In partnership with FOREO
Want to take the fuss out of washing your face? Intrigued by cleansing brushes and how they work? Listen up.
Fact: sonic cleansing is proven to be superior to washing your face with just water and your hands.
The innovative new LUNA 3 facial cleansing brush by Swedish beauty and wellness brand, Foreo, works with an app on your phone via Bluetooth, so that you can personalise your cleansing routine to your skin's individual needs. With just the touch of your phone, you can change the cleanse and intensity settings to suit your skin.
The LUNA 3's massage features preserve skin elasticity, improve skin firmness and reduce appearance of wrinkles. It has 30% longer touchpoints for a deeper cleanse than the LUNA 2, and is gentle on the skin with 25% softer bristles. Meanwhile the larger brush head to allows for quicker cleansing, saving valuable time in your morning and evening routines
Sounds good? Here's how three Marie Claire staffers got on with their revolutionary new cleansing routine...
Using the FOREO LUNA 3
'I’m quite old fashioned when it comes to cleansing my skin, I like my two-step double-cleanse and my muslin. However, I have always been intrigued by FOREO’s cleansing devices, as I know so many people who swear by them, so was more than happy to give one a bash in the name of research. Much like the older models, the LUNA 3 has a different device for each skin type – sensitive, combination and normal. As someone with dry skin, I felt a little left out, but I opted for the normal skin one. I thought the tricky part was over, I was wrong…
'I thought I could simply turn my device on and get cleansing, however you actually have to sync it to your phone first. You do that by scanning the QR code on the bottom of your LUNA’s box, which takes you to the FOREO website and then you have to download an app. Not exactly plain sailing.
'Once you’ve downloaded the app and registered yourself and your device, you can start your cleansing routine. I removed my make-up first with a micellar water, then worked one of my trusty hydrating cleansers into my skin, then started with my LUNA 3. I noticed instantly how much the pulsations got my blood flowing, which is always a good thing. I decided to concentrate on my chin and nose, where I have quite a few blocked pores, as I felt that the silicone brushes would do wonders at exfoliating the area and dislodging any grime. After the 60 seconds were up, I rinsed my face and was amazed by how perky my skin looked. It felt super soft to the touch and really clean. I would definitely use the LUNA 3 again, maybe once or twice a week for a super deep clean during the second part of my double cleanse.
'There are also four facial massage settings that work to lift and tighten specific areas, like your neck. These are all controlled from the app, so make sure your phone is fully charged.' - Katie Thomas, Digital Beauty Editor
Is the FOREO Luna 3 good for the gym?
'I go to the gym every day during my one-hour lunch break, so I’ve got my routine down a T. A 35-minute class, quick shower then back to work. That sadly meant that I was neglecting my skin, as I didn’t have the time to do a proper hot cloth cleanse like I’d normally do at home. And we all know how bad sweat mixed with make-up can be. It clogs the pores, which causes inflammation and irritation.
'Enter the Foreo LUNA 3. It’s small and flat enough to fit in snugly in my minimal gym bag, and waterproof so I can use it in the shower post workout, thus not losing any time. You can change the pulse settings to suit your skin, and all you need to do is dampen your face, add your favourite cleanser to it and go. You divide your face into four sections and the device vibrates when you need to move to the next one – in less than a minute, you’re done. I’ve only been using it a week, but I can already tell the difference. My skin is less congested and feels softer. I’ve found my new post-workout staple.' - Penny Goldstone, Digital Fashion Editor
Can I use the FOREO Luna 3 on sensitive skin?
'I'm usually a pretty traditional, hand hot flannel and balm cleanser kind of girl. My skin is usually a bit on the oily side, but recently I've had a flare up of eczema on my face, leaving the skin touch and product-sensitive. I opted to stick to my super gentle cream cleanser and set the intensity to pretty low (3-4) to start with, so as not to irritate the sore skin any further. When the eczema was still quite raw I avoided the most sensitive patches, before using it all over later in the week.
'The app guides you through the 60-second cleanse in real time, ensuring you use your cleansing brush for the right amount of time and properly clean your face – one minute is all it needs to wash dirt, grime and germs. It does the job (and does it well), leaving your skin feeling soft and clean, but not stripped of all life, and you'll have a real glow afterwards.
'One thing I would say is that you can only control the device from the app on your phone, so have a towel nearby for when you've dampened your face and applied your cleanser so that you can hit 'start' button ASAP. That said, you'll get the hang of the routine in no time at all, though, and you won't dread washing your face before bed.' - Lucy Abbersteen, Digital Beauty Writer
How to use the new FOREO LUNA 3 cleansing brush
1. Connect your LUNA 3 to the FOREO app via Bluetooth (to unlock before using it for the first time).
2. Dampen your face, apply your favorite cleanser to your LUNA 3 and hit the start button twice.
3. Glide LUNA 3’s touchpoints in circular motions over your face until the built-in timer shuts it off.
4. Rinse LUNA 3, pat-dry your face and continue with your skincare routine.
FOREO Luna 3 is available at Feelunique, Lookfantastic, Fabled and Boots now, RRP £169
