I’m a firm believer that if you’re serious about anti-aging but don’t want to splurge on professional procedures, you need a good at-home skincare device. Topical products, as amazing as retinol or peptides are, can only do so much, but with a good device, ooh boy your skincare game will be next level.
I’ve now tested 16 different skincare devices since 2020, and here’s what I think about all of them now:
My Holy Grail: CurrentBody LED Mask Series 2
I first tried the original in 2022 and it’s been the one device I’ve consistently used since, only switching it out when I got the Series 2. It’s perfect for when I just want to lounge, but also when I need to do chores or even workout. Time is of the essence now that I’m a mom and I need a device that can multitask with me!
Here’s what have I noticed in the 3 years of using a LED mask:
- Barely any new fine lines! Between having a baby and the lack of sleep that comes along with said baby, I expected to age 5+ years, and I certainly felt it in other areas. Luckily my face has been spared, and I do think this mask is a huge contributor to that.
- Decreased skin sensitivity even when using strong actives. My skin has always been pretty resilient, but I definitely noticed an improvement in the years, especially with redness. For example, I used to get red easily when using tretinoin or radiofrequency devices, but now the redness is not only less noticeable and also subsides quicker.
- This is a fairly new improvement, but brighter skin tone when using the CurrentBody Green Tea serum before the mask! I previously mentioned that I didn’t notice any changes when using a green tea serum, but I suspect it’s because I used one not specifically formulated to work with LED masks.
Not a terribly long list but for 10 minutes a day, these are huge wins. They also align with what research has shown to be the benefits of red light therapy for the skin.
❤️ Best For: Those with busy lifestyles who want maximum returns for minimal effort. Anyone who has low pain tolerance or are extra sensitive to heat, as this LED mask is definitely the most gentle of all devices on this list.
🔖 Price: $469.99 on CurrentBody, make sure to use code GEEKYPOSH for 20% off and save $94! Or bundle with the Series 2 Neck & Dec Mask for $799.99 ($639.99 with my code)!
Don’t use these every day, but still love them
When I’m busy or too tired, I’ll only use the CurrentBody LED Mask. But when I have more time, I tend to reach for one of the following depending on my skin’s needs:
CurrentBody LED Neck & Décolletage Mask Series 2
Yes I just reviewed this one so this update will be short and sweet. Given how easy it is to use and that the LED Face Mask is already part of my evening routine, adding the Neck & Dec Mask was a no-brainer. Now I get all the benefits of the face mask for my neck as well, and if you compare the before & after, you’ll see improvements in skin tone and the softening of lines!
❤️ Best For: Anyone looking for an easy and effective anti-aging solution to their neck and décolletage area. Anyone already using an LED face mask.
🔖 Price: $419.99 on CurrentBody, make sure to use code GEEKYPOSH for 20% off and save $84! Or bundle with the Series 2 Face Mask for $799.99 ($639.99 with my code)!
ZIIP HALO
The best microcurrent device I’ve tried since it also features nanocurrents and a variety of treatments to target different skincare needs. It’s also the quickest and least painful of the microcurrent devices, as in I’m not feeling pinpricks when I use this!
For me the biggest long term results I see from using it consistently is lift, something my skin definitely needs more of the older I get. However, the key to this benefit is consistency, so if I do stop using the ZIIP after a while, the result starts to fade. Unfortunately I don’t use the other treatments consistent enough to see results in those other areas, but I do like how you could target multiple skin concerns with just one device.
❤️ Best For: Those looking to lift and firm the skin without pain or discomfort. Those looking to target a wide range of skin concerns (dullness, sagging, fine lines, etc.) with just one device.
🔖 Price: $399 on ZIIP or CurrentBody, get 10% off with code JENNYHALO
NEWA Plus
I can’t believe this is my first time talking about this, but since getting the NEWA Plus it’s become my favorite radiofrequency device to use, dethroning the Tripollar Stop Vx and Medicube Age-R Deep Shot. Its shorter treatment time and cordless design makes it so much easier to use consistently, again a must now with my busier lifestyle.
NEWA is made by ENDYMED Medical, a trusted manufacturer of professional grade machines used at clinics, and it’s evident by the results I see: plumper skin with long term regular use, but also tightening along the jawlines. I assume the latter is the firming of sagging skin in that area, which is such a huge (and unexpected) plus since I could only achieve that with the painful ELV feature on the Tripollar.
❤️ Best For: Those with busy lifestyles looking to plump and firm the skin.
🔖 Price: $439 on the Newa Official Site
The devices currently collecting dust
Ok to be fair, some of these devices are still objectively great, but they no longer fit my current skincare needs and/or lifestyle.
Medicube AGE-R Booster H
This one isn’t quite collecting dust as I do still use it occasionally as part of my morning routine. My biggest gripe with it is that it doesn’t work nearly half as well with non-Medicube products, so I have to keep a mist on hand to keep moistening the skin so the Booster H won’t tug on it. It does make my skin glow each time I use it, so if you’re a fan of Medicube products and/or glowy skin, this device will fit nicely in your routine.
Medicube Age-R Ussera Deep Shot
I really loved the Deep Shot, as this was my go-to radiofrequency device pre-baby. But with my son sleeping in my room, I can’t have a device that beeps every 4 seconds risk waking him up. In fact, why are all Medicube devices so annoyingly loud? Anyways, I digress. If the beeping doesn’t bother you and you want a super gentle RF device that still delivers results, this is a good one to check out.
Tripollar Stop Vx and X
Ahh the OG radiofrequency beauty tools! These made me realize how just how much at-home facial devices can help with our skincare goals, and objectively I still think these are excellent. However between the long treatment times and the cord design, the NEWA Plus (or even the Medicube Age-R Deep Shot) is just superior in every way.
Amiro R3 Pro RF
I initially enjoyed this radiofrequency device, it’s cordless, felt incredibly comfortable on the skin, and didn’t have the annoying beeps of the Medicube. However after a few months it stopped holding its charge and I’d have to plug it in after every use. Result wise it was comparable to the Medicube, though I trust this brand less. A quick search in Red Note (the Chinese app) also shows mixed reviews of the brand and their quality.
Quasar MD
What you get if you combine the inconvenience of a hand-held device with the slower results of LED masks. Congratulations, it’s like the worst of both worlds!
Solawave 4-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand
It’s almost as bad as the Quasar MD, except that this one is at least slim and travel friendly. However, I found the other 3 functions (warmth, galvanic current, and facial massage) pretty useless, and it features only one red light wavelength compared to three in the CurrentBody LED Mask. 12 minutes would be so much better spent with an LED mask than waving this around.
NuFace Trinity
The OG microcurrent device. I loved my NuFace Mini and to me it was better and more effective than the Trinity, but it also developed charge issues after a year of use. For some reason the lift results from the Trinity were much weaker, despite turning the levels all the way up. So more zaps, less lift. Nice.
Foreo Bear 2
I tried a very early iteration of the Bear and boy did this one sting, despite their “anti-shock system”. Unfortunately I can’t speak to long term results because I gave this one up after a week due to the intolerable pain. I will say I’m a big baby when it comes to sharp pricking pain, so if you don’t bat an eye at the microcurrent zaps, I think this would be a better option than the NuFace Trinity.
Help! I still can’t decide!
First of all, you do not need this many devices. LED, radio frequency, and micro currents all have their benefits and I highly encourage you to learn more about the different technologies to make an informed decision.
Once you understand the tech, I recommend starting out with the one that best fits your skincare goals and lifestyle, and commit to that for at least a few months. There’s a good chance that one device is more than enough!
Jenny Wu
Passionate about science-based skincare. Tested hundreds if not thousands of products since my 20’s. Working
regularly with brands like iHerb, Ulta,
CurrentBody, and MedStar Health to share my knowledge and experience in all things beauty. Learn more.
Skin profile: 35+,
dry/combination, focused on well-aging, hydration, and a healthy glow ✨
