Unlisted Brand • Pretika Sonic Dermabrasion Facial Care System (Clarisonic dupe) • Misc Beauty Tools

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trolvachanah on 4/1/2013 6:47:00 PM more reviews by trolvachanah

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I friend of mine gave me this after complaining that it was too rough on her skin. I have been wanting one of these facial exfoliators for the longest time but could never afford one so I used it with my olay cleanser. After a week my acne had noticably improved and the texture of my skin was much smoother. I give it a 4 instead of 5 because I think the brush was a bit dense and was somewhat painful when I used it the first couple of days.

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MadEddy on 11/26/2012 4:04:00 PM more reviews by MadEddy

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I bought this over the Mia, which it's obviously imitating, because it's way, way less expensive. I got mine for $30 at TJ Maxx this summer, and I haven't had a problem with it charging or refusing to work. Mine charges over a couple of hours and holds a charge for a couple of weeks.

It's pretty good for exfoliating my skin, and I have had less of a problem with clogged pores and acne, but it's no magic bullet. I do wish Pretika offered some variety in brush heads, but I'm going to try writing in to their customer service for the different brush heads like some other reviewers have mentioned. At least it does offer a lower power setting for the face, but the brush heads that come with it are less gentle than the Clarisonic's. It hasn't been a problem for me, but if you have sensitive skin it's something to keep in mind.

I also wish there was a hole in the stand for the charge cord; as it is, you either have to drill one yourself or charge it out of the stand.

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*TOP REVIEWER* tigirlyly on 9/8/2012 10:09:00 PM more reviews by tigirlyly

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I decided to try this sonic cleaner before shelling out $$$ for a Clarosonic mia.

At first I wasn't happy with this. The bristles on the brush are a tad rough. Then after letting it collect dust for a few weeks, I gave it another shot.

Trick is to lightly apply against skin, and so far with 2 weeks of daily use my skin does look better and feel softer.

I still plan on getting the Clarisonic in the future, but probably the plus and not the mia. I'll be using this pretika when traveling.

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*TOP REVIEWER* hwnpunch on 6/13/2012 11:24:00 AM more reviews by hwnpunch

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I gave this a 2 for great customer service and the fact that for the 10 days that this was useable it worked great. I saw this at TJ Maxx for under $30 and gave it a try. It worked great when I got it home, took a charge well and their customer service even had a free brush head for sensitive skin mailed to me within 48 hours when I emailed them about the brush head it came with being too harsh for everyday use. Unfortunately when it died for the first time it was dead for good. It wouldn't take another charge. What a shame this really improved my skin in a short amount of time for a fraction of the price of a Clarisonic. Too bad the quality just isn't there. Time to return this and save up for the Mia. At least now I know it's worth buying.

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PCarrie84 on 4/4/2012 6:22:00 PM more reviews by PCarrie84

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I had ordered this is the first sonic vibration brush as I couldn't shell out for a clarisonic. Excited to try i did, it works great just the right amount vibration I needed and good quality brush.. However it lost its charge on me within the first week.. For me to use it I must charge it all night and it will last maybe 30 minutes, You CAN NOT save charge with this, if you will be ready to use this it must be charged PRIOR..so annoying, I think Im contacting pretika about this

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JMNeaves on 1/14/2012 4:27:00 PM more reviews by JMNeaves

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

The Pretika was a perfect (and inexpensive) addition to my daily skincare regimen (Basis sensitive facial bar + Solvere BP gel + Olay daily moisturizer) and has really helped to exfoliate my skin and give it a brighter overall appearance. I only give it a 4 because it's a bit bulky to tote around and I am a frequent traveler.

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ninac on 12/28/2011 8:11:00 PM more reviews by ninac

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I've never tried the Clarisonic, but it seems like most of the praise for it over other sonic brushes stems from the "feel" of the brush. I don't mind really how it "feels" as long as my skin ends up clean. So, I chose the Pretika earlier this year and for 2 reasons: 1) both Clarisonic and Pretika use sonic frequency but Pretika costs much less, and 2) Pretika has microfiber bristles and microfiber does an excellent job of cleaning all on its own.

I'm happy with the Pretika, but Clarisonic keeps coming out with new versions in different colors, and I considered getting the Mia, hence my further comparisons. I found out from reading these comments that Pretika has sent out complimentary brush heads that are much softer, so I emailed the company and they sent one to me. It is definitely much softer and I almost worry it's not cleaning as well since it doesn't feel like bristles on my face at all. But again, as long as it's doing the job I don't mind how it feels. I think the best way to know definitely if Pretika is a good dupe is to do a side by side comparison with Clarisonic using fluorescent make-up, and taking before/after pictures. But for now, I don't see a good enough reason to invest in the Clarisonic and Pretika seems to me to be a good dupe.

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lollylilly on 10/7/2011 6:01:00 PM more reviews by lollylilly

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I bought this on a whim, took it home, and charged it for a full day before using it. The green and red lights worked, but when I pressed the button to actually use it absolutely nothing happened. It was fully charged but would not work no matter what I tried. I looked at the reviews on Makeup Alley and was shocked at how many other people had the same problem. I returned it instead of exchanging it - it's obviously a very poorly made product.

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barbiedollie727 on 9/5/2011 12:45:00 AM more reviews by barbiedollie727

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

All I have to say is I bought this at TJMAXX I was so excited. I got it home and turned it on, and it wouldn't shut off!!!!!!!!!

I had to return it that day, still buzzing. Bought a different band I saw there after I returned it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* franknbeans82 on 9/5/2011 12:31:00 AM more reviews by franknbeans82

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Dark   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I've only had mine for about 3 to 4 weeks, but so far, I love it! Like most others, I was lusting after a Clarisonic, but I just could not justify the cost. I came on here searching for a dupe and saw the reviews for this one. I also saw that a few people found theirs at TJMaxx/Marshalls for a good price, so I immediately went hunting around for one. It took me a few months, but I finally stumbled acrossed one at Marshalls.

I was a little hesitant about using a face brush since some people say they're too rough. I will say that the original brush had that came with mine was a bit harsh, so I followed the advice of others and contacted Pretika. They sent me a softer brush head to try out, and it is much better for me!

My skin was already fairly clear when I started using it. I think I experienced some purging, but it was only a minimal amount. Now, I try to use it every 2 or 3 days, and I love how clean it leaves my skin feeling. I think it helps my skincare products to absorb much better. I also think it's helping to fade my old acne scars.

I went shopping again at Marshalls the other day, and I actually saw another brush for sale. I like mine so well, that I had this irrational urge to buy that one, too, lol. I stopped myself, though because mine is working perfectly!

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prcsillusion on 7/18/2011 9:28:00 AM more reviews by prcsillusion

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Oily, Olive, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Black    

This thing does do the job but the bristles are really rough. It's not convenient to travel with. Also, it has too many hardware problems. Mine just broke down and I bought it back in May. Im thinking of getting the Nutra sonic.

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lady_vanilla on 5/24/2011 4:06:00 PM more reviews by lady_vanilla

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Black    

After moving to Texas, my skin rebelled and I was breaking out monthly all the time. It wasn't a big breakout. My breakout usually means 2 or 3 acne per month. I hardly ever get any acne when I was in my teens and now, I'm 30, I'm getting adult acne which is annoying and breaking my esteem.

I wanted to get a Clarisonic like my mom but changed my mind after I saw the huge price tag on it and went for Pretika. I got the Pretika for 24$ on discount. The actual price is 50$. It came with 2 normal brush heads, a charging unit, the facial brush and the manual. It looks all good to me. I was pretty excited about it. I charged it for 24hrs and I was kinda surprise when I felt the brush head with my fingers. It felt dense. When I used it the first time, the brush is abrasive and I just don't remember my mom's Clarisonic was this abrasive so I decided to just lightly go over my face. By the second day, my cheekbones told me to stop using it or use it more lightly. My cheekbones were getting red and raw. I contacted Pretika helpdesk and they sent me a Sensitive brush head to try. It was less denser but it is still kinda abrasive but after 2 weeks of using it, my skin got used it. I did have the purging stage. I was getting cystic acne and bumps. It wasn't a lot as most people claimed. I guess this depends on individuals.

Within less than a month, my skin texture has improved. My skin is a lot smoother and brighter. It didn't help with my blackheads. I was a bit disappointed on that. I guess the Pretika is for dermabrasion therefore the brush heads a a bit more denser and abrasive. If you don't have a sensitive skin, this should be good enough for you. I still think it suits men more than girls.

As for the speed, there are 2 speeds; high and low. I don't think it's as much or as fast as the Clarisonic though. My mom got me a Clarisonic Mia a month after and I did a comparison. It might not be accurate testing but the Clarisonic definitely has a better speed. I will post a review on the Clarisonic soon.

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*TOP REVIEWER* heathermrm on 4/12/2011 12:04:00 PM more reviews by heathermrm

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I have been lusting after the Clarisonic Mia forever and just couldn't justify the price. After doing some research into cheaper versions (and learning many of those out there, while cheaper, are not sonic), I finally caved in and purchased this dup at Bed Bath and Beyond for $49.99, but I had a 20% coupon. It came w/ extra brush head, charger, unit and stand. No cleanser or products.


First of all, I used mine every other day for almost 3 weeks and had absolutely NO electrical or equipment problems/malfunctions.


Second = very effective cleaning tool and I did indeed notice my skin drank up my moisturizers and treatments much better.


However, the brush is too scratchy for me. My skin is relatively tolerant except for my cheeks area (mild redness/rosacea), so I avoided those areas. Still - too scratchy no matter how lightly I pressed. I did check the website to see if a softer brush head is available = nope.


So - I have now scraped up the $ and ordered the Mia (thanx to the MUAer on the skincare board who listed the cheapest place to get one) and once it arrives and I have used it for a while, I will review it separately and update this one accordingly w/ a comparison.


For those on a budget w/ non-sensitive skin, this could be a winner for you.

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jdolar on 3/14/2011 1:19:00 PM more reviews by jdolar

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Black, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Like everyone else, the Clarisonic was out of my price range, so picked this up. I didn't get the cleanser or moisturizer that it's supposed to be matched with. I've been using it on and off for about a year now. When I'm using it on a regular basis it's about every other day. I have combination skin where my forehead and nose are pretty oily and my chin and cheeks can get pretty dry. It does a good job on exfoliating the dry skin on my cheeks and clearing the large pores on my nose. I can really tell the difference in my skin when I haven't used it in a while. The brushes it comes with aren't the softest, but they certainly aren't so rough that they are unusable or irritating for me.


Here are some of my gripes. The very first one I purchased wouldn't turn on. It would light up on the base, but then never worked. They did send me a replacement pretty quickly, but this next one had some shoddy workmanship. The battery or something was loose inside. So after a couple weeks of using it it started having problems. I never dropped it or anything like that. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. When it wouldn't work I could tap it on my hand to jostle the loose whatever back into place and it'd be fine again. I got yet another replacement from Pretika. Third times a charm I guess, since this one has been working smoothly since I got it. *knock on wood* Pretika's warranty, if you can call it that, is only for 30 days. So if you buy one make sure you start using it ASAP in case you get a dud that needs to be replaced. Also the replacement brushes can't be found anywhere except directly from Pretika.

I'm on the fence about whether I would buy it again. When it works, it's great. But then again, I've never tried a Clarisonic. If/when this breaks, I'm not sure if I would buy another Pretika or just take some time and save money for a Clarisonic.

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NigheanRuadh on 3/6/2011 11:36:00 PM more reviews by NigheanRuadh

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I got this a few weeks before my wedding back in October. It was just what I needed to get my skin perfect. I looked at the Clairsonic, but budget wise could not afford it. I noticed a difference immediately. And I had amazing glowing skin for my wedding- and after. The breakouts have lessened, my pores cleared up, and my skin care products absorb much better, and I'm using less of them. The amount of makeup that comes off with the brush is astounding. Now when I go over with a swipe of toner, there is rarely anything left on the cotton pad, whereas before the Pretika, there was loads. There are a few nights where I go to bed lazy and don't use it, and I usually get breakouts and my face starts to look dull. I use it with a mircoderm abrasion cream twice a week and is amazing with the Pretika.
The timer is good, I use the brush on each area for 20 seconds - nose chin forehead.
I have limited counter space, so I rarely charge it. The charge lasts forever, and I generally don't charge it until it starts sounding and running super slow - which is the way rechargable batteries are supposed to charged to keep a long life. Since purchase using it that way, I've only had to charge it 2-3 times, even with daily use.
The two speeds are useful and there have been times where my skin has been more sensitive and the low has come in handy. Still exfoliates, gets the make up off, but not too harsh.

Overall I would completely repurchase. No I've never owned a Clairsonic, and I probably never will since this does such a good job at a fraction of the cost. If you are even remotely thinking about getting the Pretika go for it. I think it is one of the best skin product purchases I have ever made.

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WebbyGale on 2/11/2011 2:29:00 PM more reviews by WebbyGale

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Tan, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I've been using the Pretika for about 3 months now and I really love it. I wanted the clarisonic like everyone else but it was just too expensive and I found this at Marshalls for $25. I cant really compare it the clarisonic because Ive never tried it. I never use the high setting, I only use the low setting and i don't feel like the brush is hard or too rough. You can control how much pressure you want. I use it with a olay cleanser and it leaves my skin very smooth. Although the box says its safe to use everyday, I dont use it every day, I use it twice a week or just when i think my skin needs a little extra cleansing or if my skin is looking a little dull. All in all great product and worth a try.
I use this on my mom too (she's 53) and my brother (28 w/sensitive skin) and they both love it as well.

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*TOP REVIEWER* LizWords on 2/5/2011 2:35:00 PM more reviews by LizWords

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

UPDATE: I have this up for sale/swap if anyone is interested. Includes the unit and charger, as well as several gently used brush heads. In pristine condition.

UPDATE 3/31/2011: I still like this a lot, but I broke down and purchased a Nutrasonic because the retin-a I'm using has made my skin too sensitive to use this daily or even every other day. The spinning pretika brush I got is extremely soft but wasn't giving me the level of exfoliation I want and need on a daily basis. The Nutrasonic is a perfect mix between soft, gentle cleansing and gentle, daily exfoliation. I now use the pretika only once a week. It's really too bad pretika doesn't come out with softer brushes, otherwise I wouldn't have needed to purchase another brand.


I've been using this for about a month and a half and I love it. It did seem to harsh at first, I did actually get a softer "trial" brush from the manufacturer, but it really doesn't feel softer to me. I started out using this a couple times a week and now use if about 5 nights a week. It's done wonders on my acne scars and helps with whiteheads a lot. The pores on my nose were totally clogged and bumpy before starting this and now my nose is almost 100% clear.

I have not tried the clarisonic and doubt I ever will as it's just out of my price range. From what I've read the clarisonic is softer. Personally, I like the pretika just as it is. I actually bought the prior version of this which is a battery operated, spin head brush for deep-cleaning on the days I don't use the dermabrasion pretika, and I really love that one as well. IT is really soft, and I get 3 replacement brush heads for 10$.

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nycmto on 12/20/2010 11:02:00 AM more reviews by nycmto

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I found mine in Marshall's and it didn't come with the moisturizer and scrub. At first I didnt use it regularly, maybe once a week if I remember, then I started having major breakouts due to traveling to another country and running out skin care products..as soon as I got home I started using the Pretika daily at night...and I regret not using it sooner! The brushes are not the best, on the harsh side even on the low setting. And after a month's use, it started to fray already. Ive noticed clearer skin and less visible pores. Depending on the type of cleanser you use, but thicker cleansers tend to get stuck in the middle of the brush so you have to take time cleaning it.

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BavSnob on 11/6/2010 6:12:00 PM more reviews by BavSnob

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Oh I LOVED this brush! I found it at the Brookstone Outlet for a mere 20$. I used this once or twice a week with my usual face wash, depending on how my skin was feeling. I could never use this daily, and I dont think you're meant to, but I could be wrong on that.
I used and loved this brush until my husband dropped it on the bathroom floor. It didnt survive the impact, but you can bet I'm on the search for another one. I definitely WILL re-buy this product again!

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chaosstar17 on 10/4/2010 12:55:00 AM more reviews by chaosstar17

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I've only used it twice but I absolutely had to stop. My skin is normal, not sensitive or very prone to breakouts. But after using it according to the directions once a day for the last 2 days, I can see my skin getting worse. It feels smoother of course, but that's because of it's freakish exfoliating qualities, and I even used it on the low setting. It felt so abrasive on my skin that it hurt a bit to use it and I got small bumps on my face. My pores actually look larger even though it claims to shrink the look of them and my face is just generally feeling more irritated. I'm disappointed because I really wanted to love it. I guess it's just too much for daily use and definitely not for sensitive skin.

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