This week, my trusty assistant and I have been trying out the Ultrasonic Scrub Device by TOUCHBeauty.
As the opening date of beauty salons keeps getting pushed back, sales of at home beauty devices are firmly on the up. Many of these devices started out strictly for salon use, but are now becoming available for use at home. If your pores are missing a good clear out via your regular facial, this is the kind of thing that’ll help.
Are you acquainted with exfoliating scrub devices? When TOUCHBeauty got in touch to ask me to review theirs, I must admit that I hadn’t heard of them at all. Turns out that they’ve been around for a few years now. They’re very different to any other type of exfoliator, using sonic technology to vibrate the debris from your pores.
Ultrasonic Scrub Device – what is it?
Essentially, this device is a type of facial massager that cleanses and exfoliates the skin like never before. It produces sonic vibrations up to 26,000 HZ per second which gently and throughly clear away dead skin and surface debris from pores.
Plus it’s simple to operate and very sleek and fancy looking, winning a Good Design Award in Japan.
This is what you get in the box:
In the middle is the device itself. As you can see it looks like a spatula mounted on to the body of an electric toothbrush. There are no buttons, since the device works via touch – simply tap lightly to turn on, and stroke the device upwards to increase intensity.
On the left is an elegant charging station/stand. There’s also a storage bag, a dedicated cleaning cloth and a USB charging cable. You need to charge it up for around 4 hours, then the device is good to go.
How does it work?
The Ultrasonic Scrub Device works via a double sided angled ‘blade’ which you pass over the skin. I’ve put that in inverted commas because there’s no sharpness to the blade and there’s no cutting or scraping of the skin. It’s a very gentle treatment which doesn’t hurt at all. The buzzing of the sonic vibrations takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s quite calming to use. Although it’s called a scrub device, it’s not scrubby in a harsh way, which is a good thing when your skin needs some TLC.
One side of the spatula blade (where it curves upwards) is for cleansing and exfoliating the skin. The downward curve is for massaging so that products penetrate better.
To use, turn the device on and place the blade on the skin at a 30° angle. Apply gentle but constant pressure, whilst moving it around the skin on to the areas you want to target.
You’ll see what I mean from this intro video:
It’s very important to use this device on wet skin. If the skin is too dry then the device may drag. If you’re using it in massage motion, apply on top of any serums, masks or moisturisers you’re using. You don’t need to use it every day – 2 to 4 times a week is plenty.
Here’s an excellent video by Youtuber Jayme Jo that shows the ultrasonic scrub device being used in more detail.
What will this device do for my skin?
It’s suitable for all skin types, but I think that people who are prone to blackheads will get the most out of it (literally). If you’re used to having facials with extractions and have been looking for a gentle way to perfom them at home, it’s even more for you.
It’s particularly good for red and rosacea-prone skin for whom other forms of exfoliation may be too harsh. If you find that microdermabrasian is too much for your skin, then this is a gentler alternative. It is not recommended for use over active acne.
I don’t have blackheads, but I am 51, so my skin doesn’t renew itself as well as it once did. This is why skin tends to lose its glow as we age – it’s just not turning over so well. So for me, I was looking for deep cleansing and gentle exfoliation, plus extra facial massage to help my skincare products work better.
And as luck would have it, the daughter was home from university and had brought a lovely crop of blackheads with her, so we put the ultrasonic scrub device to work. I’m now sending her back to uni with a blackhead-free nose. All in all, it was a successful trial. We both loved how smooth, glowy and fresh this device left our skin. (Yes we sanitised it between use. We’re not that feral).
Is it worth it?
I like the fact that this device is effective, easy and pleasant to use and is a good all rounder. It’s not a cheap device, but then beauty gadgets rarely are. Though they involve investing a chunk of change, if you compare them to the average salon facial then over time they can definitely be worth the investment.
Like any device, it’s only as effective as how regularly you use it. Though this will look pretty on your bedside table, it won’t do much for your skin if all you do is leave it there. So if you get one, make a plan to use it and let me know how you get on.
Product details
The TOUCHBeauty Ultrasonic Scrub Device is available here at the TOUCHBeauty website RRP $299 (approx £229). Use code Joanne Mallon to get 15% off.
*PR sample – this product was provided for the purposes of review, but all words and thoughts are my own.