Clarisonic? Two Words: Ob. Sessed.
I've had a lot of Clarisonic devices. I'm on my second brush--I think this one is a Mia--after having run the first one into the ground after five years or so of daily use. I've had a few kinda lackluster devices too--an Opal for the skin around my eyes, a heavy-duty brush for my feet, maybe something else I'm having a hard time even remembering. And I have the new Smart Profile Uplift, a genius contraption that combines facial brush, body brush, and face massage into a sparkling little gem of a package so delightful that it erases any memory of the borderline duds in between.
When I started using my original Clarisonic, I had acne. I had patches of dry flakey skin. I had some ominous lines showing up alongside my mouth and between my eyebrows when the light hit it just right. True story--those things went away within a few months and still haven't come back, almost ten years later. The Smart Profile hasn't had quite enough time to work those kind of miracles, but it's starting with a much less steep hill to climb. Thanks to its Clarisonic brethren and an absolute fortune spent on serums, masks, and moisturizers, the condition of my skin is probably better now than it was when I first became a hard-core Clarisonic groupie. But even if it's not doing as much as the brush for the outside of my face and neck, it's doing something marvelous for the inside. Using it is like having an above average massage twice a day that specifically targets those muscles in my neck, jaw, and temples that are always on the cusp of giving me a day-changing headache.
Other companies inevitably caught on to the Clarisonic magic, and now you can get brushes for a lot cheaper. I haven't tried the knock-offs, and some of those countries do a nice job with their skin care lines overall, but I have to be a little skeptical about them. I'm not sure what is going on with the sonic-vibration-mad-scientist-magic inside my Clarisonic devices, but I know they have a winning formula. And when something works as well as these things do, why take a chance with an imitator if you can afford the innovator?
One small complaint. OK, maybe not even a complaint. Maybe more of an annoyance. I have never tried nor ever plan to experiment with the assorted treatments, cleansers, and moisturizers that come in the box with the actual Clarisonic devices. I know that they kind of have to throw them in. I am no stranger to skin care devices of all stripes, and every one I have ever purchased includes some proprietary tube of goop. And no, not Goop. Or Supergoop! Just goop. I'm pretty sure these things don't factor into the overall price, and it's not like throwing them away is a significant burden, but I do feel kinda' bad about the wasted packaging, content, and production costs.
That small complaint aside, I'm beyond satisfied with the Clarisonic Mia and Smart Profile. My mom, whose skin is super-sensitive, loves them too. Give 'em a shot. Like an honest, multi-week, maybe multi-month shot. I think you'll be pleased. just don't feel bad when you throw out a tube or two of...something first.
