Size: The Olay Pro-X is about half the size of the Clarisonic. This is actually better in many ways. It is easier to hold, lightweight, it fits in my shower caddy easily without dropping, you can travel with it very easily. I think this is my favorite part about the differences. It also makes the brush head much smaller, which has a different effect. Of course, the motor is at least half the size as well, and this effects how this feels. I can't actually say it is better or worse than the Clarisonic, it's just different. It is like getting a Sweedish massage (Olay) as opposed to a deep tissue massage (Clarisonic).
Cleansing Products: The Olay cleansing formula has tiny granules and is exfoliating. The Clarisonic cleansers are gels and the specifically say that you cannot use exfoliating cleansers with granules on theirs - most likely because the motor is stronger and it will scratch your skin. I really liked the way my skin felt after using the Olay product. I felt sparkling clean and my skin was shining.
Versatility: This is where I love my Clarisonic more. Since I bought the pro, I can use it on my body, and have different size brush heads and change the timing. Is it worth 10x more the price? Not necessarily. The Olay Pro-X has two speeds, you don't really need more than that. But I do love having the option of using the full body brush on the Clarisonic. Also, there is slightly more control with the Clarisonic since it is sturdier, the ProX does slide a bit, though not excessively so. You can still maintain some control with the Por-X though not as much.
Charging: The Pro-X uses two double-A batteries that it comes with. It was a bear to take the battery case off, but once I did it was fine, and it doesn't need recharging that often. I use the best batteries in the world, eneloopSanyo Eneloop 8 Pack AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteriesand I'm good to go for several weeks. The Clarisonic has a charging holder that you plug into the wall, you don't need to change the batteries, but you do need to find a place in your home to park it for an hour or so every week. I prefer having the double A rechargeable option of the Olay. It also makes it so much easier to travel with.
Please note: It is not that easy to figure out how to install the batteries, and there are no instructions. You might not want to pull open the wrong part of your product for fear of breaking it. I had to call the company to figure it out, and I've had a couple of people email me to ask me, so here goes: Hold the product with your right hand by the top/sides of the handle with the brush head facing down. Keep holding firmly with your right hand, while with your left you pull the handle away from you. The top part of the handle comes off to load the batteries.
The bottom line: I think the Olay Pro-X is a steal. If you are on the fence about which to buy this or the Clarisonic, and you only need it for your face and not your body, you will probably be better off saving your money and going with this! Personally, I am glad I have both. This is definitely worth the investment!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?172 of 178 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, January 3, 2011 This review is from: Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System (Misc.) I was looking for something like this but I didn't want to spend $200 on the other brand when I wasn't sure it would work. For $30 I can take a bit of a chance. I have been using this brush since Christmas Eve and I am amazed at how much better my skin looks. At 56, zits and clogged pores that just dodn't want to go away are pretty much on the mend. Imbedded black heads have disappeared. I wouldn't use this more than once a day because it tends to dry out my skin. Hydrate after you use this. In short, I'm really glad I bought this cleaning system. A little instruction about how often to change the brush head would be nice, but I can live without it. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?
109 of 114 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars looking for a cheaper clarisonic?, January 6, 2011 This review is from: Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System (Misc.) I am mid 20s and have very congested but dry/sensitive skin. No matter how many face cleansers I would use, I would get out of the shower and still my face would have make up and not feel or look clean. I became more and more interested in the clarisonic mia brush (the cheapest model) but that week I saw an ad for this Olay brush. WOW. my skin has not felt so smooth before in my life. my skin is still problematic but I do not experience the awful flakiness that perpetuated my problem skin! when i use my witch hazel toner, there is NO make up or grime in my cotton cosmetic pad. If you want a deap clean, this is for you. I was surprised the brushes are not crazy expensive, but there is no detail on how often they suggest you to replace them. I'll use my own judgement on that. Love that I can leave this in the shower and not worry about it possibly getting wet or having any place where I need to plug it in. Great value if you think about the amount we ladies spend on face products. I love the sample cleanser in the box, a little goes a long way. I may think about purchasing that when it is empty.
Thoroughly wet your beard before you start shaving: Use a little warm water to wet your beard thoroughly. This should be done at least 5 minutes in advance. People with sensitive skin should shave after the shower and not before it. Shaving off wet hair is easier. Your razor blade will cause less skin damage in that case.Always use a sharp razor blade: It is very important to use a sharp razor blade if you have a sensitive skin. Old or used razor blades can cause a lot of pulling and irritation. Your skin will suffer more damages in such cases. Dull razor blades are likely to cause a burning sensation. These blades do not glide smoothly over the skin. They will just chafe the skin as you try to remove the beard.Do not use common shaving products: People with sensitive skin should always buy products that are labeled as "perfume free" or dry free. Chances of an adverse reaction are much less if you use safe products. Commercial products that are especially labeled for sensitive skin have ingredients with lower pH value. Experts recommend products with natural ingredients for people who have sensitive skin. Also, you should look for products that have butyle paraben or methyl paraben as preservatives. In any case, you should avoid products with botanical or antibacterial ingredients. Your skin will be more supple and well hydrated if you moisturize it properly.Lather up no matter where you are shaving: Whether you are shaving your beard, legs or underarms, you must remember to lather properly. You can use a mild soap with low pH or a shaving cream labeled "for sensitive skin".Have patience: Don't be in a hurry when you start shaving sensitive skin areas. Never run the razor blade over skin areas that have been shaved off already. You will end up with burning sensations or itching immediately if you run the blade over areas that you have shaven already. It is fine to spend an additional five minutes to shave slowly and avoid extremely irritating consequences including redness, dehydration and blotchiness.Try to shave less: Your skin will burn a lot less if you apply fewer strokes with your razor blade. Apply effective and careful strokes every time.Do not shave against the hair growth: You should always shave in the direction of the growth of hair. Less pulling and irritation takes place when you apply razor blade strokes along the grain of hair growth. Shaving in the opposite direction will lead to irritation almost immediately.Leave potentially dangerous areas: Hair over a sensitive skin will protrude a little more than normal if you go on pulling and stretching. Chances of ingrown hair are pretty high if you shave over the stretched skin area.Exfoliate on a regular basis: You should use a good exfoliating cleanser at least once a week. This way, your skin will get rid of dead skin-cells that cause damage. Also, trapped hairs on the sensitive skin are freed by dead cell removal.Do not temper existing bumps: It is important to avoid existing razor bumps. These bumps can cause significant irritation or scars. They will start bleeding as soon as you run the razor blade over them.Moisturize the skin on a regular basis: It is important to use a lotion with aloe for this purpose. Always buy moisturizers meant for "sensitive skin" only.