The skin care shake-up you need if you've always been mean to your skin.

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I’ve always been kind of mean to my skin.

I put it through a lot, you see. Sweaty gym sessions, freezing cold skiing holidays, super-windy surfing and sailing sessions, long walks in the sunshine – the list goes on.

And yet I haven’t taken particularly good care of my skin over the years. I haven’t always stuck to my nightly cleansing routine and I haven’t always taken my make-up off properly.

I definitely haven’t invested in proper products for my skin. Until four weeks ago, I was using a mix of free products from work, cheap products I’d picked up from the supermarket and nice products I’d snaked from mum (thanks mum!).

I never bothered with a cleansing routine in the morning, only at night. After cleansing, I’d use a bit of rosehip oil and maybe a bit of eye cream if I could be bothered. Very occasionally, I’d exfoliate, and maybe get a facial once every couple of years.

My skin was not terrible, but also not great. It was dehydrated and dry to touch. It was dull, and always required some illuminator and foundation to brighten it up. And I would invariably at least have one break-out on my face at all times, even if it was just a small one.

But then the Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush came into my life and changed it all up. Now, the skin on my face is so soft that I would like to personally invite you all over to my house to touch and admire it.

Okay… not really. That would be a bit weird. But I do find myself randomly touching my face and admiring how much it’s changed in just a few weeks.

But let’s get back to the beginning and talk through all of this. In fact, I’ve taken it upon myself to answer all of the questions that I imagine you have about the brush.

What is this amazing brush thing?

It’s the latest from Clinique – a cleansing brush that is so gentle that you can use it on your skin every day. It works in conjunction with their 3-step system, which consists of a cleanser, exfoliator and moisturiser and aims to give a deep cleanse to your skin and lift off dirt and make-up that wouldn’t be reached with hand-washing alone.

The result? Your skin is squeaky-clean in a way that it’s probably never been before, and all products you use on your skin are far better absorbed.

How are you supposed to use it all?

You start by using the brush once per day – at night is best – and then also using it in the morning.

Start the process by removing your make-up with a wipe or a liquid make-up remover. Then apply some liquid facial soap to the head of your brush, turn it on, and massage the brush around your face. Clinique suggests massaging your cheeks for 15 seconds and your T-zone for another 15 seconds.

When the brush turns itself off after 30 seconds, rinse the brush head and put it down so that you can exfoliate and moisturise. You should start by using it for 30 seconds each time, then if your skin can handle it you can move up to 60 seconds of cleansing in a session. And then you’re done. You are ready for your usual, boring but important floss-and-brush routine.

Don’t worry about the brush being damp, either – the bristles contain an anti-microbial technology which keeps them clean and germ-free. And the brush itself is completely waterproof so there is no risk of accidental electrocution at any point – even if you’re using it in the shower.

That sounds like a lot of steps, I don’t know if I can be bothered with it all…

I am the queen of Can’t Be Bothered Land and yet I’m completely obsessed. The process is quick, easy and leaves your skin feeling so clean and fresh that you get a bit addicted to the feeling. And the massaging brush feels so gentle on your skin that I often found myself turning it back on for another 30 seconds after it automatically switched itself off.

I don’t know, I travel a lot and I’m not sure I can really drag a brush along with me…

I had the same concern – after all, I was going to be spending most of July overseas and didn’t really have the baggage allowance to be lugging a whole lot of extra things along with me.

Luckily, the brush battery life is rechargeable and excellent. One charge lasts 3 hours, and considering you’re only using it for 30 seconds a day, the brush lasts weeks without having to go back on the charger. The brush itself is lightweight and small, and a little bit of product goes a long way.

So your skin is nicer now?

Indeed. I have been putting my skin through its usual paces – crazy outdoor activities, etc. – and it’s been happier than ever before. I’m possibly the only person that has made it through winter with softer skin than they had in summer. I think it’s largely due to the fact that my skin is much cleaner than usual and can therefore absorb moisturiser much more effectively. Also, I haven’t been breaking out nearly as much – my pores aren’t so clogged from a build-up of make-up and dirt.

What do you do to keep your skin happy?