The time-honoured practice of face brushing does more than just exfoliate. The texture and sensation of bristles across the skin awakens the lymphatic system, ushering in a flow that detoxifies, rejuvenates, and revitalises.

To get the most out of facial brushing, it’s important to use the right techniques to use it. The skin on your face is incredibly sensitive ~ understanding the techniques that work in harmony with your skin, and its flora are key to revealing smooth, glowing skin.

Why use a facial cleansing brush

Bringing a facial cleansing brush into your regular skincare routine is an invigorating way to cleanse the skin and stimulate the complexion. However, there is more to it than that… Using a facial brush offers: 

Deeper cleansing: A facial brush cleanses deeper than washing with your hands alone. The soft bristles loosen dirt and oil from your pores, sweeping away dead skin cells. This helps prevent breakouts and leaves your skin feeling fresh.

Exfoliation: Facial brushes exfoliate your skin, buffing away the tired cells on the surface. Routine exfoliation brightens the skin and helps to create a smooth texture. Your skin only needs to be exfoliated twice or three times weekly. 

Improved circulation: The gentle massaging of a facial brush improves circulation in your skin, stimulating collagen production and cell turnover for a youthful glow. Improved circulation also helps relax facial muscles and de-puff, revealing toned skin.

Lymphatic drainage: The lymphatic system does not have a pump in the way that the blood circulatory system has the heart. Lymph is prone to becoming stagnant without movement like regular exercise or when the body has more toxins to remove. Even light brushing can stimulate the movement of lymph.

Product absorption: Since facial brushes sweep away dead cells and unclog pores, skincare products can absorb fully. Serums, creams and treatments work better when your skin can receive them.

With each session, unveil a smoother, more luminous complexion that leaves your skin glowing outward, and your confidence radiating inward. 

How to use a face cleansing brush

Understanding the benefits of a facial brush sets the stage for you to experience its magic firsthand. Uncover how to get the most out of your facial cleansing brush with our simple step-by-step practice. 

1. Apply your favourite facial cleanser ~ we love to use it with both our facial cleansing bar,  le savon lune, or la lune de velours, our nourishing oil-to-milk cleanser.
   
   
2. Begin to gently brush against your skin using light, circular motions. Always use an upward motion, never downward, and don’t apply too much pressure. 
   
   
3. You may want to pay extra attention to your T-zone and any areas where you tend to break out, but avoid the delicate skin around the eyes. 
   
   
4. Brush for about 30 to 60 seconds per area, not forgetting the neck and jawline. 
   
   
5. Rinse your face with lukewarm water and complete the rest of your skincare routine. 

Regularly using a facial cleansing brush can help exfoliate your skin, unclog pores and improve circulation for a bright, glowing complexion. Be sure not to over-brush, as this can irritate the skin. Two to three times a week is a good rule of thumb for most people.

After using your facial cleansing brush

To maintain the condition of your face brush, you’ll need to give it some TLC, though nothing too complicated. Simply… 

Rinse the bristles:

1. After using your facial cleansing brush, rinse its bristles under warm running water.
   
   
2. Gently run your fingers through the bristles, avoiding complete submersion in water.
   
   
3. If the handle is made from wood, try to avoid getting it wet so that it can last as long as possible. 
   
   
4. Once washed, let your brush air dry, with the bristles facing downward. 

Disinfect the brush (optional):

1. To deeply clean your brush, consider disinfecting it by immersing the bristles (and only the bristles) in a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar for approximately five minutes.
   
   
2. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
   
   
3. If you use the brush regularly, aim to disinfect it once or twice a month.

When it comes to antibacterial action, not all facial brushes are created equal…our facial cleansing brush is inherently antimicrobial, offering silver-infused bristles and a treated handle reducing the spread of harmful bacterial microbes such as E.coli and staphylococcus aureus with 99.7% efficacy. 

Remember, never store your brush with damp bristles. Make sure they’re able to fully air dry before storing them. 

Once dry, use a brush guard to protect the bristles from dust and damage. Don’t have a guard? Create your own with a band or tie along with a breathable material like muslin or linen.

With cleaning and proper care, a facial cleansing brush can last for many years

How often should you use your face brush?

There’s no one rule for how often you should use your face brush ~ like all skin rituals, it should be unique to your skin type. As you use the brush over weeks and months, be mindful of how your skin feels and looks when you’re using it, and afterwards. Explore your skin type below for a good place to start…

Normal or combination skin: If you have normal or combination skin, start with two times a week and see how your skin responds. You may want to build up to three times a week if you feel it’s needed. Pay attention to any tightness or dry patches and cut back if necessary. The key is finding the right balance for your unique skin type.

Oily or acne-prone skin: Facial brushing can help oily or acne-prone skin unclog pores and reduce excess oil. Begin by using it once or twice a week at first and be mindful of your skin so you don’t overdo it; over-exfoliating can have the opposite effect and stimulate oil glands to produce even more sebum. Use a gentle circular motion and lighter pressure, especially on active breakouts.

Sensitive skin: If you have sensitive skin, start slowly using your face brush once or twice a week. Pay attention to how your skin reacts after each use. If your face feels irritated or overly dry, cut back to once a week.

The key is to gradually build up as your skin adjusts. Using a brush too often, too fast can strip sensitive skin and damage the skin barrier.

How often you should use your face brush comes down to listening to your skin and how it reacts. Be gentle, go slowly, and adjust as needed. Your face brush should leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and fresh—not raw, red or irritated. 

Some tips for best results

As with any new tool or technique you're adding to your skincare routine, there are a few tips and tricks to help you maximise the results. To get the most out of using your face brush, we recommend…

Start slow

Ease into using the brush, especially if you're a beginner. Try 1-2 times a week, and increase frequency and intensity over time as your skin adjusts to your new regimen. Rushing into aggressive brushing can irritate your skin.

Be gentle 

Trust the brush to do its work. Refrain from scrubbing too hard. Move the brush over your skin using light, circular motions and don’t press into the skin.

Focusing on problem areas

As you build up your facial brushing routine, you can start to spend a little more time targeting areas where you commonly get breakouts, blackheads or uneven texture. This includes the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), cheeks and any areas prone to clogged pores or congestion.

Cleaning your brush regularly

Wash your face brush every 2-3 uses to prevent the buildup of dirt, oil and dead skin cells. Follow the instructions above to clean your specific brush properly. Let it air dry completely before storing to keep it free from bacteria.

Follow a face brushing session with your favourite product

Of course, consider the products you’re layering before choosing, but remember that your skin will be particularly responsive to absorbing all the benefits of active skincare ingredients following a brush. Boost the glowing effects of the exfoliation with something deeply hydrating, like DNA HP, which can carry 10,000 times its weight in water (that’s ten times more effective than Hyaluronic Acid). 

Introducing la lune d’argent - an exfoliating cleansing brush for your face

Infused with silver, la lune d’argent is a unique facial cleansing brush, sister to our dry body brush. Both bring together the historic practices of skincare with celestial science. And rigorous testing confirms its efficacy, with a 99.7% rate of microbe reduction.

As it cleanses the skin, it not only removes impurities but also polishes your complexion to a soft, receptive state, ideal for absorbing the enriching properties of your favourite skincare products. Your skin emerges cleansed, luminous, and smooth.

Discover the art of skin brushing, both for your face and how to use a dry brush for your body for a beauty ritual steeped in self-love. Be mindful with your skin and how it feels during this invigorating practice, and reveal not only glowing skin, but a deeper connection to your body.