I have always loved the lightweight feeling of going makeup-free and even more so now that my acne is behind me. Incorporating a cleansing brush into my routine is one of the main things that’s made that possible, so suffice it to say I was disappointed when my longtime go-to facial brush brand shut down last year. On the positive side, it sent me on an urgent quest for a facial cleansing brush that was effective enough to help me maintain clear skin without breaking the bank. For other complementary skincare products, sites like buoy health have you covered.
That’s when I came across the PMD Clean, a face brush whose ability to provide a deep clean and visibly firm and lift the look of problem areas has helped it gain popularity in recent years. With its promises to go above and beyond for a luxurious cleansing experience, I had to try it. For my detailed thoughts, keep reading my PMD Brush review below.
In this Review
What I Like
- Effectively cleanses, smooths skin, and tightens pores
- Charge lasts for weeks (PMD Pro)
- Antibacterial
- Flexible head
What I Don’t Like
- High price point
- Not ideal for those with sensitive or dry skin
- Anti-aging benefits are modest
Bottom Line
The PMD Clean is something I look forward to using every night. The antibacterial brush head makes it easy to maintain, and I’m no longer locked into buying replacement brush heads like I was with other facial cleansers. It cleanses my skin of makeup, dirt, and oil thoroughly, and the vibration and heat settings add a spa-like experience to my routine.
About My Skin: Dry and Acne-Prone
My skin is acne-prone and on the dry side, and though I no longer have cystic acne, I get flare ups around my cycle. I’m the type of person who absolutely cannot go to bed without going through my skin routine. Without it, I’m likely to wake up with a breakout. To cleanse my skin, I used the Clarisonic Mia 2 for years, but it was discontinued in September 2020. I bought the PMD Clean Pro in July 2021 and have been using it daily in my morning and evening skin care routine since.
About the PMD Clean
So, what is PMD? The PMD Clean is a smart facial cleansing device that uses SonicGlow Technology to break down dirt and oil from within the pores by vibrating 7,000 times per minute. The device itself is made of mostly silicone, which is odor-resistant, waterproof, and antibacterial. Every PMD Brush has four cleansing and anti-aging vibration modes that range from gentle vibration to intense pulsation. If you upgrade to the PMD Clean’s sister product, the PMD Clean Pro, the back side of your brush will also have an ActiveWarmth technology stone facial massager.
How to Use the PMD Clean
To use the PMD Clean, I always start by splashing my face with warm water, then I lather a dime-size amount of cleanser in my hands and apply it to my face. I wet the head of my Clean Pro brush and turn it on to mode 1. I move the brush head in circular motions to cleanse my entire face, including my neck. Then, I simply power off the device, rinse it off, rinse my face, and pat my face dry with a clean towel.
The Feel: Gentle and Effective
The PMD Clean feels quite different from other face cleansing devices I’ve used. It has a slightly more rubbery feel than a brush-based device, and the vibrations, though gentle, kind of tickle anywhere where the skin is thin (eyes, nose, cartilage). But it’s not painful at all.
With the proper amount of cleanser and water applied, using it feels like a mini massage! And your skin really does have that squeaky clean sensation after, like you know you’ve gotten every last bit of the day off of your face. I use the heating side a few times per week (more for relaxation than for skin results). I recommend using plenty of sudsy cleanser during your first two weeks with the PMD for optimum cleansing results—the silicone bristles can be a bit irritating at first. They soften over time and now feel very gentle on my skin.
Also, the device itself feels lightweight in my hands. I love that the “neck” of the device has some bend, making it easy to reach nooks and crannies around my nose, mouth, eyes, and neck.
The Settings: 2 Facial Cleansing, 2 Anti-Aging
The PMD Clean and PMD Clean Pro have four settings: two facial cleansing modes and two anti-aging facial massage modes. I use the gentle vibration and intense vibration cleansing modes every day to cleanse my face. I haven’t experimented with the anti-aging pulsation modes as much simply because I use other treatments to target signs of aging. However, I do turn the rose quartz stone heat on when I want that extra bit of warmth for deeper absorption of my serums and skincare products, enhanced blood flow for a little flush, or to release tension.
The Results: Squeaky Clean, Toned Skin
The PMD Clean Pro thoroughly cleanses my skin of makeup, dirt, and oil without causing irritation. I love to do the “towel check” with facial brushes, which just involves patting my face dry after use, to see if any leftover makeup comes off on the towel. With the PMD, there’s zilch! The large brush head makes it easy to cleanse quickly in a hurry yet is flexible enough to reach smaller areas. The vibrations and heat Pro together feel incredible, and I have noticed slightly smaller pores, smoother texture overall, and a more youthful appearance since I started using it.
The Verdict
So, does the PMD Clean really work? Yes. The PMD Clean face brush leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean without irritating it or stripping it of moisture. I have acne-prone skin, and this vibrating face cleanser has become a reliable way of removing dirt, makeup, and excess oil while simultaneously creating smoother skin and smaller pores. I will definitely continue to use it and try out the pulsing modes and heat over time! The antimicrobial design makes it a heck of a lot easier to maintain than other facial cleansers (more on this below).
The PMD Clean is worth it for those looking to get a deep cleanse, regardless of skin type. Upgrading to the PMD Clean Pro is worth it if you want the added luxury and convenience of the warming stone and charger. However, for most, the PMD Clean is perfect.
Shop the PMD Clean
Shop the PMD Clean Pro
PMD Clean Smart Facial Cleansing Brush FAQs
What’s the difference between PMD Clean and PMD Clean Pro?
The main difference between the PMD Clean and PMD Clean Pro is that the Clean is AA-battery powered while the Pro is rechargeable. Both have four customizable modes, but the Pro has heating for enhanced product absorption. The Pro is freestanding; the original requires a base to stand upright.
Can I use the PMD Clean every day?
Yes, the PMD Clean and PMD Clean Pro facial cleansing brushes can be used daily to cleanse and massage. I use mine twice daily—once in the morning and once at night.
Can I use PMD in the shower?
Yes! The entire device is waterproof, so you can use and leave it in the shower! I keep it on my vanity but occasionally use it in the shower for exfoliating with this product when I’m having a home spa day.
Does the PMD get rid of blackheads?
I didn’t notice the PMD getting rid of any blackheads, but it’s an excellent beauty tool to have in your kit for preventing them. I rely primarily on these oil control pads and extractions with my aesthetician to get rid of impurities.
What does PMD stand for?
PMD stands for Personal Microderm. You can read more about how PMD Beauty came about and the technology they use in their products on PMDBeauty.com.
PMD Clean vs. Clarisonic
I came to the PMD Clean as a former Clarisonic user when Clarisonic went out of business. So, is the PMD better than Clarisonic? Without a doubt, yes. I was so disappointed when I found out Clarisonic was shutting down, but it’s for the better because the PMD is not only more effective—it’s much more hygienic.
I used the sensitive skin brush on the Clarisonic for ages, and it was such a chore (and expense) needing to replace it every 4–8 weeks. With the PMD, I can simply charge the device on my vanity when it runs out of juice. And speaking of battery power, I have charged it once between the end of July when I bought it and now (early October). All in, the charge has already lasted 10 weeks with twice daily use.
The brush head of the PMD Clean is also a major upgrade. I had many instances where my Clarisonic wouldn’t dry without completely disassembling and hand drying it. This meant that when I didn’t, it was likely growing bacteria that I couldn’t see with the naked eye and, in turn, contributing to breakouts, which was a major personal concern for me. The beauty of silicone on the PMD brush head is that it’s hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial, and dries almost instantly.
PMD Clean vs. Foreo
Another question I’ve seen asked is whether the PMD Clean is better than the Foreo. While I’ve never tried the Foreo, I know that it’s similar to the PMD in that both brushes are silicone. From what I understand, the Foreo Luna isn’t for all skin types and costs almost double.
Have any questions about the PMD I didn’t cover? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram! All in all, if you’re looking for a reliable beauty device that isn’t a gadget and that you can trust to thoroughly cleanse your skin at the beginning or end of a long day, I highly recommend the PMD Clean or PMD Clean Pro.
To shop my PMD Clean Pro Rose Quartz, click here. To learn more about my skin care, check out my posts on how I got rid of my acne, my AM/PM skin care routine, my microneedling FAQ, and how to have better skin in five years. For more beauty product reviews, visit the Beauty section of the blog.
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