Foreo Luna Mini 2 – Blackhead Shaker

Years ago, Clarisonic was the number one it-tool that had a lot of people praised for, including me. It was really great until it wasn’t. Even though I used the Sensitive and Delicate brush heads, in the end, my skin couldn’t handle it anymore. It started to get “thin” and raw, easily sensitized. I slowly reduced the usage before stopping it completely. It also coincided with the device completely broke down on me 🙁

Then, FOREO fever started to appear everywhere. Designed with a modern approach, the smart device has T-Sonic™ pulsations to deep cleanse while still being gentle on the skin and offers massaging while doing it. It uses nonporous, medical-grade silicone that resists bacteria buildup; definitely more hygienic compared to regular brushes. 100% waterproof. Now, the catch: the products are definitely expensive. FOREO has since branched out in creating other beauty devices, such as IRIS, UFO, etc.

It took me a good few years before finally bit the bullet last September 2018. Out of the different styles, I chose LUNA Mini 2. If you want to know why and (of course) how the product functions on me then keep on reading. Just a little note, if you’re not familiar with the device, then head on to FOREO’s website and get acquainted first.

It was rather confusing really about which ones to choose from. FOREO has many different styles and sizes with slightly different functions. You can check the selection at Sephora Indonesia. After weighing here and there, I decided to go with LUNA Mini 2 in Aquamarine, a nice bright blue. A secret here, I was a little bit bummed when they brought in the Sunflower Yellow not long after I purchased mine. I would’ve picked that one in a heartbeat!

I find LUNA Mini 2 has just the right size for my hands. Not too small and not too big. It’s not too heavy nor too lightweight that I’d feel it might be easy to fall if I accidentally knock it over. As far as the bristles part, FOREO calls it “touchpoints”, I felt LUNA Mini 2 covers my needs. I don’t need anything too specific such as LUNA 2 or LUNA Go where they offer different brush heads for different skin types.

LUNA Mini 2 has three different zones. The front area consists of two different sizes of touchpoints. The thinner one covers most of the area, basically doing most of the cleansing job here. The tip at the top has thicker touchpoints which is useful to reach the nooks and crannies, such as the sides of my nose and hairline. The back zone has broader and thicker touchpoints, just like the front tip. This is addressed for oilier skin, more of a deep cleansing so to speak. I like to use this part whenever I had slight congestion on certain areas of my face. The prone ones such as the areas with larger pores and the bottom part of my cheeks. The back zone is also curvier and less cushy than the front, so it’s not as comfortable as the flatter surface.

The front zone has two different touchpoints for allover cleansing and more precise area.

It really is that simple, one minute for every use and is set automatically in the device. 15 seconds for four parts of the face, the device will vibrate a little stronger and a small light will flicker to notify to move on to the next area. At the end of the one minute, it will vibrate three times. It won’t turn off on its own (but it will after 3 minutes), so we have to push the button ourselves.

How I use and take care of mine:

I use it in conjunction with the second cleanser, nighttime only. With damp skin, I apply the cleanser all over the face and neck first. Then I wet the device, flicking the excess water off and push the button, turning it on.

With circular motions, I start with the forehead first, then the left cheek, right cheek, and last the nose + chin area. I also like to run the device over the lips for some exfoliating action. Then I extend the use for my neck and decolletage as well. I avoid the eye area.

I let the device pulsate for a few seconds more while the water from the shower runs over it, brushing my fingers through the touchpoints. The vibration helps to get rid of the cleanser residue even easier. I turn it off and then pat it dry with a towel. I make sure to get in between the touchpoints while scouring if there’s any eyebrow hair or dry bits of my lips got stuck in between. I do this every single time after use.

WARNING: Avoid using clay-based, silicone-based or grainy cleansers, exfoliators or scrubs, to prevent damaging the silicone touchpoints and surface.

LUNA Mini 2 has 8 different speed settings, adjustable using the +/- buttons. I use the 6th or 7th speed, I can’t remember exactly which one. Each has a noticeably different pulsation intensity so it’s quite easy to find which one that I prefer. The lowest one is too mild and slow for my liking, so I do like the higher intensity. There’s more bite to it, if you know what I mean 😀

Another warning, if there is an active acne and a painful one, I don’t run the device over it as it may worsen the inflammation. I simply skip the area. Maybe, maybe if I lower the intensity, I could gently caress it, but I’m just going to stick to the safe route. Leave it alone. However, when the swelling had subsided, that’s when I dare to use over it.

Now, I’ve been using LUNA Mini 2 pretty much every single night since I bought it. And it has never irritated my skin, not even once. My skin has always felt smooth and soft afterward, never stripped or tight. That being said, I do opt for gentler cleansers as that’s my personal preference for daily cleansing anyway. The cleansers I use with LUNA Mini 2 are Skin Dewi Hazelnut/Raspberry Cleansing Milk, Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam EX and Trilogy Cream Cleanser. Neither of them ever stripped my skin even when I use the device.

It definitely doesn’t exfoliate the way my Clarisonic did. It’s so different. It’s much, much gentler on the skin and I still have yet reacted negatively to it *knock on wood*. I don’t even classify it as an exfoliating device. It offers an efficient, deeper cleanse without the adversities. I appreciate the fact that the touchpoints are blunt, so I don’t feel my skin is being pricked continuously with regular brushes. I look forward to using it every night because of the pleasant experience.

I’m actually brave enough to use a purifying mask or exfoliating/acid toner afterward. I don’t combine them together every single night, mind you. If any, I find that using the LUNA Mini 2 increases the efficacy of the other skincare products. For instance, I find that my pores looked even cleaner after using LUNA Mini 2 and a purifying mask, but not drier than usual. It’s insane but it’s true!

This is why I’m calling LUNA Mini 2 the blackhead shaker. For the lack of better words, I visualize the pulsations are shaking and wiggling the blackheads (and dirt for that matter) out. Of course, this result is boosted when I incorporate the right skincare with it, with BHA products such as Bravura Salicylic Acid 2% or COSRX One Step Original Clear Pads. These products help to break down and loosen up the blackhead entities, making them easier to clean. Also retinol, I’m using For Skin’s Sake Retinol Serum. By nature, retinol makes the skin to regenerate from within, increasing the cell turnover’s rate, boosting collagen production, retexturizes and also pushing the hidden comedones out. With the help of the device, it makes the job twice as efficient!

I know manual extraction isn’t the best solution but I did notice whenever I needed to extract something, it came out a lot easier and usually in one piece. I got amazed every time I see a random blackhead suddenly show up. It must’ve been hiding inside the skin for quite a while. Please read this with a grain of salt. I’m not recommending anyone to do extractions on their own. You have to know the risk before even attempting to do it.

LUNA Mini 2 doesn’t have the flat back to massage the skin, unlike Luna 2. I didn’t look for the massage feature anyway because I have other massaging tools in my arsenal. That being said, I believe the T‑Sonic™ pulsations and the circular motions during cleansing mean I get to also increase blood circulations in the skin, somehow. Obviously, it’s not going to be as effective as regular face massage, but it sort of jump starts the process I suppose.

After using Luna Mini 2 consistently for 7 months, I can say that my skin rarely suffers from congestion now. Even if it did, the congestion went away quicker, barely with any inflammation that usually follows with it. The difference may not be that obvious, but I can see there are less small bumps on the surface of my skin. Overall, it looks smoother and more even. The result is, again, accumulative, hand-in-hand with my skincare routine.

Cleaner skin, better skincare absorption, better circulation to carry all the nourishing ingredients — I’m definitely getting more than what I imagined from just a cleansing tool!

The price of LUNA Mini 2 is IDR 2,370,000 at Sephora Indonesia. In the end though, I didn’t regret purchasing it. I find it to be really helpful and beneficial in my cleansing and skin as a whole. A great addition on top of my existing skincare routine. For me, it is indeed the better alternative to the Clarisonic. I don’t have to keep replacing the brush, so no extra cost there. It’s much easier to clean and maintain. The fact that I still haven’t charged the device again, not once since the very first time, that’s mind-blowing!

Now, the question is do you need one?
This is tough to answer. I’ll say this, if it’s not within your budget, then my suggestion is no need to run or force yourself to purchase it. I’m all for sticking with the budget and not falling for trends (especially expensive ones). If you have the budget and willing to spend that much while also accepting the risk that it could be a total meh for you, then go for it. Sounds fair, eh?

Because I did the same and fortunately the purchase is justified 🙂