Skin Care Tools That Actually Work: Vogue Editors' Top Picks

Life before incorporating effective facial tools into my skincare routine is now a distant memory. What began with a simple jade roller has evolved into a comprehensive collection of high-tech gadgets, each chosen to address specific skin concerns without needing frequent dermatologist visits.

Vogue’s Favorite Skin Care Tools

While a jade roller is still useful for boosting circulation, especially during a sheet mask session, my beauty arsenal has significantly expanded. Tools like Joanna Czech’s angled roller offer sculpting benefits for cheekbones and jawline, while the NuFace elevates the game with microcurrent technology for visible results. For overall skin rejuvenation, my go-to is the Dr. Dennis Gross LED face mask, which tackles both aging and acne. Innovations like the Hailey Bieber-approved Medicube Age R Pro for enhanced product absorption and Therabody’s cold therapy wand for depuffing constantly refresh the market. Since integrating these tools, my skin has never looked better. Below, discover these and more of the best skin care tools, rigorously tested and reviewed by Vogue beauty editors, to find the perfect additions to your skincare regimen.

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Best LED Face Mask: Currentbody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask

Why We Love It: If you’re battling fine lines and dullness, LED light therapy, celebrated for its potent results, offers a solution in just 10 minutes daily. Dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm explains to Vogue that LED therapy is a safe treatment using various light wavelengths effective for acne, inflammation, aging signs, collagen stimulation, and even minor wound healing. The Vogue Verified Currentbody LED face mask, crafted from flexible silicone, comfortably fits the skin, allowing for hands-free use. FDA-cleared and clinically proven to reduce wrinkles in four weeks, it’s a powerful tool for skin rejuvenation.

Editor’s experience: “Hands-free devices are essential for me as a phone addict. I’ve noticed brighter skin and peace of mind knowing I’m proactively addressing fine lines. Plus, it’s the mask featured in Netflix’s Emily in Paris!” —Iman Balagam, contributor
Type: Flexible silicone LED Face Mask
What It’s Good For: Improves skin tone, texture, and firmness with patented flexible silicone LED technology.
Specs: FDA-approved, red (633nm) and near-infrared (830nm) light wavelengths.
Best For: Brightening, fine lines, wrinkles, texture, pigmentation.
How to Use: Cleanse skin, secure mask, activate for 10 minutes, repeat 3-5 times weekly.

Best IPL Device: Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL Hair Removal System

Why We Love It: For effective at-home laser hair removal, IPL devices are often favored over traditional lasers. Dermatologist Noah Gratch highlights the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5’s skin tone detection feature, ensuring safe hair follicle targeting without skin damage. Ideal for legs, arms, underarms, bikini line, back, chest, and lower face on lighter skin tones, this IPL device offers long-lasting hair removal and potential skin texture improvement.

Type: IPL device
What It’s Good For: Long-lasting, at-home hair removal.
Specs: FDA-approved, three intensity levels (Standard, Gentle, Extra Gentle).
Best For: Hair removal.
How to Use: Shave treatment area, select head, glide over hair removal area.

Best Skincare Wand: Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand with Red Light Therapy

Why We Love It: Elevate your at-home facials with the Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand, a portable device combining four treatments. Red light therapy minimizes fine lines and scarring, microcurrent tones facial muscles, massage reduces puffiness, and therapeutic warmth enhances product absorption, all in a five-minute session. This wand simplifies and enhances your skincare routine effectively.

Editor’s experience: “The Solawave’s portability and ease of use are unmatched. It’s travel-friendly and quick, making it easy to maintain my skincare routine anywhere. Who has time for lengthy routines?” —Iman Balagam, contributor
Type: Skincare Wand
Specs: Red light (630nm).
What It’s Good For: Reduces wrinkles, dark circles, blemishes, dark spots, puffiness, and enhances product absorption.
Best For: Wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, puffiness.
How to Use: Apply serum or gel, glide wand upwards across face for five minutes.

Best Microcurrent Device: NuFace Trinity+

Why We Love It: The NuFace Trinity+, a Vogue editor favorite, uses microcurrents to stimulate facial muscles for a firmer, toned complexion in just 5-20 minutes. Users rave about its game-changing effects in smoothing lines, toning, lifting, and sculpting facial muscles with consistent use. Apply a conductive gel for smooth roller glide and optimal results.

Editor’s experience: “For an instant snatched look, NuFace is my go-to. It’s the quickest, easiest, and pain-free way to tone my face. A few passes along cheekbones and jawline and I’m camera-ready.” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
Type: Microcurrent tool
Specs: FDA Cleared, 340 microamps at maximum intensity.
What It’s Good For: Tones, lifts, and tightens facial muscles for instant and long-term results.
Best For: Wrinkles, fine lines, sculpting.
How to Use: Cleanse, apply serum, brush on Microcurrent Activator, glide device over skin.

Best Face Massager: Joanna Czech The Facial Massager

Why We Love It: Bring Joanna Czech’s salon experience home with The Facial Massager. Daily use helps combat puffiness, tighten, tone, and sculpt the jawline. Its durable, waterproof design enhances product absorption when paired with serums, creams, or masks, making it a valuable tool for at-home facial care.

Editor’s Experience: “One facial with Joanna Czech hooked me. While daily treatments aren’t feasible, this roller mimics her technique, boosting blood flow, depuffing, and relieving tension. I love it!” —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping writer
Type: Facial Massager
Specs: Aluminum and zinc alloy.
What It’s Good For: Sculpting, depuffing, and aiding product absorption.
Best For: Lifting, firming, depuffing, fine lines, wrinkles.
How to Use: Glide massager across face and décolletage to boost circulation and firm skin.

Best Cleansing Brush: Foreo LUNA 4 Face Cleansing Brush

Why We Love It: Foreo’s LUNA 4 combines Swedish design with sonic cleansing, using bacteria-repelling silicone nubs to gently lift impurities. It simplifies makeup removal and effectively clears pores of sweat, oil, and dirt, revealing smoother, clearer, and glowing skin. Ideal for those seeking efficient and hygienic cleansing.

Editor’s experience: “Even after double cleansing, I question makeup removal. The Foreo provides peace of mind. It’s easy to use, silicone-based for hygiene, and perfect for shower use.” —Iman Balagam, contributor
Type: Silicone Electric Cleansing Brush/Massager
What It’s Good For: Enhances skincare absorption and removes 99% of dirt, oil, and makeup residue.
Specs: Battery Powered (1 Lithium Polymer required).
Best For: Facial cleansing, firming.
How to Use: Apply cleanser, press power button, glide in outward motions until device turns off.

Best LED Light Therapy Tool: Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite Dpl FaceWare Pro

Why We Love It: The Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro offers hands-free LED rejuvenation in just three minutes daily. With three treatment modes and comfortable design, this mask uses red and blue LED light to combat bacteria and smooth wrinkles effectively. A quick and efficient way to invest in your skin’s future.

Editor’s experience: “Despite lifestyle choices, this mask feels like a future-self investment. The three-minute use makes it consistently integrable, unlike longer masks. Great for Netflix and jump-scaring FaceTime friends.” —Iman Balagam, contributor
Type: LED Mask with silicone strap
What It’s Good For: Smooths, diminishes fine lines, prevents acne, firms skin, clears existing acne.
Specs: FDA-cleared, red, blue, infrared, and amber light wavelengths.
Best For: Acne, wrinkles, fine lines.
How to Use: Cleanse, place mask over face, select light, remove after timer.

Best for Hair Growth: Currentbody LED Hair Growth Helmet

Why We Love It: For hair growth, red light therapy is a top mechanism, boosting cellular energy and scalp blood supply, according to dermatologist Dr. Lauren Penzi. The Currentbody LED Hair Growth Helmet is expert-endorsed and effective, especially when combined with other hair loss treatments, as noted by dermatologist Blair Murphy-Rose. Contributor Danielle James saw significant hair density and length improvement in six months of testing.

Editor’s Experience: “Currentbody guarantees results in 16 weeks, I saw changes in 12. Less shedding by week 6, improved hair health by week 8, and new growth by week 20. Daily use might yield faster results.” —Danielle James, contributor
Type: Red light therapy helmet
What It’s Good For: Hands-free red light therapy for scalp hair growth.
Specs: FDA-cleared, red light at 620-660nm.
Best For: Hair growth.
How to Use: Place helmet on clean, dry hair, turn on for 10-minute treatment.

Best Laser Device: Lyma Laser

Why We Love It: The Lyma Laser, an FDA-cleared, clinic-grade tool, surpasses traditional LED therapy. It uses a painless, low-level laser to stimulate cellular repair and regeneration, improving wrinkles, sun damage, redness, and pigmentation. Though an investment, Joanna Czech recommends it for diminishing dark spots over time.

Editor’s Experience: “By week five, others noticed my skin change. Sunspots faded, skin looked plumper and brighter. It’s travel-friendly and combats jet-lag face.” —Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty editor
Type: Laser
What It’s Good For: Reduces fine lines, dark spots, improves texture and tone.
Specs: FDA-Cleared, Near infra-red 500mW laser technology.
Best For: Wrinkles, texture, dark Spots, hyperpigmentation.
How to Use: Hold laser over spot for three minutes or glide across face and body.

Best Depuffing: Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand

Why We Love It: For puffiness, the Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand offers quick relief. It utilizes cold therapy at three preset temperatures to tighten skin, similar to an ice roller but without freezer burn risk. It also offers heat therapy for enhanced product absorption, making it a versatile tool for depuffing and skincare.

What It’s Good For: Depuffing under-eye bags, reducing morning or post-flight puffiness.
Specs: Plastic wand with copper/aluminum alloy head for cold and heat therapy.
Best For: Depuffing, firming.
How to Use: Glide wand on clean, dry skin on under-eyes, cheeks, jaw, and forehead.

Best For Contouring: Jillian Dempsey Gold Bar

Why We Love It: Mimic Hollywood facialists with Jillian Dempsey’s Gold Sculpting Bar. This vibrating tool contours cheekbones, lifts jawlines, and massages eyebrows. The 24-karat gold bar mimics massage effects to boost blood flow, relax muscles, depuff, and sculpt, enhancing your gua sha routine.

Type: Facial Massager
What It’s Good For: Sculpts and defines cheekbones, jawline, chin, and neck.
Specs: 24K gold plated vibrating bar with 6,000 rotations per minute.
Best For: Lifting, Toning, Contouring.
How to Use: Moisturize skin, move upward along jawline to temples for five minutes.

Best for Acne: OmniLux Mini Blemish Eraser

Why We Love It: Speed up blemish treatment with the OmniLux Mini Blemish Eraser. Paired with salicylic acid and green tea patches, this device uses blue and red LED lights to eliminate bacteria and reduce inflammation and redness. A hands-free solution for effective acne treatment.

Type: Silicone Mini LED device
What It’s Good For: Targets breakouts, clinically proven to target acne bacteria.
Specs: FDA-cleared, blue (415nm) and red (633nm) wavelengths.
Best For: Acne, inflammation, redness.
How to Use: Stick patches on blemishes, adhere device for 10 minutes, four times a week.

Best for Microneedling: BeautyBio GloPRO Regeneration Tool

Why We Love It: For pore perfection in 2024, the BeautyBio GloPRO microneedling tool stimulates cellular turnover and collagen production. Painless and easy to use for 60 seconds daily, it enhances skincare absorption and promotes a plumper, radiant complexion with consistent use three times a week.

Type: Microneedling LED Light Tool
What It’s Good For: Red LED light enhances skin appearance through pulse stimulation.
Specs: Red light (620-625nm).
Best For: Smoothing, retexturing.
How to Use: Clarify skin, gently use device for 60 seconds, apply serums immediately.

Best Dermaplaning Device: Dermaflash LUXE+ Advanced Sonic Dermaplaning Device

Why We Love It: Dermaflash LUXE+ offers a two-in-one sonic extractor for at-home facials. Extract mode gently removes blackheads, while Infuse mode enhances serum penetration. Combined with active ingredients, it boosts skincare product effectiveness for improved skin.

Type: Dermaplaning Device
What It’s Good For: Exfoliates dead skin, eliminates blackheads, dirt, and oil.
Specs: Sonic dermaplaning system.
Best For: Blackheads, skincare absorption, peach fuzz removal.
How to Use: Prep skin with Preflash, hold at 45-degree angle, use feathery strokes, apply skincare.

Best for Tense Muscles: Theraface PRO Microcurrent Facial Device

Why We Love It: The Theraface PRO is designed for facial tension relief, offering eight treatments and customizable heads. From percussive massage to LED light therapy and cleansing, it addresses diverse skincare needs. Its versatility is loved by celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles for unwinding and skin prep.

Editor’s experience: “With TMJ, no tool relaxes my facial muscles like TheraFace Pro. The massage is soothing, and multi-treatment capability is great. I combine massage with LED light therapy.” —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping writer
Type: Facial Massaging Device
What It’s Good For: 8-in-1 device with massager, facial kit, sculpting tool, and LED Light Therapy.
Specs: Red, blue, and infrared light wavelengths.
Best For: Cleansing, sculpting, inflammation, acne, relieving tension.
How to Use: Apply gel, select microcurrent, glide upward on face, rinse skin.

Best Gua Sha: Mount Lai The Jade Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool

Why We Love It: Mount Lai’s gua sha tool, available in jade, rose quartz, black obsidian, and amethyst, combats puffy under-eyes. This traditional Chinese tool boosts blood flow, drains lymph, and tones skin with daily use, offering both visual and meditative self-care benefits.

Editor’s experience: “Without natural cheekbones or jawline, gua sha is my definition tool. Consistency is key for noticeable results. It’s portable and essential to my routine.” —Iman Balagam, contributor
Type: Gua Sha Stone
What It’s Good For: Boosting circulation and sculpting face.
Specs: 100% jade, rose quartz, black obsidian, or amethyst stone.
Best For: Puffiness, contouring, releasing tension, lymphatic drainage.
How to Use: Apply oil or serum, glide down neck, forehead, eye area, cheeks, and jawline.

Best Infrared Sauna Blanket: Higher Dose Infrared Sauna Blanket

Why We Love It: For infrared sauna benefits without space or cost, the Higher Dose blanket is ideal. It detoxifies, increases heart rate like light exercise, reduces stress, boosts mood, and enhances skin radiance. A convenient at-home wellness and beauty tool.

Editor’s experience: “I’m obsessed with my sauna blanket for 4+ years. Relaxation, emailing, writing – always in the blanket. Pair with magnesium spray and body oil post-shower. Hydrate well before and after!” —Iman Balagam, contributor
Type: Sauna Blanket
What It’s Good For: Full-body sweat, detox, mood boost, glowing skin, stress reduction, blood flow increase.
Specs: 68 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit range.
Best For: Detoxing, burning calories, boosting mood, glowing skin, reducing stress, increase blood flow.
How to Use: Wear skin-covering clothes, preheat, lay on flat surface, zip in for 30-45 minutes, rinse in cool shower.

Best Face Roller: Herbivore Stone Facial Roller

Why We Love It: Herbivore’s classic face roller boosts circulation, relaxes tension, and promotes radiance. Made from ethically-sourced jade, it’s effective and chic. It also aids lymphatic drainage and sinus relief, making it a versatile beauty tool.

Type: Jade Stone Roller
What It’s Good For: Boosts circulation, relaxes muscle tension, promotes radiant glow.
Specs: Jade facial roller.
Best For: Puffiness, fine lines, detoxing.
How to Use: Apply face oil, roll from face center outward and upward, and down neck sides. Refrigerate for cooling effect.

Best Korean Skincare Tool for Glass Skin: Medicube Age-R Booster Pro

Why We Love It: Medicube Age-R Booster Pro, a K-beauty innovation, uses Electroporation to enhance product absorption by 785% without needles. With four modes and daily safe use, it promotes radiance, elasticity, pore care, and contouring, making spa-like treatments accessible daily.

Editor’s experience: “Hailey Bieber’s TikTok introduced me to Medicube Age-R Booster. It’s easy, painless, and makes my skin plumper and glossier. Vacation prep essential!” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
Type: Facial Treatment Device
What It’s Good For: Enhanced radiance, elasticity, pore care, and facial contouring.
Specs: Electrical stimulation.
Best For: Hydration, plumping.
How to Use: Wash skin, apply skincare, choose mode (watering, boosting, or focus), and use as directed.

Best for Big Events: ZIIP Halo

Why We Love It: The ZIIP Halo is a top choice for pre-event skin prep. Microcurrent technology provides painless, gentle vibrations with 26 waveform combinations via app. Frequent use delivers noticeable lifting and sculpting results, making it worth the investment for special occasions.

Editor’s experience: “ZIIP Halo instantly lifted my eyebrow and cheek, explaining its celebrity red carpet use.” — Veronica Cristino, Contributor
Type: Microcurrent tool
Specs: 50 Hz frequency, 900 nanoamps to 400 microamps power levels.
What It’s Good For: Immediate lifting effect for events like weddings or red carpets.
Best For: Dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles, texture.
How to Use: Apply Electric Complex Gel, activate device, use 3-5 times weekly for six weeks, perform sensitivity test before use.

Best Dry Brush: Goop Beauty Ultimate Dry Brush

Why We Love It: Goop Beauty Ultimate Dry Brush stands out with its gentle yet effective natural sisal bristles. It exfoliates dead skin cells, revealing smoother skin with an easy-grip handle for thorough body brushing. A luxurious tool for achieving baby-soft skin.

Editor’s experience: “As a Gwyneth Paltrow disciple, I love dry brushing. This brush is gentle, effective, and makes my skin baby soft. I love the ritual and following with body oil.” — Iman Balagam, Contributor
Type: Body Brush
What It’s Good For: Exfoliates dead skin for glowing, smooth skin.
Specs: Pure natural sisal brush.
Best For: Exfoliation, circulation.
How to Use: Use on dry skin before bath or shower, brush upwards towards heart for 3-5 minutes.

Best For Skincare Absorption: Droplette

Why We Love It: Brooke Shields’ beauty secret, the Droplette Microinfusion Device, enhances ingredient penetration at a molecular level. It delivers aerosol mist droplets past the skin barrier, maximizing product efficacy. Capsules like collagen, glycolic acid, and retinol address various skin concerns effectively.

Editor’s experience: “Droplette improved my skin hydration, redness, plumpness, and firmness. Skincare is pricey, and this maximizes product use. The lip plumping capsule is great pre-events.” —Iman Balagam, contributor
Type: Skincare Device
What It’s Good For: Needle-free technology for 20 times deeper ingredient delivery.
Specs: Micro-infusion Technology, Charging Adapter.
Best For: Skincare absorption, plumping, hydration.
How to Use: Place capsule in chamber, tilt head, position device half inch from skin, turn on, move mist in slow circles.

Best for Skin Tightening: Currentbody RF Radio Frequency Device

Why We Love It: The Currentbody RF Radio Frequency Device brings professional skin tightening home. It heats skin to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, stimulating collagen production, tightening tissue, and improving skin texture. Consistent use offers results similar to in-office RF treatments.

Editor’s Experience: “It delivers gentle heat, maintaining 104 degrees Fahrenheit for collagen production. I focus on forehead, 11s, crow’s-feet, and laugh lines.” —Iman Balagam, contributor
Type: Skin-care device
What It’s Good For: At-home radio frequency for skin tightening and collagen production.
Specs: FDA-cleared.
Best For: Collagen production, firming, improving skin texture.
How to Use: Apply gel, glide device in circles, use for up to 70 minutes or follow 5-minute regimens.

What is the difference between different beauty technologies?

LED Light Therapy: Esthetician Elizabeth Hand explains LED light therapy uses wavelengths for skin concerns. Red light stimulates collagen and repair, while blue light combats acne bacteria.
Microcurrent: Hand describes microcurrent as low-level electrical currents toning facial muscles, mimicking body impulses for firmness.
Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy involves freezing temperatures for therapeutic benefits, reducing inflammation and swelling for a refreshed look, says Hand.
Facial Massage: Facial massage stimulates blood flow, delivering nutrients and removing toxins, reducing puffiness. Hand calls it the “easiest at-home treatment.”
Laser: Lyma Laser, the first FDA-cleared at-home laser, reduces aging signs by triggering cell regeneration and boosting collagen and elastin, Hand explains.
Microneedling: Microneedling creates micro-injuries stimulating collagen and elastin production, Hand clarifies.
Dermaplaning: Dermaplaning removes peach fuzz and dead skin for smoother skin and product penetration, Hand states, recommending it every 2-4 weeks.
Radio Frequency: Radio frequency uses electromagnetic waves to heat skin, stimulating collagen and firmness, with consistent use potentially matching medical RF treatments, aesthetician Athena Hewett notes.

How do you choose the right beauty tool for you?

Elizabeth Hand advises considering goals, concerns, and timing (events, holidays). Research expert-recommended tools, especially for sensitive skin, and consult with an aesthetician. She recommends LED masks as beneficial for everyone.

Are at-home beauty tools worth investing in?

Hand approves at-home tools but stresses they aren’t substitutes for a good routine. Avoid at-home dermaplaning and microneedling, leaving them to professionals due to risks like bacteria and broken vessels.

Skin Care Tools That Actually Work: Vogue Editors’ Top Picks