What to Buy The Best Microcurrent Devices to Add to Your Skincare Routine We spent hundreds of hours testing these facial tools to determine the best ones. By Daley Quinn Daley Quinn Daley Quinn is a freelance beauty and health journalist who has covered the lifestyle space for over ten years. health's editorial guidelines Updated on March 11, 2024 Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Susan Bard, MD, is a board-certified general and procedural dermatologist with the American Board of Dermatology and a Fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery. learn more Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post. health's fact checking process In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Our Testing Process What Didn't Make Our List What to Know How to Use a Microcurrent Device Our Experts Who We Are We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Health / Elena Garcia Microcurrent devices have taken over TikTok and other social media platforms, with influencers touting the many skincare benefits of these pricey and futuristic-looking products. Said to help tone the face, decrease puffiness, reduce wrinkles, and even stimulate collagen and elastin production, microcurrent devices have become the latest must-have step in your regular skincare routine. So, do they actually work? Experts we interviewed, including Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, say yes, a quality microcurrent device can provide results when used consistently. Look for a device that provides lasting results and is easy to use, effective, and comfortable on your skin. Bonus points if it has extra features like LED lights, a cleansing brush, or a microcurrent lip attachment. We tested a variety of microcurrent devices for over 448 hours total to bring you our list of the 10 best products to try. We evaluated each device based on ease of use, performance/effectiveness, features, and overall skin appearance after use. We also interviewed experts for their input and had a dermatologist on our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical and scientific accuracy. Our Top Picks The Overall: Therabody TheraFace Pro at Amazon ($319) Jump to Review Best Overall Runner-Up: NuFace Trinity+ Starter Kit at Sephora ($495) Jump to Review Best Budget: evertone Everlift Microcurrent Device + Free Activating Serum at Evertoneskin.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Beginners: NuFace Mini+ Starter Kit at Dermstore ($250) Jump to Review Best for Travel: Ziip Halo at Amazon ($399) Jump to Review Easiest to Use: Foreo Bear at Amazon ($214) Jump to Review Most Versatile: ReFa Carat Ray Face at Amazon ($250) Jump to Review Best for Lifting: Face Gym Facial Toning Device at Facegym.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Eyes: Joey Healy Face Renovation Device at Amazon ($299) Jump to Review Best for Acne: Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand with Red Light Therapy at Amazon ($56) Jump to Review The Overall Therabody TheraFace Pro Therabody View On Amazon $319 View On Nordstrom $319 View On Therabody.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance/Effectiveness 5/5 Features 5/5 Overall Look 5/5 Why We Like It Not only does this beauty from Therabody have fantastic toning capabilities in the microcurrent department, but it also includes five other attachments you can use to target different skin concerns. With LED light for fighting acne and wrinkles, as well as multiple percussions for a facial massage and the deep-cleansing brush attachment, this small but mighty device basically does it all. We saw impressive results in terms of lifting and toning the skin after using the microcurrent attachment and found the device to be easy to use. The number of attachments offered might seem overwhelming initially if you’re a beginner, so we love that the TheraFace Pro also comes with an app to explain how to use each attachment and how each one benefits your skin. It’s Worth Noting There’s not much we didn’t love about this product. The price is steep, but we think it’s worth it for all of the amazing attachments you receive. Product Details Microcurrent Levels: 3Suggested Use: Once per day, up to seven days per week Best Overall Runner-Up NuFace Trinity+ Starter Kit NuFace View On Sephora $495 View On Ulta $495 View On Nordstrom $495 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance/Effectiveness 4.5/5 Features 5/5 Overall Look 4.5/5 Why We Like It The NuFace Trinity+ Starter Kit was another one of our faves for a few reasons. First off, it was easy to use, and didn’t take much effort to figure out. Second, we saw immediate results after each time we used it. And finally, we liked that this set includes a few different attachments for the face and delicate eye area. The set comes with Aqua Gel, Silk Crème, and an applicator brush to apply the products to your face. We love how small and discreet this device is, as well as its charging dock, which makes the set easy to store on your bathroom counter without taking up a ton of precious space. Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Shafer Clinic in New York City, loves NuFace devices. “NuFace provides excellent FDA-cleared, professional-quality devices that are user-friendly (even for beginners),” she says, noting that she’s seen improvements in facial tone and fine lines with just five minutes of consistent daily use. This device is compatible with additional attachments to target areas that tend to show early signs of aging, like the eyes and lips. It’s Worth Noting This is a popular microcurrent device on social media, but there are a few things to remember. You’ll see toning and lifting results for a day, but they’re most likely going to fade the next day. Don’t use this device without applying the Aqua Gel beforehand, or you’ll feel a painful and uncomfortable zapping on your skin (which happened to us during our testing). Product Details Microcurrent Levels: 3Suggested Use: Five minutes per day, five days per week Health / Elena Garcia Best Budget evertone Everlift Microcurrent Device + Free Activating Serum evertone View On Evertoneskin.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Performance/Effectiveness 4.5/5 Features 5/5 Overall Look 4/5 Why We Like It While we know spending over $300 for a facial skincare device isn’t cheap, the Evertone Everlift Microcurrent Device is one of the least expensive products we tried and loved. This pick provides immediate lifting and toning results and is one of the most user-friendly devices we tested. We liked that this option was easy to use, charge, and maneuver around the face. The device beeps when it’s time to move onto another area of your face, and it doesn’t have a ton of confusing buttons to figure out. It’s Worth Noting We had a minor allergic reaction to the activating serum that comes with the microcurrent device, so that’s something to be cautious of if you have super-sensitive skin. The results also didn’t last quite as long as some of the other options on our list. Product Details Microcurrent Levels: 5Suggested Use: Five minutes a day, seven days a week Health / Katrina Cossey Best for Beginners NuFace Mini+ Starter Kit Dermstore View On Dermstore $250 View On Nordstrom $213 View On Ulta $250 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance/Effectiveness 4/5 Features 5/5 Overall Look 4/5 Why We Like It A smaller version of the NuFace Trinity+, the NuFace Mini+ is ideal for beginners because it’s small, compact, and easy to use. To help you get the most out of your NuFace, the device can be connected to an app, which shows you how to use it. The device only has one button you use to turn it on or off and change the microcurrent intensity. Even on the highest setting, this pick wasn’t painful or super uncomfortable. It comes with the Aqua Gel Activator, Silk Crème Activator, and application brush, and is ideal for travel because it’s so small. We noticed less puffiness and a tighter jawline after each use. It’s Worth Noting We didn’t experience long-lasting results with this microcurrent device, but we did like that it toned our face in the short term. Another thing to note is that the gel that it comes with tends to dry up quickly, so make sure you apply a generous amount. Product Details Microcurrent Levels: 3Suggested Use: Five minutes a day, five times a week Health / Sophia DeVito Health / Sophia DeVito Health / Sophia DeVito Health / Sophia DeVito Best for Travel Ziip Halo Ziip View On Amazon $399 View On Ziipbeauty.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 3.8/5 Performance/Effectiveness 4.7/5 Features 4.5/5 Overall Look 5/5 Why We Like It We chose the ZIIP Halo as the best travel microcurrent device because it’s small and slim enough to throw into your purse or carry-on. We noticed significant results after using this product during our testing period, and felt it was easy to maneuver around on our face and reached all the nooks and crannies. Our face looked smooth and lifted after each session, and it offered a nice brow lift and a more defined jawline. This pick also comes recommended by Dr. Engelman, who says it does a remarkable job at increasing the brightness and texture of your skin. “While it does come programmed with a preset treatment, I love that the ZIIP Halo can also be programmed through a downloadable app (the ZIIP App), which allows you to create a customized treatment based on your needs,” she says. Dr. Engelman likes the variety of gels that ZIIP offers and recommends the Silver Gel for glowy skin, the Crystal Gel for repair and improving texture, and the Golden Gel to firm and contour your face. It’s Worth Noting This device is pretty strong, and you will definitely feel the microcurrent, especially when using the “Instant Gratification” feature. The directions are a bit confusing, and we felt like this pick had a pretty steep learning curve. Product Details Microcurrent Levels: 1Suggested Use: Three to five times a week Easiest to Use Foreo Bear Ulta View On Amazon $214 View On Ulta $329 View On Foreo.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.8/5 Performance/Effectiveness 4.8/5 Features 4/5 Overall Look 4.8/5 Why We Like It The Foreo Bear microcurrent device couldn’t be more intuitive and easy to use. The design is straightforward, and the instructions can be found in the Foreo app. The device offers three different treatment lengths, and also has a microcurrent level that ranges from 1–10 (with 10 being the strongest). It also comes with Supercharged Serum to use when gliding the device across your face. We noticed a big difference in how toned our skin looked after using the Foreo Bear for the first time. It provided a tightened appearance for a few days before we needed to use the device again. It’s Worth Noting This device took a long time to charge. It also has a strong current, and we could only get up to level four comfortably. Of course, if you prefer a stronger microcurrent, this will be a plus for you. Product Details Microcurrent Levels: 10Suggested Use: Two minutes a day, seven days a week Health / Danielle Ransom Health / Danielle Ransom Most Versatile ReFa Carat Ray Face Amazon View On Amazon $250 View On Refausa.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance/Effectiveness 4.5/5 Features 4/5 Overall Look 4.5/5 Why We Like It We chose the ReFa Carat Ray Face as the most versatile because it’s essentially a facial roller and microcurrent device in one. We noticed a more defined jawline after each use and also saw less puffiness in our face. Unlike some of the other microcurrent devices we tested, the ReFa doesn’t need to be charged. Instead, it has a small solar panel on the handle that uses energy from the sun to power the device. The device glides across the skin easily and doesn’t need any conducting gel, and we liked that we could use it on our face as well as the collarbone area. The microcurrent strength is pretty minimal, so you shouldn’t expect any zapping or painful sessions. It’s Worth Noting This product doesn’t have a strong microcurrent, so you might not see results as quickly as other devices on this list. It also doesn’t have any special features other than the solar panel and the rolling heads on the face roller. It’s a basic device, but it gets the job done. Product Details Microcurrent Levels: 1Suggested Use: Up to 10 minutes, seven days a weekWhat’s Included: Instruction manual, guarantee card, warranty certificate, guidebook, pouch, cleaning cloth Health / Alena Kharlamenko Health / Alena Kharlamenko Best for Lifting Face Gym Facial Toning Device Face Gym View On Facegym.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.4/5 Performance/Effectiveness 4.3/5 Features 4.5/5 Overall Look 3.6/5 Why We Like It We noticed tighter and glowy skin immediately after using the Face Gym Pure Lift Face Facial Toning Device. We like that it has three different microcurrent levels and includes the Activator Serum. The device fits comfortably in your hand, and there are slight vibrations that go off to indicate when it’s time to move to another area. We also like that this device has a timetable that lets you know how much time you had left in the 10-minute session, so you can have a leisurely session without watching the clock. It’s Worth Noting The serum that comes with this device dried up pretty quickly, and we found that we had to keep applying it to our skin during the treatment sessions. By the end of the testing period, we were out of serum. Product Details Microcurrent Levels: 3Suggested Use: 10 minutes a day, every other day Health / Dana Fouchia Health / Dana Fouchia Health / Dana Fouchia Health / Dana Fouchia Health / Dana Fouchia Best for Eyes Joey Healy Face Renovation Device Joey Healy View On Amazon $299 View On Joeyhealy.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Performance/Effectiveness 4/5 Features 4.5/5 Overall Look 4/5 Why We Like It Well-known for his epic work on celebrities’ brows, Joey Healy created the Joey Healy Face Renovation Device to further sculpt the eye area. We love that the device is easy to use and has five levels to choose from, which makes it a great option to use around your eyes for extra wrinkle reduction and a brow lift. After our testing period, we noticed a significant difference in how glowy and tight our skin looked overall, but especially the skin around our eyes. It’s Worth Noting Although our skin did seem more toned after testing this pick, we didn’t see long-lasting results for depuffing or brightening. We also didn’t love that this device is battery-operated and has a strong current that might be shocking to some. Product Details Microcurrent Levels: 5Suggested Use: 15 minutes max, three to five times per week Health / Kate Donovan Health / Kate Donovan Health / Kate Donovan Health / Kate Donovan Best for Acne Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand with Red Light Therapy Ulta View On Amazon $56 View On Solawave.co Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance/Effectiveness 3/5 Features 5/5 Overall Look 4.5/5 Why We Like It Small, slim, and easy to use, the SolaWave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand targets multiple skin concerns. It has four different features including red light therapy, galvanic current, facial massage, and therapeutic warmth. We love how easy it is to use this device—all you have to do is glide it across your skin and feel the effects, no gel needed. The red light works to target wrinkles and breakouts, and we the warming effect felt lovely in our under-eye area. Dr. Engelman recommends this pick because it blends red light therapy, galvanic current, massage, and warmth into one device, making it easy to address various skin concerns in just a few minutes per day. “The benefits of SolaWave include reducing acne, toning and firming the face, de-puffing, brightening, and improving absorption of topical products,” she explains. It’s Worth Noting The effects weren’t long-lasting or dramatic, and the device doesn’t have a light or icon to indicate when it’s fully charged. Product Details Microcurrent Levels: 1Suggested Use: Three minutes per day, three times a week Health / Brit Haines Health / Brit Haines Our Testing Process To find the best microcurrent devices on the market, we tried out 14 different microcurrent devices. We tested the microcurrent devices at home for eight weeks. After we collected insights and rated each microcurrent device based on four attributes (ease of use, performance/effectiveness, features, and the overall look), we used a scale from 1 to 5 to rate each attribute, with 5 being the best. We narrowed the list down to 10 microcurrent devices and rated them based on how consistently they scored in the following areas: Ease of use: After opening the box for each microcurrent device, we took note of how easy each device was to set up, whether it was easy to use, how comfortable it fit in our hand, how easy it was to glide across our face, and if the gel allowed the device to glide smoothly on our skin. Performance/effectiveness: We described whether the device was painful during the treatment and if it provided the advertised results. We also noted how long the sessions took. Features: We noted if the device had any extra features that added to the overall experience. We measured how long it took for each device to charge and if it had a charging dock, required batteries, and took up a ton of counter space. Overall look: We described how the device made our face look immediately after use. We noted if the devices helped depuff the face, sculpt the jawline, cheekbones, and forehead, and if our skin appeared healthier after use. Microcurrent Devices That Didn’t Make Our List Medicube Derma EMS Shot: The only results we saw after testing this device were fainter smile lines. Other than that, we didn’t notice any drastic differences. The gel this pick comes with dries up quickly, meaning you’ll have to reapply often, and the required lithium batteries aren’t travel-friendly.MyoLift QT Plus Facial Toning Device: We saw some short-term results and found this device chiseled our cheekbones and slightly slimmed down our face. However, the sessions can get pretty lengthy (up to 20 minutes), and the gel dries quickly, so you must reapply several times. What to Know About Microcurrent Devices Benefits: According to Dr. Shamban, low-intensity energy microcurrent devices decrease the appearance of skin pores, sculpt the skin, and reduce under-eye puffiness. Shamban says microcurrent treatment has also been shown to promote wound healing and reduce inflammation while promoting collagen and elastin production for a more sculpted look. How they work: Microcurrent devices send an electrical current to the muscles and skin cells in the face, which builds up facial muscles to create a lifting and tightening effect.Safety: Microcurrent devices are noninvasive and safe for most people to use, with a few exceptions, says Dr. Engelman. They might not be safe during pregnancy or for people who have epilepsy, a heart condition, or who use a pacemaker or metal plates or pins. Microcurrent devices shouldn’t be used for at least two weeks after any kind of neuromodulator injection, such as Botox.Features: Some microcurrent devices come with additional features. For example, the TheraFace Pro comes with LED lights, facial massage percussions, and a facial cleansing attachment. Conductive Gel: Most microcurrent devices require a gel to be applied to your face before you use the device. These gels allow the microcurrent to reach deep below your skin. Most devices come with the gel; you can purchase it separately once you run out. How to Use a Microcurrent Device Wash and gently pat dry your face. Apply a conductive gel or serum liberally to your face. Most microcurrent device brands will offer at least one option. This will help you get optimal results while preventing a stinging sensation that can sometimes come from the electrical currents. Turn on the device and follow the directions. Dr. Engelman recommends gliding the device over your forehead, cheeks, and jawline, moving from the center of your face outwards. Repeat this gliding motion until you have covered your whole face (again, following the directions included with your device), then remove any excess conductive gel or serum and continue with your normal skincare routine. Our Experts We spoke with dermatologists at every stage of researching and reporting this story, including: Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Shafer Clinic in New York CityAva Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills and founder of AVA MD Dermatology and SKIN FIVE Medical Spa Who We Are Daley Quinn is a freelance journalist, specializing in beauty and health, who has contributed to numerous publications, such as Elle, Real Simple, Allure, The Cut, WWD, and more. She also writes for her blog, The Daley Dose. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit