Taking care of your skin means different things to different people. For some, it is indulging in a monthly facial plus a nightly ritual of cleansing, buffing and applying products. For other people, it is simply washing your face before bed. Wherever you may fall on the spectrum, there are probably days that you wish your skin was clearer, cleaner, fresher or younger looking.
At-home skin cleansing systems are made for anyone wanting to improve their skin. They are are all the rage these days, promising soft, clear, glowing skin within a few days or weeks of use. And because they are at-home products, they're easy and convenient to work into your existing routine. Some users might even go so far as to say they are fun!
Are you searching for beautiful skin at home? Give one of these products a try.
Clarisonic is probably the most well-known name in skin care systems. They have 3 products available to consumers. The first, the Clarisonic Classic, which retails for $195; the Clarisonic Plus ($225), a more robust kit that includes attachments and products for body cleansing; and the Clarisonic Mia ($149), a compact system for on-the-go use.
The Clarisonic philosophy is that the path to beautiful skin begins with clean skin. Even with traditional nightly face washing, make-up, dirt and oil can build up over time leading to clogged pores and dull skin. Clarisonic uses a patented sonic technology to deeply clean the skin. The Clarisonic wand moves at a rate of 300 motions per second. This technology removes up to 2x more oil and 6x more dirt than traditional face washing alone.
When you purchase a Clarisonic system, you are getting a kit that includes the Clarisonic wand, which features multiple speeds, a charger, facial cleansers and skin polishers. Many consumer reviews report noticing clearer skin within just a few days of use.
The product is expensive, but well liked and worth trying. You don't need to use the cleansers and polishes that come with the kit. If you have a favorite face wash or soap, use that instead. The biggest benefit of this product is the Clarisonic wand itself.
Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleaning System
Unlike Clarisonic, the Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System is widely available at your local drugstore, pharmacy or online. For a fraction of the price of the Clarisonic, the Pro X provides the same basic package: a wand/brush and some cleansing products. The big question though... Are the results the same?
As it turns out, many consumers are quite satisfied with the Olay Pro-X system. For a much smaller investment (around $30), people noticed better looking, better feeling skin. Many people have pointed out that the Olay brush is not as good as the Clarisonic brush, but most were satisfied with the performance given the wide price discrepancy between the two products. If you are looking for the Cadillac of facial cleansing systems, the Clarisonic may just be the product for you, but if you are just looking for a better way to clean your skin, a product like Olay might fit the bill for less of an investment.
The most economical skin care system of the bunch is the Dove SkinVitalizer. While not really an entire "system" like the other products, the Dove SkinVitalizer is a wand that massages and exfoliates while cleansing the skin. It does not come with other products to use and retails for about $10. The main claim that this product makes is very similar to both the Clarisonic and the Olay products: This manner of cleansing removes more make-up, dirt and oil than manual cleansing.
The reviews on this product are a little less glowing than those for its competitor, Olay Pro-X, but most consumers found that its performance was in line with their expectations.
ClearPores Skin Cleansing System
ClearPores is an herbal acne treatment designed to clear acne-prone skin in a very simple 3-step process. There are no wands or brushes here. The ClearPores system operates on the principal that clear skins starts on the inside. Therefore, the first step in the ClearPores process is a natural daily supplement designed to flush out toxins and regulate the production of the hormones that typically cause acne. Step 2 is to use ClearPores' deep cleanser to remove dead skin, excessive sebum and restore your skin's natural pH. The final step is to apply a skin protection cream that provides anti-inflammatory relief and protection, while moisturizing and leaving skin soft and supple.
Consumer reviews offer mixed feedback on this product. Many people do not notice a difference right away. ClearPores responds to this critique by stating that the body needs to clear itself of toxins before it can really repair itself, but with the two products above promising results within a few days or weeks, it seems like they would be better options for those without a lot of patience. Additionally, the ClearPores products are on the more expensive end. A starter kit will cost you about $60, but once you take into consideration the time it takes to see results and having to continually re-order the product, you might find yourself a lot lighter in the wallet without much noticeable improvement to your skin.
Jessica Simpson has made the Proactiv system famous. Proactiv is focused on treating acne rather than simple cleansing. Like ClearPores, Proactiv embraces a 3-step approach that does not include any accessories. It is all about the products.
Step 1 is to Renew the skin with a medicated cleanser that kills bacteria as well as exfoliates the skin. Step 2, Revitalize, refreshes your skin with a toner that removes impurities and excess oil. In step 3, you Repair your skin with an oil-free moisturizer.
Reviews on the Proactiv system are mixed. As is the nature of any beauty product, the solution works for some people, but not others, likely depending on skin type and strict adherence to the directions. A 2-month supply will set you back approximately $60.