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CLEANSING BRUSHES

FORGET face wipes, fancy foaming cleansers or a plain old bar of soap, the best and most effective way of cleaning your face is with an electronic cleansing brush.

Rather like a big electric toothbrush for your skin, these brushes are to be used with your normal cleanser and slowly wiped across the face as the bristles vibrate.

They are thought to remove up to six times more dirt than manual cleansing. And with gentle settings and changeable brush heads for sensitive skin, they are better for more mature skin.

U.S. brand Clarisonic was the first to launch its at-home cleansing brush in the UK in 2009. One of its most popular models is the Clarisonic Aria (£155, clarisonic.co.uk).

It has a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second, with three speed settings — from gentle exfoliation for sensitive or dry skin to faster settings that can remove long-wear make-up. For a cheaper alternative, Magnitone Barefaced facial cleansing brush (£49, magnitone.co.

uk), which is also available in pink, looks strikingly similar.

It works with unique oscillating and vibrating movements and has two speed settings. You use it for just one minute a day.

You should notice that your usual serums and moisturisers are absorbed into your skin far better than ever before.