Experts' Recommendations on Facial Skincare Tools: A Comprehensive Guide
Whether it’s jade rollers and gua sha tools, or LED masks and at-home microneedling devices, facial skincare tools are seemingly everywhere these days — and tons of people are using them as a convenient and often more affordable alternative to professional treatment. Many of these can be easily incorporated into a basic skincare routine, and are shown to create noticeable improvements in the appearance and health of people’s skin.
We spoke to skincare experts to put together a comprehensive guide to what facial skincare tools are available, what benefits and risks they can come with, and how to add them to your daily or weekly routine for glowy, smooth, fresh-looking skin.
There are all kinds of facial skincare tools on the market nowadays, all of which look different, can be electronic or not, and achieve different results based on your personal skincare needs. But if he had to define facial skincare tools generally, Joshua Ross, a celebrity aesthetician at SkinLab in Manhattan Beach, CA, would say, “Generally at-home facial tools are safer, more affordable options of tools used in professional settings for aesthetic purposes.” These include— but are not limited to—LED masks, jade rollers, gua sha tools, dermaplaning tools, cleansing brushes, sonic cleansers, acne extractors, microneedling devices, and more.
Many people use these handy tools as part of their daily or weekly skincare routine, as a cost- and time-effective way of reducing or avoiding visits to a salon or dermatologist — as well as an opportunity to engage in some much-deserved self-care. “At-home tools can be beneficial to one’s skincare regimen because it will most likely mean you are paying more attention to (and prioritizing) a healthy preventative skincare regimen,” says Howard Sobel, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist.
Meanwhile, which tools any one person might use should be determined based on where they want to see improvement, such as cleansing acne, exfoliating dry skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, evening their skin tone, etc. Below, we go into more detail about the types of tools that are available, and why you might want to use each one (or not!).
If you feel like you’re not getting a deep enough cleanse from your current skincare regimen and have seen increased breakouts or dullness recently, a cleansing and/or exfoliating tool may help — specifically a static or sonic cleansing brush, which is considered the more effective option for a deep cleanse, or an exfoliating tool. These can “help break down the oils and difficult to wash off debris and makeup,” says Dr. Sobel.
“Facial cleansing brushes are designed to function as mechanical exfoliators, effectively eliminating dead skin cells and promoting improved blood circulation for a radiant complexion,” says Hope Mitchell, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mitchell Dermatology. “Facial cleansing brushes are quite fascinating as they possess the ability to thoroughly cleanse the skin, reaching deep within and effectively maintaining clear pores.” The expert stresses that these work as a complement to, not a replacement for, your current skincare regimen, while Dr. Sobel notes that they should be used with a “normal” facial cleanser, not a chemical exfoliant.
As for Ross, he recommends sticking with a warm washcloth for exfoliation, especially if you have easily irritated skin. But if you’re intrigued nevertheless, he says that exfoliating tools “allow you to perform a more intense form of exfoliation versus just using a manual scrub. Be careful not to over-exfoliate, use it as directed and not more than once a week. Remember that not all tools are for all skin types.”
Not only do massage and relaxation tools feel wonderful while you’re using them, but they also come with a ton of skincare benefits. “One of the primary advantages of facial massage is its capacity to enhance the overall appearance of your skin,” says Dr. Mitchell. “Stimulating the skin through gentle massage techniques can potentially enhance blood circulation, which in turn may contribute to minimizing the appearance of acne. Facial massage is an excellent choice if you desire radiant, luminous skin.”
Massage and relaxation tools include jade rollers, gua sha tools, and electronic massagers, all of which can make a great addition to your skincare routine. “A jade roller’s benefits are to reduce puffiness in skin, [to enhance] product penetration and product absorption, to relieve facial tension, and to give yourself a nice self-care moment,” explains Ross. “A gua sha tool is “great to help lift the facial muscles under the skin allowing the skin to appear more buoyant, youthful, and plump also helps remove toxins from the skin and can be done on a nightly basis,” he adds.
Ross goes on to describe electronic options such as microcurrent devices, the Trilogy Wand, and Dermaflash. “These tools can maintain the results from your professional treatment at home, and safely,” he says. “For example, Nuface maintains in-office microcurrent results. Trilogy Wand helps to keep skin tighter and smoother after a series of skin-tightening treatments. Dermaflash can be used in between your professional dermaplane appointments.”
If you’re looking to treat or prevent a specific skin concern, such as acne, dullness, fine lines, or discoloration, you may want to look for a targeted treatment tool that’s made to help in that specific area. These include LED masks, microneedling or dermaplaning devices, and acne extractors.
Kseniya Kobets, M.D., director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care, is a fan of LED masks, because of how safe and effective they are for at-home use. “What I love about LED devices is that they are a non-invasive way to build collagen and decrease inflammation in the skin, via a process called photobiomodulation without thermal heating or skin damage,” she says, explaining that blue light targets acne, while red light targets the signs of aging (as well as helping with acne). These devices are usually futuristic-looking masks that you wear on your face for a specific amount of time and use daily.
While both Dr. Sobel and Dr. Mitchell discourage the use of acne extractors because they can damage the skin, Ross says they can be used if you’re careful. “Acne extractors should be used with gentle pressure on freshly clean skin. Don’t use too much force to perform an extraction,” he advises. “Microneedling devices at home should be avoided unless treating scarring from an injury as they can be too harsh. These should typically be left to professionals. Dermaplaning is a way to remove the dead skin cells and vellus hair (peach fuzz) from the skin so makeup has a smoother application and products can better penetrate the skin.”
For all of these devices, it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer guidelines and to consult a professional before use if you have any doubts as to their suitability. When in doubt, it’s better to abstain than to compromise your safety.
Facial skincare tools can gather bacteria over time, which is unhygienic and can have adverse consequences for your skin. “Always wipe your tools clean after use to avoid the spread of bacteria and germs,” says Dr. Sobel. “You’ll also want to remove any product build-up and residue with each use.” This will also ensure that your tools last longer, which is important when some of them are such an investment in the first place.
“Certain tools, such as derma rollers and facial cleansing brushes, are equipped with replaceable heads, allowing for convenient removal and renewal when necessary,” notes Dr. Mitchell. “Regular cleansing sessions are necessary for the maintenance and continued use of certain products. In order to effectively cleanse a facial roller or gua sha stone, it is recommended to moisten your hands and create a lather using a small quantity of mild facial cleanser by gently rubbing your palms together. Gently glide your skincare tools over your hands, ensuring thorough coverage with the cleanser. Subsequently, proceed to rinse off the cleanser from your hands.”
For a more thorough cleaning of your non-electric tools, you can try “immersing them in a bowl of warm water infused with a small amount of soap,” says Dr. Mitchell. “Following a 15-minute immersion, gently remove the affected area, cleanse it with a gentle rinse, and delicately place it on a soft towel to allow for proper drying.”
“Before starting with something new, I always recommend checking with a professional first to ensure it’s right for you and you’re using it correctly,” says Ross. With that in mind, it’s probably unrealistic to think that every facial skincare tool user will first consult a dermatologist or aesthetician, so there are some things to know if you’re considering using one yourself.
According to Dr. Mitchell, common mistakes include using a facial massage tool in downward strokes instead of upward and outward, either applying too little or too much pressure with a massage tool, using their tools too often and causing irritation to the skin, using tools inconsistently and therefore not seeing results, and not cleaning the tool regularly.
“When used improperly, skin care products can actually do more harm than good by causing breakouts, increasing redness, and clogging pores,” says Dr. Mitchell. “At-home devices have certain limitations in terms of the benefits they can provide and also carry the potential risk of causing skin injury, which may result in skin irritation, scarring, or hyperpigmentation.”
While some tools such as LED masks and jade rollers should be relatively safe for at-home use, others such as microneedling tools or acne extractors carry more risks. It’s always good practice to consult a skincare professional beforehand to avoid any mishaps. “A thorough skin consultation will allow your practitioner to develop a better understanding of your skin,” says Dr. Mitchell. “As a result, they will be able to provide recommendations for skincare products that are both safe and effective. It is crucial to seek professional help, whether you are in need of advice or treatment.”
