Product test

Foreo Luna Mini 3 review

19.5.2021

Translation: Veronica Bielawski

Foreo's silicone face brushes have been featured in numerous lifestyle magazines and videos. Gamechanger oder teurer Schnickschnack? We tested the Luna Mini 3 on two skin types to find out.

«A mini to the max.» This is Foreo’s slogan for the Luna Mini 3. Foreo is a Swedish beauty tech brand that manufactures colourful facial cleansing brushes. Unlike conventional brushes, Foreo’s models aren’t made with nylon bristles. Instead, they’re covered in silicone nubs, which are 35 times more hygienic, according to the manufacturer. The Luna is a smart facial cleansing device that comes in many models and colours. It’s become so widespread that it’s difficult to imagine all the skincare routines on social media without it. But a lot of those are sponsored, so I’m a bit sceptical.

Foreo Facial Cleanser Luna Mini 3 Sunflower Yellow

Face cleansing devices

CHF122.–

Foreo Facial Cleanser Luna Mini 3 Sunflower Yellow

Face cleansing devices

CHF121.–

Foreo Luna Mini 3

Face cleansing devices

CHF129.–

Foreo Luna Mini 3

Face cleansing devices

CHF122.–

Foreo Facial Cleanser Luna Mini 3 Sunflower Yellow

Face cleansing devices

CHF121.–

Foreo Luna Mini 3

Face cleansing devices

CHF129.–

Foreo Luna Mini 3

According to Foreo, the Luna Mini 3 effectively and quickly removes up to 99.5 per cent of oil, sebum, dirt, sweat and dead skin cells. And it’s supposed to be very gentle. Foreo promises «beautifully clean, glowing skin» and a «feeling of having just stepped out of the world’s most luxurious spa». I’ve enlisted my friend Chantal’s help – she has a different skin type than me. I want to find out if the Luna lives up to the hype.

About the Luna Mini 3

Let’s take a look at the relevant product information. Foreo refers to the Luna Mini 3 as a «smart facial cleansing massager». Basically, it’s a vibrating facial cleansing brush you can use with or without the corresponding app. The Luna Mini 3 is the successor to the Mini 2. According to the manufacturer, it features longer silicone nubs that are also 25 per cent softer than the previous model and improved sound performance. The Luna Mini 3 is the newest, smaller version of the Luna 3.

It’s completely waterproof and uses sound waves to create vibrations. According to Foreo, these vibrations penetrate deep into the pores, where they remove any dirt and make-up residue. They’re also supposed to stimulate blood circulation in the skin and remove dead skin cells.

The contents of the box are straightforward: the brush, a USB cable, a sample of a Foreo serum you don't actually need, a travel pouch and quick instructions. There’s also a QR code on the packaging that links to the Foreo app for more info and instructions.

Our expectations

We jot down our expectations before testing the Foreo Luna Mini 3.

Chantal says she has combination skin and that the centre of her face is very oily. She has enlarged pores and occasional dry patches around the perimeter of her face, such as her chin. She hopes the Foreo Luna Mini 3 will refine her skin texture and reduce flaky skin. I tend to have dry skin overall, which leaves me with flaky skin all over my face that I want to get rid of with the Luna. I also want to see fewer blackheads around my nose and really feel like I’ve deep cleaned my face.

Chantal and I each test the Luna Mini 3 on our own over a longer period of time.

Using the brush

Before we can start using our brushes, we have to charge them and unlock them using the Foreo app. We’re both not happy that you need to use the app to activate the device before being able to use it.

Our first impression: the Foreo Luna Mini 3 is compact, fits nicely in the palm of our hands and has a pleasant velvety feel to it. The design and colour make you want to actually use the device and not just let it gather dust in your bathroom.

The app

I recommend taking a good look at all the information on Foreo’s website before using the brush for the first time. If you use it without the app, you’ll miss out on many setting options. Chantal has used the Luna without an app since the beginning. I did take a look at the app, but immediately clicked on the «Start Cleansing» button instead of taking a look at the «Settings». So it took me a while to realise that I can select the intensity (1-12) with which I want each area of my face to be massaged, as well as the intensity of Glow Mode (low/medium/high) for my entire face.

Without the app, the device’s functions are limited. But given the hustle and bustle of real life, we decide to simply use the Luna without the app. That way, we don’t have to fiddle around with our smartphones in the bathroom during our nighttime routines. To turn on the brush without the app, you simply press down the power button (located on the back) once. If you double-click, the Luna switches to the more intense «Express Glow Boost» cleaning mode. After 30 seconds, the device turns off automatically.

Using the Luna Mini 3

We used the Luna once a day, in the evening, for two months. It’s easy to use: moisten your face, apply a bit of cleanser to the nubs, start the programme and move the Luna over your face. Chantal actually used it twice a day at first, but after three days, her skin became irritated. So she went down to using it just once a day. Since I’m on a bit of a lazy streak, cleansing my face with the Luna more than once a day just wasn’t going to happen.

I put the cleanser directly on the nubs.

The Luna is equipped with finer nubs on the front and thicker ones on the back. The fine ones are more flexible and feel gentler against the skin, so we both stick to using just that side. Chantal prefers to clean her face using the lowest intensity setting, as the second level is too strong for her. I, on the other hand, like to switch between them.

Hard-to-reach places would be easier to get to if the nubs covered the entire Luna Mini 3.

The nubs on the front are quite fine. — Hard-to-reach places would be easier to get to if the nubs covered the entire Luna Mini 3.

The Luna glides nicely over the face, especially over larger areas like the cheeks and forehead. The nose is where it gets tricky – the Luna is too big. If the narrow ridge between the two sides was also covered in nubs, I probably could have used that to reach the area around my nose.

You can clean the brush with soap and water. It does take some patience to thoroughly work in and rinse out the soap, though. Alternatively, Foreo offers a silicone cleaning spray.

Result

Eight weeks later, it’s time to answer the question: did the Luna live up to our expectations?

According to Chantal, her combination skin feels softer and more even, and the dry flakes are gone. This helps her make-up go on more smoothly. The previously dry patches of skin look healthy, especially after applying moisturiser. But she does believe she also could have achieved this result with a washcloth and facial cleanser. And when it comes to the visible pores on her face, nothing has changed.

The dry flakes on my face, on the other hand, are still here. This is probably at least in part because I have drier skin and more flaking than Chantal. Regular exfoliation is a must for me. What I did like was that the Luna removed traces of make-up from my face I wouldn’t have got off otherwise – I can tell by the discoloured lather. In terms of blackheads, it’s same old same old. This might be because I couldn’t reach my nose very well due to the size of the Luna. My face doesn’t feel as deeply cleansed as I’d like it to, either. I suppose I simply miss the mechanical feeling that you get with normal face brushes.

The size of the Luna Mini 3 is perfect for your cheeks.

We’re both impressed by the Luna Mini 3’s battery life. In the two months of testing it, neither of us had to charge it a single time.

Our verdict: not a game-changer

The Foreo Luna Mini 3 is definitely not a must-have. It’s a luxurious, nice-to-have facial brush that works well. Just don’t expect any miracles. You can use it to fix small dry patches. But with my dry skin, I don’t see a major difference after using the Luna. If you love smart gadgets, have sensitive skin and struggle with pimples or severe blemishes, the gentle, hygienic nubs might be worth it. But otherwise, you’re paying for results you can get just as well using a washcloth and an exfoliating facial cleanser. Sure, there’s a hint of that spa feeling, but it’s just not reason enough to purchase this device. So why are all the beauty gurus raving about it? Probably because it only feels really, really good when you get it for free.

Do you have questions, or have you tried the Foreo Luna Mini 3 yourself? Share your experience with us in the comments!

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Natalie Hemengül

Senior Editor

Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.ch

As a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.

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