We Tried the PMD Clean Smart Facial Cleansing Device—But Does It Actually Work?

Ever since adolescence, acne has been our skin’s arch nemesis. While topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid work well for some, they can be too harsh for others. Enter: Blue light, which just might be the secret weapon we’ve been looking for, as it’s been shown to help clear up your skin without the drying effects.

On this episode of Take My Money, PureWow creator Kate Kesselman tests the viral PMD Clean Smart Facial Cleansing Device ($172; $229), which uses LED blue light, to see if it really helps clear up existing acne and prevent future breakouts.

Watch the video below to see her honest review. 

The episode opens with Kesselman introducing us to the benefits of using blue light on your skin. “For context, the reason why this device uses blue light is because blue light has been shown to help destroy bacteria that can cause acne, so this is supposed to help prevent acne and future breakouts,” she explains in the video. (While research is somewhat limited here, a 2009 study of 21 people found that blue light treatments can significantly reduce breakouts.)

She adds that another nice feature about the PMD device is that it's also a face-washing tool. "You have all of these little bristles on the back of the device" that you can turn on with the click of a button, which activates different cleansing modes.

Kessleman shares that she's been walking outdoors a lot more recently, and the device has been especially helpful at cleansing her skin of grime at the end of the day. She says,"I feel like I'm actually getting deep down into my skin and really cleaning it."

Watch the episode above to get her full review of the device, including her PureWow rating for it and the final verdict on whether or not it actually keeps her skin clear.