8 Best Facial Cleansing Brushes 2026, Approved by Dermatologists

The winter scaries are real. Dry, dehydrated, flaky, irritated skin can be one of the worst parts about colder weather, but the best facial cleansing brushes can make a major difference. Not only do they help remove makeup, dirt, and impurities from the surface of the skin, but they can also slough away dead, flaky skin. Plus, they work to improve the penetration of skin care products like serums or creams, says Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New York City.

We tested a handful of the most popular devices recommended by dermatologists. Our top pick was the PMD Clean Mini Smart Facial Cleansing Device, which felt the most gentle on the skin and thoroughly cleansed off all of our foundation and eyeliner. The brush head is also noticeably smaller than the other picks we tried—and that made a huge difference in our ability to get into every nook and cranny.

Let’s just say our complexion has never felt so squeaky-clean. Whether you have acne-prone skin, sensitive skin, aging skin, or somewhere in between, we found the best option for you.

The best facial cleansing brushes, at a glance

Best Overall

PMD Clean Mini Smart Facial Cleansing Device

Jump to review

Buttah Skin by Dorion Cleanse + Vibe Brush Kit

Benefit All-in-One Mask Wand Mask Applicator & Cleansing Tool

We evaluated facial cleansing brushes based on how easy they were to use, how they felt on the skin (it was a hard no if they were too abrasive or rough), and how clean our skin looked and felt post-scrub. We also paid attention to the bristles, whether they were nylon or silicone, and how effective they were at lathering facial cleanser on our skin. Of course, we also looked at whether (and how much) makeup was left behind—and the good news is that, for basically all of these brushes, that was not the case. We also took note of bonus features that made the experience more enjoyable or effective, such as waterproof designs for shower use, built-in timers to guide cleansing time, multiple speed settings for customized intensity, and long battery life or wireless charging for convenience.

Best Overall: PMD Clean Mini Smart Facial Cleansing Device

PMD Clean Mini Smart Facial Cleansing Device

Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing PMD Clean Mini Smart Facial Cleansing Device

Pros: Best for all skin types, gentle on skin
Cons: Higher settings can feel too rough

This PMD device is our overall pick because it’s suitable for all skin types and uses a whopping 7,000 vibrations per minute to deeply cleanse the skin and improve blood flow. Pooja Rambhia, MD, a New Jersey–based dermatologist at UnionDerm, is a fan of the silicone brush head because it’s gentle on the skin. “Silicone-based brushes are ideal for preserving the skin barrier, as their soft, nonporous bristles are less abrasive than traditional nylon bristles,” she says.

Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, also loves this device because of its dual-sided functionality. “One side is designed for deep cleansing, while the other offers a massaging feature that enhances the absorption of serums and moisturizers,” she says. It gives your skin a luxurious spa-like experience at home and will leave you looking radiant and glowy.

“I’ve always been intimidated by facial scrubbing tools—they just look so aggressive, and I worried that they might be too harsh on my already sensitive, acne-prone skin. This mini facial device proved me wrong: It’s super gentle to the touch, incredibly soft, and vibrates so lightly as you move it around your face. I used it to remove my full face of makeup and loved how well it removed everything. It was easy to lather the silicone head as well to remove excess foaming or soap, and it left my complexion looking fresh, soft, and clear—with no redness in sight. I mostly used the first setting since the others (which had multiple pulsations) were a little too strong for me. I would recommend making sure you use a thicker face wash with this, something with a gel-like texture that will grip onto the brush head more easily,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary.