The Clarisonic is my #1 skincare must-have. I've used mine daily for the last several years and recommend it constantly, along with Aromaleigh makeup- every time I get a compliment on my skin. When wearing mineral makeup, it's crucial to spend time preparing your "canvas" and keeping your skin well-exfoliated and smooth.
I have a pink Clarisonic- my 2nd one, as there was a recall on my first brush in regards to some sort of over-heating while on the charger. I had experienced no issues, but gladly accepted the recall!
There’s several Clarisonic alternatives on the market. The Clarisonic, which bears a $195 price tag, is highly regarded by both dermatologists and estheticians. Created by the inventor of the Ultrasonic toothbrush, the Clarisonic uses brush heads of varying texture (Delicate, Sensitive, Normal….) that vibrate at sonic wavelengths, deep-cleaning your skin, exfoliating, increasing circulation, clearing your pores and increasing the efficacy of any products that you apply after use. The Clarisonic is waterproof, rechargeable, and extremely durable.I also recently took mine to Italy, where it lasted for 8 days on a single charge.
But not everyone can fit the Clarisonic into their budget. It’s an investment, albeit one of the best you can make for your skin! Currently, Sephora is offering the Clarisonic Mia, which is a smaller sized version of the original clarisonic. The price tag for this system is $145, which honestly- unless you're a serious traveler, I'd suggest spending the extra $50 on the full priced system. I would have thought a mini Clarisonic might go for around $115 to make the Clarisonic system available to a broader demographic, but at $145, it's not much of a stretch from the cost of the original.
Luckily, there are several major skincare companies that have come out with lower-priced versions.
The latest is from Neutrogena, the “Total Skin Renewal Facial Cleansing Power Treatment”. This system uses single-use pre-dosed puffs, and offers micro-vibrations to reveal fresh surface cells, boost circulation and create more even-textured, radiant skin. The system is $27.99 and refill puffs come 24 to a pack and cost $18.99 (Note: Clarisonic brush heads are typically used for 3-4 months each and cost $25).
While this may be a great starter system for someone who wants to “go ultrasonic”, over time, it actually costs a little bit more than the Clarisonic for a year’s use! Here’s a price comparison for one year.
Clarisonic system: $195
3 replacement brush heads: $75
Total: $270
Neutrogena system: $27.95
15 refill packs (24 pads each), enough for 365 days: $284.95
Total: $312.20
The neutrogena system is not rechargeable and runs on a AA battery, so include the cost of batteries into that yearly cost. The Clarisonic system can be used with any cleanser, so whatever your cleanser of choice is- add in about 4 bottles!
The Neutrogena system does end up costing more than the Clarisonic, even through the Clarisonic requires additional cleanser. However, keep in mind that the Clarisonic is a heavy-duty, rechargeable unit. It can be dropped from 4 feet numerous times and never sustain even a speck of damage (I drop mine constantly!) It's an investment that will last for for many years. Over time, the Clarisonic is definitely the better deal, no doubts there.
So there's the dilemma... use the Neutrogena system for a few months while you save for a Clarisonic, or just invest in the Clarisonic up-front for years of complication-free use.
Only you can decide!
xoxo
Miss K
