It took me a while to decide to do a review of the Clarisonic Mia 2. I had received mine as a gift because it was something I wanted so badly but really couldn’t get myself to pay the almost $200 it was going to cost to invest in one. When my fiance asked what I wanted as a gift for something (I can’t remember the holiday now) we were in the mall and I thought “Let’s go to Sephora and I’ll pick out something.” I immediately thought of the Clarisonic since it was something I wanted to try out. When I had gotten it I was so excited – I couldn’t wait to start using it and had heard such rave reviews about it. We bought the Clarisonic Mia 2 in pink, a bottle of Philosophy Purity cleanser and a sensitive skin brush replacement. I was all set and ready to rock and roll!
Now, I have to say that I had read mixed reviews about this cleansing system but I wanted to test it out for myself. I had heard a range of reviews from “it’s so amazing it has changed my skin for the better!” to “it is awful and made my skin break out so badly.” This of course scared me a bit because as I have mentioned in previous blog posts, I do tend to have acne-prone, break out prone skin. The last thing I wanted was to use something where I would have to “go through a rough patch to get to the good stuff.” That was some of the reviews I read, but I thought…now that I am out of my 20’s there is no reason I should break out especially by using a product that is only meant to help shed the dead skin cells and clear the surface of your skin…I was sadly very wrong (at least in my case.)
After the first week there was no dramatic difference one way or the other. I did feel like it got a lot of the dirt and make up off my face. I would check the brush bristles and I would see make up there that must have made its way past my usual face scrub with my favorite Burt Bee’s willowbark and peach scrub (love that stufff!), so I thought wow this thing is really getting in the pores! There is no way this thing can be bad for me. I would use it every other night while in the tub and then I started to use it every night. I wanted to make sure I worked my way up to daily use to see how my skin would react. I remember reading that if you are sensitive to any kind of scrubs to do every other day. Since I use an exfoliating scrub every day I didn’t think it would be bad for me.
After two weeks of use I started to break out after using my Clarisonic Mia 2. When I mean break out I mean in areas that I normally never break out either – like on my cheeks and on the sides of temples or sides of my face. I started to freak out – why on earth would something that was supposed to help my skin (which was by the way pretty clear and normal and calm) now reacting this way?! I would never expect that I would get pimples from using the Clarisonic – but I was and it was very disheartening. It’s not like this device was cheap and was supposedly really great for me. I slowly started to stop using it and after a few days my skin went back to normal. I wait and let it calm down and thought, maybe this is a purge process. Maybe I needed to let anything that is built up under the skin make its way to the surface, maybe that was the culprit. So I went back to using it every night and again I found that a few bumps would show up again.
I kept asking myself “Why am I breaking out from using the clarisonic?” Then I started to Google search the same question and many girls and women had the same concern. Turns out that for some of us, especially those who skins is a bit more oily than others, this can be an effect from using this system. I know that for me when I have had a facial before where too much scrubbing went on I would break out. Using my daily exfoliator from Burt’s Bee’s works more than well for my skin and keeps my skin clear – but when I use the Clarisonic I disrupt the whole skin ecosystem. It’s strange isn’t it? Some people’s skin gets better with the Clarisonic and some people’s skin gets worse. After this trial and error three or four times I just gave up. Now it is in a drawer tucked away somewhere and I just won’t use it anymore in fear it will cause me to break out again. I guess it goes back to the age old adage that
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
So for me, if my skin is clear without using it and breaks out when I do, I will leave it in the drawer or put it up on eBay to sell. It’s a shame because I did have high hopes for it, at least to make my skin feel and look brighter, smoother, etc.
How many of you have had a bad reaction to using the Clarisonic?
How many of you still love it?
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I must say i initially had the first bigger one and i LOVED it! Im a skin freak so i try everything. Within days i was getting compliments. Recently it broke and i swindled my husband into buying me a new one but i got the MIA 2 from QVC. Though i love that it does keep me clean i didnt get the same AMAZING clean feeling i got from the original one. I use the deep pore brush but it feels like the brush for sensitive skin. I can be a little rough with my skin (i exfoliate once a week with St Ives aproicot scrub which is a bit harsh) so i chalked it up to that. Though i continue to use it im not AMAZED ;(. You mentioned that you have oiler skin and exfoliate every day? From what i understand over exfoliating will make you oilier and prob another reason for the break outs.
Thanks for commenting! I have to admit that my skin is far less oily than when I was younger, but I do use a soft exfoliator cleanser daily that has done wonders for my skin. Since I switched to using Burts Bees Peach & Willowbark I hardly ever get breakouts. The Clarisonic did make my skin feel smooth and clean it was the actual motion of the brush that I think didn’t work for me. I had the same reaction to it when I had a facial done last year and they used the clarisonic. I left with great skin but days later broke out. I gave my MIA2 a good 4 months trying but I really never found it to help for my particular skin type.
I haven’t tried the Clarisonic, but I had the exact same reaction as you (small bumps in areas where I don’t usually break out) by switching to the Purity cleanser. That could be the culprit. I normally use the Ole Henrickson line, but wanted to try the Purity cleanser because I had heard so many great reviews, but I didn’t have a good reaction, so I’ve switched back. I would try the Clarisonic with a different cleanser (maybe the same one you currently use?) to see if that makes a difference.
Hi Dee, it may have been a contributing factor but unfortunately I had the same experience when I used it with my all time favorite face cleanser. I have since started to go to a certified aesthetician to get periodic cleanses, facials and photo facials. After talking to her she believes it was the clarisonic that just didnt agree with my skin and I need a softer approach that isn’t overly stimulating to the skin. I also wasnt a huge fan purity either, i didnt feel it got my face as clean as a cleanser like burts bees peach and willow bark. Good news is someone on ebay got it for a steal 🙂
Used my Clairsonic for several months and it seemed to be doing a fabulous job. Then recently I purchased the acne prone brush for it as I was still having occasional breakouts. I’m 41 so this seems completely unfair. 🙂 Anyway since I’ve been using the acne prone brush I have tiny pimples all over my face!! Not sure what to do here…utterly frustrating.
Sorry to hear this Jenna – I gave it another go ahead with a facial last month and told the lady to go very LIGHT with the clarisonic, yet again i came home a few days later with an under the skin blemish that left a dark mark. I am convinced I will never let one touch my skin again, it just doesn’t work with my skin at all.
I have been using this product and I have to say it really does clean all makeup off my face. I love how clean my skin is when I use it. I have really oily skin and have had acne before. This product has made my skin break out and I get whiteheads. I just cannot stop using it though as I dont feel anything else will take my makeup off at night. I do feel very betrayed by it though as I spent way more money on a product than I should of
I recently bought the Clarisonic Mia 2. I have extremely oily skin and I have been using it for a week now. I did get a bit of breakout on my skin but honestly so far so good. It’s acting really well for me. My skin feels way cleaner, even and smoother. I really liked your review, just praying it doesn’t turn out bad for my skin.
You will usually get an initial break out with any new skin regiment like this, don’t be afraid just get through it. For me, I gave it a few months to work but my skin got extremely sensitive to using it and the vibrations and rough ebrassion just wasn’t helpful for me. The most my skin can tolerate is the Burts Bees peach and willowbark scrub. Anything more will aggrevate my skin and cause breakouts.
I haven’t used that brush in over a year just because I was constantly forgetting to pick up a new brush head. Recently I’ve been breaking out around my nose. I remembered I had the brush, so went to sephora finally to purchase a sensitive brush head.. It’s been two days of using it and now I have tiny bumps on my chin. My period is coming on within a week so im blaming the acne in that.. But I’m really hoping this brush doesn’t make my skin go crazy. Worked before hope it works just as good a year later.
I just bought the MIA2 (4 days ago)and I’m not going to lie the first time I used it, my face felt amazing. I thought I was on my way to pure, clean skin. However, I have used it for the 3rd time. I skipped a day before this last use. My face went from amazing to all kinds of little pimples surfacing to my face. I have oily skin but don’t have acne. I do get an occasional pimple in my hairline or in my T-zone. I’m going to give it another week and if it doesn’t get better I’m going to quit using it. Then I can just be mad that I spent money on something that makes me breakout. So sad.
I have had exactly tge same reaction. Have been using for a month in the hope that my skin may get better, but it is honestly the worse it’s ever been. After reading your review I am going to stop using it. So disappointed; what a waste of money!
I have had exactly the same reaction. Have been using for a month in the hope that my skin may get better, but it is honestly the worse it’s ever been. After reading your review I am going to stop using it. So disappointed; what a waste of money!
i sold mine on ebay long ago, never looked back. It was just not good for my skin type. Even when I would go for a facial i warned them not to use it, and one lady did and i got a terrible cyst that left a scar :/
It gave me terrible breakouts that left me with a face full of blemishes that I now cover up with layers of make up. It’s sad that something that cost so much won’t help your skin!
My daughter got me one for my birthday; I was convinced I wanted one! She had one and just loved it. I am a 57 year old woman, and since having used the Clarisonic system; I have had the worst breakouts…very embarrassing for a mature woman of my age. I am going back to just using my old fashioned Abolene make-up remover and Cetaphil.
The Clarisonic mia 2 revealed the worst of worst conditions for my normal/slightly oily skin. After 8 weeks of everyday use, give or take a day or three, I’m CERTAIN there will never be an upside to this routine. I don’t want to touch it again but I invested 180! I will use it once a week tops. Glad to see that I’m not the only one who took the leap and fell hard.
you can always remove the brush and sell the unit on ebay, that is what i did.
Even though I am less than two weeks in with my Mia, this post describes my experience perfectly. Reading a TON of reviews, nervous to drop over $150+, no real difference the first week, and then BAM breakouts! So frustrating! I really want to push through the 30 day mark, but having pimples on your cheeks is mega embarrassing… Thanks for your post!
Dara
XO
http://www.peoniesandhoneybees.com
I used to love my Mia too. Normally I don’t have breakouts at all, just one particular bad spot. But my face broke out last week like you wouldn’t believe, and it was so bad I thought I was sick. Lol. It sounds like I have to get rid of it now.
Your blog validated what I’ve been thinking the entire time. I walked into Sephora and asked the esthetician for advice with my blackhead/large pore skin. She recommended the Clarisonic and off I was with my new Mia 2 and I was super excited. Mind you while I have blackheads I rarely got anything more than a small white head during period time. Almost IMMEDIATELY I had an enormous deep cystic mountain UNDER my chin. In an area I’ve never had a breakout I my life. I thought it was a fluke and kept with the Mia, I did spend almost $200 after all, after a few days my face has broken out in areas that I’ve never had acne before. Including my EYELIDS. Who breaks out on your eyelids!? Anyways, my Mia is going back in the box and hopefully back to the store. I am getting married in 15 days and I just hope I can get my face under control before the big day. All the money I spent on monthly facials wasted after a week of using the Clarisonic Mia 2.
i personally have never used one again and anytime i go for a facial i dont allow them to use it on me. i did a facial that they used the clarisonic and i got 2 cystic pimples. that NEVER happens to me and they left scars for over a year, now i never ever let anyone put it on my face
Holy cow!! I bought the Mia2 several weeks ago and have been breaking out a ton recently – in my forehead, nose, cheeks. I though it was my Burt’s Bee’s products, but I read these posts and will now be returning the Mia2. Never imagined that that would be the culprit! My skin is combo at this stage, used to be more dry, but getting much oiler on T-zone. I just turned 50 so a lot is changing:( I thought I was getting adult acne from menopause!! Am so bummed out, I enjoyed using it and thought it was a game changer! Aren’t pimples from clogged pores? How does irritation cause pimples? Huge, HUGE, sigh.
everyone’s skin is different. Sometimes the additional motions and “scrubbing” can cause oil production to increase so for me after buying one and then any time i ever had a facial with one i got breakouts and 1-2 cystic pimples that left scars for months. I highly recommend the FOREO cleansing device – I use that now and love it! http://amzn.to/2cBadO7
I’ve been using the Mia Fit since January, and I’ve had the most persistent breakouts in places I’ve never had issues with. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I’m shelving the Clarisonic for good.
I, too, found that the Clarisonic broke my face out. I have slightly sensitive, normal/dry skin. I’ve never had any problems using face scrubs, but every time I used the Clarisonic, a couple of days later, I would find my face breaking out. I have a great alternative for those that cannot use a Clarisonic, but still want a deep, thorough clean. Try the Oil of Olay Pro X facial brush or the Mary Kay Spinbrush. I own and love both of them. They have never broken my face out, and my skin stays clear and clean. They both do a fantastic job of getting down in your pores. Hope this helps!
i love the foreo it works great and no break outs
I am having a horrible reaction to he clarisonic mia 2 and the cleansers. I am currently broken out on my whole face hives, pimples, red blotches and painful pimples when my skin is generally clear. I am on the phone with them right now. its a hassle because ulta wont take it back because its opened and I cant find the receipt. I just want my money back for my time wasted and not being able to go out for two days because my face was a mess.
im sorry to hear that, i make sure to never use it even when i go for a facial. i tell them not to use it