Are you a total cleansing-brush rookie? Take this advice from facialist and beauty educator Stephnie-Anne Dickinson from Optiphi.

1/Get the right brush

It’s really important that the brush head doesn’t irritate or inflame your skin. The brush just needs to rest against your skin — no scrubbing or pressure is required. It’s best to use circular motions over the face.

2/Don’t worry if you break out

If you break out in spots or pimples when you first start using a facial brush — don’t worry, it’s a natural response. The underlying congestion needs to come up to the surface in order for your skin to heal.

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3/Prep your skin

As a preventative measure, start using a face wash with acne treatments, such as a salicylic or glycolic acid, before you use your brush for the first time. Using a suitable cleanser or exfoliator containing these acids as well as your brush will assist in healing and calming the skin. Try Optiphi Facial Cleanser (R689).

4/Ease the brush into your beauty routine slowly

Start using it once or twice a week at first and build up your use from there. Two to three times a week will be enough, daily use will be too much. Do not use on red or sensitive skin or on skin with broken capillaries.

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5/Never share your brush!

This will spread bacteria and lead to inflammation and breakouts. Always sanitise it thoroughly after every use by soaking it in a sterilising liquid.

6/Don’t go natural

Avoid natural coarse bristles and select artificial, soft, silicone-like bristles instead.

Looking for more? Here’s the number one mistake most of us are making with our face scrub.