Clarisonic inflicted breakouts? Is this possible?

May 5, 2014

Ashley H.

I just received the clarisonic aria with the sensitive brush as a birthday gift. I've been using it on a nightly basis for about a week now with yes to tomatoes daily acne cleanser which is also fairly new to my regimen. I've popped up with two pimples in places I usually don't get breakouts. I have oily skin and I usually get breakouts around my mouth. I've heard people say that your skin purges when you first start using your clarisonic, but I've also heard that was a myth.
Other than the 2 breakouts my skin feel great and I'm noticing positive change in areas that I have old scarring. Does anyone have any usage tips or product suggestions that will prevent me from any self inflicted breakouts in the future?

May 5, 2014

Erin M.

I've heard that happens with some people as everything that's bad in the skin is being brought up to the surface with the clarisonic. So I think over maybe the next week or two the breakouts will stop, but I can't say so with 100% confidence.

May 5, 2014

Traci L.

You will purge anything thats right below the surface but it shouldn't be a all over breakout ,I recommend being gentle with your skin don't start out using it daily let you skin get use to it,use a gentle cleanser like cerave with it ,don't push down to hard let the machine do the work,and you can use a vitamin C serum for the acne scars and spf daily.

May 5, 2014

Elizabeth F.

Hi, Ashley!
Sounds like you might want to do some troubleshooting, here. Since both the cleansing brush and the skin cleanser you are using are new to you, it sounds to me like either one could be the culprit. I should mention that I don't personally give much credit to the "purging" idea. Skin breaks-out either in response to chemicals which it is sensitive to, or good old fashioned bacteria.

What you're describing sounds to me like your skin may not be super pleased with your current regimen. If you ignore your current symptoms, it may go away eventually - skin can sometimes adapt and build-up tolerances to new products - or, it may get much worse instead.

There are some people who can tolerate daily exfoliation with a Clarisonic brush. But, your new cleanser could just as easily be to blame. You might try switching back to a facial cleanser that you know you are not sensitive to and see if that fixes things. If not, you might want to consider only using the Clarisonic every-other day, or try one of the extra gentle, luxury brush heads, which is what I'm using with my regular Clarisonic everyday. I switch to the standard sensitive brush head every-other day for a little extra exfoliation and my BHA lotion takes care of the rest.

May 5, 2014

Elizabeth F.

Ah, Traci beat me to the punch! lol Excellent advice, as always.

May 5, 2014

Traci L.

And I agree with everything the beautiful Elizabeth posted ,and thank you hun.

May 5, 2014

Meg T.

You go through a purging stage. It even says it on their website. Mine lasted about two weeks. My skin was totally clear by week three. You just have to wait it out, it's worth it in the end.

May 5, 2014

Ashley H.

Thank you so much ladies!!
Elizabeth, I switched over from my biore pore unclogging scrub, which I've used for years, to the yes to tomatoes because I've been wanting to try it and also because it doesn't have any of the 'exfoliating' beads which was recommended so my brush doesn't wear too soon. I find that my skin does great with a salicylic acid formula. Is there a cleanser you recommend, or should I stick it out with what I have?
Tracy do you recommend a specific serum?

May 5, 2014

Traci L.

I recommend cerave cleanser and isomers c serum or Mario Bedesue C serum hun.

May 5, 2014

Elizabeth F.

The CeraVe brand cleansers that Traci has recommended are quite good. I use the Skin Balancing cleanser from Paula's Choice and really love it for my combination/oily skin. I read a few reviews of the Yes To cleanser that you've been using and the general consensus seems to be that it's a well-formulated product, so it could be the increased exfoliation from the brush that your skin is having a hard time with. Your skin may yet adapt to it, but you might want to reduce the frequency with which you use the Clarisonic for a bit while it adjusts and then slowly increase your usage again.

Something else I noticed while reading reviews is that many skincare experts seem to question the effectiveness of salicylic acid in a face wash. Apparently, there is some question as to whether or not the BHA remains on your face long enough to actually penetrate and do its job. I have no idea if you find that relevant, but thought it was an interesting point. :)

May 5, 2014

Ashley H.

Thank you so much Elizabeth and traci, you ladies are great!!

May 6, 2014

Elizabeth F.

Glad to be of help. :)