Skincare tools are all the rage. It was *so fun* when skincare tools first started coming out because life felt optimistic and anew. Fast forward a few years and now there are so many tools it’s so confusing. Like what works? What’s worth it? What do I want / need? And gosh forbid we pick the wrong one because some of these skincare tools cost an arm and a leg. Did you guys see Artemis put out a red light face mask that costs 3,500?! Like, do we laugh, do we cry? IDK but what I can tell you is I’ve tried a crap ton of these tools and I’m here to help you narrow it down.
By: Lisa Fennessy
Top picks
After trying a ton of skincare tools including these manual facial tools, I have two main takeaways.
1. Don’t even buy a face tool if you are not going to use it. You know if this is you or not. Just be honest with yourself. The people who are going to get results from skincare tools are the people who floss regularly, set a timer to remember to take the trash out every week, finish every book they start and never let their gas get below ¼ of a tank. If this is you, keep reading.
If this is not you, chances are you are going to spend $300 on a skincare tool, use it a couple of times and then it will collect dust on your bedside table for the next year until you give it away to your niece.
2. I’m not a directions girlie, period. This makes me a huge fan of skincare tools that I don’t need “to learn.” Like, when gua sha first started to trend in the US, people were putting out vids and classes and how tos…and years later we are all still doing it (and saying it) wrong! (Remember that time when Caroline Hirons screenshotted me using a gua sha wrong and then posted it to her hundred of thousands of followers? Haha. That was fun 😬).
Anywho, I don’t have the time or motivation to become a master at a skincare tool. I just want something I can use brainlessly and still see results. If this is you too, I’ve got your back, keep reading!
IN THIS POST:
- Top picks for skincare tools
- All the other skincare tools we’ve tried
TNK top picks
I tried the CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Face Mask: Series 2 | $469
Type: Red light LED Face Mask
What it claims to do: Help improve fine lines and wrinkles, balance skin tone, reduce texture and brighten skin.
An upgrade to the Series 1 mask, CurrentBody’s new Series 2 mask has three major upgrades that make a huge difference overall. The fit is more enveloping with better chin coverage and smaller cutouts for mouth and eyes. The series 1 has 132 bulbs while the series 2 added 100 more—a total of 236 bulbs! Lastly, CurrentBody added deep near-infrared light in addition to existing red light and infrared light for additional collagen boosting.
Specs:
- FDA cleared
- Flexible silicone
- 236 bulbs
- Red light
- Infrared light
- Deep near-infrared light
What I liked:
- I don’t need learn the tool to be able to use the tool
- More bulbs = better coverage
- Only takes 10 minutes
- Hands free experience (literally don’t have to do anything)
- Treats the entire face at once (saves time)
- Rechargeable battery (you don’t have to be near an outlet to use it)
- I saw results
What I didn’t:
- You have to use this consistently for best results
- The price
Worth it if: If you’ve been wanting to invest in red light therapy, go with the CurrentBody series 2 mask. This one is better than their series 1. However, if you have the series 1 already, it works great and an upgrade isn’t necessary. Also if you want to save a bit of $ then go with the series 1 over this.
SAVE: Use THENEWKNEWLED to save 10% on CurrentBody.
I tried the NuFACE MINI+ | $250
Type: Microcurrent facial tool (travel size)
What it claims to do: Improve muscle tone and contour in face and neck, improve local circulation, firm, lift and tighten the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and more.
This is NuFACE’s mini version of their Trinity and guys. It does the exact same thing. So let’s just cut to the chase and say if you are interested in this tool, go for this one over the Trinity and save $100. With the MINI+ you will also get access to their app so you can track your progress visually and use their guided routines. A no brainer if you are trying to decide between the two. Check out my full review here.
Specs:
- FDA-cleared
- Microcurrent technology
- Travel size
What I liked:
- Easier to hold than the NuFACE Trinity
- Saw very similar (if not the same) results to the NuFACE Trinity
- Better price than the NuFACE Trinity
- The beep that guides you through the treatment is quieter
What I didn’t:
- Marketing the MINI+ as travel friendly over the Trinity seems absurd
- Don’t love the conductor ingredients
- You need to be consistent to maintain results
Worth it if: You want to instantly and overtime lift your face without having to get surgery…plus save a few bucks. See my before and after pics here.
Everything else we’ve tried
I tried the CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Face Mask: Series 1 | $380
Type: Red light LED Face Mask
What it claims to do: Improve fine lines and wrinkles, balance skin tone, reduce texture and brighten skin.
The CurrentBody LED Face Mask uses clinically tested wavelengths to reach up to 4cm of skin tissue to calm redness, aid in the production of new collagen and promote an even skin tone in just 10 minutes per day. Red light therapy is proven to work and I saw a difference in just 30 days.
Specs:
- FDA cleared
- Flexible silicone
- 132 bulbs
- Red light
- Infrared light
What I liked:
- I don’t need learn the tool to be able to use the tool
- Only takes 10 minutes
- Hands free experience (literally don’t have to do anything)
- Treats the entire face at once (saves time)
- Rechargeable battery (you don’t need to be near an outlet to use it)
- I saw results
What I didn’t:
- You have to use this consistently for best results
- The price
Worth it if: You want to see results without putting the work in. A mask is great because it treats your whole face at one time and you don’t have to spend time working in sections. Also you can turn it on then walk around and do stuff or lay down and read or watch TV at the same time. Check out my before and after pics here.
SAVE: Use THENEWKNEWLED to save 10% on CurrentBody here.
I tried the Luminance RED Acne Device | $399
Type: Red and blue light acne tool
What it claims to do: Reduce the appearance of underground pimples.
Nic: This traveled to Colorado with me for my brother’s wedding because I had THE biggest zit in the history of the world between my eyebrows. Seriously. My sister said it was the biggest zit she’s ever seen. And that was after I had popped it TWICE. 
The Luminance RED device seriously reduced inflammation on that pimple and made it poppable (and then I could use my zit stickers on it, which was the perfect one-two punch).
I love that it’s a super quick treatment (2, 90-second treatments, one blue light, one red) and it visibly reduces underground zits in just those two treatments. I used it on two huge, painful, underground blemishes. One came to a poppable head after two treatments, and the other was less red and less painful after two treatments—and is almost completely gone after 3 treatments. I also like that the brand has some clinical studies to support the device—it feels high-tech and like something an esthetician would use on my face, but I don’t have to pay for that appointment!
Specs
- FDA cleared
- Class II medical device
- Blue and red light wavelengths
What I liked:
- Easy to use
- Reduces inflammation and redness in two treatments
- Reduces painful zits (best for underground pimple, IMO)
- Takes 3 minutes for a treatment
- Uses both red and blue light
What I didn’t:
- The price
Worth it if: You routinely have underground blemishes that don’t respond to other at-home treatments, and you’re willing to spend some cash.
I tried the Maysama Bian Stone Gua Sha LED Facial Massager | $69.95
Type: Manual facial massage stone + LED red light, vibration and heat therapy
What it claims to do: Relieve facial and muscular tension, improve lymphatic drainage and increase microcirculation.
This is a different version of the Solawave Wand. Again, if you are looking at this for red light benefits, I prefer a mask because you can treat your entire face at the same time. And if you are looking at this tool for its massage benefits, save $70 and just massage your face!
Specs:
What I liked:
- It’s cheaper tool than most skincare tools
What I didn’t:
- Not much red light
- Seems like a glorified face massager
Worth it if: You need a gift for someone you don’t like, lol.
I tried the NuFACE Trinity | $350
Type: Microcurrent facial tool
What it claims to do: Improve muscle tone and contour in face and neck, improve local circulation, firm, lift and tighten the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkle and more.
Microcurrent technology uses low-level electrical currents that mimic your body’s natural signals to stimulate facial muscles, helping to lift and tone them over time. It also boosts circulation and encourages collagen and elastin production. The benefits? A more sculpted look, reduced fine lines, better circulation, and less puffiness that lasts at least 24 hours.
Specs:
- FDA-cleared
- Microcurrent technology
What I liked:
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Easy to administer
- Does not hurt
- 1 Treatment takes about 15 minutes
- Immediate results
- Gel conductor does not dry up during treatment
What I didn’t:
- You need to be consistent to see long term results
- You have to be engaged and work the face in sections
- Needs to be used with a gel conductor (that you will have to buy on repeat)
- You will feel it along your hairline as hair is also a microcurrent conductor
- The price
Worth it if: You want to instantly and overtime lift your face without having to get surgery. See my before and after pics here.
I tried the PMD Wave Pro | $129
Type: Pore extractor and microcurrent tool
What it claims to do: Deep clean, unclog pores and tone facial muscles.
I was so excited to get this pore extractor tool. I love pore strips, manual extraction, before and afters—in another life I would have been one of those lice ladies but sub pores. I mean, give me a hotel room with a magnifying mirror and I’ll see you in 2 days lol.
This skincare device supposedly has three modes: Extract Mode (cleans pores), Infuse Mode (helps skin absorb products better), and Lift Mode (makes skin feel firmer and smoother with gentle microcurrents).
Sadly this tool did not work for me. Nothing extracted. I hated it.
Specs:
- PreciseXtractor™
- E-Wave™ Technology
What I liked:
- Nothing—this didn’t work for me.
What I didn’t:
- I clicked through some of their marketing vids from people using this tool around the internet to see if it was just me but people are raving all while the tool is doing nothing. IDK.
Worth it if: It’s not worth it.
I tried the Solawave Neck and Chest Rejuvenating Mask | $229
Type: Red light LED Neck and Chest Mask
What it claims to do: Help improve fine lines and wrinkles, even skin tone and reduce blemishes.
A red light mask but FOR YOUR NECK AND CHEST. If you are a child of the 80s like me, this is going to be the equivalent of getting double gums in your Garbage Pail Kids card pack.
Specs:
- Red light
- Near-Infrared light
What I liked:
- Don’t have to “learn this tool”
- Treats the entire chest and neck at the same time
- I can double up and do this at the same time as a red light face mask
- 10 minute treatment
What I didn’t:
- It’s not as strong as my CurrentBody face mask. You can see it has way less bulbs leaving a lot of open space meaning there is a lot of skin area that is not getting treated.
- (Has anyone seen my dom? Lol, I feel very s&m in this tool).
Worth it if: You want to improve the skin texture on your neck and chest. I personally have some scarring on my neck. I’m hoping this will help along with treating all the sun exposure on my chest from over the years.
I tried the Solawave 4-in-1- Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand with Red Light Therapy | $207
Type: Red light therapy, Galvanic current and warm massage
What it claims to do: Boost collagen, enhance skin cell turnover, and help combat sun damage
The Solawave Wand is a compact skincare tool that combines four technologies—red light therapy, galvanic current, facial massage, and therapeutic warmth. Together, they boost collagen, enhance skin cell turnover, and address sun damage. Galvanic current, in particular, acts like a magnet for skincare products, helping serums and moisturizers penetrate deeper for better results. Add in warmth and massage, and your skin gets the full pampering experience. Solawave says results take a few weeks, but I noticed a difference after just one use—talk about instant gratification!
Specs:
- Red Light Therapy
- Galvanic Current
- Facial Massage
- Therapeutic Warmth
What I liked:
- It works
- One of the most affordable red light therapy devices on the market
What I didn’t:
- 1 Session takes 12 minutes and you have to be engaged the whole time
- You have to work in sections
- I don’t like the gel it comes with but here’s an alternative
Worth it if: If you want to treat your face with red light but don’t want to spend a lot. If money is no object, I would go with a red light mask over this every. single. time.
I tried the Wildling Empress Platinum Jade | $159
Type: Manual facial massager
What it claims to do: Lift and sculpt skin while helping to increase blood circulation and improve lymphatic drainage.
Wildling has put out several iterations of the gua sha stone. This is their latest one. All gua shas are basically going to do the same thing. You will see some variations in shape that can help you target specific areas but all of that is HIGH LEVEL gua sha and the average person is not going to be able to benefit from these variations.
That being said, really you can go with any gua sha. It doesn’t have to be a fancy one or an expensive stone. It’s more about how you use it than the material itself.
Specs:
- Medical grade stainless steel
What I liked:
- It’s pretty
- Cooling effect
What I didn’t:
- It’s an expensive version of a prolific tool that you can get for a lot cheaper
Worth it if: If you enjoy the cooling effect of stainless steel.
I tried the ZIIP HALO | $399
Type: Microcurrent tool
What it claims to do: Stimulate cellular renewal to address skin texture, fine lines, blemishes and pigmentation.
Claire: The first time I tried this tool I glanced at the directions and only used 4 of the recommended 4-8 pumps of gel—resulting in an extremely painful session of getting zapped at random over and over. No thanks.
I finally psyched myself up to try again using 10 pumps of gel to thoroughly cover my skin and pulled my hair back tightly (thank you internet). I didn’t feel any painful zaps, but the microcurrent is strong and I had to avoid my chin (you can feel it in your teeth) and hairline to prevent it from being too intense. Running it over my forehead gave me a slight headache that went away when I moved the tool.
I wanted to love this but it was just too intense for a microcurrent newb.
To note: The included conductive gel has some controversial ingredients but they sell a clean option separately!
Specs
- Nanocurrent™
- Microcurrent
What I liked:
- 4 minute treatment
- They offer a clean conductive gel you can purchase separately
- There is an app for guided treatments (though I prob won’t use it)
What I didn’t:
- Not very comfortable to use
- You have to use a ton of gel to prevent getting zapped which is painful
- The price
Worth it if: You can handle intense microcurrent. This one isn’t for beginners.
Like this? Check out more facial toolswe’vetried.
Have you tried any facial tools?
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By Lisa Fennessy
Lisa is the founder of The New Knew. Passionate about clean beauty, organic eats and nontoxic lifestyle, Lisa writes to create awareness. Conscious consumerism and informed decisions will impact the marketplace, our health and THE WORLD!
