Are At-Home Facial Tools Worth it? Here’s What The Pros Say

May 22, 2023

Over the last several years, we’ve seen skyrocketing interest in at-home facial tools. From LED masks and microcurrent devices to handheld facial massagers, it seems everyone is curious about bringing professional-level technology to the comfort of their own bathroom.

As it tends to happen when anything “new” explodes into the zeitgeist, folks have a lot of questions about the topic—as well as a few misconceptions that need clearing up.    

So, in an attempt to cut through the noise, we decided to break down the buzzy world of at-home facial tools. 

The facial tool category is one that could technically include a wide range of products—from rollers and ice globes you can find on Amazon to splashy masks and handhelds that come with price tags in the thousands. 

Here, at mindbodygreen and in this article, we’ve used the term “at-home facial tools” to mean any device that is typically found in a professional or spa setting (i.e., a facial), that is also available to the masses. 

The point of these tools is to mimic treatment normally received via an aesthetician or facialist. The potential benefits of these tools typically revolve around addressing aging concerns, such as fine lines, sagging, sallowness, dark spots, puffiness, and dullness. But there are technologies that can also help with blemishes. In a lot of cases, these tools are used as a preventive measure—meaning they’re used in the hopes of keeping skin looking younger for longer rather than correcting a specific concern. 

We go over the various types of tools, and who they are best suited for, in an upcoming section—but here’s an overview. 

• Facial massagers 
• LED tools
• Microcurrent
• Microneedling 
• Dermaplaning 
• Facial steamers

1. Not learning how to use them from the pros. If you’re getting your usage tips from random influencers on TikTok that come with no credentials, please stop. Social media can be a great learning platform for skin care—but it’s also filled with people who really don’t know what they’re talking about. At best, you’ll get duped into trying something that doesn’t work. At worst, you can seriously damage your skin. When you’re learning how to use these tools, only take advice from trusted, professionally trained experts. For example, if you’re learning how to use a gua sha stone, listen to someone credentialed in traditional Chinese medicine (look for LAc, MSTCM, or DAOM). 
2. Being inconsistent or following instructions. Each tool is going to come with specific instructions unique to the brand. It’ll also come with recommended usage, such as daily, twice weekly, or so on. Follow these instructions to ensure you’re setting yourself up for success! You’re not going to see results if you’re not using the tool correctly or sticking with it. 
3. Using the wrong topicals with them. Most facial tools should be accompanied by a topical product to improve efficacy. For example, facial rollers and gua sha should be used with oil. Microcurrent devices need a water-based serum. Be sure to educate yourself on the right products, as so many people skip this step. 
4. Not investing in high-quality options. These are professional tools that come with a professional price tag. Getting knock-off versions may sound appealing so you can save money, but in the long run, it’ll mean you’re not actually benefiting the skin. 

I’m using “facial massagers” as a catchall term for a few types of tools for the sake of this article, but each one of these really warrants its own deep dive—several of these modalities come with a fascinating history of use, research to back their benefits, and more. (Again, I’ve linked out to other resources so you can learn more!) 

Facial massages in general are incredibly beneficial for the skin: Studies show us that regular facial massages can truly help improve skin quality. For example, in one study patients saw feeling tighter, more lifted skin1 after regular massages.

This is likely because of the effects on circulation: One study showed that facial rolling for only five minutes a day improved blood flow to the face1. This is notable, as blood brings with it nutrients and resources to the skin—so, theoretically, improved circulation contributes to improved skin quality. 

“So often in beauty we talk about collagen, elastin, skin cell turnover, and those are all important things to talk about because they are part of the skin function and structure. But what Chinese medicine also says is that we need to talk about circulation—because circulation is what feeds all of that,” says Sandra Lanshin Chiu, L.Ac., MSTCM. “In fact, it goes back to the very basic principle in Chinese medicine, which is that circulation is everything.”

Here, some of the best facial massage modalities to look into:

• Facial gua sha: Gua sha involves a small stone scraping tool, or board, to improve circulation, move chi around the body, and contributes to lymphatic drainage. The term broadly refers to the overall bodywork practice, but gua sha facials are much more gentle. Check out three moves to try from Chiu in a quick tutorial here. 
• Rollers: Rollers are a bit more beginner friendly and, generally speaking, do exactly as the name implies: They massage your face by rolling along the skin. They come in many varieties—some are dual-pronged or double-sided, others use skin-stimulating vibrations, and they all include a spectrum of materials. Learn more about how to use them here. 
• Kansa Wand: Kansa wands are a dome-shaped massager used in Ayurvedic practices. These also target circulation in the skin, release muscle tension, and improve lymphatic flow. It’s named after its material, Kansa (a mix of copper and tin), a sacred metal that has been beloved for over 5,000 years due to its skin-healing abilities.
• Percussive or vibrating tools: Newer options on the market are powered to gently vibrate, which aids in the massage and improves circulation. These have become more and more popular lately—and some even come with additional technologies, like LED or microcurrent. 

mbg pro tip:

Gua shas, kansa wands, and rollers all work best with a slippery topical product that can help glide them over the skin. Always pair your tool with a facial oil compatible with your skin type. 

While very different technologies and pathways, LED and microcurrent technologies improve the skin’s appearance by reducing inflammation, stimulating the skin’s fibroblasts, and improving ATP production. Essentially, these tools help your skin rejuvenate more effectively. 

We’ll start with LED therapy. “[Light therapy] works via a phenomenon called photobiomodulation. This is where different components of our cells are activated or respond to different wavelengths of light,” board-certified dermatologist Erum Ilyas, M.D., MBE, FAAD, tells mbg about the modality. 

The gist of it is that by exposing the skin to various wavelengths of visible light (i.e., red LED, blue LED, green, and so forth), it will stimulate certain activities in the skin cells—resulting in better skin health overall. The benefits that you can come to expect from LED tools are highly dependent on the color, and blue and red tend to be used and studied: 

Now onto microcurrent devices, which are tools that emit low (micro) levels of electrical currents to the skin.

“Microcurrent is a very tiny electrical current that mimics your body’s own natural pulses. What that means is our brains use currents to communicate through our neurological pathways, where it’s constantly sending signals. What we’re doing with this technology is mimicking those currents and delivering them to our facial muscles,” says biomedical engineer and holistic skin care expert Pooja Johari, M.S., founder of 7E Wellness. These pulses, she notes, stimulate our muscles to act younger. “The thing is, the facial muscles can’t tell whether the signal is coming from the brain or this device.”  

This very cool technology works on a cellular level, powering up your skin’s production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a molecule that’s naturally produced in the body and acts as an energy currency—your body (skin and muscles included) uses it as part of its regenerative process, creating more collagen, elastin, and so on. It also works by strengthening the muscles, improving product penetration, sculpting the complexion, and can help ease inflammation. 

mbg pro tip:

Microcurrents need a “conductor gel” to work. These are aqueous-based serums that help the current travel into the skin. Since microcurrents can actually aid in product penetration, it’s very important to use nonirritating, safe ingredients. We recommend looking for options that use aloe vera and soothing antioxidants.  

Microneedling (or dermarolling is the term used when done at home) is a practice we tend to advise against doing yourself. The practice involves using a roller that has small spikes in it that create tiny puncture wounds that allow for deeper product penetration and stimulates collagen production as a wound response. 

While it can certainly be beneficial when performed by a professional, it comes with too many risks at home and is likely not as effective. You can learn more about the tool here, should you want to do more research. 

Dermaplaning is a form of manual exfoliation that removes peach fuzz and the top layer of your epidermis (called the stratum corneum). It’s become popular in the last several years because it gives your skin a very smooth, filter-like finish and allows for seamless makeup application. 

However, there are definitely better ways to exfoliate, and I’d like to emphasize that peach fuzz is a totally normal thing to have. If you are curious about this, your best bet is to visit a professional who will know how many passes for each area of the face.

Proceed with caution for both dermaplaning and dermarolling. Also, anyone with active acne lesions, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, rash, or any open wound should avoid them altogether. 

1. Visit a professional first. I almost always recommend visiting an aesthetician to get tailored advice for your skin concerns and goals—but it’s especially true of tools. Since these are usually on the pricier side of the spectrum, you’ll want to make sure your investment is worthy. Aestheticians can help guide you on which tool is best suited for you. Not only that, but most facialists use these technologies in their services, so you can test them out first!
2. Get a multitasking tool. If several of these technologies sound appealing, don’t worry: There are several options on the market that utilize multiple modalities! This way you can get well-rounded results in one go. 
3. Support from the inside out. Lots of these tools work by encouraging circulation (which will then bring nutrients to the skin) and stimulating fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin. It’s important to fuel your skin by eating a well-balanced, robust diet so your body has the nutritional building blocks it needs for the skin. You can also further support your skin with beauty supplements like these.