The device a lot of people are still looking to replace
Clarisonic was discontinued in 2020, and its owners have been looking for a replacement ever since. The ageLOC LumiSpa iO is the device we are asked about most often by people in exactly that position, so it is worth setting out plainly what is the same, what is different, and where the comparison runs out.
Key differences
| Feature | ageLOC LumiSpa iO | Clarisonic (discontinued) |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Patented Micropulse Oscillation Technology | Oscillating brush |
| Head | Nonabrasive silicone, no bristles | Bristle brush heads |
| Heads available | Gentle, Normal, Firm, plus the Accent for the eye area | Multiple brush heads |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes |
| Availability | Available now at NuBodyRx | Discontinued 2020 |
We have left cleansing percentages and battery figures out of that table on purpose. Most of the numbers circulating for either device cannot be traced back to the manufacturer, and a row you cannot check is worse than no row at all.
What Nu Skin actually claims for the LumiSpa iO
Their wording, not ours:
"Award-winning ageLOC LumiSpa both treats and cleanses skin through its patented Micropulse Oscillation Technology, delivering seven clinically proven benefits for glowing, selfie-ready skin—all day, every day."
The seven, as Nu Skin lists them: softness, smoothness, radiance, clarity, purified skin, reduced pore appearance and visibly improved firmness. They also print "Instantly softer and smoother skin after one use" and say the device "Promotes dynamic skin renewal".
That is the whole of it. Nu Skin publishes no comparison with Clarisonic, no cleansing multiplier, and no number of weeks after which to expect anything — so neither do we.
The silicone head is the part that changed
The clearest difference between the two devices is what touches your face. Clarisonic used bristle brush heads; the LumiSpa iO uses silicone. Nu Skin's own description of that head: "Gentle, nonabrasive silicone surfaces contains antimicrobial silver and is more hygienic than brushes commonly used with other devices."
The practical consequence is the one former Clarisonic owners tend to raise first: there are no bristles to trap residue, and nothing to build up between uses. Nu Skin states that "a treatment head is designed to last for at least three months when used twice a day."
Where the comparison runs out
Clarisonic was a cleansing device. Nu Skin describes the LumiSpa iO as one that "both treats and cleanses", and sells it as a system with a matched treatment cleanser rather than as a brush on its own. That is a real difference in what you are buying, and it is also an ongoing cost — the treatment cleanser is part of the routine, not an optional extra.
Whether that trade is worth it depends on whether you wanted a cleansing device or a treatment step. If it was purely the former, say so to yourself before you spend the money.
If you are replacing a Clarisonic
Start on the Normal head — Nu Skin calls it "the standard choice" and says it is "designed for most skin types". If your skin is sensitive or currently breaking out, start on Gentle instead; Nu Skin specifically does not recommend the Firm head for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Our treatment head guide goes through all three.
Shop the ageLOC LumiSpa iO at NuBodyRx — genuine, sealed, fast US shipping, no membership required, and our own 90-day money-back guarantee.
Related Reading
- The Complete Guide to At-Home Skincare Devices — how powered cleansing, microcurrent, and LED devices compare
- What is ageLOC Technology? — the science behind Nu Skin's anti-aging platform
- NuBodyRx Knowledge Base