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High-tech facial tools and skin care devices are becoming all the rage in the beauty industry at the moment. Like other technology is taking over our lives, it’s also completely shaking up the way we look after our skin too — and, here at Volumes of Beauty, we couldn’t be happier with the improvements we’ve seen since introducing a few choice devices into our at-home facials.
2023 may be the year of the high-tech facial, but where should you start when it comes to elevating your skincare routine? We have tried and tested some of the most popular skincare devices over the past few months and have rounded up some of our favorites, organized into what devices offer the best results at home for various skin concerns.
How to choose the best skin care tools
Like any skincare purchase, you’re going to make, a glowing recommendation from someone shouldn’t be enough to convince you that it must find its way into your skincare rotation — no device is guaranteed to work for everyone.
Think about your skin type, skin texture, and skin concerns before you splurge on a brand-new device. Some people may want to target fine lines and wrinkles, whereas other people may be more concerned with saying goodbye to pesky acne scars and breakouts.
Each device is created with a distinct purpose, so in order to select the best tool for you, you need to make sure that it matches your skincare goals. If you’re stuck on what you need, we’d recommend speaking to your dermatologist who’ll certainly be able to point you in the right direction.
Our top skin care tools picks
There’s no denying that the best facial tools and devices aren’t the cheapest thing in the world, you will be parting with potentially a couple hundred dollars but normally the results will make the investment worth it — especially if you’re used to paying for a monthly facial (girl maths).
Here are some of the best at-home facial tools on the market that you can use to get a professional facial at home. Ranging from LED masks and microcurrent devices to gua shas and zit zappers, here are our picks.
Best Tool for Multitasking: Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand / $169
If you’re brand new to the world of facial devices and want a good all-rounder tool that will target a range of skin issues. A skincare wand like the Solwave Radiant Renewal Wand would be a logical place to start.
By no means the most expensive device out there, for $169 you want it to deliver results — and that it does. It claims to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, dark circles, dark spots, and acne in just three minutes a day (when you use it three times a week for an extended period of time, of course). What makes this device different is that it utilizes four different skincare technologies: red light therapy, galvanic current, facial massage, and therapeutic warmth, which are all proven to work wonders as at-home, non-invasive treatments.
All you need to do is prep clean skin with a serum and then glide the wand across your face in upward and outward motions. Most people start to notice the results after two weeks of continuous use.
Best Tool for Cleansing: FOREO LUNA™ Mini 3 / $179.00
Cleansing your face is one of the most integral parts of any skincare routine. It’s the part of your routine where you remove all makeup, bacteria, dirt, and grime that can quickly build up on your face throughout the day. Although you’ll be fine if you double-cleanse with a good oil and face wash combination, it doesn’t hurt to use something a little more effective.
The FOREO Luna Mini 3 Cleansing Brush is an electric facial cleansing brush that cleanses the skin of acne-causing bacteria and built-up dirt, while also gently exfoliating the skin to help reduce dead skin cells, prevent dull skin, and keep your skin barrier intact. There are different speeds that you can choose depending on how sensitive your skin is, and it uses T-sonic pulsations that deeply cleanse the face far better than your hands and face wash could ever do.
They have a few different models, but for a first-time user, we like the Mini 3. It’s small and compact, making it easy to store on your bathroom shelves or take on your travels with you, but still offers the same quality cleanse that the other, larger models do.
Best Tool for Brightening and Anti-Aging: CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask / $380
We’re now starting to veer into the realm of more expensive devices, but if you want to get proven results with these types of products, paying more really does guarantee you that luxury experience. The CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Face Mask is something you’ve probably seen on the faces of influencers and celebrities as it’s one of the most popular LED masks out there, and works out at a price that isn’t much more than a few facial sessions.
Anyone who uses this product would benefit greatly, but it really works wonders for people who want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Red light therapy works by emitting wavelengths of light on the skin that reach up to 4cm of skin tissue, which helps to speed up the production of collagen, promotes a smoother and brighter skin tone and reduces any texture. You can get the best results when you use the mask 3-5 times a week for 10-minute treatments.
Best Tool for Lifting: ZIIP HALO Facial Toning Device / $349
Another technology that is really making waves is the use of microcurrent devices, like the ZIIP HALO Facial Toning Device. This product uses electrical current to sculpt the skin and muscles to improve skin elasticity and ensure a tighter, brighter complexion. The device comes with the Electric Complex which you apply over the skin before beginning your facial.
With a mixture of nanocurrent and microcurrent technology, this device will give anyone youthful, glowing skin when used consistently. It’s recommended to use 3-5 times a week as part of your usual routine. We also like the ZIIP app that has a range of guided facials that you can follow along with using your own device, the guides range from a couple of minutes that target certain areas of the face, to full-blown treatments that cover all of the main skin concerns.
Best Tool for Acne: FaceGym Acne Light Shot / $90
When you suffer from frequent acne flare-ups, it can really impact your confidence levels. Although pimple patches can help to get rid of spots, a device like the FaceGym Acne Light Shot provides a much more targeted treatment to improve skin and prevent a breakout from getting any worse.
This hands-free device may be small in size, but the benefits are large. The Light Shot uses blue LED wavelengths to tighten up your pores, reduce oil production, and treat active acne. It’s something that you can use in the morning to instantly alleviate any redness or inflammation, or in the evening to treat acne in a flash. You only need to use this for 20 minutes a day, plus it’s completely hands-free, so you can sit back and relax while it goes to work.
Best For Sculpting: NuFACE TRINITY+ Starter Kit / $315
Want to feel like you’ve got a facelift in just 5 minutes? The NuFACE Trinity+ is another microcurrent device that helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brighten the skin, and improve tone and texture. It works by sending gentle waves into the skin and facial muscles, providing a lift that you would normally only be able to achieve by frequently visiting a facialist.
We would recommend the Starter Kit as not only does it include the device, but it also has the cream and hydrating aqua gel that can maximize the benefits of the tool and doesn’t add too much to the final cost. If you want to start seeing some of the incredible results that other customers have experienced with their skin health, it’s recommended to use the device for 5 minutes, 5 times a week, for 60 days.
Best Tool for Puffiness: FaceGym Multi-Sculpt Skincare Tool / $66
It’s totally normal to wake up feeling a bit puffy, but that doesn’t mean that there are not plenty of ways you can beat the puff and achieve a tighter, more sculpted complexion. A lot of people like to use gua sha tools, or a de-puffing jade facial roller to reduce puffiness and give themselves a facial massage, but we think that the FaceGym Multi-Sculpt Skincare Tool offers a lot more than your typical facial rollers.
FaceGym is known for its intensive face ‘workouts’, which you can achieve for yourself at home with the help of their beauty tools. The tool has 6 edges that help to contour, sculpt, and massage your facial muscles to help stimulate collagen production, sculpt your face, ease muscle tension, and improve circulation. You would use this the same way you would use a gua sha, but you should definitely try the FaceGym 10 Move Face Sculpting Method for best results (which you’ll get access to when you scan the QR code that comes in the product pouch).
Best Tools for The Body: CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Range ($249-$339)
Although most people will spend a lot of money on tools for the face, we don’t think that you should forget about other areas of your body that can quickly show all the signs of ageing — we like the CurrentBody range of products that target other areas like the neck, decolletage, and hands. You use these just like you would the original face LED mask, you could even use them at the same time to maximize your time.
These are some of the best skincare tools to add to your routine if you want to keep all skin looking healthy and youthful. Some of the most popular skincare concerns as we age are usually around the skin on our bodies as well as faces, so it’s important to start using these devices as early on as possible. We’d recommend the CurrentBody Skin LED Hand Perfector, which looks like a gel polish machine but will keep your hands looking youthful. Also, the CurrentBody Skin LED Neck and Dec Perfector, as no one wants to have a youthful-looking face and an aged neck, right?
Are vibrating tools good for your face?
Vibrating tools, such as a facial massager or facial steamer, can be very beneficial for your skin. The tools help improve blood circulation, promote collagen production, and enhance the effectiveness of the rest of your skincare products.
When used consistently, vibrating tools can help to reduce puffiness, improve skin tone, and improve the overall health and appearance of your skin. Additionally, these tools can provide a gentle and relaxing massage, which can work wonders for stress relief and relaxation. However, it’s important to choose high-quality tools and use them properly if you want to experience the full range of benefits.
Do facial wands really work?
Facial wands claim to offer various benefits like reducing wrinkles, enhancing skin elasticity, and promoting a youthful complexion. Although some of the more affordable products may not be doing any harm to your skin, they also may not be doing much.
Some people may say that facial wands are not beneficial for the skin, but they may just be using the wrong types of tools. We — and other customers — have experienced great results from some of the tools mentioned above. You can say bye acne with the help of red and blue light therapy, enjoy a more sculpted face with facial rolling, and a brighter complexion with microcurrent tools. Tools and skincare products combined can help with a range of skin conditions and can be adjusted to your skin’s needs.
If you want to get a product that delivers on all the above claims, you will need to invest a bit of money. The Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand is a great example of a product that really works, but it does cost just under $200. The higher priced tools work much better than many affordable products and transform skin in a small amount of time, but only when they’re used properly — so make sure to always follow the instructions before using.
Have you ever used a facial device before? If so, let us know about your experience!