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Spoiler: Your face is about to feel so freakin’ smooth.

If you’ve always felt too intimated and confused to add a facial cleansing brush to your skincare routine (like, how—and why—do you even use one?!), you’ve officially come to the right place. Surprisingly, facial cleansing brushes are actually pretty simple: All you do is grab your favorite face wash, dampen your brush, and move it over your face in small, circular motions. The result? Skin that’s cleaner, softer, and ready for the rest of your product lineup.

But since they aren’t great for every skin type (more on that in a bit), it’s important to figure out if you’re the right candidate before you try a cleansing device. Ahead, two derms weigh in on everything you should know, including who facial cleansing brushes are best for, how often to use them, and more. And bc ILY, I even rounded up the 13 best devices on the market rn if/when you decide to try one.

These derms will tell us everything we need to know about facial cleansing brushes, but first, here’s a sneak peek of the content ahead.

Our top picks for the best facial cleansing brushes in 2022:

Even though they’re known for their ability to deeply clean and gently exfoliate, facial cleansing brushes are unfortunately too harsh for folks with acne, eczema, rosacea, or sensitive skin, Dr. Gohara says. That doesn’t mean they’re completely off the table though. If you have relatively “normal” skin and follow the directions to a T, facial cleansing brushes can be a nice occasional addition to your routine (especially if you opt for a model with all the bells and whistles, like facial massaging and various exfoliating modes). If you want a daily or gentler exfoliator, opt for a chemical exfoliant.

But before giving any brush a try, it’s always a good idea to chat with your dermatologist and do a patch test on your cheek and jawline to ensure it’s safe for your skin type and skin concerns. Any burning, itching, redness, or irritation afterward (or even the next day) means it might not be wise to try on the rest of your face.

If you’re new to the world of facial cleansing brushes, it’s best to ease them into your routine slowly (think: one or two times a week max, until you get a feel for how your skin reacts). One thing to keep in mind? Dr. Goldenberg says regardless of the frequency of use, you should wash your brush every time you use it—no exceptions. “A lot of times, these types of brushes can harbor bacteria and even exacerbate acne,” he says. So don’t forget to really rinse it off, k? And if that sounds like something you’ll absolutely never do…then, again, maybe these aren’t the go-to tool for you.

Now, let’s get to what you really came here for. Keep reading for the 13 best facial cleansing brushes of all damn time.

If you prefer to get it alllll done at once and wash your face in the shower, hi, hello, allow me to introduce you to your new BFF: the Buttah Skin Vibe Facial Cleansing Brush. This brush is designed to be used in the shower, and the sonic pulsation gently exfoliates your skin. Use this bb regularly and it’ll help make sure your serums, moisturizers, and creams can fully penetrate your skin.

If you’re worried a facial cleansing brush may be too intense for your sensitive skin, try this one from Shiseido. The bristles are ridiculously soft and clean out your pores while helping eliminate blackheads without freaking out your skin. Plus, it comes with a brush cap that doubles as a stand!

Not only does this silicone brush do an excellent job of cleansing and exfoliating your skin, but it also has a facial massage mode (which is great for reducing swelling, soothing puffiness, and enhancing your glow). TBH, there’s not a lot this one can’t do.

Comb through the thousands (yes, thousands) of 5-star reviews on Amazon and you’ll understand why people love this facial cleansing brush so much. To summarize: It’s got a super-reasonable price tag and it comes with a whopping five interchangeable brush heads that do everything from deep cleaning to mild exfoliation. Impressive, right?

Looking for a solid intro to facial cleansing brushes? This option from Spa Sciences is reasonably priced, offers an effective clean, and is 100 percent waterproof (meaning, yes, you can use it to wash your face in the shower). And since it’s on the smaller side and rechargeable, it’s not a bad option for bringing on the go either.

This compact silicone brush is perfect for deep yet gentle cleansing in harder-to-reach areas (think: on and around your nose). Even better, it’s got two speeds (I suggest starting slow and working your way up), and it leaves your skin feeling noticeably softer and smoother.

Not only does this facial cleansing brush come in a super-cute case, but it also has three different brush heads to help you customize your cleansing routine. There’s a daily cleanser that lifts away dead skin cells, a weekly exfoliator for a deeper clean, and a silicone brush that’s gentle enough for sensitive skin.

K, it’s definitely pricey, but if you’re trying to get a spa-worthy facial at home, you can’t go wrong with this facial cleansing device. It’s got three modes (soft, clean, and deep), which means you can really customize your routine. P.S. The bristles are soft enough that you don’t have to worry about it stripping your skin dry.

The coolest thing about this facial cleansing brush is that it’s made with ultra-soft nylon bristles that are super gentle on your skin. Lightly massage it over your wet skin with your go-to cleanser and it’ll help dissolve makeup and grime without irritating or drying out your face.

This brush head offers up a mini facial every single time you use it. The antibacterial silicone it’s made of (which is also odor resistant, hypoallergenic, and waterproof) gives off 7,000 vibrations per minute to deeply cleanse your skin. You can also use it to work your favorite serum or moisturizer into your skin for a deeper absorption (just use mode 3 or 4 and the backside of the brush for massaging).

If you want to have complete control over your facial cleansing brush, grab this manual one. Just add your cleanser onto the silicone ring in the center and gently massage it into your skin using light pressure and a circular motion. The combo of silicone and fiber bristles will gently cleanse without irritating your skin.

This lightweight, water-resistant facial cleansing brush is one of the cheapest options on the list—but it still works amazingly well. It has a dual-speed rotating brush head that removes makeup and cleanses your skin while also sloughing off any dead skin cells that might potentially clog your pores.

Not only does this small yet mighty silicone brush fit into the tiniest of spaces (like that little pocket inside your cosmetics bag), but it only needs to be charged once every five months too. Wait, it gets better: Its minute-long T-Sonic pulsations and hygienic nubs claim to remove 99.5 percent of dirt and oil as it exfoliates your skin without irritation. Pretty awesome, right?