If I were to sum up my skincare goals it would be this: healthy glowing clear skin, a simple but effective skincare routine, and wearing makeup because I want to and not because I need to cover acne breakouts. Right now there is such a big range of smart beauty tools, so I decided to try out the PMD Clean smart facial cleansing device to see if it’s worth the hype. Today I am sharing my honest review of the PMD Clean, product features, the difference between the clean and pro version, how I use it with the rest of my skincare products, and exactly how my skin reacted in the first 10 days of using it.
The PMD Clean Details…
As far as facial cleansing devices go, this one is pretty unique. It’s made of antibacterial silicone and uses 7000 sonic vibrations per minute to tone skin and deep cleanse your face by breaking down dirt and oil trapped in your pores. This is what they call SonicGlow Technology. It has different vibration modes so you can find the perfect frequency for you – from a gentle vibration to a stronger one. The different modes make it great for daily use even on sensitive skin types and is a dream if you have large pores.
This hygienic silicone cleanser also has four customizable modes, depending on what you are using it for. There are two cleansing modes to use with the bristled side. This is the cleansing side and has large bristles at the tip of the brush head to get in areas like the sides of your nose, and then small silicone bristles to deep cleanse your entire face.
The back of the head on the PMD clean has wavy ridges to pair with two sonic vibrations for facial massage. I like to use this side to work in my favorite serum, hyaluronic acid, and even eye cream. The vibrations help increase blood flow so your product works better while stimulating collagen production.
Side note, the design on the backside of the PMD clean is not my personal fave. The ridges are a little bit uncomfortable in my opinion. That being said, it still seems to do the trick. The Pro and Gemstone varieties are smoothe and IMO feel much better.
PMD Clean vs PMD Clean Pro
Besides the price, there are a few main differences between these two products.
The PMD clean uses a AA battery, comes with a small base so it can stand upright, and only has the vibration mechanism.
The pro version is rechargeable, stands on its own, and has a heating technology to really help your beauty products sink in. They also have the option of having a flat rose quartz stone, obsidian stone, or jade stone on the back of the device to get the benefits of a heated gemstone!
While the perks of the pro version are really nice, I have the clean version and am really happy with it. (Although I did get it before the gemstone collection came out – I think that is such a great feature!) They both combine gentle exfoliation into one powerful cleansing device.
the PMD clean works great even with the most basic and budget-friendly skin care: $5 face wash // pmd clean // brightening toner // “buffet” // niacinamide+zinc
Here’s How I Use Mine
First I should explain – my skin is somewhat normal but def has some dull dry patches, random breakouts, irritation from mask-wearing at work (I’m an ER nurse), sun spots, and fine lines. I perpetually have these annoying tiny bumps on my chin that are basically tiny blocked pores. My skincare goals since I hit 20 have always been glowing skin and anti-aging (because it’s never too early to start that!!)
The micro-details of how I use this PMD beauty product:
First, I splash warm water on my face and then take my go-to $5 face cleaner and place a pump directly onto the bristled side. I like to start below my chin and use small circular motions working in an upward motion. I feel like this helps decrease puffiness too because it acts like a nice facial massage and helps with lymph drainage.
If I have heavy eye makeup on I might pre-cleanse the eye area, otherwise, I use the first vibration setting around my eyes. I cleanse the rest of my face with the second setting. Love the tingly sensation!
On the occasion I wore a lot of make-up, I may rinse and repeat. Usually though it’s just the one cleanse, and then rinse with warm water. Sometimes I follow with a facial toner just to get the satisfaction of seeing a clean cotton pad after cleansing. Seriously, like ZERO leftover makeup and grime.
While you can apply your face serum straight to the back of the device, I prefer to dab it all over my face and then use the device to really work it in. Again, I start below my chin and work upward and outward from the center of my face. I like to concentrate on areas that I really want to tone like around my cheeks and above my eyebrows. I like to use the fourth setting for this part.
If I’m doing a mask, I do it after cleansing but before the serum. The last step is applying my face lotion, which I just do with my fingers.
The whole process only takes a few minutes and at the end my face got a thorough cleanse and looks bright and lifted.
I Used the PMD Clean for 10 Days Straight – Here’s What Happened
⋒ day one // after my first use my skin felt SO SMOOTH + clean but not tight/dried out. Just a nice healthy glow. My skin also looked more toned, if that makes sense. I used my toner after – per usual – except this time there was virtually no visible makeup/gunk.
⋒ day two – five //I started noticing little breakouts. no cystic acne but I noticed tiny bumps and pimples on my cheeks and chin. I learned this is normal and part of the purging phase. Was totally skeptical but pushed through. My skin continued to feel great after each use – it never felt or looked red and irritated. I used the more intense vibrations almost exclusively.
⋒ day six // My skin was almost back to normal. Those little breakouts cleared up and my skin is looking more glowy! The pores on my chin – those ones that are notoriously clogged – are for the first time EVER almost completely clear! I’m pretty excited about this PMD Clean now.
⋒ day seven-ten // I’m using this in the shower and every day before bed. My skin is looking brighter and more toned. I love that it simplified my skincare routine by replacing the cost and time of using an exfoliant.
My Overall Review of PMD Clean
I think this is a great addition to my skincare routine. I love how clean my skin looks, it feels great to use those bristles, and the gentle exfoliation is really working for my skin.
PROS
- Very effective skin cleanser
- Simplifies routine – faster and replaces other exfoliants
- The beauty of silicone – hygienic and antibacterial
- Feels great
- Boosts skincare product effectiveness
- Long battery life
- Easy to travel with
- Different settings make it gentle enough for different skin types
CONS
- It’s on the pricey side
- The wavey ridges on the back of the device are a little intense for my forehead (which is not a problem with the PMD Clean Pro or Gemstone versions)
Update: Two Years Later
Recently, a reader reached out to me on my Instagram to ask if I still share the same opinion on this PMD Clean. I was so excited to hear from her, and super happy to be able to say YES. Two years later and I still keep this in my skin care routine.
I typically use it one of two ways. When I’m wearing more makeup, I love how CLEAN my skin gets from this. A single cleansing with this does better than a double cleanse without it. Less time, better results. The other way I use it is when my skin is looking dull. I especially notice this when the season is changing. We’re heading into the thick of fall now so this is when I love to use it to help bring back that glow.
The other thing I think it’s good to know is I’m still working with the basic version of it and am very happy with it. I’m sure the upgraded models are worth it, but if you are working with a budget you are still getting a great product without going for the top-of-the-line product here!
Hopefully, this was helpful to you! Please feel free to reach out to me either in the comments or on Instagram if you have any questions or need help choosing between the different versions!
Most of all, thanks for stopping by and reading this review. I love being able to share things that make an impact in my life – big or small – because hopefully, it can do the same for you!
x, rae
p.s…this post is not sponsored, just sharing something that brought me value, and hope it does for you too! By shopping through the links in the post I may make a very small commission. It won’t add any cost to you but it supports this small business I am trying to grow {even if you buy on-line and pick up in store}. Thanks for keeping that in mind as you shop, and I hope you enjoyed this post! xx
other posts to check out…
⋙ 9 beauty products under $15 that every girl needs
⋙ some of my favorite sephora beauty finds
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