Do facial cleansing brushes irritate skin?

Facial cleansing brushes get recommended everywhere for “deeper” cleansing, smoother skin, and better absorption of skincare, but I keep seeing mixed opinions about whether they’re actually good for your skin long-term. Some people swear by them, while others say they’re a fast track to irritation and a damaged skin barrier.

From what I’ve read, irritation seems pretty common—especially for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin—but it’s hard to tell if that’s because of the brush itself, using it too often, pressing too hard, or pairing it with the wrong cleanser. There’s also the whole issue of bacteria buildup if the brush heads aren’t cleaned or replaced regularly.

The reason I’m asking is that after introducing a cleansing brush a few weeks ago, I’ve noticed more redness and a tight feeling after washing, even though I’m using a gentle cleanser and not scrubbing aggressively (at least I don’t think I am). It does make my skin feel super clean, but I’m starting to wonder if that “squeaky clean” feeling is actually a bad sign.

For those who’ve used facial cleansing brushes long-term:

• Did your skin eventually adapt, or did irritation continue?
• Are silicone brushes actually gentler than bristle ones?
• Is using them once or twice a week safer than daily use, or is manual cleansing just better overall?

Curious to hear real experiences and whether these brushes are worth keeping in a routine or better left out entirely.