FOREO LUNA 4 Review: a pricey silicone brush that actually makes cleansing feel thorough

I’ve been side‑eyeing these FOREO brushes for years because of the price. For something that basically vibrates and cleans your face, it feels a bit much. But I finally gave in and picked up the LUNA 4 for combination skin, used it for a few weeks, and tried to be as picky as possible. I mostly used it at night with a basic gel cleanser and sometimes in the morning when my skin felt extra greasy.

My skin type: combination, slightly oily T‑zone, some texture on the cheeks, and I get the odd breakout around the jawline. I’ve used cheaper silicone brushes before (the £20‑£40 Amazon specials) so I had something to compare it with. I wasn’t going in blind or expecting miracles – just hoping for a deeper clean without wrecking my skin barrier.

Right away, the first thing I noticed was the build quality. It feels more solid and heavier than the knock‑offs I’ve tried. The vibration also feels more controlled, not that buzzy, rattly feeling you get with cheap versions. It fits in the hand pretty well and doesn’t feel like it’s going to fly across the bathroom when it’s wet and soapy.

Overall, after a few weeks, I can say it does give a more thorough clean than using my hands, and it’s gentler than a brush with bristles. But it’s not perfect. The price is high, the app stuff feels a bit gimmicky, and there are some reliability complaints in the reviews that I can see being a concern long‑term. So this is more of a “nice tool if you can afford it” than an essential skincare step.

Let’s be blunt: the price is high for what is essentially a vibrating silicone brush. You’re paying for the brand, the build quality, the long battery life, and the app‑driven routines. In terms of actual skin results, it does give you a deeper clean, smoother texture, and slightly clearer pores, but it’s not miles ahead of every cheaper option. A £30–£50 silicone brush will also improve your cleansing routine, just not with the same level of comfort or polish.

Where the LUNA 4 pulls ahead is in the feel of the silicone, the stronger and more stable motor, and the overall durability vibe. It doesn’t feel disposable, and it doesn’t feel like it will fall apart in six months. That said, when you read about units that stop charging or arrive dead, it makes the high price harder to swallow. At this price point, you expect rock‑solid reliability, not a lottery.

If you catch it on offer, like one of the Amazon reviewers suggested (“wait until it goes on offer – do not pay full price”), it starts to make a lot more sense. At a decent discount, the combination of hygiene, comfort, long battery life, and better‑than‑average clean feels like good but not outstanding value. At full price, you really have to care about gadgets and skincare to justify it.

So, value‑wise: if you’re already serious about skincare, hate bristle brushes, and want something that feels premium and will likely last, this is a solid investment. If you’re just starting out or on a tight budget, I’d say start with a cheaper silicone brush and see if you even like this kind of tool before dropping this much on the FOREO.

The design is pretty straightforward: an oval silicone device with a flat front covered in different sized nubs and a back with firmer ridges for the “firming massage.” The colour I tried is the combination skin version, which is easy to spot in the shower. The shape fits nicely in the hand, and the slightly larger size compared to the random Amazon dupes actually makes it easier to hold, especially when it’s soapy. One Amazon reviewer mentioned this and I agree – the bigger body is a plus, not a minus.

There are just a couple of physical buttons on the device, which is good because you’re using it with wet hands. You can cycle through intensities and modes without picking up your phone, which I appreciated. The app lets you set up routines and guided massages, but honestly, after trying it the first few days, I stopped bothering. Standing in the bathroom with a phone to run a massage program feels a bit silly, and it adds friction to what should be a quick routine.

The 16 intensity levels are more than enough. I found anything above mid‑range a bit too strong for daily use on my cheeks, but the higher levels are useful if you’re dealing with a lot of sunscreen and makeup. The lower frequencies for the massage side feel pleasant but quite mild – more like a gentle buzz than a deep massage. If you’re expecting some kind of face‑lifting effect, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s relaxing, but that’s about it.

Design‑wise, there’s not much to complain about in terms of ergonomics and layout. It looks clean, it’s easy to rinse, and it stands upright on a flat surface. But part of me feels they crammed in too many modes and app features for what is basically a cleansing tool. If you like tweaking settings and routines, you’ll enjoy it. If you just want to wash your face and go to bed, half the design features will feel unnecessary.

The LUNA 4 runs on a built‑in rechargeable lithium polymer battery, and this is one area where it’s actually quite impressive. FOREO is known for devices that last a long time on a single charge, and this one seems to follow that pattern. I charged it fully on day one and, after a few weeks of daily use (roughly 1–2 minutes per day), the battery indicator still hadn’t complained or shown signs of slowing down.

There’s no need to leave it on charge constantly. You just plug it in with the included USB cable, let it charge, then unplug and forget about it for weeks or even months depending on how often you use it. This makes it very convenient for travel because you don’t need to pack the charger unless you’re going away for a long time. The device is also light at 126 g, so it doesn’t add much bulk in a bag.

One thing to note, though: some of the negative Amazon reviews mention units that won’t charge or stop charging after a while. I didn’t experience that, but it’s worth mentioning because battery issues are a pain. If you get a faulty one, you’ll know pretty quickly – it either won’t power up or will die after a couple of uses. Again, test it a lot in the first weeks so you can return it if something feels off.

Overall, if you have a good unit, the battery life is one of the nicest parts of the product. You don’t have to think about it much, which is how it should be. It’s not like an electric toothbrush you’re constantly charging; it’s more of a set‑and‑forget situation. Just be aware there’s a small risk of getting a dud, judging by the reviews.

In terms of comfort, I’d say the LUNA 4 is very easy to live with once you dial in the right settings. On my combination skin, I used it once a day in the evening for a proper cleanse, and sometimes a quick 30‑second pass in the morning on lower intensity if I felt greasy. The soft silicone touchpoints glide well, especially if you have enough cleanser on your face. The trick is to avoid pressing too hard. Let the device do the work, otherwise you’ll over‑exfoliate and your skin might feel tight.

Compared to manual scrubs or rough washcloths, this is much more gentle. I used to get slight redness around my nose with physical scrubs; with this, that didn’t happen unless I cranked the intensity way up and hovered over the same spot for too long. After 3–4 days, I noticed fewer dry patches on the sides of my nose and my cheeks felt smoother to the touch. It’s not some dramatic change, but it’s noticeable when you run your fingers over your skin.

The massage side is more of a bonus. It feels nice on the jawline and temples, especially after a long day, but I wouldn’t buy the device just for that. The “firming” angle is heavily marketed, but in reality it’s a light vibration that might help with product absorption and a bit of de‑puffing. I didn’t see any big change in firmness after a couple of weeks, which is what I expected. It’s relaxing, not a facelift.

Overall, comfort is a strong point. No irritation, no scratchiness, and it’s easy to use even when you’re tired. If you have very sensitive skin, I’d stick to lower intensities and maybe every other day at first, but for normal to combination skin, daily use at a moderate level feels safe and comfortable. The main thing is to resist the urge to scrub like you’re cleaning a pan – gentle, slow passes are enough.

The big selling point here is the ultra‑hygienic silicone. FOREO claims it’s 35x more hygienic than nylon bristles, and while I can’t verify that number, it does make sense. The silicone doesn’t soak up product, doesn’t stay wet, and it dries quickly. Compared to the old rotating brush heads I used years ago, this is way easier to keep clean, and you’re not dealing with grimy bristles or replacing heads every few months.

The silicone itself feels smoother and denser than the no‑name silicone brushes I’ve had. The touchpoints are soft at the tips but feel sturdy at the base, so they don’t bend too much or feel scratchy. I’ve had cheap ones where the silicone felt almost plastic and harsh if you pressed even slightly too hard. With the LUNA 4, I could use it daily without any redness or irritation, as long as I didn’t crank the intensity to the max and scrub like crazy.

The body feels well sealed and solid. No weird creaks, no loose parts. The charging port is covered (or integrated depending on the exact revision), and the whole thing feels properly waterproof. I used it in the shower several times with no issues. The weight is light but not flimsy, which matches what one Amazon reviewer said about it feeling more substantial than copies. You can tell there’s a decent motor inside, not a toy motor that rattles.

In practice, maintenance is simple: rinse with warm water after each use, maybe a tiny bit of mild soap every few days, and let it air dry. FOREO says to avoid harsh chemicals, which is fair. Over time, I can see the silicone picking up a bit of soap film or limescale if your water is hard, but that’s true for any silicone item. Overall, materials and build are one of the main reasons to pick this over a cheap alternative. It genuinely feels better made and more comfortable on the skin, even if the basic idea is the same.

Performance‑wise, the LUNA 4 does what it says: the motor is strong but controlled, the 16 intensities give you plenty of range, and it doesn’t feel like it’s going to die mid‑wash. The vibration is consistent, even when you press a bit harder on the skin. It doesn’t suddenly stall or weaken like some cheaper brushes I’ve tried. The timing for each routine is handy – it pauses slightly to tell you to move to another area, so you’re not overdoing one part of your face.

In my few weeks of use, I had zero issues with it starting up, switching modes, or holding a charge. It turns on quickly, responds well to button presses, and rinses clean without trapping foam or water. So in day‑to‑day use, performance is solid. It’s the kind of gadget you quickly stop thinking about because it just works in the background of your routine.

However, the Amazon reviews do raise a red flag on reliability. You’ve got a couple of 1–3 star reviews saying things like “doesn’t work” out of the box or “won’t charge” after a short period. One person mentioned their husband loved it but they had to return it because it refused to charge. That suggests some quality control issues, even if it’s a small percentage of units. For a product in this price range, it’s not something you can ignore.

If you buy it, I’d test it thoroughly within the return window: charge it fully, use it daily, make sure it holds charge and turns on reliably. FOREO usually has a warranty, but dealing with returns and replacements is still a hassle. Overall, when it works, performance is strong and consistent. The main concern is whether you get a good unit or a faulty one, so keep an eye on that early on.

Out of the box, the LUNA 4 looks and feels like a premium gadget. You get the device, a USB charging cable (no wall plug), a quick start guide, and the usual paperwork. No fancy stand or pouch in my box, which for the price I honestly expected. The device itself is pretty compact – about 12.6 cm tall, 4.5 cm thick, and very light at 126 g. It’s easy to toss in a toiletry bag, though I’d be a bit nervous just throwing it in loose because silicone does pick up lint and dust easily.

The front has the softer cleansing touchpoints, and the back has the firmer ridges meant for the firming massage. FOREO pushes their own Micro‑Foam Cleanser and Serum Serum Serum in the description, but I just used my normal cleanser and a mid‑range hyaluronic acid serum. It works fine with regular products; you don’t need the FOREO stuff unless you want to spend even more.

In terms of features, it offers 16 intensities of T‑Sonic pulsations, different cleansing modes, and several lower‑frequency massage routines you can trigger via the app or manually. In practice, I stuck to 2–3 intensities and one basic routine. The number of options is almost overkill for a simple face wash. The unit is rechargeable with a built‑in lithium polymer battery, and FOREO claims you get a lot of uses per charge. I charged it once when I got it and haven’t needed to top it up yet after a few weeks of daily use.

So on paper and in hand, the presentation is solid: compact device, lots of modes, and clear positioning as a premium tool. But aside from the feel of the silicone and the more refined vibration, it’s not doing anything wildly different from cheaper silicone brushes in terms of basic concept. You’re paying mainly for the build, brand, and extra modes, not some magical new technology.

This is where the LUNA 4 justifies itself a bit. In practice, it cleans more thoroughly than hands alone, especially if you wear sunscreen and light makeup daily. After about a week of using it every night, my skin felt smoother and looked a bit clearer around the nose and chin. Pores didn’t magically shrink, but they looked less clogged, especially on the sides of my nose where I usually get blackheads.

FOREO claims it removes 99.5% of dirt, oil, sweat, and makeup residue in one minute. I can’t measure that, but I did a simple test: cleanse with hands only one night and wipe with toner on a cotton pad, then cleanse with the LUNA 4 another night and do the same. The cotton pad after using the LUNA 4 had noticeably less residue. So yes, it does a better job of breaking down leftover makeup and sunscreen, as long as you use a decent cleanser with it.

On the "firming" side, results are much less obvious. The lower‑frequency massage feels nice and probably helps with circulation and a bit of de‑puffing, but I didn’t notice any real change in fine lines or firmness over a few weeks. This isn’t shocking – skincare gadgets rarely do that in such a short time unless combined with strong actives. I’d treat the firming modes as a light bonus, not the main reason to buy this.

Where I did see a clear benefit was texture and breakouts. My skin texture felt more even, and I had fewer small clogged bumps on my forehead and jawline. Existing breakouts didn’t magically vanish, but new ones were less frequent. I also noticed my serums seemed to sink in faster right after using the device, probably because the skin is cleaner and very slightly stimulated. Overall, in terms of cleaning and mild exfoliation, it gets the job done well and beats basic manual cleansing.