Who is the woman in the Philips Sonicare toothbrush commercial?
A look behind the smile and screen
(By Carmichael Phillip)
In recent marketing efforts, Philips Sonicare has rolled out a humorous, attention-grabbing campaign centered on encouraging people to upgrade from manual toothbrushes to electric ones. The face (and comedic flair) behind several of the newer commercials is Kate McKinnon — best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and for her comedic characters.
Below, we’ll explore how McKinnon came to be the woman in the Sonicare ads, the character she portrays, and how the campaign has unfolded — including other versions and possibilities you might have seen.
Why Kate McKinnon is starring in Sonicare’s new campaign
Philips announced in 2024 that it had partnered with McKinnon in a marketing campaign dubbed “Sonicare Switch,” aimed at inspiring people to ditch their old toothbrushes and adopt a Philips Sonicare electric model.
McKinnon portrays a whimsical, over-the-top character named Susan Toothbrush, who “pops in” to confront people using outdated brushes, admonish poor brushing habits, and deliver the brand message: it’s time to make the switch to Sonicare.
In one ad titled “Interview,” Susan appears in a bathroom just before someone’s big job interview, calling out his “ancient bristle stick” and offering him a Sonicare toothbrush.
In another spot, she sneaks into a party host’s bathroom to swap out their old brush for a Sonicare, delivering lines like “Make the Sonicare Switch.”
Because of the comedic character work and McKinnon’s energy, these ads stand out from typical toothbrush commercials.
Was there a woman in earlier Sonicare commercials?
Yes — before the McKinnon era, Sonicare (like many consumer brands) used a variety of actors, models, and voiceovers in their ads, often without publicly credited names. For instance, there’s a 2021 commercial uploaded by an actress/model named Alin Wishka promoting the Sonicare brand.
Also, earlier Sonicare TV spots (for models like DiamondClean) have aired, sometimes showing women brushing teeth or smiling, but those spots rarely list cast names publicly.
So, if the version you saw predates 2024 — or was from a different region — there’s a chance the woman you saw was someone else entirely (a local actor, model, or uncredited commercial talent).
How the “Susan Toothbrush” concept works in the campaign
What makes the McKinnon campaign memorable is the character concept: Susan Toothbrush is not just a spokesperson, but a “toothbrush detective / guardian” who intervenes in everyday life when people are still using manual brushes. She behaves like a nosy but earnest evangelist for better oral care.
In interviews, McKinnon revealed that part of the challenge was deciding whether Susan should look like an anthropomorphic toothbrush or just a person delivering toothbrush-themed messages. She settled on the latter, playing a real person with comedic quirks and a serious mission.
Her character often “breaks the fourth wall” by appearing unexpectedly — through walls, into bathrooms, at parties — catching people off guard and urging them to upgrade their brushing habits.
From a branding perspective, it gives Sonicare a personality and narrative that is more engaging than just a product demo.
What to do if the woman in your version doesn’t look like Kate McKinnon
If the commercial you watched doesn’t match the Susan Toothbrush style — or the woman doesn’t look or sound like Kate McKinnon — here are a few possibilities and tips:
Different region, different talent. Global campaigns often swap actors per market (e.g. U.S. version, European version, Latin America).
Older campaign or model line. The Sonicare Switch ads began in 2024; earlier ads for different models may have used other faces.
Local dub or recut. In some countries, the visuals remain but voiceovers or cuts change, which may obscure identifying features.
Uncredited commercial actors. Many commercials don’t list full cast credits publicly, making identification harder.
If you can provide details — for instance, the country or language, what you remember of her appearance, or when you saw it — I can help you try to pinpoint who she might be.
Why Kate McKinnon was a strategic choice for Sonicare
Bringing a well-known comedic actress like McKinnon into a toothbrush campaign is a departure from the norm, and it appears to be intentional. Some of the reasons include:
Memorability. A celebrity face (especially someone as distinctive as McKinnon) helps the ad stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Character-driven storytelling. The “Susan Toothbrush” persona is more entertaining than a straight product pitch, giving the brand more creative room.
Broad reach. McKinnon has a known public profile, which helps amplify campaign visibility via press, social media, and celebrity platforms.
Fresh brand energy. The absurdity and humor refresh Sonicare’s image beyond sterile or purely technical toothbrush ads.
Philips marketing leadership has publicly stated the brand saw this as a chance to bring new energy to how they talk about oral health, and that McKinnon pitched the Susan Toothbrush idea during creative development.
In summary: the woman in the more recent Philips Sonicare toothbrush commercials is Kate McKinnon, playing a quirky character called Susan Toothbrush, central to their 2024–2025 “Sonicare Switch” campaign. If your version differs — earlier era, different market, or a non-celebrity production — the actress might be someone less famous or locally cast.
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