The Best Skin-Care Tools and Devices to Try at Home

What doesn't the Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand do? Consider this teensy facial tool your Swiss Army knife of skin-care devices. After all, it's definitely the size of one. Though it is small, its ability to minimize puffiness and enhance the look of contours arguably outperforms some of its bigger (and pricier) counterparts.

Fun fact: This wand is an upgraded version of its original wand. The brand decided to elevate its already-popular device after it received feedback from consumers asking to make the device more user-friendly. The latest specs of the wand 2.0 include the addition of an on/off button, two additional LED lights for improved efficacy, 180-degree head rotation, and magnetic charging.

Commerce writer Jennifer Hussein used the device for 30 minutes every other day for about two weeks and started noticing a clearer, more radiant complexion. “Usually, I have a few blackheads and minimal post-acne hyperpigmentation on my hairline, the perimeter of my face, and on my nose. But it seems like the red LED lights must be working their tone-evening abilities because those pesky spots have noticeably toned down (pun intended),” she says.

A workout for your face? Sign us up. Therabody's TheraFace Pro helps relieve jaw clenching and pain in facial muscles with its gentle vibrations. The TheraFace team previously told Allure the percussion attachments are particularly helpful for people who clench their jaws at night. Keep in mind that this point is contested. "I have not seen data that demonstrate that this is true," Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City says.

However, Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist also based in NYC, says that the percussion can help relax muscles that may be contributing to pain or discomfort. By running it across your face, particularly in the areas where you have pain, your muscles loosen up and, therefore, relax. In addition to these attachments, there are a handful of different attachments to try, too, like the acne-clearing LED light therapy or firming microcurrent.

The Mount Lai Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool isn't technically a device, but it just goes to show that a skin-care tool doesn't have to come with bells and whistles — and a power cord — to be a dermatologist favorite. (Did we mention it's also a 2022 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner?) "You can instantly improve puffiness and give a lifted appearance to the skin, but long-term improvement is also noted due to pressure receptors in the tissue," says Dr. Nazarian, who likes to use the amethyst version for relaxation and enhanced serum penetration. "It only takes a few minutes, but the improvement and benefits are real."

The Dermaflash Luxe+, a Best of Beauty winner that allows you to dermaplane in the comfort of your own home, which means you can swiftly remove peach fuzz, dead skin cells on the top layer of your skin, and built-up debris without batting an eye — all without upsetting your skin's delicate nature. Cleanse and prep your skin with the included PreFlash Cleanser, and then hold your skin taut and glide the Dermaflash device across your face at a 45-degree angle and using short, feathery strokes.

"Think of dermaplaning as a deeper [form of] microdermabrasion," Neil Sadick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously told Allure. While microdermabrasion only takes off the layer above the surface layer of skin (and doesn't remove facial hair), Dermaflash's blade gently scrapes your skin so it "reacts by regulating certain growth factors, like fibroblasts and vascular, which in turn stimulate collagen production," Dr. Sadick says. This collagen production results in improved skin texture and tone, as well as reduced appearance of wrinkles.

After you've finished, dispose of the single-use Edge (each set includes four edge refills) and apply the PostFlash Moisturizer to hydrate and soothe skin. Without any barriers or buildup on top or beneath your skin's surface, skin-care products absorb more deeply and effectively.

Microcurrent technology "gives a lift to the brows, cheeks, and jawline for up to 24 hours," New York City board-certified dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD previously told Allure. All you have to do is apply the leave-on gel primer onto clean skin and apply gentle pressure while gliding the NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Device over your face in upward and outward motions, which, over time, will help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve facial contours, and help brighten skin tone.

Multiple board-certified dermatologists love using this tool in their daily lives, too. "Even though the level of energy is barely perceptible, meaning it's completely painless, it does help enhance collagen stimulation and improves absorption of topical products," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, previously told us. It's also a fabulous way to maintain the tightening and lifting effects from pricey, in-office treatments. "Using this is like wearing your SPF after a laser treatment," Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut, previously attested.

NuFace also offers a smaller, travel-sized version, as well as an even more miniature one specifically designed for the lip and eye areas.

Ever dream about having your face therapeutically misted with steam? Well, you can make your at-home facial dreams come true with Vanity Planet's Aira Ionic Facial Steamer, which uses an ion generator to help the steam penetrate more deeply into your pores.

"Facial steaming can help hydrate and soften the outer skin layer, enhancing penetration of active ingredients into the skin," Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, previously told Allure — meaning your masks, serums, and moisturizers will absorb better.

The Droplette is a contactless, needle-free skin-misting tool that claims to push active ingredients (like glycolic acid) deeper into the skin than topical application alone. The brand says it takes ingredients that are usually too large to be absorbed by the skin and turns them into an ultrafine mist, enabling formulas to penetrate better.

But it may not be a foolproof delivery system. "Ingredients do penetrate more or less depending on their molecular weight," explains Loretta Ciraldo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, based in Miami, and the founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare. "But simply putting the product into this device doesn't automatically break down the molecular weight to the smaller weight needed to penetrate better."

The massage modes on the Joanna Vargas Magic Glow Wand mimic the wave-like motion of the lymphatic system and, when combined with hot and cool temperatures, help move stagnant or slow-moving lymph fluid so your face appears less puffy and dull. "Lymphatic draining may be achieved through massage or devices that put pressure on the skin to help move the fluid away from the skin, so it can be filtered by your lymph nodes," Dr. Zeichner previously told Allure.

Pair with your favorite exfoliating mask (for the hot settings) and sheet or cream mask (for cool modes), and treat your face and neck to a luxurious, at-home facial experience. And not to mention, the resulting glow is totally worth it.

The Georgia Louise Hollywood EGF Micro-Needling + Ion Infusion Kit is a two-step regimen designed to treat — get ready for this list — the appearance of fine lines, enlarged pores, pigmentation, dryness, dullness, and uneven skin tone. How? The device uses soft, single-use microneedle pins to create tiny channels on your skin's surface — in fact, 5,000 times per minute using 20 needles at a time. Simply pop on the micro-pin and guard, apply the EGF (which stands for epidermal growth factor, an ingredient made up of large proteins that float between cells and command your skin to replicate, repair, and rejuvenate) serum that comes with the kit, and work the device all over your face in an upwards and downwards motion.

"Microneedling devices can help improve skin tone, texture, and even fine lines by creating microscopic, low-grade damage to the skin — meaning it takes advantage of the skin's ability to heal itself," Dr. Zeichner. While a lot of over-the-counter devices are rollers that focus on applying extra pressure on skin, he says that this EGF device is "more similar to a professional treatment and will not lead to unnecessary strain or pull on the skin."

He does however warn that over-the-counter microneedling devices aren't effective in treating acne scars, which can potentially be a painful, infection-breeding procedure, so "it should only be done by a board-certified dermatologist," Dr. Zeichner says.

After each session dispose the microneedle head (each kit comes with four heads, and you can buy refill packs), twist on the galvanic head, apply a bit more EGF serum, and run the device over your face again to activate the galvanic current — which is a type of current that increases blood flow, circulation, and pushes the serum (and any skin-care ingredients) deeper into your skin for soothing, hydrating, and brightening benefits. "Initially, galvanic current was used to infuse medicines into people that were sick because it basically pulsates nutrients and medicine into the dermis," Louise previously told Allure.

The Foreo UFO may look cute, but it very much means business. It combines Foreo's signature T-sonic pulsations with Thermo-Therapy mode, which helps infuse active ingredients into your skin and Cryo-Therapy mode, which helps firm, lift, and tighten skin. Add a healthy dose of LED light therapy to upgrade your sheet mask experience and ensure the mask's nutrients get absorbed into the deepest layers of your skin. Here's the lowdown: First download the Foreo app, which scans your device as well as the treatment mask you select, and then remove UFO's transparent ring, secure the circle-shaped, UFO-sized mask with said ring, and massage the device all over your face.

You can choose from four types of masks: a hydrating mask made with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, a radiance-boosting mask with olive oil and ginseng, a calming and antioxidant-rich mask with hyaluronic acid and calming red algae, and another radiance-boosting mask — but this one is formulated with caffeine, rose water, and niacinamide.

Angela Caglia's Skincare Rosebud Eye Treatment consists of two rounded rose quartz tools that perfectly pair with your favorite face oil to help diminish the appearance of puffy, tired-looking eyes. Simply apply light pressure and glide stones in outward motions directly under your eyes. Think of it as a more targeted version of a jade roller.

ReFa, the Japanese brand beloved for its skin-cooling S Carat roller, dropped the world's first handmade Kumanofude cleansing brush with 3D Sonic Ion technology — an innovation that allows the device to extract hard-to-reach impurities (we're talking deep in the pores) that weren't accessible until now.

One might think the ReFa Clear would make for a harsh cleansing experience, but it's quite the opposite. The tool has ultrafine, tapered bristle tips at various lengths to effectively bring dirt and grime to the surface without stripping or irritating the skin. Use in conjunction with your favorite face wash for a cleanse so good you won't want it to end.

Charlotte Tilbury's Cryo Recovery Mask may be scary at first sight but the results are anything but that. Inspired by the ice technology of cryotherapy and facial acupressure, this reusable mask creates the appearance of lifted, firmer, more refreshed skin after each use.

Simply fold the mask into the protective pouch before popping it into your freezer for 30 minutes (avoid freezing it for more than an hour) and place the gel side of the mask onto clean, dry skin. Use the top and bottom velcro straps to secure the mask and leave it for 10 minutes, massaging the metal beads into your pressure points for an extra relaxation boost. Hello, self-care moment.

Three minutes are all it takes for PMD Personal Microderm Pro's vacuum suctioning to increase blood flow and boost collagen production. Because it's a microdermabrasion tool, its spinning aluminum oxide crystal-coated disks scrub away your dead, dull skin cells. It also "helps fade sun spots and get rid of dead skin, which accentuates pores and wrinkles, more efficiently than scrubs or cleansing brushes," Dr. Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously told Allure. 

Just remember to start off with the gentle white training disk (there are a variety of disks to accommodate skin sensitivity levels), move the device quickly over skin and don't hover, only do one pass per section of your face, and always sweep from the center of your face, outwards.