Taylore Glynn
Not quite ready to get a facelift, but can’t bear the idea of wearing your hair in a painfully tight, snatched ponytail another day? I get it—we all want that lifted look without resorting to invasive treatments. Enter: the best microcurrent facial devices on the market. While medical-grade machines are used to lift and tone during professional facials, at-home innovations have changed the game. Brands like NuFace, Foreo, and ZIIP (to name a few) have whipped up handheld tools that deliver similar contouring results.
"Microcurrent therapy uses low-level electric voltage to stimulate the muscles in the face," explains board-certified dermatologist Karen Lal, M.D. FAAD. It feels a little bit like an under-the-skin twitch, but the thought is that it’s like a little workout for your facial muscles. The result? A tighter-looking, more sculpted complexion.
But at-home microcurrent devices are expensive. If you’re going to shell out a couple of hundred dollars, you want to be sure that the tool is worth the hype—and know exactly how to use it. And yes, you have to use it consistently to see a defined, snatched jaw. Below, I explain exactly what microcurrent devices do, who they work best for, how to incorporate them into your skincare routine, and the best at-home microcurrent devices to shop.
The Best Microcurrent Facial Devices
- Best Microcurrent Device Overall: ZIIP Nano Current Device
- Best Microcurrent Device for Fine Lines: NuFace FIX MicroWand
- Best Multi-Use Microcurrent Device: TheraBody Theraface Pro
This is an editor favorite at Marie Claire, and for good reason: Designed by a combination of scientists, doctors, and skin experts, the Ziip is a standout in its category. It leverages different wavelengths of nano current waveforms to target a variety of concerns, ranging from fine lines to skin texture to acne. Because all the science and tech talk can be a tad confusing, the brand launched an accompanying app to walk you through exactly what to do. The best part? Results are visible after three treatments.
FDA Cleared: Yes
Intensity Levels: One
Conductive Gel: Yes
Time It Takes to Charge: Four hours
What I Love: Fast-Acting; Easy to hold; Accompanying app
What I Don’t: Expensive
Review for MC: "Sleek, slim, and sophisticated, the ZIIP Halo is the gold-standard in at-home microcurrent. Its ergonomic shape is perfect for sliding and gliding into the curves and creases of the face, and if you're in too much of a hurry for the easy-to-use ZIIP app, you can stick to the four-minute routine the device is programmed for. I was afraid it would hurt a little after hearing how powerful it was, but it was as comfortable as it was effective. My cheeks were left a little more chiseled than they started, a perk I'll never get tired of." — Taylore Glynn, Contributing Beauty Writer
Taylore Glynn before, during, and after using the Ziip Halo.
NuFace's newest launch is all about the details. With three settings specifically curated for sculpting the eyes, plumping lips, and minimizing lines, plus a three-minute run-time, the FIX Microwand is ideal for busy mornings or on the go. The accompanying conductive gel is specifically formulated for treating crows feet, forehead wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and the lip area. While the effects are more obvious the more you use it, the device's results are pretty much instant.
FDA Cleared: Yes
Intensity Levels: Three
Conductive Gel: Yes
Time It Takes to Charge: Four hours
What I Love: Easy to use; Speedy; Multi-use; Treats lines; Travel-friendly
What I Don’t: Can't be used on entire. face
Review for MC: "I'll admit that I'm not the most diligent when it comes to using skin-care devices on a regular basis. Halting my morning to set up an electronic tool, prep my skin for it, and spend a quarter of an hour using it can feel like a time suck, but this device has officially turned me into a devotee. Its three-minute treatment time is a major selling point for me, and so is the instant plumping I noticed each time I used it. I especially like the blurring effect it has on my nasolabial folds, which look smoother under makeup each time I use the device." — Taylore Glynn, Contributing Beauty Writer
Taylore Glynn before, during, and after using the NuFace Microcurrent Wand.
While TheraBody is most well known for their percussive therapy, their new TheraFace also contains a microcurrent attachment. Marie Claire has reviewed the TheraFace extensively, and I also believe that it’s a great bargain. It really is like four different devices (percussive therapy, red light, blue light, and microcurrent) in one. The microcurrent ring needs to be used in tandem with the conductive gel and can be placed on three different settings. The highest setting is generally very tolerable, but it’s totally up to you.
FDA Cleared: Yes
Intensity Levels: Three
Conductive Gel: Yes
Time It Takes to Charge: Two hours
What I Love: Multi-use; Powerful; Easy to use
What I Don’t: Not the most powerful microcurrent
Review for MC: "I have essentially no complaints about TheraBody's facial device. While it's not the most powerful addition to this list, I have sensitive skin, so I'm just fine with the three levels it offers. It's ergonomic and comfy to hold while wielding it around my cheekbones and jaw, and while it's tough to tell in photos, I definitely noticed a sculpted effect right after use. And yes, it's pricy, but this device's versatility really makes it a bang-for-your-buck." — Taylore Glynn, Contributing Beauty Writer
Taylore Glynn before, during, and after using the TheraFace Pro by Therabody.
The Benefits of Microcurrent Therapy
As time goes on, the muscle system that coordinates our facial expressions becomes weaker, leading to sagging and drooping. "This therapy stimulates the muscle system, causing the muscles to perk up. This therapy is often used in physical therapy and has been shown in studies to promote wound healing," Dr. Lal says.
While an in-office treatment will offer more dramatic results, regular at-home microcurrent treatments can result in tighter, more lifted-looking skin.
How to Use an At-Home Microcurrent Device
While instructions for how to use microcurrent facial devices will vary from product to product, there are a few commonalities. You'll always want to start with clean skin. After washing your face, apply the conductive gel that accompanies your tool. The jelly-like activator is key—it helps the microcurrent reach your muscles.
How Long Does It Take for At-Home Microcurrent Therapy to Work?
It's important to manage expectations when using a microcurrent device. While consistent use over time will create a lifted appearance, the results are not permanent. If you're looking for a one-and-done solution or dramatic fix, a face lift or injections are likely better options.
"Most facial massages will decrease inflammation, swelling, and provide some level of lift, all of which is temporary," says Dr. Lal. "Just like exercise, gains aren’t made overnight and persistence is key."
The Difference Between At-Home and In-Office Treatments
"In office treatments are expensive and results are transient," warns Dr. Lal. "Most practitioners recommend a series of beginning treatments followed by maintenance treatments and the cost adds up."
While at-home devices aren't as powerful or targeted as in-office facials, they'll likely save you money in the long run. "For people who are persistent, they may prove to be more economical than in-office treatments," Dr. Lal says.
The Risks of Microcurrent Therapy
Microcurrent therapy is considered "relatively safe," according to 2021 research, and is pretty painless. But it's important to make sure you're still keeping up with the rest of your skincare routine. "People who have perfected creating a skincare regimen with SPF, a retinoid, and antioxidants that are looking for a low-risk way of improving skin firmness are good candidates for microcurrent therapy," says Dr. Lal.
How We Tested
Marie Claire editors and contributors were selected to undergo a rigorous testing period, during which they reviewed the most popular microcurrent facial devices. After consulting with dermatologists and facial plastic surgeons to determine the top picks, they tested each device for its ability to smooth fine lines, firm the neck area, and overall how it felt to compile this list of the best microcurrent facial devices. They also evaluated customer reviews and best-selling products across our favorite retailers.
Why Trust Marie Claire?
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Karan Lal is a board-certified dermatologist. Originally from New York City, he grew up in Queens and attended Hunter Science High School in Manhattan. He graduated summa cum laude from the New York Institute of Technology, where he completed a rigorous seven-year accelerated combined medical program. He was selected to be an academic medical scholar, during which he received a Master of Science in neuroscience and a scholarship for three years of medical school and graduate training. He was elected to the Sigma Sigma Phi and Psi Sigma Alpha medical honor societies. He completed his internal medicine internship at the University of Connecticut Medical Center where he was elected intern of the year. He completed a three-year dermatology residency at the University of Massachusetts, where he was elected chief resident. He continued on at the University of Massachusetts to complete a pediatric dermatology fellowship, where he gained an interest in vascular anomalies, pediatric laser, and dermatologic surgery of pediatric patients. Dr. Lal specializes in pediatric and adult dermatology, laser surgery, soft tissue filler augmentation, body sculpting, pigmentary abnormalities of the skin and enjoys treating patients from birth onwards.
