Customer Reviews

Clarisonic Pro For Face and Body 4 Speeds - White

5 star:		(78)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

When I was a teenager and in my 20s I was one of the lucky ones and never had issues with my skin, as it was clear and normal 99% of the time. It wasn't until I hit my 30s that the problems began (I'm 35 now.) For whatever reason, I would get breakouts in places I NEVER did before, like my chin, my jawline, and my temples, and no matter which products I used or how much I tried to do the clean/astringent routine, my skin would still go through the cycle of clearing up and then breaking out a little bit again and again. My skin progressively got drier and flakier, became what I would call faintly "blotchy" (even though I do not sunbathe or tan and keep my face out of the sun most of the time...) and I haven't been able to get certain pores clear for the life of me! (i.e. after trying facial steaming, squeezing, clear-pore strips, etc.) So, after my skin had a crazy reaction to a new product line I tried, I went to get a facial where the esthetician introduced me to this little wonder. Well, like many of the other reviews have said, this little machine has TOTALLY turned my skin around and given me back the clean, clear, non-blotchy, non-dry skin I used to have when I was younger! I've been using it for about two weeks now, and after about five days I noticed there were a few tiny pores which had been clogged forEVER that all of a sudden the gunk popped out when I was rinsing my skin. Actually, even the first night I noticed a difference...my skin was smoother and more supple and my husband said my skin was "glowing" like after I've had a facial. And in agreement with everyone else, I feel that my skin care products work much better now, and even my make-up goes on more beautifully. The trial-size cleansers that come with this unit are just okay, and even though I will use them up I still prefer my favorite cleanser. The sensitive brush attachment that it comes with works great (I use it on the second setting because the lowest setting--the factory setting--wasn't "scrubby" enough for me...) but when I order a brush head for my husband to use I will order him the "normal" type brush since his skin is a bit more rough, obviously. By using the Clarisonic (morning and night), plus a quick swipe of my astringent afterwards (only at night), my skin has transformed to practically perfect condition. In case anyone is interested in a good astringent which is safe for most skin types, I use a combo of regular clear witchhazel (available at the drugstore) with about 2-3 drops of pure tea tree oil. This combination kills bacteria, removes residue, does not dry out my skin, is totally natural, and leaves my skin feeling super tingly and fresh. And it's incredibly economical in comparison to commercial astringents sold in the stores! I used to use just pure witchhazel until my friend suggested I add the tea tree oil and it made a huge difference.

Something I noted that might be helpful to some shoppers...after staring at all the different Clarisonic models that Amazon offers for what seemed like two days, I finally figured out the difference between the Clarisonic "Pro" and the Clarisonic "Plus." They are both the same, except for the Pro version (supposedly only available to licensed professionals) has color options and has low-medium-high-pro speeds, whereas the Plus comes only in white and has low-medium-high speeds (sans the "pro" speed but who needs that anyway?) Then, the "Pro" version is available with and without the Body Kit and Universal Charging Cradle...hence, the two different prices for the Pro model (the "Plus" model always includes the Body Kit and Charging Cradle.) Since I preferred the white, wanted the Body Kit, and could care less about the extra speed, the Clarisonic Plus was the model for me.

Anyway, this product is as close to being a skin miracle worker as something can get. I swear that this is probably the best my skin has ever looked and felt, even when I was younger. The price of one Clarisonic equals what I would spend on about two facials, so for me it has been worth every penny. No more agonizing over my skin...it looks pretty again! Yaaaay!

This is one of those products that you have to try to really believe. I work as a typist and don't make a lot of money, where my pay varies on how much work I do vs. hourly/salary. As a result, I tend to take my purchases, big or small, very seriously. While this certainly made a dent in my bank account, I definitely feel that it was well worth it. In fact, I keep bragging about it to everyone.

I purchased this off a home shopping channel site, which seemed to offer a little bit more for a fair price (more brush heads, full-sized products and samples). Plus, the payment plan option sold me in the long run.

I've had the Clarisonic Plus system for about a month now. I noticed pretty big results, even just in the first week, seeing my crater-sized pores reduce to near-nothingness and now noticing that the worry line along my forehead is going away, as well as the ones along my mouth. Mostly I've seen a huge improvement on the softness of my skin and the bad acne completely vanishing. I couldn't be more thrilled!

I also am prone to blackheads along the nose, but with the help of Biore strips (which don't always do so well on their own), they're almost gone. In fact, I hadn't used strips in several months, but did so after a few days of using the Clarisonic, and hardly anything was left on the strip. It's not perfect for it, but it certainly helps. The crepe-looking skin along my neck is also much better, and I'm noticing a huge difference in the texture that I never realized was an issue before.

The soaps are pretty average, but are holding me over until I can afford the brand that I usually prefer (Bliss - Youth as We Know It). I admit that I've not been using much else than toner and a cheap moisturize until I can afford the rest, yet I'm still seeing fantastic results in what was once seriously ravaged and neglected skin. Even my partner, who hardly washes his face or even that well, has been saying he might use it and has been noticing a difference in my skin. I plan to get him one of his own for Xmas. This baby's mine!

I would recommend doing your own research to determine the right Clarisonic model for yourself, but I am more than happy that I got the Plus, even though I tend to a Gadget Geek, normally preferring top-of-line models, like the Pro. I absolutely love the body brush as well, and it's really helped with the dry patches left behind by dermatitis issues, hard water and dry weather. It's also great for pedicures, too. If you use anti-aging products, like Alpha Hydroxy, and are seeing flakiness, then I noticed altering how much I put it on also helped. However, you may need to exfoliate once a week or so, especially if you have a lot of dead skin built up.

If you're not seeing results or suffering from drier skin, etc., then try switching brush heads, soaps, or alter how many times a day that you use it. I started off with normal, twice a day, but have since moved to sensitive twice a day on a lower speed in the morning and higher one at night, depending on what my activities are or how hormones are fairing. This is also great for those who struggle with exfoliating regularly or sticking to a regimen, especially teens, since it feels good to do and it's almost fun. Addicting, even!

You can find comparison charts on the Clarisonic website, but in short the differences are mainly as follows:

The Mia
** Smaller-sized and good for traveling
** 1 speed: normal
** 1-year warranty (website)

The Classic
** 2 speeds: low and normal
** 30-minute rechargeable battery life
** 2-year warranty (website)

The Plus
** 3 speeds: low, medium and normal (for face)
** Body Mode (when body brush is attached): normal and pulse
** 30-minute rechargeable battery life w/ face brushes; 20-minute life w/ body brush
** 2-year warranty (website)
** Separate control buttons to control power and speeds

The Professional/PRO
** 4 speeds: low, normal, high and professional (for face)
** Body Mode (when body brush is attached): normal and pulse
** 30-minute rechargeable battery life w/ face brushes; 20-minute life w/ body brush
** 2-year warranty (website)
** Separate control buttons to control power and speeds

Note: I'm not sure how the warranty works with Amazon, so you may want to check up on this.

Body Brush vs. Face Brushes
The difference is that the face brushes are set on a timer (20 seconds on forehead/nose, 20 seconds on chin/jaw, 10 seconds on each cheek), which pauses during the process in order to let you know when to move elsewhere, and then it stops once it's done. When you attach the body brush, you can set it on normal speed or pulse, but you won't have it stopping on a timer so soon, like you would with the face brushes.

It is possible to use the face brushes (Classic/Mia), but rather annoying if you're trying to buff your entire body. However, the body brush does seem to pause every 5 minutes, possibly as a reminder of time or to move elsewhere. I'm nearly 6ft tall and do my entire body, yet still have plenty of juice to do my face without any problems. The 20-minute recharge bit is more than generous, as I usually can do it in about ten.

Water Splattering
When researching reviews, I saw a few people commenting on how you would get splattered by water if you tried to watch what you were doing while cleaning your face. This happened to me, but I learned that as you wet the brush to tip it a little and allow the excess water to drain into the sink, then apply your soap and wash your face. This seems to lessen any splattering quite significantly.

I've tried hoards of skincare products in the past and I even worked as a beauty consultant, but I couldn't be more pleased with this product, nor can I rave enough about it. It's probably one of the best purchases that I've made in a long while and I wholly recommend it to men, women and teens.

Edited to Add - Month Two: I noticed my skin, while almost acne-free, still had little bumps that I couldn't get rid of and would vary too much from oily to dry, depending on the weather. I ended up switching soaps again from the Bliss to Burt's Bees Orange Cleanser (which smells like heaven, but may not be good for typically oily skin) and my toner. My skin looks fantastic now! Thrilled! The mini wrinkles are almost impossible to detect without seriously looking, and I'm noticing old acne scars disappearing, too (probably with the aid of other products, mind).

So, for those who use natural, chem-free soaps, the Clarisonic works great with the brushes, though I try to make sure it's truly clean when I'm done. I also let it soak in a vinegar/baking soda solution once to twice a week, which really helps to remove oils/bacteria, and may not be a bad idea for any soaps used. Just make sure you rinse well.

PROS
+ Easy to use, easy to handle, not heavy. Clarisonic is like a mechanical toothbrush.
+ There are two buttons, one to turn it on/off, and the other is good for the speeds. For the "Pro" Model, there are 3 speeds for the faces, and 2 speeds for the body.
+ 60-Second timer for your face, which is plenty of time to fully remove make up, so my white towels stay white when drying off. I can no longer be lazy to wash my make up off before going to bed. I can see that my pores are clean and it feels like my facial products, like moisturizers, can work more effectively now.
+ 3-Minute timer for your body, so I will focus on one part of the body each day, or use it multiple times in one long shower. I hate scrubbing my body with a loofah sponge or a face towel. Let's just say... I don't take quick showers anymore!!
+ Clarisonic claims that the battery life is good for 30 minutes (or washing twice a day = 2 weeks). I found it lasted a few days when washing the face twice per day plus a few times for my body, which did not last during my 1-week vacation, so I was out of luck for a few days since I did not bring my charger.
+ Comes with plastic covers/caps, one for the facial brush head and another one for the spot body brush head, which are handy when traveling or trying to dry the brush heads. By the way, buying replacement brush heads usually include a new plastic cover/cap.
+ Battery life indicator (4 green dots) is on the back of the handle.
+ The brush heads are easy to rotate, remove, clean and replace. The brush heads are supposed to last 3-4 months, but I have only had it since February. After I clean off my foundation make up, I rinse the brush head, wash it for a few seconds with hand soap, and then leave it out to dry. By the way, the brush heads can be found for $20 nowadays (save $5 off retail price).
+ Waterproof so it can be used in and out of the shower.

CONS (or room for improvement)
- The power cord is permanently connected to the docking station (charging base), so it's not easy to wrap up for traveling.
- Does not come with a travel bag, but there is a Spot Therapy Kit on sale for $50, which includes the Spot body brush head, exfoliating Clarisonic Body Polish (6 oz, full size), and a travel bag.
- The brush head does not seem to dry overnight, so make sure to tilt or face it down to drain the water. I suggest removing the brush head once in awhile to get any trapped dirty water out.
- I don't always leave it in the docking station because a tiny bit of water collects at the bottom even though there is a small hole for draining.
- The retail price of $225 is pricey, so I bought my first one on eBay which included extra brush heads, but now Amazon is offering it at a competitive price, so I plan on buying a second one to keep at my boyfriend's place. Please note that Clarisonic sells the "Plus" version, which is 3-speeds, since the "Pro" version with 4-speeds is supposed to be used by professional. But can you really put a price on your skin?? Consider this a life-long investment. Maintenance is much cheaper in the long run and much less painful than face lifts and botox. I still get monthly facials, but the Clarisonic is an effective tool for everyday use, like a mini facial in the privacy of my own home.
- The size of the docking station for travel purposes.

Overall, I love my Clarisonic brush and definitely recommend it to friends and family!

The Clarisonic Plus utilizes the same technology as the Sonicare toothbrush. It uses vibration to penetrate the surface level of the skin and provide a more thorough cleansing than with soap and water alone. I've used this system for 2+ weeks and noticed a difference in the texture and softness of my skin immediately. After 3 days, I saw a visible difference in the size of my pores and my skin has a glow that wasn't previously there.

It comes with 4 different brush heads - normal, delicate, sensitive, and a spot therapy brush for the body. It also comes with trial size cleansers for the face and an exfoliating product for the body. There are 4 speed settings - low, medium, high and a spot therapy setting that is not available on the Clarisonic Classic or Mia models.

I personally use the Clarisonic along with Philosophy's Purity cleanser and I am very pleased with the results. The cleanser included with the product is acceptable but I don't see myself using it when I already have a better product on the shelf.

One benefit is that your skin care products will last longer if you are using the Clarisonic Plus. I find that I am using less cleanser, moisturizer, etc because my skin is cleaner and has fewer layers of dead skin cells so products are absorbed into the skin much better than before. For example, I apply a mask each week of bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar that normally warms and tightens as it dries on the skin. After using the Clarisonic for a week, the warming and tightening of the mask intensified and my skin was smoother than normal.

Another reviewer commented about not needing multiple speeds. While I agree that I only use one speed, I don't think there is any way that Clarisonic could know which speed is right for all people so I think its a good thing that there are different speed options. Also, if it were set at one speed then it probably would not be very effective on the body. Anyone familiar with skin care knows that the face and body can't normally take the same products or manipulation.

The one I received was missing the spot therapy brush. I called Clarisonic at their customer service number to request the missing item. She informed me that amazon is not an authorized seller of this item and that they will not stand behind the warranty. The package itself says "available exclusively from your skin care professional." The package also does not correspond with the item I bought has no spot therapy brush is included with this item. The UPC code is covered with a separate label.

I am extremely disappointed in amazon. I didn't know they sold gray-market goods.

I couldn't resist this because all I needed was to read 'smaller pores....'
After a few weeks, the pores do appear smaller, but (YIKES!) there are now wrinkles where I never noticed them before!
That being said, I'll now explain that a clean pore is less noticable than a clogged one. My pore size is the same, but they are indeed less noticable. And the wrinkles....well, lets chalk that up to my new Clairsonic-induced need to peer into a magnifying mirror. Only the bravest of women should dare own a magnifying mirror. I suspect that the fine little laugh lines are partly more prominent due to the dry skin from the excellent exfoliation this gadget delivers. I can't say this strongly enough...invest in a good cream to apply after each cleansing! I didn't care much for the products that come with the unit. LOVE the fact that it can be used in the shower. It also held a charge for a few days, making it fine for weekends away.

If the price is a bit daunting, I suggest the 3-speed model. To be honest, I wish I had gone that route, as 4 speeds are overkill. Truth be told, I wish they just made an attatchment for our sonic toothbrushes, the technology is about the same!
So, all in all, this is a terrific item if you have the type of skin that needs deep cleaning, and/or you wear a lot of foundation. It will scrub every bit of makeup off. Otherwise, just get a nice exfoliant like Philosophy's Microdelivery.

Think of how much $ you've spent over the years on cleansers, scrubbers, etc...think about it, seriously think about it..b/c after using this product, it made me think of how much I've wasted and should have spent it on this product. WHY you ask...No matter how expensive/cheap/raved about cleanser I've used, nothing really cleaned my face. It would either dry it up, leave some type of a residue, or just irritated my skin. After years of trial and error, I gave up, and stuck to good ol fashion water and oil of olay. I'm blessed with good skin, but I still have my problem areas. I got this as a gift. VERY GLAD I did.

I was skeptical. I was hesitant and kinda scoffed at the idea that a rotating brush could do much for me. I felt my skin before I used the product, pretty darn smooth. I tested it after I used the product - wow, it made my before skin feel like sand paper. I just knew that it cleaned out buildup of product (makeup, cleanser, lotion, whatever) because my skin actually GLOWED. I used the standard 2 minutes function on my t-zone. It really buffed away some spots that had raised bumps before. Pretty insane b/c I really didn't think I need this product. I could only imagine what it could do for people who have problematic skin.

So all the products i've bought/used before couldn't even come close...made me feel like I did waste a lot of money.

What else do iI like about the Pro vs. the Mia - the 4 speed rules - only because I want it. I end up using the standard speed a lot for me face. It also seems like the handle is a little bit bigger than the regular model. I don't think the Clarisonic cleaners that it comes with are all that fabulous. My skin feels a little bit drier than when I use some other stuff - I recommend you use your own cleansers (as long as it doesn't have exfoliants in it. If it does, then take the brush off the machine after each use to clean it out - or it will cause build up. I like that there are grooves under the brushes so water can flow out and not stay stagnant in the machine. The design of the handle is ergonomic and comfortable to use. I would suggest making it lighter - when you're using the body brush, it gets to be a little heavy after a few runs.

I like the brush head that it comes with. Great for sensitive skin, great at all modes of the machine (I use the Pro mode for m t-zone and chin - my problem areas) - about once a week. I use it every other day on the normal speed. And alternate with the body brush.

What I find most valuable - BODY BRUSH! This is what really hit me. I've tried different types of brushes and exfoliants, but my skin just wasn't baby soft. I've spent $ at spas doing a full body scrub. Yeh, my skin is silky smooth awesome, but it only lasts for a few days, then I feel a few dry spots here and there. Not anymore!!! Dry spots GONE. Skin Smooth. It's amazing. What I spent for 2 body scrubs = this machine. It makes me happy. PLUS this has cleared up dry spots that body scrubs have missed - the back of my thighs and upper arms. My skin is like butter now.

BRUSHES - find some online -there are deals out there.

I was staying with a friend who urged me to try her Clarisonic brush. Her skin looks fabulous for her age so I jumped at the chance. I've used all kinds of skin brushes and never really noticed any difference, but I liked how soft and smooth my skin felt immediately after using this brush. I am familiar with using ultrasonic vibrations to clean everything from teeth to jewelry to pharmaceutical equipment, so the concept of using it to clean your face is not too far fetched. Since Clarisonic offers a 60-day guarantee, I decided to give it a try.

I have oily, thick skin with large pores and even though I'm in my late 30's, I have regular break-outs. I am also prone to hyperpigmentation. I have now been using this brush for a little over 30 days, twice a day. I can't say my pores are smaller or that I have fewer fine lines. But I definitely have had fewer major flare ups and my skin is finally healing and pigment spots are fading. I do get the impression that my skincare products are more effective. To that point, this brush is intended to be a SUPPLEMENT to a good skincare regime, not a REPLACEMENT for. The effect on my skin wasn't overnight or even in a week. It took time, patience and persistence. Although I haven't seen the huge improvements some people claim, I'm happy enough with the results that I've decided to keep the brush and make it a permanent part of my skincare program.

Pros:
1. The timer is a handy feature that ensures that you don't concentrate too long or too little on one area. I also use the timer for "spot" treatments on areas when I feel a blemish coming on.
2, It's waterproof. This means you can use it in the shower or in the bath.
3. The sample cleanser are nice, but any cleanser appropriate for your skin will do.
4. The model I purchased has variable speed settings. This is great for adjusting to your skincare needs. I started with a lower setting and increased it gradually when I realized my skin could handle it.

Cons:
1. Large and heavy. It does not travel well, especially if you need to also bring the charger. With a full charge, I got about 8 days of twice a day use. If I also used the body brush once a day for 3 minutes, I got about 3-4 days of use.
2. Expensive. However, I'm hoping that with regular use I will no longer need expensive salon treatments like microdermabrasion. Replacement brushes are expensive too.
3. The flat face brush and the flat body brush don't work that well around tight contours of your body such as around the nose or collar.
4. The brush is supposed to last 3-4 months. The face brush lost a hair after 1 week and after a month, it's already starting to look a little grungy.

UPDATE: After 4 months my brush started making a rattling noise and could not tell the difference between the body and face brush anymore. Shortly after that I started breaking out again. I called Clarisonic and without any hassle they immediately sent me a new one. Now that I know it really makes a difference I can't live without it. I also appreciated the fast, friendly service.

I got my clarisonic plus here at amazon because of their good return policy and with the prime shipping I got my clarisonic in 1 day. It is very expensive that I needed to try it first before I decide if I wanna keep it. Result: The best beauty product in the world! I'm definitely keeping it!
To tell you about my skin. I have always acne since I was a teenager. (I'm 40 now) Thanks to my genes. I had 3 courses of accutane in my late 20's which never worked. My acne always came back 3 months after I stopped the medicine. On the 3rd course of accutane my doctor combined it with orthotricyclen pill and it finally controlled my acne. Not totally because I still breakout but not a lot. I stopped the pill when I tried to get pregnant and never went back on it. My acne went totally crazy especially when I was pregnant. My skin has gotten so bad and I had more pit scarring. After breastfeeding I tried different products but to no avail.

1 week ago: I started using my clarisonic plus wednesday 2 times a day with the sensitive brush. I use purity made simple in the morning ( just because I have that cleanser already when I bought my clarisonic ) and boscia clear complexion ( I just found out about it that a lot of people cleared up their acne with this ). I also use clinique 7 day scrub several times a week because it says that clarisonic is not an expoliant. So clinique should do the expoliation for me. I have oily and very sensitive skin. 1 week ago I have at least 5-7 zits on my face. My impression about clarisonic that day....hmmmm it's okey!

The next morning thursday when I looked at my face in the mirror....OMG I didn't realized my acne scaring and pores were gigantic! Of course clarisonic cleaned my face so well that pores looks bigger.

Today exactly 1 week later and the reason I'm writing this review....All the bumps in my forehead are gone. All the tiny milia on my cheeks are gone. All my zits has cleared up. My skin look so much clearer and smoother. Pores are smaller. It's a miracle!!! After all the years of misery I finally found the solution to clear up my skin. I so highly recommend this product.( I always wash the brush with antibacterial hand soap after use ). Thank you clarisonic and amazon.

FYI: I also use Revaleskin night cream and I swear also on this product. The best moisturizer ever. It makes my acne smaller in the morning and small acne disappear. I just started using this a month ago.

UPDATE: Dec 26, 2010
I had been using clarisonic every night for 2 months now. One big thing that I noticed since I started using clarisonic is I hardly get zits anymore. I have always suffered from gigantic cystic acne ( sometimes it's like 5 pimples grouped together that I have to be on antibiotics just to get rid of it ). But since I started using clarisonic my face started clearing up. I only get zits lately if i eat too much sweets but really small and would go away in 2-3 days. I cant live without clarisonic anymore.

Nice product. I felt my face is cleaner and smoother after using this product than simply wash with my bare hands. However, I will recommend buying the standard version for less $, the one with just one speed. I brought the PRO version, which comes with 3 (or 4) speeds and therapy kit, for higher amount of $. I never used more than one speed.