In both fields of beauty and tech, innovation evolves at a dizzying pace, and when the two collide, the results are catnip to skincare savants.
The UK beauty tech market generated £3.6 million in 2024, and is expected to grow to £8.6 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. Consumers are looking for ways to tackle their concerns – be it dullness, blemishes, or, most commonly of all, to combat fine lines and wrinkles.
The term anti-ageing can be controversial. Women are often told to grow old gracefully and embrace ‘wisdom’ lines. But the importance of caring for the skin goes beyond simply the cosmetic. Anti-ageing products, especially when they are backed by science, are about taking control of your complexion in order to preserve the health of the skin.
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Once the reserve of dermatology clinics or advanced salon treatments, anti-ageing skincare has been given the technological treatment and entered the at-home arena. Home-use devices can offer many of the benefits of the professional experience, usually at a lower charge for safety reasons, but at a fraction of the cost.
The marriage of beauty and technology has resulted in a wealth of tools, from LED masks to microcurrent devices to illuminating wands that will supercharge your bathroom cabinet. These bring a touch of theatre to your rituals that are bound to petrify your pets but take you beyond a perfunctory glow. Through the use of these anti-ageing skincare tools, you will not only encourage better absorption of the formulas that follow, but through different wavelengths, you will also penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin to encourage the production of collagen and elastin.
K-beauty practices give a clue as to what will appear on British shelves, as the country is years ahead in its skincare advancement, but there is still an abundance of British-stocked buys. Look for advanced tech tools that are as sleek as they are effective. These are not novelty items; they must be clinically effective with the trials to back them up.
To decode the expansive market of anti-ageing skincare tools, we reached out to an army of dermatological experts.
How effective are at-home tools compared to professional treatments?
It is not surprising to learn that there is a difference between the treatments done in clinic and those you are able to recreate at home. “Devices used in clinics generally operate at higher energies and penetrate deeper, meaning results are more noticeable and faster,” explains consultant dermatologist Dr Sina Ghadiri. “At-home tools can be helpful for maintenance of treatment results or taking a baseline skincare routine slightly further.” This is on account of safety.
Consultant and dermatologist Professor Firas adds that “treatments that are done in the office are likely to be of a higher grade or more medical with higher intensities, as we are able to control the healing afterwards, whereas home devices will be limited with whether it's power, depths of penetration, levels of injury and inflammation.”
What types of tools are available to address specific concerns of wrinkles, sagging and texture?
When on the hunt for a tool to combat signs of ageing, Dr Rachna Murthy, aesthetic practitioner, says “there is an exciting spectrum of devices available now – from microcurrent devices that gently ‘re‑educate’ facial muscles, to LED masks for calming inflammation, to home microneedling rollers that nudge skin repair.”
How do the tools work?
- Microcurrent: according to Dr Ghadiri, microcurrent tools work by “delivering low-level electrical currents to stimulate facial muscles, improving tone and lift. A lot of brands incorporate this into a sculptor device.” Dr Murthy compares this technology to “a gym session for the face.”
- Microneedling: not as scary as it sounds, microneedling, Dr Ghadiri reveals, “creates controlled micro-injuries that encourage stimulation of the healing process in the skin, causing fibroblasts to enhance collagen and elastin production.”
- LED therapy: the most widely known, LED face masks are a hugely popular at-home treatment. Dr Murthy explains, “LED therapy influences the skin’s energy centres at different wavelengths – blue for bacteria, red for collagen, near‑infrared for repair and yellow for puffiness.”
How often should you use these tools?
As is often the case with any and all beauty and wellness products, consistency is key. In fact, Dr Ghadiri stresses that to appreciate any benefit, it is necessary to use “usually several times per week.” This is confirmed by Dr Murthy, who instructs that “a few minutes several times a week is more effective than an occasional intensive session.”
What are the safety considerations? Are they safe?
“At-home tools are designed to be safe in untrained hands, which means they’re ultimately gentler”, says Dr Murthy. “That’s why results are subtle and hinge on patience.” But it is important not to overuse, especially when it comes to microneedling, as this may, according to the derm, “impair healing.” Dr Ghadiri cautions too that it can “cause infections, skin damage, or worsening of skin conditions.”
What results can you expect and how long does it take?
Do not expect overnight results. Both dermatologists agree that you will see gradual improvements with regular use over several months. Dr Murthy explains that you may see “skin looking fresher, more hydrated, perhaps a little smoother,” while Dr Ghadiri suggests that you use “as part of a long-term routine rather than a quick fix.”
Shop the Vogue editor-approved anti-ageing tech in all its cutting-edge glory.
CurrentBody Skin Series 2 LED Light Therapy Mask
CurrentBody
Skin Series 2 LED Light Therapy Mask
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Clinically proven to reduce wrinkles by an impressive 35 per cent in just four weeks, CurrentBody’s LED Mask is also a hit with a number of celebrities. With red and near-infrared, it won’t target acne-prone skin (as it doesn’t offer blue light), but it is brilliant for general luminosity, collagen boosting and skin smoothing. And to add to that? It’s made from patented flexible silicone, which isn’t just comfortable, but it also ensures light covers every area of the face. It’s a yes from us. “I love using this mask. Not only do I see genuine results with better clarity and improved bounce when I use it regularly, but it’s comfortable to wear and simple to activate. A great option if you’re new to LED.” – Vogue contributing editor, Georgia Day.
This device also ranks high on dermatologist Dr Nicole Ruth’s list. “I find CurrentBody’s face mask sits nicely on the curvatures of your face, allowing even coverage on the skin surface without any gaps,” she says.
- Key specs:
- Light Modes: Red (633nm), near infra red (830nm), deep near infra red (1072nm)
- Mask Type: Flexible
- Device type: Face mask
- Target area: Face
- Treatment Time: 10 minutes
- Best for: The mask has noticeable anti-ageing effects, including improved skin texture and firmness.
- Wireless: Yes
- Good to know: Emily in Paris actress Lily Collins is a fan of this mask. With her virtually poreless skin, that’s good enough validation for us.
- Boosts collagen with red LEDs and near infrared
- Silicone comfortably flexes to the contours of your face
- Great for brightening skin
- Does not include blue LED light
Medicube Age-R Booster Pro
Medicube
Age-R Booster Pro
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: The Age-R Booster Pro – the enhanced version of the Hailey Bieber favourite Age-R Booster H – from K-beauty brand Medicube is designed to help you achieve glass skin, with a lot of unique settings as well as an app that’s as smooth and reflective as a windowpane. In addition to microcurrent, electrical muscle stimulation, and a needleless take on microneedling, Age-R Booster Pro delivers five LED wavelengths to tackle a full spectrum of skin concerns, Matney assures. While red and blue light (and their combination, purple) are most well-known for their use in treating signs of ageing and blemishes, the Age-R Booster Pro also offers inflammation-reducing green light and radiance-boosting orange light. Use these light wavelengths with any of the other glow-boosting settings after your skincare routine for best results.
- Best for: Uneven tone, enlarged pores, redness, laxity
- Specs: Five LED colours (red, blue, purple, green, orange), electroporation, microcurrent, EMS, electric needles
- Usage: Varies depending on setting; see user manual for best results
Shark CryoGlow Under-Eye Cooling and LED Anti-Ageing and Blemish Repair Mask
Shark
CryoGlow Under-Eye Cooling and LED Anti-Ageing and Blemish Repair Mask
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Shark’s CryoGlow LED face mask is all over social media right now for good reason. With 480 LED lights and four targeted treatment modes (including Better Ageing, Blemish Repair, Skin Sustain and Under-Eye Cooling), it’s a multitasking wonder that has been clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, boost luminosity and improve blemishes and skin roughness. All that while also helping to cool and depuff the eye area, which is an absolute dream the morning after the night before.
Key specs:
- Light Modes: Red (630nm) and blue (415nm) light, and near infrared (830nm)
- Mask Type: Rigid
- Treatment Time: Up to 8 minutes
- Wireless: Yes
- Targeted treatment modes
- Cooling function
- Comfortable to wear
- Great for all skin types
- Battery life could be better
ZIIP Halo Microcurrent Facial Device
Ziip
ZIIP Halo Microcurrent Facial Device
- Why it's Vogue-approved: ZIIP Halo is a microcurrent and nanocurrent device that A-listers, including Jennifer Aniston, Margot Robbie and Kim Kardashian, swear by. A great pre-red-carpet fix, it promises to instantly lift and improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin with consistent use over time. It is paired with a companion app where founder and facialist to the stars Melanie Simon walks you through the treatments.
- The ZIIP Halo uses “dual waveform” technology, which combines microcurrent and nanocurrent technology. In fact, it uses 26 different waveforms which work on multiple layers of the skin to offer results from the first session. It’s the only tool on the market that offers these two types of current together. Microcurrent is a higher frequency, low-level electrical current which stimulates the facial muscles to contract and relax, which tones them. Results last up to 72 hours. A much lower electrical current, nanocurrent, mimics the electrical impulses that the brain sends to skin cells to support their work. This helps with collagen production, cellular regeneration and more, leading to overall rejuvenation of the skin. You’ll see the best results after six weeks of consistent use.
- Best for: boosting collagen production
- Specs: different intensities of Microcurrent and Nanocurrent
LYMA Laser
Lyma
LYMA Laser
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: A step up from red light in terms of the depth its beams penetrate, Lyma’s device combines low-level cold laser therapy with NIR to rejuvenate skin from the inside out. This handheld tool can treat fine lines everywhere on the face and body – from the crow’s feet to hands and lips – and offers impressive results for deep-set concerns like pigmentation and scarring. What’s more, it fits inside your handbag and is still effective when used over your SPF or make-up. Great for the jet setter who needs on-the-go treatments, it’s no wonder this device is beloved by the celebrity set.
- Device type: Handheld
- Best for: deep-down skin rejuvenation. Tightening lax skin, renewing dull skin and remodelling skin with scars. Several users praise the non-invasive device for its anti-inflammatory effects on conditions like psoriasis.
- Target area: Face, body, neck and hands
- Treatment Time: Three plus minutes daily
- Good to know: As well as whole face rejuvenation, try using it for five minutes on targeted areas like acne scarring and persistent sun spots.
NuFACE Trinity Facial Toning Device
NuFACE
Trinity Facial Toning Device
- Why it's Vogue-approved: NuFace’s pronged microcurrent massager – beloved by Vogue editors and stars like Riverdale’s Madeline Petsch – stimulates facial muscles in 5 to 20 minute sessions, leaving complexions firmer and more toned. Slather on a conducting gel pre-use, so the rollers glide easily over skin. Otherwise, glide the ReFa Carat Ray Face across your face and décolletage to boost circulation and firm skin. According to the director of ReFa USA, Rie Iimura, the Vogue verified multiangular device converts light energy into microcurrent and delivers a “gripping motion that mimics an aesthetician's finger motion” through two double drainage roller prongs.
- Best for: lifting sagging skin
- Target treatment: Full face
- Treatment time: 5 to 20 minutes
Skin Radio Frequency Device
CurrentBody
Skin Radio Frequency Device
- Why it's Vogue-approved: RF has long been the collagen-boosting treatment of choice for those in the know. Currentbody’s device brings clinical-level tech to you in the comfort of your own home, promising reduced wrinkles and firmer skin with consistent use. The skin-tightening device works by sending radio waves into the skin’s dermal layers, where collagen is formed. This process generates heat, causing existing collagen to contract for an instant lifting and tightening effect. It also stimulates new collagen production, which helps improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging over time. According to Currentbody, 89 per cent of users saw an improvement in skin tightness in 8 weeks.
- Target treatment area: Full face
- Treatment time: 5-70 minutes
Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand With Red Light Therapy
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Solawave
Best multi-tasker: Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand With Red Light Therapy
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Though it’s not a mask, the Solawave wand is one of our favourite LED light therapy tools – and it’s especially good for travelling. Many Vogue editors have developed quite a penchant for this multi-purpose device, which combines four treatments in one. As well as red light therapy, it offers microcurrent technology, facial massage and therapeutic warmth, and targets dark spots, blemishes and fine lines. Solawave recommends using the wand for five minutes, three times per week. “Most of the time, LED devices are large and fairly clunky. Which is fine, but how refreshing to find something so potent and so portable. I love how easy this is to simply swipe over your face and neck, and how relaxing it feels too. A great option if you’re on a plane and it feels a bit much to whip out a big face mask.” – Vogue contributing editor, Georgia Day
Key specs:
- Mask Type: Wand
- Specs: Red (630nm)
- Treatment Time: Five minutes, three times per week
- Wireless: Yes
- Compact and easy to travel with
- Offers targeted treatment to problem areas
- A powerful device for targeted treatment, but not suitable for the full face
- Only one wavelength
LED Eye Perfector
CurrentBody
LED Eye Perfector
- Why it's Vogue-approved: “I am pretty obsessed with these for two reasons: one, well, look at them – they deliver all of the drama one needs when doing an LED treatment,” says Vogue contributing writer, Hannah Coates. “And two, I’ve noticed a general improvement in luminosity in my eye area since using it regularly. A must try.” From crow’s feet to the “eleven” lines between the brows, this powerful device has four different wavelengths (amber, deep red, red and near-infrared) to supercharge cellular healing and boost collagen production. It’s clinically proven to work – just make sure you’re using it six times a week for best results.
- Best for: crow’s feet
- Target area: eyes
- Treatment time: 3 minutes