Clarisonic problem! Good to ponder on
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free skin care · Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:06 am

A question was brought up by a friend when i recommended Clarisonic :

Clarisonic cleanses much more than normal cleansing.

But ive read somewhere that if your face is over cleansed - it stripes off the essentiel oils that your skin produce, and not good for the skin as well.

So...

free skin care · Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:08 am

Quote:

Is Your Cleanser Hurting Your Skin?
The Skin Guru
By Leslie Baumann, M.D.

Posted on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 3:25 pm PST

Ah, winter: cozy sweaters, snow-topped trees... and for many of us, tight, dry skin! During colder months, a drop in humidity - with help from harsh indoor heating systems - lowers the amount of water in the air.

As a result, water easily evaporates off the skin. Many people adjust their moisturizers as the seasons change, but I see far fewer patients who realize that their cleansers may actually be exacerbating their dry skin.

Bottom line: If you experience redness, burning, pain, or flaking of your skin, you may be over-washing it or using a counterproductive cleanser.

The epidermis includes a layer of fats that's crucial for preventing water from evaporating off the skin. Foaming cleansers and bar soap strip those fats, though, leading to dry skin - and that dry, weakened skin is also less able to protect itself against irritants and allergens.

So, which cleansers are best for dry (or just drier-than-usual) skin this time of year? Some of my favorites:

* All but the oiliest skin types should avoid cleansers that foam vigorously. (And oily types, take note: If you're close to the middle of the oily-dry spectrum, harsh winter weather can turn you into a dry skin type; pay attention to any changes in your skin.) Dove's ProAge or Energy Glow lines include excellent moisturizing cleansers, which can help fortify skin with the fatty acids it needs. (These cleansers are great even though they foam)
* The term "cleansing oil" can be off-putting to some people, but these are actually a great option for particularly dry skin types. I love L'Occitane's Almond Apple Cleansing Oil, Shu Uemura's line of cleansing oils, and Laura Mercier's Purifying Oil cleanser.
* If you have "combination skin" - that is, skin that's oily in the T-zone and dry on the cheeks - Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser or CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser are both excellent options.

In over 10 years of practice, I have noticed that many people with acne cleanse their faces too much. Let me clear one thing up: Acne-prone skin is not "dirty," and blemishes can't be washed or scrubbed away.

In fact, cleansing too much or with harsh scrubs actually irritates the skin and worsens acne. Studies have shown that moisturizing cleansers are particularly beneficial for people with acne, particularly anyone using strong anti-acne products like Retin-A or Accutane.

Finally, if you have an impaired skin barrier, exfoliating will only damage it further. Avoid scrubs and even non-abrasive exfoliating ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids if your skin is particularly dry or irritated (and if you're a sensitive skin type, avoid scrubs year-round).

Wishing you great skin!

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/skintype/11479/is-your-cleanser-hurting-your-skin/

free skin care · Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:44 am

I live in a place so dry that I'm surprised my skin isn't lying on the floor beside me. I've been using my Clarisonic for over a year (along with some other things) and I have to say that my skin has never looked better. I also dry brush my face with the body brush and it's added to the clarity and youthfulness of my skin. So, I haven't had a problem in the least with my skin being overstripped--and in fact, I'd say I don't need to use nearly as much moisturizer as I did prior to using these items. Before, I'd need to apply moisturizer up to 5x daily and now I only apply moisturizer once per day--and sometimes I even forget to do it once!

free skin care · Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:08 am

that's good to know. hope i'll have the same results

free skin care · Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:35 am

I was basically wondering the same thing. I am planning on buying it this week and wanted to know if your skin feels more dry or stripped if you are using Clarisonic daily. There are so many great reviews, so I have "given in". Just wanted to know if anyone has had any reactions or red skin, like if they are using actives (RetinA etc)?

free skin care · Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:29 am

I didn't think about overcleansing. So Clarisonic is a cleansing tool? I am glad to read about this potential problem before I purchase.

free skin care · Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:47 am

P Girl wrote:

I also dry brush my face with the body brush and it's added to the clarity and youthfulness of my skin.

What do you mean "dry brush?" I have seen another member mention it and have never heard of it.

free skin care · Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:21 pm

All that I can report... I've used mine since the end of October (I think it was the end)... and I really like it..Little to no breakouts. And the week or so break that I took from it... I actually broke out a bit more than I usually do.

My face does not feel stripped. But I use a gentle soap with it. AND make sure it's really wet. And I don't add extra brushing motions... I just breeze the whirling brush over my skin...

Overall, I think my skin looks better...

free skin care · Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:42 pm

yomama606 wrote:

I was basically wondering the same thing. I am planning on buying it this week and wanted to know if your skin feels more dry or stripped if you are using Clarisonic daily. There are so many great reviews, so I have "given in". Just wanted to know if anyone has had any reactions or red skin, like if they are using actives (RetinA etc)?

I use Retin-A and no problems.

free skin care · Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:44 pm

kdd2411 wrote:

What do you mean "dry brush?" I have seen another member mention it and have never heard of it.

Um...do some searches either here or online for "dry brushing." Basically you use a natural bristle brush (it's pretty stiff) and use a particular pattern to brush your body while you're both naked and dry. I thought it would hurt at first, especially on the face, but I am in love with the process and I will never stop dry brushing my skin.

free skin care · Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:46 am

P Girl wrote:

kdd2411 wrote:

What do you mean "dry brush?" I have seen another member mention it and have never heard of it.

Um...do some searches either here or online for "dry brushing." Basically you use a natural bristle brush (it's pretty stiff) and use a particular pattern to brush your body while you're both naked and dry. I thought it would hurt at first, especially on the face, but I am in love with the process and I will never stop dry brushing my skin.

Oh wow, I have never heard of this and I am a skincare junkie! I swear I lean about something new almost everyday on here. What sort of results have you gotten from doing this? I will do a search on dry brushing right now. Thanks for the info!

free skin care · Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:57 pm

My skin is much more even and smooth...it glows, really. I don't have to moisturize as much. I don't know, it has just made me love my skin! It's pretty amazing actually. I read on a dry brushing website somewhere that if you dry brush properly and routinely you'll not develop wrinkles. A lot of people say the brush is too hard, but just start out softly and work your way up to firmer pressure.

I've also heard people talk about dry brushing their entire body in 5 mins. before the shower, but I think it takes at least 15 mins. to thoroughly dry brush your entire body. Also, I saw what you asked on another thread about why before the shower and I think the reasoning is so you clean off after brushing around all the dead skin. It's not a requirement though.

The brushes are like $6 off Amazon. Just search "dry brush"...I have the Yerba Prima and that sucker is a MUST HAVE for me!

Sorry for hijacking this thread!

free skin care · Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:01 am

it's alright! Anyways Dr Leslie Baumann on the Clarisonic Hype :

Quote:

As I was flipping through the channels the other night, I noticed a commercial for Neutrogena's new facial brush, called the Wave.

Marketed as a "power-cleanser," the brush uses disposable textured pads and a battery-operated motor to exfoliate skin as it's cleansed.

The Wave is primarily marketed to a younger audience, which did concern me for one reason: That tends to be a demographic that overwashes and overscrubs in an attempt to "clean away" acne and blemishes. But anyone with sensitive skin - and acne-prone skin is indeed sensitive - should actually avoid these vigorous scrubbing products, which can exacerbate inflammation.
Rosacea and the tendency to experience skin allergies are further indications that you should not be using an abrasive exfoliant or a vigorous cleansing brush. Similarly, anyone with very dry skin should avoid exfoliating, which may compromise an already impaired skin barrier and worsen dryness.

That is not to say, though, that facial brushes are universally bad. Resistant types in particular can benefit from more intensive exfoliation. Remember, in my skin-typing system, "resistant" is the opposite of "sensitive" - but resistant types have their own set of concerns:
Because their skin is literally thicker, they have to work a little harder to get beneficial ingredients to penetrate. And one great way to do that is by sloughing off dead skin cells before applying other products.

So if you have skin that can tolerate facial brushes, there's no reason not to use them. Just be aware that they offer no more benefits than a good facial scrub (I love the Alchimie Forever Excimer Plus Gentle Antioxidant Refining Scrub, for example), although they may be a little more fun! When you consider some of the brushes out there, though - like Clarisonic's Skincare Brush, the gold standard of facial brushes that retails for almost $200 - fun might not be worth the premium.

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/skintype/11602/facial-brushes-good-or-bad/;_ylt=AloL.goqgHdK_haUUXLXQr9Lvs8F

free skin care · Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:25 pm

calorblind wrote:

they offer no more benefits than a good facial scrub

I totally and completely disagree with her on this. I know nothing about that Wave item, though I've seen it and wouldn't waste a dime on it, but the Clarisonic is infinitely better than a scrub! It's almost humorous that she said that, actually.

Case in point: I've always had a lot of clogged pores on my nose, which NOTHING helped other than manual extraction--definitely a scrub did nothing to solve this problem. Within a matter of weeks of using my Clarisonic daily my pores looked like they belonged to someone else.

Also, I don't consider myself to have "resistant" skin, but rather it's often quite sensitive. When I started using the Clarisonic I thought my face was going to fall off. It was uncomfortable for me and my skin rebelled for a week or two, but sticking with it was the best thing for my skin. Now, when I forget to charge my brush (I leave it in the shower) and miss a few days of using it, I can see the difference in my skin.

I wonder why she's so anti-Clarisonic. I wonder if she's even used it.

free skin care · Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:58 am

P Girl wrote:

Now, when I forget to charge my brush (I leave it in the shower) and miss a few days of using it, I can see the difference in my skin.

P Girl, how do you keep the brush in the shower? My understanding is that it only comes with the charging cradle, no separate 'stand'. Do you unplug the cradle and keep it in the shower? Is it safe? Thanks

Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:17 am

My .2 is I take mine off it's chargeable stand and take it in the shower with me--the device itself is waterproof...

Just lie it on the side of the tub or one of those shower organizers (which is what I have) and put it back on it's stand when you get out.

free skin care · Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:00 pm

Yeah, I just sit mine on the side of the tube on it's back, brush facing upward.

free skin care · Sat Feb 28, 2009 1:16 am

Does it roll around? I wouldn't want the brush bristles to touch anything...

free skin care · Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:15 am

No, mine doesn't roll around. Though, if the bristles did touch anything I'd just wash it in hot water. I mean, I'm sure my face has had bacteria on it worse than found within my bathtub/shower! Smile

free skin care · Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:05 am

I don't have the Clarisonic, I have the Pretika, which is very much like the Clarisonic but only $30 at Rite Aid (it is also a sonic dermabrasion brush). I have found that if I don't use it, my face is duller, drier, and flakier. If I do use it once daily, my skin glows and seems plumper and much less dehydrated. I use it with the scrub that came with the brush.

It cannot be compared to any facial scrub alone (including good ones like Epidermx), which has never yielded these kinds of results for me.

free skin care · Fri Mar 06, 2009 4:34 am

I don't own a Clarisonic but now that they've come out with a universal charger, I will probably purchase one in the future.

In regard to cleansers stripping the skin - I think the advice given by Dr. Leslie Baumann to use cleansing oils is spot on. Cleansing oils seem to nourish the skin rather than strip it and they're the best for getting rid of makeup. There are a number of people on the Forum who use the Clarisonic along with cleansing oils.

Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:02 pm

I've had the Clarisonic since December, and before that, I'd been using the shiseido face cleaing brush.

I can honestly say - my skin is MUCH better since using the Clarisonic...I think my acne (on my cheeks) was caused by built up sebum - and the Clarisonic thoroughly cleans that area, and I've seen a remarkable improvement.

I do have my own question about the Clarisonic though - if you use it daily - do you still need to exfoliate once a week?

free skin care · Fri Mar 06, 2009 4:17 pm

I don't ever do any sort of scrub exfoliation, but I do dry brush my skin everyday and use the Clarisonic.

free skin care · Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:33 pm

I find that I have to switch to a more gentle cleanser when I'm using Clarisonic brush on regular basis. Cetaphil and Cellcosmet cream cleanser works for me.
If your skin is getting over washed because you are using Clarisonic brush, maybe it is because you are pressing hard on your skin when you use it.

free skin care · Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:37 pm

EllaLady wrote:

I've had the Clarisonic since December, and before that, I'd been using the shiseido face cleaing brush.

I can honestly say - my skin is MUCH better since using the Clarisonic...I think my acne (on my cheeks) was caused by built up sebum - and the Clarisonic thoroughly cleans that area, and I've seen a remarkable improvement.

I do have my own question about the Clarisonic though - if you use it daily - do you still need to exfoliate once a week?

I think this depends on your skin. For me personally the clarisonic does a great job at exfoliating, about every 2 weeks I will do a peel and that seems to be enough. I'd start out slow and see how often your skin can tolerate it.

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