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In our testing, our only gripe was that we wished the edges were curved, which would make it easier to maneuver over the contours of the face. Solawave tells users to cap use at 30 minutes, but fear not, that’s plenty of time; our tester found a sweet spot at 20 minutes per use, which was enough to see results without tiring her arm. Do keep in mind, though, that the battery life is around an hour, so you’ll only get two uses per charge. Pair it with an oil-free serum for best results (and maximum glide).
Tester feedback from contributor Annie Blackman
“Whipping out my Solawave is the fastest (and my favorite) way to feel like I’m doing something nice for my skin. My favorite part is the warmth of the red light—it makes for such a sweet final step in my routine and the perfect companion for watching The Daily Show. I can’t say this has remarkably transformed my skin at large, but I’ve definitely noticed some depuffing. ‘m trying to carve out more time to use it in the morning for that reason.” —Annie Blackman, contributor
- Manual or electric: electric
- Material: aluminum alloy
- Attachments: none
- Who it’s for: people who want a compact option
Best Gua Sha: Mount Lai Gua Sha
Why it’s worth it: If you’ve been online at any point in the past decade, you’ve probably seen (and been tempted by) a gua sha, a traditional Chinese medicine tool that’s been used for thousands of years. Typically made from materials like jade, rose quartz, and stainless steel, gua shas promote lymphatic drainage and aid circulation, among other benefits. “Facial gua sha is a relatively new ‘cosmetic’ treatment derived from traditional gua sha,” Sandra Chiu, a certified acupuncturist, herbalist, and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner based in Brooklyn previously told Allure. “It is a gentler, softer variation that improves blood circulation, releases excess muscle tension, and smooths fascia (a.k.a. the connective tissue that holds together muscle fibers, blood vessels, bones, and the like),” she adds.
Mount Lai’s Best of Beauty-winning gua shas are offered in jade (pictured above), rose quartz, amethyst, black obsidian, and stainless steel. Whatever material you choose, consistency is key (aim for at least 3 to 4 days a week) to get the most out of this humble but mighty tool. Mount Lai offers a user guide on their website for how to get the most out of your gua sha, which is super helpful for beginners. Pair the tool with your skin-care product of choice to help it slide across your face, and enjoy the rejuvenating goodness.
“Forget the bells and whistles—sometimes I just want to get back to the basics, which is when I reach for Mount Lai’s gua shas.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Manual or electric: manual
- Material: multiple options (rose quartz, stainless steel, amethyst, black obsidian)
- Attachments: none
- Who it’s for: everyone
Best for Breakouts: Ziip Dot
Why it’s worth it: You’ve probably heard about microcurrent’s wrinkle-targeting abilities, but what about acne? Well, Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning brand Ziip is making a major case for the concept with the Dot, a circular device that surrounds breakouts with a combination of microcurrent and less-intensive nanocurrent. It combines the puff-reducing powers of the former with the latter’s anti-inflammatory effects, similar to a high-frequency treatment. This mini device provides a streamlined, two-part treatment that targets acne in just 90 seconds, so you’ll always have time to use it. Just like its original microcurrent device, a conductor gel is crucial for using the Ziip Dot.
Tester feedback from Hussein
“Lately, my skin has been taunting me with blemishes in a Whack-a-Mole fashion—as one fades, another immediately pops up. To combat this bout of adult acne, I’ve been bringing out the heavy artillery: exfoliant-forward masks, serums powered by vitamin C, and this little donut-shaped device. Its opening is wide enough to hover over the large cystic acne bumps that I’ve been getting, and each treatment lowers redness and swelling to a minimum. Its a literal zit zapper, so what’s there not to love?” —Jennifer Hussein, commerce contributor
- Manual or electric: electric
- Material: metal
- Attachments: none
- Who it’s for: anyone targeting breakouts
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use a face massager?
Your device will most likely come with instructions that will guide you on proper use, but as a rule, most face massagers should be used daily for the most effective results. “Use a face massager after cleansing and applying any light serum so that the massager can help the active ingredients penetrate deeper,” says Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. That said, stick to the usage guidance of the product you ultimately decide on, especially if you’re using a microcurrent device—as improper use can lead to skin irritation or redness.
How should I choose a face massager?
When choosing a facial massager, Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut, advises looking for an option that offers multiple technologies in one device. “Popular combos are microcurrent and light therapies. Massage alone feels good and may impart the short-term benefit of toning some facial muscles, yet the combination is more effective,” she tells Allure. Of course, consider your skin-care goals and budget. Some of the best face massagers cost a pretty penny, so do your research before hitting the checkout line.
What’s the best way to use a face massager?
While each face massager has specialized instructions, there are some standard rules. Dr. Gohara suggests using a face massager before bed. “At night, when the proverbial ‘skin factory’ is open, our skin cells are naturally regenerating themselves, so to get maximum benefit, a night massage is best,” Dr. Gohara explains. “[Use a massager] before application of retinoids, peptides, and barrier repair creams,” she adds.
David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, adds that while there is no one-size-fits-all method for using a face massager, you’ll get the best results from something that fits your needs. “The best [face massagers] are the ones that you can easily hold in your hand and one that matches the facial shape and size,” he advises.
Meet the experts
- Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology based in New York City
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
- Zain Husain, MD a board-certified dermatologist and founder of New Jersey Dermatology & Aesthetics Center
- Sara Hogan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Washington, D.C.
- David Kim, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Sandra Chiu, a certified acupuncturist, herbalist, and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner based in Brooklyn
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We are particularly discerning when writing about skin-care devices. This is because of the increased risks and, in many cases, the high price points, that accompany at-home dermatological tools and devices.
Each device undergoes extensive testing and must be approved by a senior member of our beauty team prior to appearing in Allure. Additionally, our editorial team consults board-certified dermatologists and cosmetic chemists about the science behind product claims and independently reviews any studies cited by brands. Testers consider performance across four primary categories: efficacy, safety (including ease of use), research and the science behind specific claims, as well as product value. To learn more information on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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