Spring Skin Detox: Clarisonic & Opal
Dr. M. of Best Picks Magazine Shares Her Top Ways To Give Yourself the Gift of Renewal This Spring...
Dr. M's Top Picks: Clarisonic $225, Clarisonic Opal $245, Lisa Hoffman Vitamin A & C Serum $95, Sea Salt crystals, MD Skincare Purifying Bath Crystals with Himalayan Salt $20, SpaRitual Affirming Scrub Masque $28., D.L. & Co. candle $35, Bellora Robe $34.
Ultrasonic technology has been around for quite some time for use in cleaning jewelry and optics. The same inventor of the Sonicare Toothbrush has developed the Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System utilizing the benefits of sonic action.
I tested the Clarisonic Plus Skin Care System and Spot Therapy Kit which comes with brush attachments for face and body. The kit also came with sample sized Clarisonic cleansers to use with the unit. The ergonomic brush offers three speeds which make it versatile for the face, neck, arms and decollete.
The Face Off
After the first use with the sensitive brush which came with the unit, I noticed that my skin felt smooth, deeply cleansed and refreshed. I did notice a few minor breakouts the next day but they quickly cleared up without much fuss and the T-TIMER is customizable so you can start more gently if you wish. Just like my Sonicare Toothbrush, the unit beeps as you complete cleansing the quadrants of your face. 1 minute and you're done.
The Body Beautiful
The Clarisonic Plus Skin Care System is completely immersible and comes with the Spot Treatment Body Brush attachment. The clear brush head holders make it easy to exchange the face with the body brush. No need to adjust your settings when you go from face to body. The Clarisonic handle senses when the body brush has been attached and will give you 3 minutes of steady or pulsing cleansing action. Your settings are remembered for each use so there is no need to reset anything when change brush heads. The recharging cradle holds the unit safely in place and the lights on the back of the handle indicate when a full charge is obtained.
The Wrap
The Clarisonic Plus Skin Care System and Spot Therapy Kit retails for $225 at the Clarisonic Website
This is a bargain really as this same skin cleansing technology is used in many upscale day spas. I am no stranger to such spa visits as well as European Facials. The results I've obtained from just a week of using the Clarisonic Plus Skin Care System and Spot Therapy Kit are impressive to say the least. I highly recommend it as a special gift for yourself, a bridal or Mother's Day Gift. Rating A-
NEW Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion System
This is Clarisonic's newly released unit designed as a follow-up to their Sonic Skin Care and Cleansing System. One of the benefits of sonic cleansing is that your skin is more receptive to absorption of face creams and Vitamin C Serums. Less product is needed because your skin is exfoliated, the pores are cleansed and more receptive of products applied to the upper epidermis.
The Clarisonic Opal comes with its own Anti-Aging Sea Serum which is paraben free and gentle enough to use every day. The primary target zone for this product is around the eyes but I see no reason why it can not also be used on the nasal labial folds between the nose and mouth.
Skincare to Go
Perhaps what I like best about the Opal is the compactness of the unit. The Anti-Aging Sea Serum Dispenser magnetically attaches to the top of the device, protecting both it and the soft applicator. It comes with a chic carry pouch for travel but it also can be used to store the Opal between uses on top of your vanity. The Opal comes with a unique, flat magnetic charger, similar to the ones sold with the newer cellphones. The pale blue light on the unit with flash while recharging and glow steadily when fully charged.
Pampered Treatment
Everyone knows that the area around the eyes is the most delicate and excessive pulling and tugging are to be avoided. After applying just a drop of serum on the soft applicator, use the Opal to massage under eye for the timed 30 seconds. Repeat on the other eye area. I have noticed after only two applications, fine lines appear filled in and smooth. The effects appear to be cumulative but it is recommended to be used morning and evening. When used after the Clarisonic facial brush, one drop of serum was all that was needed for the entire under eye area.
The Wrap
The price of the Opal Sonic Infusion System sells for $245 at the Clarisonic Website While that may be a bit pricey for a relatively simple massaging unit, it does come with the Anti-Aging Sea Serum Dispenser. You will need to buy more over time and that can add to the per use cost of the unit. However, the Opal is sleek, elegant and very well thought out. I think it would make a fine gift for a more mature, discriminating woman who may be seeing the first signs of aging which generally appear around the eyes. A young woman may not bother to use the unit very often or pay to replace the serum dispenser when empty. Even so, it think it is the perfect companion for the Clarisonic Skincare System as proper cleansing is only half the battle. Rating B+
by Contributing Editor Dr. M Image: MAM for GaveThat.com
Also Read:
- Dr. M's "Shake Off Winter Weight" At Best Picks Magazine
- Clarisonic Pink Mia & Clarisonic Plus for Breast Cancer
I tested the Clarisonic Plus Skin Care System and Spot Therapy Kit which comes with brush attachments for face and body. The kit also came with sample sized Clarisonic cleansers to use with the unit. The ergonomic brush offers three speeds which make it versatile for the face, neck, arms and decollete.
The Face Off
After the first use with the sensitive brush which came with the unit, I noticed that my skin felt smooth, deeply cleansed and refreshed. I did notice a few minor breakouts the next day but they quickly cleared up without much fuss and the T-TIMER is customizable so you can start more gently if you wish. Just like my Sonicare Toothbrush, the unit beeps as you complete cleansing the quadrants of your face. 1 minute and you're done.
The Body Beautiful
The Clarisonic Plus Skin Care System is completely immersible and comes with the Spot Treatment Body Brush attachment. The clear brush head holders make it easy to exchange the face with the body brush. No need to adjust your settings when you go from face to body. The Clarisonic handle senses when the body brush has been attached and will give you 3 minutes of steady or pulsing cleansing action. Your settings are remembered for each use so there is no need to reset anything when change brush heads. The recharging cradle holds the unit safely in place and the lights on the back of the handle indicate when a full charge is obtained.
The Wrap
The Clarisonic Plus Skin Care System and Spot Therapy Kit retails for $225 at the Clarisonic Website
This is a bargain really as this same skin cleansing technology is used in many upscale day spas. I am no stranger to such spa visits as well as European Facials. The results I've obtained from just a week of using the Clarisonic Plus Skin Care System and Spot Therapy Kit are impressive to say the least. I highly recommend it as a special gift for yourself, a bridal or Mother's Day Gift. Rating A-
NEW Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion System
This is Clarisonic's newly released unit designed as a follow-up to their Sonic Skin Care and Cleansing System. One of the benefits of sonic cleansing is that your skin is more receptive to absorption of face creams and Vitamin C Serums. Less product is needed because your skin is exfoliated, the pores are cleansed and more receptive of products applied to the upper epidermis.
The Clarisonic Opal comes with its own Anti-Aging Sea Serum which is paraben free and gentle enough to use every day. The primary target zone for this product is around the eyes but I see no reason why it can not also be used on the nasal labial folds between the nose and mouth.
Skincare to Go
Perhaps what I like best about the Opal is the compactness of the unit. The Anti-Aging Sea Serum Dispenser magnetically attaches to the top of the device, protecting both it and the soft applicator. It comes with a chic carry pouch for travel but it also can be used to store the Opal between uses on top of your vanity. The Opal comes with a unique, flat magnetic charger, similar to the ones sold with the newer cellphones. The pale blue light on the unit with flash while recharging and glow steadily when fully charged.
Pampered Treatment
Everyone knows that the area around the eyes is the most delicate and excessive pulling and tugging are to be avoided. After applying just a drop of serum on the soft applicator, use the Opal to massage under eye for the timed 30 seconds. Repeat on the other eye area. I have noticed after only two applications, fine lines appear filled in and smooth. The effects appear to be cumulative but it is recommended to be used morning and evening. When used after the Clarisonic facial brush, one drop of serum was all that was needed for the entire under eye area.
The Wrap
The price of the Opal Sonic Infusion System sells for $245 at the Clarisonic Website While that may be a bit pricey for a relatively simple massaging unit, it does come with the Anti-Aging Sea Serum Dispenser. You will need to buy more over time and that can add to the per use cost of the unit. However, the Opal is sleek, elegant and very well thought out. I think it would make a fine gift for a more mature, discriminating woman who may be seeing the first signs of aging which generally appear around the eyes. A young woman may not bother to use the unit very often or pay to replace the serum dispenser when empty. Even so, it think it is the perfect companion for the Clarisonic Skincare System as proper cleansing is only half the battle. Rating B+
by Contributing Editor Dr. M Image: MAM for GaveThat.com
Also Read:
- Dr. M's "Shake Off Winter Weight" At Best Picks Magazine
- Clarisonic Pink Mia & Clarisonic Plus for Breast Cancer
Comments