"My Face Looks Lifted After 5 Minutes": The 21 Skincare Tools With Big Results

The Best Skincare Tools
(Image credit: Courtesy of Maya Thomas; Jamie Schneider; Dermstore)

If you've ever wondered which high-performing skincare toolsBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing beauty editors rave about in our group chat, you're in luck! The five of us have finally pulled together a list of our top contenders from our favorite beauty brands that have provided noticeable, long-lasting results worth of five-star reviews to help you land on the best tools. Whether you're a beauty novice just starting on your skincare journey without a tool in the toolbox, or have a growing collection of products for all of your skincare concerns and goals, there'll be something here for you.

Below, we're spilling our favorite micro-current, LED, cryotherapy, Gua Sha, and massage tools, helpful guidance from aestheticians Jillian Wright and Kristen May Lee, and hundreds of glowing five-star reviews from the happy customers who've gotten their hands on them (plus some tips and tricks for smart shopping habits).

The Best Skincare Tools, Listed

Beauty Editor Kaitlyn McLintock with the Current Body Series 2 LED Mask and Wildling Empress Wand

(Image credit: Courtesy of Kaitlyn McLintock)

Beauty Editor Kaitlin McLintock models Current Body's Series 2 LED Mask and Wilding Empress Wand.

Best LED Light Therapy Tools

Are you wondering if adding LED light therapy to your skincare routine will make a noticeable difference in its feel and appearance? We tapped NYC-based master aesthetician and educator Jillian Wright for everything to consider before making the investment. "I find that at home LED light therapy is very effective especially in between professional treatments. But regardless, including red and or blue light into your home care helps minimize premature aging," Wright explains. "It’s best done on clean skin. You can also use a water-based brightening serum or clarifying serum with the light . If you do get professional treatments, LED extends the life of your facial."

Onda Beauty Lead Aesthetician Kristin Lee echoes Wright's adoration for LED light therapy with her favorite tool being Monastery's The Deep Red LED Mask ($700) for at-home use. "My favorite thing about red LED is that increases ATP wherever it hits. This is this cellular energy helps collagen and elastin synthesis thrive," says Lee. "This mask is incredibly calming on the nervous system. After 20 minutes with it on my face, I’m a new person with a glowier complexion." Other forms of light therapy (such as blue light and green light therapy) aim to stimulate different skin concerns.

Best Microcurrent Tools

If you were wondering which microccurent devices both aestheticians and beauty editors love, we've got you covered. Lee's favorite microccurent tool is the Ziip Beauty Halo. "Its gentle currents are relaxing and the app makes it a user friendly experience if you aren’t well versed in this technology," she says. They stimulate facial muscles and produce gentle contractions in them using low-voltage electric current to firm muscle tone. While they tend to work the best for people who've already established their skincare routines, they're generally tolerable for all skin types. However, it should be avoided for those who are pregnant or have electrical implants such as pacemakers.

Associate Beauty Editor Maya Thomas with the NuFace FIX MicroWand, Althea C·A·R·A Multi-Modal Tool Kit, and Cecily Braden Lymphatic Brush Set

(Image credit: Courtesy of Maya Thomas)

Associate Beauty Editor Maya Thomas modeling NuFace's FIX MicroWand, Althea C·A·R·A Multi-Modal Tool Kit, and Cecily Braden Lymphatic Brush Set.

Best Gua Sha Tools

When it comes to promoting your skin's lymphatic drainage process, using the right tools can be a game changer for thoroughly detoxifying the skin, reducing swelling, enhancing circulation. In fact, Wright recently began incorporating facial cupping (an alternative therapy that uses suction cups to stimulate your skin and muscles) for lymphatic drainage in her custom facials. "I do this after the face massage as the face oil is still on the skin. It’s very easy and quick to do and will give you de-puffing benefits at home," she says.

Best Massage Tools

If the goal for using skincare tools is to define features overtime, get your hands on a facial massager that can get the job done. Wright prefers using a facial roller (an easy-to-use tool that promotes circulation while targeting rid puffiness and rough skin textures) of as part of her well-rounded beauty routine. "Every morning with my coffee, I take the roller and roll it over my eyes and face which also helps with inflammation and deep puffing," says Wright. Other variations of facial massagers are more modern takes of Gua Sha, lymphatic drainage brushes, de-puffing wands.

Lee's favorite tool for lymphatic drainage with the help of a facial massage tool is Cecily Braden's Lymphatic Brush ($78). "It's revolutionary in the dry brush arena! It can be tricky to use, but when you get the technique down, it can really literally sweep away inflammation," says Lee. For individuals hoping to incorporate it into the rest of their skincare routine, she advises combining the Lymphatic Brush with a Gua Sha since, "the brush takes or the lymph and the stone tends to the fascia." The fascia is thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, and more.

Senior Beauty Editor Jamie Schneider with the Shark Cryoglow LED Face Mask and NuFace FIX MicroWand

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Senior Beauty Editor Jamie Schneider with the Shark Cryoglow LED Face Mask and NuFace FIX MicroWand.

Best Cryotherapy Tools

Perhaps one of the most recognizable and widely distributed tools we've tested are cryotherapy tools (also popularly known as cold therapy). While the designs and price points of these tools range from drugstore price points to the high of luxury, they help reduce inflammation of the skin as well as offering many other internal and external health benefits. "Whether you had a salty meal the night before or after you’ve done some recent traveling, a cold or cryo-roller or stick gives amazing benefits to the skin if you wanna take it one step further try face, dunking and ice water followed by a firming mask or LED light," Wright says.

While it's not designed to be solely a cryotherapy tool, Lee favors The LYMA Laser ($2,695) for its effective cold laser infared technology. "If one has the time commitment of 15 mins a day to really utilize this, the results are unmatched," she says. The cold-grade laser smoothes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scars, pigmentation, and more for revitalizing effects to the complexion in just three minutes for all skin tones.

Choosing a Skincare Tool

Now that you have beauty tool recommendations from three of our editors to give you a place to start while revamping your skincare journey, let's dive into some of the nitty gritty details. As you may have noticed, every skincare tool is made different and designed to target specific problem areas while working to enhance the best parts of your complexion. By using a skincare tool the right way, whether it's a facial roller created from natural stones or a high tech LED mask, the end result will be healthy skin. It should also be noted, however, that each tool takes consistency and dedication.

It's really easy to be on the lookout for instant results (believe me, we've all been there), but sticking with a routine while make the biggest difference in how your skin looks and feels. While landing on the right tool for the job can seem daunting, rest in the knowledge that they're supposed to make your skincare routine easier. While shopping for a skincare tool, consider what you want to get out of using it and why. Is your goal to consistently tone your face for defined cheekbones? Or, are you looking to support the lymphatic drainage system?

In addition to having seemingly endless options for skincare tools available on the market, there's also varying price points. If you've been on the hunt for a tool that can further supplement your skincare routine with the help of additional products (such as activator or cooling gel), consider snagging the quick-and-easy NuFace's Trinity+ Starter Kit ($395). If you, like me, are looking for a skincare tool that can be added to any routine night or day, perhaps your best match is one that can help you cut down on time such by reducing inflammation of the face like Skin Gym's CryoGel Roller ($18).

Our #1 In-Home Beauty Device

Out of all the in-home beauty treatments and tools we've experienced over the course of our careers, there are few that remain ingrained in our minds. ForBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's beauty team, Joanna Szech's Facial Massager ($189) that completely won us over. In addition to supporting lymphatic drainage, consistently adding this tool to your skincare promotes product absorption, combat dull, fatigued skin, and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If that weren't already enough it also soothes and invigorates the skin with its gentle rolling motion.

That's right—one of the simplest, low tech beauty tools on this list is our go-to at the moment. However, we've also been obsessed with NuFace's FIX Microwand for targeting fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness around the eyes, lips, and mouth. It's also the perfect size to tuck into your bag for on-the-go touches wherever we need (meaning, we can do our well-rounded skincare routine as we're heading out the door). It's that simple!

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Maya Thomas
Associate Beauty Editor

Maya Thomas isBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's Associate Beauty Editor based in New York City. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.