A Comprehensive Guide to Facial Tools (Part 1)
You’ve got smart everything: phones, watches, even fridges. But what about skincare?
Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding how much time and money these devices can save.
To start off, if you don’t know what tools best suit your needs, use the form below:
Now that we’ve discovered the device you want, click the link to explore how it works, pros and cons, and what to expect:
Sonic Cleansing: Handheld Devices
Microcurrent Firming: Handheld Devices
RF Anti-aging Devices: Handheld Devices
LED Light Therapy: Handheld Devices vs. Face Masks
Percussive Massage: Handheld Devices
Microneedling: Handheld Rollers
Gua Sha: Handheld Tool
Thermal Treatment: Heating and Cooling Pads
The world has evolved far beyond jade rollers and sheet masks. In fact, they’re now called “skincare tech”, with smart devices like silicone cleansing brushes and microcurrent facial tools, promising to clean deeper, lift better, and boost faster. [1]
We’re seeing more skincare tech in home routines, mimicking spa-grade treatments with a press of a button.
In this issue, we’ll focus on sonic facial cleansers and microcurrent skin-lifting devices, exploring how they work, what science and users say about results, and whether they’re worth the splurge.
1. Deep Clean, Gentle Touch - Sonic Facial Brushes
Compared to how you’re currently cleansing - either with scrubbing or using harsh cleansers, sonic facial brushes can provide a deep cleanse while minimizing irritation.
These sonic cleansing tools use high-frequency vibrations (brands may trademark their type of vibration pattern under different names, like “T-Sonic” pulses [2]), delivered through soft silicone bristles to gently sweep away impurities like dirt, oil, and leftover makeup. Some manufacturers claim that up to 99.5% of the impurities lodged deep in the pores can be removed.
According to a branded study, 98% of users reported feeling noticeably smoother and softer-feeling skin [2], while 94% observed more toned skin after use, due to the massaging sensation, and no dryness or abrasions were reported [3].
To tailor cleaning to different skin types, these devices also allow customization of brush head textures, and adjustable intensity levels, to create a different “cleaning mode” based on the texture of the skin and the area we want to cleanse (face, neck, or back).
2. At-Home Skin Lifts - Microcurrent & Multi-tech Devices
Enter the multifunctional facial tool, some integrating up to 6 technologies [4] [5]: electroporation, microcurrent, electric muscle stimulation, LED light therapy, sonic vibration, and electric needles. Talking about buying the ultimate combo deal with a jack-of-all-trades handy device!
Here’s the technical jargon of the functions, translated English to English:
Electroporation: helping the skin better absorb products by letting the skincare ingredients penetrate deeper with electrical pulses.
This was a technique commonly used for delivering drugs across the skin’s protective barrier [6], in recent years, we’ve seen the trend of adopting electroporation or intophoresis for cosmetic and aesthetic applications [7].
Microcurrent: used to treat fine lines by promoting skin regeneration and enhancing cellular activities.
Originally used for pain relief and promoting wound healing, this technique is found to also improve skin roughness [8] and by extension, erasing wrinkles and fine lines.
EMS (Electric Muscle Stimulation): gives a firming and toning effect to the face, especially for cheeks and jawlines.
EMS has been used for over 20 years to help people maintain muscle mass [9], with its benefits of providing a firm look for the face just recently noticed.
LED Light Therapy: erases wrinkles, acne scars, increases tissue repair, and reduces UV damage, light therapy almost promises too much but always delivers because the skin responds to light of specific wavelengths (red and near-infrared) [10] by activating stem cells!
This technique has been adopted to heal wounds since before 1992 [11].
Sonic Vibration: makes the skin bouncier by restoring elasticity and firming the skin over time. At the end of the day, it’s a massage - just relax and enjoy.
Electric Needles: trademarked by some brands as “Derma Shot”, it’s a combination of LED therapy and EMS.
When combined, these modes can give the ultimate perfect skin: enhancing product benefits (money saver), improving skin elasticity, and promoting a healthier complexion.
According to brand-sponsored clinical studies, the device can increase skin permeability by up to 490%, allowing for better product absorption [5]
People reported immediate lifting and sculpting effects, with one reviewer stating that the device made their skin plumper, smoother, and more lifted, emphasizing its practicality and ease of use [4].
To Conclude,
Advanced skincare tech devices like sonic cleansing brushes and home-use microcurrent tools represent a shift in how we approach daily skin health.
Ultimately, we want easier, faster, and cheaper ways to get smoother skin, clearer skin, bouncier skin, and firmer skin.
But as with any skincare product, results vary, and it's essential to use these tools as directed to minimize potential risks. Like hitting the gym 5 hours every day, anything can damage the body when overdone. And if you have sensitive skin or existing skin conditions, consult with a dermatologist before incorporating new products and devices.
Because investing in our skin is never just about looks, it’s about a story of care, curiosity, and confidence.
💛 Thank you Sneha for helping with literature research to support this post! 💛
