Okay, okay – you know that I’m a sucker for a gadget. But when that gadget offers the possibility of replacing three or four shower/bath tools that take up space – I look at it as Simplification.
Oh, I resisted. I read reviews. I hesitated at the cost. But one thing instead of a bunch? I was drawn in by the allure of a simpler (and prettier) bath time ritual.
Enter the PMD Clean Body
I should probably start by mentioning that I was first introduced to the brand (PMD) by a trust friend. She switched me from using a brush (clairisonic) for facial cleansing to the PMD Clean Pro tool. It’s essentially the same thing as the PMD Clean Body but smaller – suitable for your face. The argument is that silicone is a better materials than bristles because it’s less prone to harboring bacteria and other things that can have a negative impact on skin health.
I was already “softened” to the idea of a silicone brush helping keep my face clean. What’s good for my face is good for my body, right?
This gadget is feature packed for its price tag. Though you can find some deals from time to time, the going rate is about $159. This includes the tool, the charger, three interchangeable heads and all of the features.
This comes in a variety of colors (I chose my signature blush pink!) and all of the things pictured above come with it.
The silicone bristles are integrated into the body of the brush. The rechargeable batteries to power are housed in the handle (and included) and are charged through a small silicone protected port in the base of the brush (through the metal). The heads are interchangeable (and replaceable) with magnets.
There is a silverscrub™ silver-infused loofah to stave off bacteria, an aluminum oxide exfoliator, and a Relax body massager head. Incorporated into the handle (with the touch of a button) is PMD’s SonicGlow™ technology that “breaks down dirt and oil from within the pores at 7,000 vibrations per minute while operating at a perfect frequency to lift, firm, and tone the skin”. It has four different vibration options and a travel feature that locks the tool from accidentally turning on during…well…travel.
Can It Replace All Of This?
My variety of accoutrements for bath/shower include a loofah, a washcloth, a pumice stone, and most recently a back strap loofah.
Loofah to Loofah
In a straight comparison between loofahs, I prefer the size and looseness of the solo loofah. That said, I really, really WANT to like the PMD Clean Body loofah. I like to scrub hard (perhaps harder than I should) so I found that the loofah on the PMD Clean Body kept popping off. The magnets are strong, but they have their limits. Sadly, this round goes to the solo loofah.
Silicone Brush Head to Washcloth
I’m actually not a fan of using a washcloth in the shower or bath. But I use them when I wash my face, neck, and chest which are too sensitive for the loofah. Because they can harbor bacteria, I use them once then put them into the wash. I start each day with a fresh facecloth. They are lovely for patting my face dry, but I far prefer the silicone brush head on the PMD Clean Body to take care of sensitive skin. Bonus, using the SonicGlow™ vibrations, I feel like my skin gets especially clean! This round goes to the PMD Clean Body brush.
Aluminum Oxide Exfoliator to Pumice Stone
I like the look of the small rose colored disc to the massive pumice stone wand. However, the pumice stone has two different surface grits to the PMD Clean Body’s one. My heels are nearly always a mess, despite my best efforts. I find that I use both sides of the pumice stone. The light exfoliation from the disc isn’t sufficient for my needs but I think it would work wonderfully for someone with less gnarly heels than I. I’m going to call this a draw because I think matching grit sides are equally paired between the two.
Handled Scrubber to Back Strap Loofah
The PMD Clean Body is 10″ long to the Aquis Back Scrubber which is almost 31″ long. I’m a very flexible person. However, I found that I really wanted the PMD Clean Body wand to be just a smidge longer to feel like I could reach every spot on my back. The other problem, at least for me, is the placement of the button on the PMD Clean Body wand. Whenever I use it on my back, I find that I end up hitting it and ultimately turning the vibration off (or on depending). The strap loofah was easier to use. Granted they are so totally different, it’s not really fair to judge them against each other. However, it does mean that I can’t swap out my Aquis Back Scrubber. This round to the back strap by a margin.
Massage Head to…Nothing
I don’t have a massage tool that I use regularly for sore muscles or with skincare. (Technically I have a massage gun, but that doesn’t really count and is WAY too different.) I like the idea of the massage head. I like the notion of pampering myself. I really like the idea of getting knots out of my muscles. However, this massage head is so gentle it doesn’t really work out kinks. As a tightly wound type-A personality, I have to say the massage head was a pass for me. I think for someone who loves a gentle massaging muscle vibration, this could be wonderful. As a person who loves DEEP therapeutic massage, a magnet massage head is never going to cut it for me. But since there is no comparison, I have to give this round to the PMD Clean Body!
Bottom Line
It’s a beautiful tool and I adore the idea of it. I love the feeling of the silicone housing and the brush head (that matches their face tool). But, for a person who is as particular about her shower accoutrement as I am, this won’t replace my other implements. Sadly it’s just a little too large to travel with as a replacement either – though if it was a longer trip, I would easily include it without a second thought!) I wish the handle was just a little longer and I wish the button were placed at the bottom so it couldn’t accidentally get pushed everytime I try to use this on my back.
While it wasn’t the perfection I was hoping for, this little beauty is staying on my go-to gift list for some gal pal pampering. I think for someone who isn’t as particular and wouldn’t splurge on themselves, this is a perfect gift, paired with some nice soap or bath oils. I can also see the advantage of the handle length for people who maybe aren’t as flexible and limber as I am. If you have trouble reaching down to scrub your feet or lower legs in the shower, for example, this might be the perfect little tool. And the interchangeable and replaceable heads mean this is a tool that can stay in the regular rotation if it’s right for you.
What do you think? Is this a gadget you’d buy for yourself or for a loved one?
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