Beauty gadgets are everywhere these days, and the very best skincare devices allow you to effectively treat any number of skin concerns in the comfort of your own home, to save the time and money of going for professional treatments.
These days, there’s a gadget for every skincare routine, no matter how involved or minimal it is. Whether you need to rejuvenate dry skin, calm puffy eyes, or diminish lines, you’ll be able to find an effective device that can help address your concerns. “Skincare tools and devices have bridged the gap between tweakments and what topical application of skincare can deliver,” agrees qualified esthetician and skin expert Fiona Brackenbury. “It’s trouble-free to up the ante with skincare tools and devices as they are easy to use, non-invasive, and have no downtime. Even better, you have the luxury of using these tools in the comfort of your own home.”
The best skincare devices, chosen by our beauty team
Best red light therapy devices
Dr. Dennis Gross
Dr Dennis Gross Drx Spectralite Led Faceware Pro
Tested by: Rhiannon Derbyshire
A favourite among LED light therapy fans, this impressive mask suits all skin types, with quick, easy treatments, and noticeable results.
Rhiannon: This is one of my top beauty recommendations of all time. I began treatment feeling cynical, but now I’m hooked and can’t imagine my routine without it. It’s undoubtedly expensive, but if you can afford to invest, the difference it will make to your skin is truly impressive.
See our full Dr Dennis Gross Drx Spectralite Led Faceware Pro review
Solawave
Solawave 4-In-1 Skincare Wand
Tested by: Stephanie Maylor
A quick and easy device to get your red light therapy benefits all in one nifty and convenient little package, this wand is portable, rechargable, and works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and sun damage. Plus, it works in less than five minutes.
Stephanie: Results are subtle, but my skin looks healthier, while the therapeutic warmth and massaging vibrations elevate it above other LED masks.
See our full Solawave 4-In-1 Skincare Wand review
MZ Skin
MZ Skin Led 2.0 Lightmax Supercharged Led Mask
Tested by: Charley Williams-Howitt
It might be one of the more high-end red light therapy masks on the market, but the quality and results of this one help to make it worth the price tag. It moulds to fit the exact countours of your face for a comfortable treatment and works on-the-go too.
Charley: This is one of the most powerful at-home LED devices available. Comfortable and relaxing to wear, it fits into any skincare routine, and delivers incredible results; clearer, firmer, plumper and clearer skin within four weeks of regular use. Investment, yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
See our full MZ Skin Led 2.0 Lightmax Supercharged Led Mask review
Best cleansing and exfoliating devices
Shark
Shark Beauty Facialpro Glow + Depuffi at Home Facial
Tested by: Emma Stoddart
Hailed a professional facial treatment but in the comfort of your own, this definitely caught the eye of beauty fans when it was launched last year. A tool that helps take your cleansing and exfoliating to the next level, it goes through an entire sequence of treatments in just one device.
Emma: The cooling DePuffi attachment has become a near-daily essential for me, calming puffiness and reducing inflammation, while overall, the device noticeably brightens, smooths, and hydrates the skin. For anyone wanting clearer, glowing skin without relying on regular facials, it’s a smart at-home choice.
See our full Shark Beauty Facialpro Glow + Depuffi review
Tested by: Annie Milroy
For years, the famous Foreo Luna cleansing brush has been a go-to beauty tool, but now they’ve combined the device’s cleansing and exfoliating benefits with LED light therapy.
Annie: I was impressed by the tool’s brightening abilities and how my skin benefitted from all three of its benefits – cleansing, massage, and LED. Despite being an investment, if you consider it’s essentially three tools in one, the price feels much more balanced. It’s also very easy and pleasant to use, and stylishly designed.
See our full Foreo Luna 4 Plus review
Sarah Chapman
Sarah Chapman Skinesis Pro Hydro-Mist Steamer
Tested by: Emma Stoddart
Drawing inspiration from her clinical facials, Chapman is a big believer in the power of steam and its pore-purifying properties, saying, “I created this advanced facial steamer to enhance your daily skincare routine for professional results at home.” The portable device emits ionic, nano-sized steam particles to deeply cleanse and unclog pores while also restoring moisture to plump up and firm skin.
Emma: This was easy to use, I just positioned my face in front of the nozzle, and relaxed there for five minutes. Afterward, my skin felt super clean but also soft and ready for skincare, so I obliged and followed up with hydrating serums which my skin drank in.
Best sculpting and lifting devices
ZIIP BEAUTY
Ziip Halo 2.0
Tested by: Stephanie Maylor, Fiona McKim and Sennen Prickett
This efficient treatment is a favourite among beauty industry experts. Providing a clinic-level facial, it uses microcurrent and nanocurrent technology to lift, tone and sculpt the face – with instant results.
Steph: After using the Halo for almost a month, I noticed a subtle but visible difference in the tightness of my skin. It’s easy to fit into my routine and I actually look forward to using it. The microcurrent has an instant effect – the muscle twitches are proof of that – and the long-term benefits delivered by nanocurrent technology elevates this above other face-toning devices on the market.
See our full Ziip Halo 2.0 review
Tested by: Aleesha Badkar
If you hate having to deal with multiple tools scattered around your area, this multitasker is the skincare device for you. It offers an array of different attachments including a cleansing brush, a microcurrent attachment, an LED light, and several different heads for the percussive setting, to allow you to customise your at-home facial.
While it may not give you as strong an LED or microcurrent experience as a standalone device might, being able to target different needs in one device is a gamechanger.
Antébeauty
Kanyen RF Facial Device
Tested by: Aleesha Badkar
A four-in-one device, this hardworking beauty tool uses radiofrequency, EMS (electronic muscle stimulation), LED light and infrared light to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture, stimulate collagen production, and lift and tighten the skin.
I’m always open to any facial devices that claim to have lifting and tightening technology, but this is probably the one that has made the biggest dent in my routine. Not only is it easy, comfortable and quick to use, I notice results straightaway, with skin visibly lifted and sculpted. Definitely a favourite in my routine.
How we tested the best skincare devices
There is a vast spectrum of skincare devices, from manual roller tools to high-tech LED masks and everything in between. Because of this, each device in this guide was tested differently, depending on its own specific treatment protocols and how long you have to use each to begin seeing results. We looked closely at:
- Effects on our skin: The most important factor! We played close attention to how each tool worked its magic and what differences we noticed from using each one, how long it took to see results, and how dramatic the results were.
- Ease of use: The main appeal of the best skincare devices is being able to use them quickly and easily from home, so we really wanted to see if each product is simple to operate and easy to use regularly without feeling like a chore.
- Durability: Skincare devices can be pricey, so it’s important to invest in one that will last well and can be used very regularly without breaking or malfunctioning. We used each tool over various periods of time to ensure that they work just as well with every use.
- Value for money: We carefully considered whether each device on this list is truly worth the purchase. Most powerful and effective skincare devices don’t come cheap, which is why we assessed whether the price tag is justified for each tool to give you our honest verdict.
Skincare device FAQs, answered
What are the best skincare devices for different concerns?
Selecting the best skincare device for anti-aging depends on what aspects of the skin you would like to target. Use this handy guide to determine which type of device is best suited to your needs and the results you’re after:
- Facial steamers: Are useful for diminishing fine lines because they “help hydrate, clean pores, exfoliate, and allow for better absorption of skin care products into the face,” says Dr. Thomas Griffin of Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting.
- Microneedles: Can help soften lines by creating tiny injuries in the skin to stimulate a wound healing response, driving collagen and elastin production. Best of all, you don’t have to use a microneedle device all that often. Dr. Griffin suggests, “Once a week followed by a quality serum or mask can give a beautiful glow to the skin.”
- Dermaplaning: This is “sort of like shaving, but a little deeper,” explains Dr. Griffin. Dermaplaning tools exfoliate the top layer of skin while also removing any unwanted fuzz, leaving skin smoother. It also primes the skin for optimal makeup and skincare product application.
- LED light: Is deemed as a safe anti-inflammatory to stimulate collagen and yield smoother skin. “I am a fan of LED masks but, just like the microcurrent devices, consistency is key to see results. Be sure to get a good quality mask and not all LED masks are created equally,” says Brackenbury. Different colors impart different results – red lights spur collagen production and circulation, while blue lights tackle bacteria. Many light therapy devices are approved for at-home use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Microcurrent devices: Stimulate facial muscles and increase cellular activity to increase circulation and lymphatic drainage. It’s like a workout for your face. There isn’t much research on the long-term efficacy of microcurrent devices; however, these treatments have been prominent for decades. “Some microcurrent tools can put enough energy to lightly contract the muscles on the face, thereby strengthening them and giving a lifting effect,” says Dr. Griffin.
- Massage tools: Be it a jade roller, cylindrical wand, gua sha, or electric gadget, massage devices are a safe, inexpensive way to improve circulation, skin tone, texture, and aid product penetration. Massage devices can be used with lotions, serums, and oils and are low-risk. Using a cold jade roller will also reduce any puffiness around the eyes, since cold acts as an anti-inflammatory.
- Laser and IPL: “Hair removal lasers work by targeting pigment in the hair follicle; anti-aging lasers work in many different ways but primarily through controlled injury and collagen stimulation,” says Dr Nazarian. These function similarly to professional-grade lasers but are more labor-intensive since they use less energy.
- Microdermabrasion: Are small but mighty vacuums for the face. They slough off dead skin cells, increase blood flow, and revitalize natural cell renewal. Which can help tackle dullness, dark spots, and rough texture – all while helping purge blackheads and pore congestion.
What to look for when shopping for skincare devices
Knowing what skincare concerns you’d like to target is only half the battle when it comes to selecting the right skincare device.
“When selecting a skincare gadget, you must research the product thoroughly. Look at the company, the product, and what you want,” says Taya Amber, skincare specialist and founder of TA MediSpa, “If you want to avoid the time-consuming and expensive ‘skincare trial and error’, I recommend asking your trusted beautician or cosmetologist for product consultation. During this consultation, you should also ask which gadgets are suitable for you because, like skincare products and treatments, most beauty gadgets have contraindications.”
Beyond that, Amber highly recommends doing your due diligence and researching everything you can about the product and the company itself. You’ll want to answer questions such as: “Is [the] product FDA approved? How many awards or nominations has the product/company received? How many customers have bought their products and left reviews, [are they positive/legitimate]? Does the product suit your skin type and concerns?” she says.
“This level of research and questioning may seem natural for some and overwhelming for others. However, in order to ensure that you are investing in a good product, it must be done. After all, the gadget will be in contact with your skin, and you want it to be safe as well as effective,” says Amber.
Do skincare devices work?
“In general, at-home skin care devices are meant for long-term, consistent use. In the majority of cases, marked results are not achievable because these tools are relatively underpowered to avoid risk in untrained hands,” says Dr Griffin, “They are best used as an adjuvant to real, medical grade treatments as a means to maintain and enhance your results.”
Dr. Griffin recommends finding a ‘happy medium’ when purchasing such tools. If you’re considering dropping thousands on a skincare device, Dr. Griffin says, “It’s worth spending that money for a trained physician who has the experience and the proper tools to get the best result.” Amber adds: “Fine lines, loose, sagging skin, and other skincare concerns cannot be treated with gadgets. Beauty gadgets are great for maintaining your skin post-treatment, but they are not a substitute for professional technology used in clinics.” Dr. Nazarian explains how you can maximize their benefits:
- Stick with it: “Consistency is key. Even if you’re using a device less often due to sensitivity, using it long-term will yield better results. Many results are long-term, such as permanent hair reduction and collagen stimulation. Others are temporary, and for chronic conditions, such as acne and rosacea, should be continued regularly to maintain results. Wait at least six weeks before anticipating any noticeable clinical change.”
- Reinforce with products: “Some are equivalent to topicals, some are more effective. Many medical-grade devices can improve some skin conditions quickly – but even many topicals will have efficacy over time, although they typically require more time to produce a noticeable clinical result.”
- Know its specs: “Read all the instructions thoroughly before using a device – many require prep to be effective, such as laser hair removal, which requires shaving beforehand. Use common sense when taking a device to your skin. [Mistakes include] using it on the wrong skin type or hair type, not using it for long enough, not adjusting the frequency of use when faced with irritation, and not protecting the eyes or using eyewear when using devices that can damage vision.”
Essentially, it’s key to manage your expectations accordingly when using skincare devices. Don’t count on them to be the end-all-be-all solution to minimizing skincare concerns. But by using them in conjunction with other tried-and-true methods, whether home-based or from a clinic, you can achieve results.