph]

^ You HAVE to keep us posted when you use it!

[Siouxsie]

Paula's Choice did a write up on it:

Is the Clarisonic System Kit worth the price?
Dozens of readers wrote in after seeing the Clarisonic system on Oprah, where it was extolled as the next best thing to sliced bread. Oprah lists it as one of her favorite things, claiming “It’s a miracle massage for your face!” She may appreciate the massaging action (and as a television personality she certainly wears more makeup each day than the average woman) but massage alone doesn’t guarantee cleaner skin.

Clarisonic System Kit ($195) is one of the most expensive ways to clean your face on a daily basis I've ever seen. It is a battery-powered, rotating brush with adjustable power levels for different skin types, along with two different brush heads for normal or sensitive skin. It also comes with 2 ounces of Clarisonic Daily Cleanser (for $195 you'd think they could at least give you more than a two-week supply of cleanser). You are supposed to use this device for one minute, which the company claims "Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother" and "Deeply cleanses and clarifies the skin." Why should you spend this much money on a rotating brush to clean your skin? Well, the company has a single, rather official-looking study showing that it reduces oil on the skin. Their study looked at 10 adults with oily skin. On six different occasions, one side of the forehead was manually cleansed and the other half was cleansed with the Clarisonic brush and cleanser.

The results? The amount of "surface sebum remaining after cleansing with the Clarisonic was found to be significantly less than that remaining after cleansing manually." I wouldn't hang my hat on this trivial research. First of all, 10 participants is an inconsequential number. Second, comparing the brush to just regular washing isn't much of a comparison-what about comparing the Clarisonic to manual cleansing with a cleanser other than the Clarisonic version? Perhaps their cleanser isn't adequate for removing oil without using their brush. What would have been more relevant would have been to compare the Clarisonic to manual cleansing with a washcloth.

That’s exactly what dermatologist Dr. Zoe Draelos did, and the results were published in the February 2005 issue of Cosmetic Dermatology. Although the Clarisonic came out on top, the study showed that a washcloth was almost as effective at removing makeup. It is also important to note that Dr. Draelos received a research grant from Pacific Bioscience, the company that sells Clarisonic. It’s not that you won’t notice any benefit to this cleansing method; rather, it’s a very expensive means of getting potentially better performance than what your cleanser and washcloth can provide.

Apparently you get slightly better results than a washcloth....my question is, is it more gentle than a washcloth? Washcloths are great for scrubbing & removing dead skin, but they are much too harsh for many of us. I use a face puff on occasion, and I know some people use a baby brush; would that give similar results as well, for much cheaper?

I've heard this thing works to reduce the appearance of wrinkles & to firm skin too...so maybe there is more to it.

Yes, let us know Ayla!

[natural girl]

Thanks for talking about this...I have read about this device too. I am on 2nd round of tane, and I would really consider getting this to help maintain results

[vpm]

I read some comments by users about it being no different than a washcloth too.
My husband swears by a washcloth and, even though he is combo-oily, his skin is perfect.
But, I DON'T get good results with a washcloth at all. It tends to irritate my skin and Often makes my breakouts worse (I would always use a fresh one too).

I have skin that is combo-oily and it is strange how I am super sensitive to some things and not at all to others. This brush doesn't bother my skin at all (sensitive head).
I use AHAs and BHAs really well - pretty high % too; but I have a terrible reaction to BP and I have a lot of allergic skin responses to fragrances (especially synthetic) and some animals and other things too. So, I guess my skin is sensitive, but not to everything.
So far, I would say that this is nothing like a washcloth for me - although it may not be worth it for someone who doesn't have such finicky skin.

I am still in the trial period though, so we will see how it performs over time and skin fluctuations/breakouts. I did have a tiny whitehead under my nose this morning and after I used the clarisonic, it was gone, that was pretty cool.
I do feel like in just a few days, although it is really clean, my skin seems to have more surface oil. Maybe that will calm down, and it may be due to me using fewer drying products over the last few days too (I was worried about over-processing my skin).
It isn't too bad though, I look really glowing and radiant, not like an oil slick. I just have to use blotting papers midday.

I can't wait to hear what you think about yours Ayla - don't feel guilty. If it doesn't work for you take it back, and if it does you will spend less on other treatments/products.
Best of luck.

[ayla]

A washcloth used to be my HG - but it's just irritating now. I have a theory on the oil - maybe it's not really 'more' oil, it's just that there is no dead skin blocking it's path out.

I had to order mine online, no retailers here, I'm hoping for delivery by Monday.

[vpm]

A washcloth used to be my HG - but it's just irritating now. I have a theory on the oil - maybe it's not really 'more' oil, it's just that there is no dead skin blocking it's path out.

That may be true... hmm.

Whatever it is, my skin looks great - I can't wait for you to try it and see how it works for you.

It may be that for some of us there is no way to clean deep enough with traditional methods. Everyone has bacteria on their skin, but some of us have skin that just totally overreacts to it.

I used my Glycolic mix last night after the clarisonic. I was a bit scared because I didn't know if it would be too much. But, it was great and my skin seemed to have "used" the mix better but it was no more sensitive to it than before, so that is good.

I am starting to love this thing... time will tell how it helps.

[alternativista]

Paula's Choice did a write up on it:


Apparently you get slightly better results than a washcloth....my question is, is it more gentle than a washcloth? Washcloths are great for scrubbing & removing dead skin, but they are much too harsh for many of us. I use a face puff on occasion, and I know some people use a baby brush; would that give similar results as well, for much cheaper?

I've heard this thing works to reduce the appearance of wrinkles & to firm skin too...so maybe there is more to it.

Yes, let us know Ayla!

also, there are other battery powered rotating brush thingies. What is supposed to be so special about this one? Is it all 'sonic' like the name implies?

[Alona]

It's like their toothbrush, it vibrates much faster than most others.

[ayla]

Paula's Choice did a write up on it:


Apparently you get slightly better results than a washcloth....my question is, is it more gentle than a washcloth? Washcloths are great for scrubbing & removing dead skin, but they are much too harsh for many of us. I use a face puff on occasion, and I know some people use a baby brush; would that give similar results as well, for much cheaper?

I've heard this thing works to reduce the appearance of wrinkles & to firm skin too...so maybe there is more to it.

Yes, let us know Ayla!

also, there are other battery powered rotating brush thingies. What is supposed to be so special about this one? Is it all 'sonic' like the name implies?

Yeah, I actually have two of those. Why two? I dunno, the first one failed, so I thought I'd throw more money away, lol.

Yes - it is sonic, as the name implies. From what I understand about the skin and muscles of the face this would help tone it - both in color and resiliency.

If you have ever used an 'electric' toothbrush, and then used a sonicare - the difference is massive. Makes brushing with a spin brush seem like brushing with your finger.

[Teirrah]

Yeah the difference between the sonic toothbrush is like night and day... I'm on the DKR which is all about not irritating your skin so I dunno if this brush would be bad. The DKR has worked wonders for me so I'm scared to mess that up