Olay made quite a splash in their magazine ads comparing their Olay Pro-X battery-powered cleansing brush to a competing version that sells for $200. Although the ads didn’t name names, there’s no doubt that they were comparing their inexpensive cleansing brush option to their competitor, the Clarisonic Mia cleansing brush. But price difference aside, what is the difference between these two cleansing brushes? And if there is one, does it make one actually better than the other?! We put the two brushes against each other and let them battle it out for the title of best cleansing brush on the market! Let’s first take a look at the specifications of these two brushes:
Olay’s Pro-X Advanced Cleansing Brush
- 2 speed, rotating/spinning system- brush head moves 4-5 times per second
- Water-resistant
- Soft replaceable brush head gentle on the skin
- Easy to use
Clarisonic Mia 1 Cleansing Brush
- Single speed, suitable for all skin types- called “Universal speed”- patented technology where brush’ bristles move back and forth at a rate of more than 3o0 times per second
- Water-resistant
- Easy to use: 1 button, 1 speed, for just one minute of cleansing speed across different areas of the face
- Interchangeable brush head- find the right brush head for your skin type
- 1 year warranty
Straight off the bat, you can see that both of these brushes are water resistant, simple to use, and rechargeable. So what could possible explain the huge price difference between these two products, and what exactly does make one brush better than the other? The answer is quite simple, although it makes a world of difference: it all comes down to Clarisonic’s amazing “Universal” speed technology. What sets the Clarisonic apart and its price worth paying, is the number of times its brush moves per second. The more times the brush head moves per second, the less abrasive it will be on the skin. Olay’s brush features bristles that move back and forth or rotate anywhere from four to five times a second, while with the Clarisonic, the bristles do this more than 300 times a second! This not only guarantees you’re getting a deep cleanse, but that you’re doing so without stripping your skin of essential moisture and without damaging what may be sensitive skin. Another plus of the Clarisonic is the interchangeable brush head features, which allows the user to further customize their cleansing experience, an option that the Olay brush does not offer.
Although the price difference between these brushes is substantial, it makes the difference between a proper and deep cleanser and one that is less effective and abrasive on your skin.