Some products show up everywhere — subway ads, Instagram, celeb endorsements. With this series, we're testing such products to conclude one thing: Does it live up to the hype?
What’s everyone talking about?
PMD, one of the most popular skincare tool brands in the beauty space, released a new version of their fan-favorite cleansing brush: the PMD Clean Body. It's a 10-inch-long in-shower electric brush that can be used daily to cleanse, exfoliate, and massage your entire body.
What’s the buzz about?
We love a good facial cleansing brush, but until recently, there haven't been many good body brush options available that provide a deep, exfoliating cleanse from the neck down. The PMD Clean Body is meant to change that.
From the creators of the viral PMD Microderm Device, this body brush has various settings and attachments to cleanse, exfoliate, and massage the user from head to toe. It's a triple-threat beauty tool that’ll add a soothing, relaxing moment to your shower, no matter how much (or rather, how little) time you have to wash up.
Where’s all the hype coming from?
- PMD's over 100K followers on Instagram.
- Rave reviews for PMD's products from Byrdie, Real Simple, and more.
- It's everywhere on social media.
So does it live up to the hype?
How’d we come to this conclusion?
When my skin's in need of a good cleansing, one of my go-to solutions is to use an exfoliator. Exfoliating is pretty much an umbrella term that can cover different forms of products: body scrubs, loofahs, scrubby mitts, you name it. But when it comes to combatting body acne and ingrown hairs, I require a deeper exfoliation that makes me feel like I'm shedding a full layer of skin — which I'm sure many skincare experts would advise against, but it's my prerogative!
On my hunt for the deepest exfoliator on the planet, I came across the PMD Clean Body, a head-to-toe bathtime tool that's meant to cleanse, exfoliate, and massage. Yes, you read that correctly: Not only does it promise thorough exfoliation, but it also acts as your personal, in-shower masseuse (without actually having a masseuse in your shower, which would be weird).
This device debuted just last year, and I’ve had the pleasure of testing it out since its inception. After a few months of using it, I have some thoughts. While it’s not exactly an essential buy, the PMD Clean Body is still a nice little luxury for treating yourself.
Now, let’s get into the specs: This rechargeable body scrubber uses PMD’s proprietary SonicGlow Technology to break down dirt and oil from within your pores at a whopping 7,000 vibrations per minute. The Clean Body also has four customizable modes and a silicone brush head that’s suitable for all skin types to use.
Additionally, this body tool also comes with interchangeable, magnetic heads, which you can use on the flip side of the silicone brush head. They include a silver-infused loofah for light exfoliation, the aluminum oxide exfoliator to slough away rough patches on your heels, elbows, and more, and the body massager attachment for treating yourself to a relaxing massage that you can use in and out of the shower. And as you probably guessed by now, the Clean Body and all of its attachment heads are waterproof.
When I first brought this nifty tool into my shower, one of the first things that caught my attention was how surprisingly light it was for such a high-tech device. That's all thanks to its ergonomic design, which is meant to be easy to maneuver, especially in hard-to-reach areas. And judging by its elongated shape and silicone build, I know what you're thinking (because my boyfriend thought the same thing): No, it is not a dildo — nor is it a vibrator, and it can't be used as either of them. If you're in the mood for something sexier in the shower, I suggest heading here.
Now, on to the actual scrubbing: When it came down to it, the PMD Clean Body just didn't do enough for me. I didn't mind it, but I felt like I still had to use a body scrub afterward to finish the job. Even on its highest sonic speed, it felt like a slight tickle. But it still lathered my body wash nicely.
As for the attachment heads, the polish head was perfect for getting into my heels, elbows, and the side of my big toe which gets quite callused (TMI), so that was definitely my favorite attachment of the bunch. The loofah head was also quite nice, and it did give me that deeper scrub that I crave. Unfortunately, my least favorite attachment had to be the massage head — because when I need a massage, I need a deep massage to get all of my knots out and to feel fully relaxed, and this one just didn't do it for me.
While I did overall enjoy my experience with the Clean Body, I don't think it's the end-all-be-all of body scrub brushes. Plus, considering the fact that it's a rather pricey $150, budget-conscious shoppers shouldn't worry about missing out on this option.
What’s the bottom line?
If your usual loofah or exfoliating body tool does your skin justice, then feel free to stick to them. However, if you want to treat yourself to a little luxury item in the shower, then you should check out the PMD Clean Body — it's not life-changing, but it certainly feels nice.
