Thorough but boring skin care device
I struggled to understand what this product did, how to use it and if it was worth it. At the time I ordered, reviews were rather brief, so I thought I could review it in a more detailed way: basically the information I'd have liked to have known.<br /><br />What does it do?<br />They claim it cleans, moisturizes, pats and pore reduces. In my experience, it is best used between cleansing and moisturizing, if you want to be super thorough about your skin care routine. I like to think of it as something that removes anything the cleanser left behind, and preps the skin for even greater moisturizing.<br /><br />How does it work?<br />There are four modes.  To paraphrase: the cleansing mode, the patting mode, the moisturizing mode and the icing mode. These are reflected as indicator lights (top to bottom in the order mentioned). Each mode takes 3 minutes each (approx) but can be manipulated by the first button if you want to get done with a mode early (pressing it will take you to the next mode). You are supposed to  gently rub the device over your face with the bare, or cotton wrapped plate in contact with your skin.<br /><br />What does it feel like?<br />You won't feel any of the first 3 modes, in terms of sensation but they make a soft brrrr sound punctuated with breaks: short pulses = cleansing mode, long pulses = moisturizing mode. The last mode makes the plate cold which reduces pores or creates a refreshing sensation.<br /><br />What do you use with such things?<br />Firstly, you'll need thin, flat cotton discs or squares. These days they seem to be available even at local drug stores but you can order Korean or Japanese brands on this site.<br /><br />For product: a  watery toner, emulsion and serum that is slathered on that cotton and affixed on the plate with plastic rings (that they provide) or applied directly to your face.  I am going to qualify that. For the first phase, a cleansing toner or micellar water works best, but use it after removing makeup. The second phase is the trickiest because you are supposed to use the naked plate directly on your skin and serums will absorb into your skin causing the plate to tug. Hence, instead of using it bare, I use product infused cotton for this phase as well(anything from Missha first essence to Vitamin C serum to a sample of SKII. Basically any liquid active will work.) The third phase is when you add a watery moisturizer, not a milk. I use a HA based watery moisturizer. Amazon has things like Hado Labo Goku Jyun water, Hera Aquabolic, or Skinfood lettuce watery toner. Basically if it says it adds moisture and it looks like water, it will work. Then you do the icing mode. Then you can apply the rest of your skin care routine: I just add a facial oil and call it a day.<br /><br />Isn't that a lot of work?<br />That is the reason for the docked star. Not that it takes a long time, because they are upfront about that and it is silly to dock a star for the central premise of the product. But the process is not pleasurable. You feel nothing, so you are just sitting there rubbing this on your face for at least 12 minutes.  The cleansing mode is a little gratifying because you will see all the stuff the Clarisonic left behind, but the rest of it? Not so much. These days I use only the cleansing mode, followed by two presses to the button to the moisturizing mode, and call it a day. Four minutes I can do and it has been wonderful for my skin. I don't know whether it is the technology or the prolonged contact with beneficial ingredients, but my skin glows as long as I am keeping it up.
Rating: 4 stars