Clarisonic vs. Warm Washcloth: Which is better? & My Experience

It's been a while since I've posted! Finals and work had been keeping me extremely busy, hence the radio silence on the blog. I'm back though and have some wonderful ideas and reviews coming up! Stay tuned for those!

When I was a fresh graduate from college (May 2015), I used my first real paycheck from my first real job to pick up something that I had had my eye on for ages- The Clarisonic. Everybody and their mother use it, it receives raves and praises on Youtube, and everybody swears by it. I very, very rarely saw negative reviews.

*Note: This is for the Mia 2 cleansing device*.

What's the Clarisonic, you may ask? Well, here's a more in-depth explanation from the Clarisonic website because I'm too lazy to explain it myself:

"Lightweight, compact sonic facial cleansing brush with 2 speeds: Delicate' and 'Universal'.

Ultra-effective facial cleansing removes dirt, oil, and makeup 6x better than your hands alone. Equipped with a travel case, Clarisonic Mia 2 gives you a gentle and thorough sonic facial cleansing experience at home or on the go.

FEATURES 2 Speeds: 'Delicate' and 'Universal'

With varying levels of sonic cleansing speed, you can customize your Clarisonic Mia 2® facial cleansing experience to address your specific skin concerns.

Designed for compromised or fragile skin, Speed 1 'Delicate' is gentle enough to cleanse skin that's very sensitive.

'Universal' speed is for all skin types and provides sonic facial cleansing six times better than hands alone. Universal is developed for normal daily use and enhances cleansing by 26% compared to Speed 1.

1-Minute Pulsing T-Timer for even and thorough sonic cleansing.

Clarisonic Mia 2 features a T-Timer® that pulses momentarily to indicate it is time to move the facial cleaning brush to another part of your face. Interchangeable Facial Brush and Body Brush Heads. Choose from a variety of interchangeable facial cleansing brush heads and body cleansing brush heads for your Clarisonic Mia 2, each uniquely designed and engineered for specific skin types or conditions. "

My skin was not in a bad state when I started using my Clarisonic. I had a bit of congestion and unevenness, so I mainly purchased this device to get that super smooth skin that the Youtubers had that obviously wasn't enhanced by lighting or filters (no apology for the shade).

I didn't do very much research about my Clarisonic before I got it, but I did read that the device shouldn't be used with abrasive cleansers or gritty exfoliants. So I took heed and only used it with liquid cleansers, and then occasionally went in for a good old-fashioned physical exfoliator afterward (yes. I know. Keep reading to see how I paid the piper for that a little while later). I used this device twice a day religiously, and with a myriad of different cleansers. I didn't have the flawless, bright, incredibly clear and poreless skin that the Youtubers had, but my skin was very clear.

I used the Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head (2x a day), changed my brush head every 2 months like a good girl, and consistently washed it. I was in love with it. I recommended it to everybody I knew. I had some slight issues with it, but that didn't stop me from using it.

My love came to a questioning halt this past winter when I experienced the most bizarre skin issues ever:

-Dryness: So, so, so, so much dryness. I had never experienced dryness like this in my entire life. No matter what moisturizers I put on, it didn't work for my skin. I must've gone through four or five different moisturizers to no avail. My skin hurt. I slept with a humidifier at night to get some relief, but it did not work.

- Shiny forehead: Not oily, but shiny. And I'm not talking about a reflective shiny. I could nearly see my own reflection on my forehead. No amount of mattifying primer or powder could reduce the shine.

-Flaking: Being a combo/oily girl, I had never really experienced flaking, but this flaking was on another level. Moisturizers did not work.

-Dry patches: Painful, painful dry patches.

-Micro cracks: I had little micro cracks in my skin that BURNED. Especially on my forehead.

I had a semblance of these issues the year before last, but I contributed the bizarre issues to the dry weather (I live in Michigan, and the winters here are dry and horrid). So to try and combat my skin issues, I continued to use my Clarisonic, exfoliated, and masked (clay, mind you), regularly. My skin was crying out for help and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why it was so dry.

Fast forward to the present, and I know realize the hell I was putting my skin through. My skin was so, so, so terribly over exfoliated. The protective barrier of my skin was destroyed. My skin was crying out for help, and instead of nourishing it, I continued to throw products at it and use the device that was ruining it.

I loved my Clarisonic. Loved it so, so much. I still have sentimental attachments to the device, which is why I won't toss it. A month or so, I read this article on Caroline Hirons' website about why she doesn't like devices such as the Clarisonic. I browsed it, closed the window, and continued to gleefully use my device because how could anybody dislike the device? Then, a week after, I thought back to the state of my skin. I read the article again and realized that it wasn't the winter weather that was screwing up my skin. It was my Clarisonic! I did some more research to confirm that it was, in fact, my beloved Clarisonic, and it was.Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for my skin.

Initially, I was worried to stop using my Clarisonic and pick up 'flanneling' (aka, using washcloths). I had stopped using the Clarisonic in the past and had broken out because of it. I was more terrified of over exfoliation than breaking out, so I took the plunge.

If you're not sure how to use a washcloth in your skincare routine, it's easy. Here's a two-minute video done by Caroline that explains it perfectly (as well as double-cleansing, which you should ALWAYS do if you wear makeup or SPF during the daytime):

After watching the video and doing my research, I nervously searched for some of the washcloths that my husband and I had received as wedding registry gifts (in a set) and tried it out. I used the washcloth to remove both my makeup after my first cleanse, and my second cleanse cleanser (no rinsing the face required). The first night went well, no irritation. I did it the following morning and it went well as well. Fast forward to a few weeks later and I cannot live without my warm/slightly hot washcloth. It is so therapeutic for me and feels so wonderful. I run the cloth under warm water, wring it out, and let it sit on my face for a few seconds before gently wiping the cleanser off. No symptoms of over exfoliation (and very well too, because I use retinol and acids on a daily basis), no breakouts, and my skin actually looks better than it did while I was using my Clarisonic.

So, do you need a Clarisonic? No, you don't need it. It cleans your face well and does a wonderful job at exfoliation, but you have to know how to use it properly. Once a week, twice at most. If you're a regular user of strong acids and retinol, I would stay away completely. You don't need that much exfoliation.

Do you need a washcloth? Yes. Yes, yes, yes. I initially didn't have enough, so I purchased this 24 pack from Amazon (as I write this it's currently out of stock, but you can pick them up anywhere, as you know ;) ), which is proving to be wonderful. This is so much more cost-effective, gentler/better on your skin, and (in my opinion), provides even better results.

So the winner and the moral of the story? Washcloths (flannels). Get yourself a washcloth, put down your Clarisonic, and thank me later.

*Note: This is what works for me, and is my own personal experience. If you're using the Clarisonic every day, more power to you. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.*