The Best High-Tech Skin Care Devices That Deliver Results at Home

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)

What it is: EMS technology uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscles, promoting muscle tone and skin tightening. “It is often used to contour the face and lift cheeks, providing a more defined jawline,” says Delray Beach, FL dermatologist Dr. Janet Allenby.

One to Try: Medi Lift Essential Mask ($400) is a hands-free EMS device designed to target the cheeks and lower face. It comes with adjustable EMS levels (1-5), offering users control over the intensity. This wearable beauty device provides instant results and cumulative benefits, contouring the jawline, lifting cheeks, and boosting microcirculation for a youthful appearance.

BUY NOW- $400

Light-Based Hair Removal

What it is: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a technology used for hair removal. It emits a spectrum of light to target hair follicles, reducing hair growth over time. IPL devices are popular for their at-home use, offering a pain-free alternative to in-office treatments.

One to Try: The Flasher 2.0 by NOOD ($270) is an effective at-home IPL device for hair removal. It has shown remarkable efficacy in clinical trials, with 92 percent of participants experiencing long-term hair reduction and a low discomfort rating. It’s a great solution for those seeking a pain-free, at-home hair-removal option.

BUY ON NOOD – $270

BUY ON TARGET – $200

Microcurrent

What it is: “Microcurrent energy stimulates the muscles in the face using a small electrical current for a tightening and contouring effect,” New York dermatologist Marino Peredo, MD says. “Cellular activity is also increased, which can diminish the appearance of wrinkles.” On clean, bare skin, apply the gel that comes with the device—it’s usually conductive, meaning it contains ions that allow the microcurrent to flow through them—and then glide the device over your face using light-to-medium pressure. Dr. Peredo recommends doing a treatment at least two times a week, “as results tend to fade quickly if you stop.”

One to Try: The FOREO Bear 2 ($329) is a compact and portable microcurrent device designed for facial toning. It offers advanced microcurrent technology with 550 uA and 5 patented T-Sonic massages for a soothing experience. Clinically proven, it smoothes, firms, and lifts your complexion with a convenient travel-size design.

BUY ON FOREO – $399

BUY ON ULTA- $329

Electroporation Technology

What it is: Electroporation is a skin-care technology that uses electrical energy to temporarily disrupt cell membranes, allowing skin-care products to penetrate deeper into the skin. This technique is commonly used to enhance the absorption of serums and other topical treatments, maximizing their effectiveness. By increasing skin permeability, electroporation can improve the delivery of key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and antioxidants, leading to more noticeable results in hydration, firmness and skin texture.

One to Try: Medicube’s AGE-R Booster Pro ($399) combines the power of electroporation with other advanced technologies. It uses electroporation to boost the absorption of skin-care products, ensuring that active ingredients reach the deeper layers of the skin. In addition to electroporation, the AGE-R Booster Pro features microcurrent, EMS, and sonic vibration. With this all-in-one device, you can address a range of skin concerns at home.

BUY NOW- $399

Radio Frequency

What it is: “At-home radio-frequency (RF) devices use low-energy radiation, which heats the dermis, the deepest layer of the skin, to stimulate the production of collagen, which can improve wrinkles,” explains Dr. Peredo. “In-office radio frequency is more powerful, and therefore produces more significant results, but at-home devices are much more affordable. Either way, I like to think of them as an add-on to a professional treatment.”

One to Try: Two power-packed technologies in a lightweight device, TriPollar STOP Vx ($649) delivers both radio frequency and electric vibration (ELV) to heat the dermis and stimulate collagen synthesis—it’s one of the best-selling tools in Asia and is finally available here. Use it two to three times a week to treat fine-to-moderate wrinkles in eight to 12 weeks.

BUY NOW- $649

Ultrasound

What it is: These tools typically feature “low-energy unfocused ultrasound that gently heats the skin tissue, which may boost the permeability of topical products,” says Dr. Allenby. In-office Ultherapy typically comes to mind when thinking of ultrasound treatments, but Dr. Allenby says that is different because it “utilizes high-energy focused ultrasound wavelengths that can create a lot more heat with every pulse and can improve skin tightening. DIY versions may be helpful on a smaller scale if used consistently and may encourage a better skin-care routine.”

One to Try: The OLURA Eno Device ($245) features a patented dual-head design that allows for facial-like results at home. On one end, a gentle ultrasonic exfoliating spatula helps clear clogged pores and remove dull, dead skin; on the other, an ultrasonic massage tool pulses 350,000 times per second to spike blood flow, pep up lax areas and infuse topicals into skin.

BUY ON BLOOMINGDALES – $245

BUY ON MACYS – $245

Mid-Frequency Interval Pulse (MFIP)

What it is: For those with lax skin, particularly along the jawline and midface—deflated cheeks are a common sign of aging due to volume loss—MFIP is intermittent electrical pulses that stimulate muscle to help tone and lift skin. Dr. Peredo says, “Some of these devices are very intense and should not be used more than once a week.”

One to Try: Dr Arrivo Zeus II ($2,000) administers a combination of the brand’s patented Ultra Pulse and MFIP technologies through nine supercharged electrodes and a freely moving head that easily treats every part of the face. Collagen and elastin production and blood circulation are kickstarted—hello instant glow—and skin looks younger and healthier with continued use.

BUY NOW- $2,000

Microneedling

What it is: Think of microneedling like aerating a lawn: Just like the soil gets perforated to allow nutrients to enter the grass, tiny needles create microinjuries in the skin, which boosts collagen and lets skin-care ingredients penetrate further. “The body’s wound-healing response can be very effective in aiding this collagen uptick, leading to improvement in fine lines, large pores, acne scars and other texture issues,” says celebrity aesthetician Candace Marino. Though at-home microneedling rollers are not the same as what’s used in-office and offer some safety risks if not used correctly (many skin-care pros aren’t fans of DIY microneedling for this reason), they can render benefits.

One to Try: Developed by an aesthetician, StackedSkincare MicroNeedling Skin Refining Tool ($89) offers a safe and effective way to roll your way to better skin at home. Not only does it prepare the skin for better absorption of active ingredients, but it also increases cell turnover to give the skin a more youthful appearance over time.

BUY ON AMAZON – $89

BUY ON STACKED SKINCARE – $89

LED

What it is: Light therapy has been used for years in dermatology, says Dr. Allenby. “Certain wavelengths of light, such as blue and red, can trigger certain biological effects in the skin that are specific to those wavelengths.” According to Marino, red light stimulates the collagen production for plumper, more youthful skin, and blue light combats acne by killing bacteria, reducing inflammation and slowing down oil production. And, when blue and red light are used in tandem, it can be even better for acne because red LED is extra healing.” Pro tip: Consistency is key. “I think the biggest limitation is that people buy these with good intentions of using them, but they get bored after a couple weeks and give up,” Dr. Allenby says. “But, those who are diligent may very well get good results.”

One to Try: For stubborn breakouts, FDA-cleared and easy-to-use Omnilux CLEAR ($395) is the only at-home LED mask that’s proven to significantly reduce or get rid of acne. A blend of red and blue light transmits blemish-busting action in just four 10-minute sessions per week.

BUY ON AMAZON – $395

BUY ON OMNILUX – $395