At-home beauty tech has come a long way in the past couple of years and it’s only helping our self-love routines. Not only are products being designed to be more amateur-friendly, but beauty buyers, too, are more open to exploring premium, luxury gadgets or tools that can take their skincare regimen up a notch.
Manual face rollers and sheet masks are still as useful as ever, but it’s time you stepped out of your comfort zone and considered some more advanced picks. From LED ‘faceware’ to sonic cleaning devices and high-tech rollers, the market is filled with a slew of ‘skin-telligent’ products.
If you’re just starting out in the beauty tech realm, tread lightly and start small. Here are the best, beginner-friendly beauty gadgets for you to explore…
For cleansing
The most effective cleansing tools should deliver a deep clean without excessive scrubbing. A deep-clean facial brush is a great way to start since they’re available at almost any beauty store (Miniso has pocket-friendly silicone options). If you want something high-end, go for a sonic facial device. Sonic cleansing technology is gaining popularity since it’s best for sensitive skin; they’re developed to ease dirt out of your skin and are good for daily use. You can find plenty of pocket-friendly options on Amazon.
The Foreo Luna cleanser is a go-to pick for skin experts across the globe. The T-Sonic pulsations and long, soft, silicone touchpoints work together with thermal cleansing technology. It melts away dirt, oil and makeup residue within a minute, while gently exfoliating dead skin cells. The microcurrent pins on the back lifts and plump skin for a spa-like experience. Buy one here.
Massaging tools (to reduce puffiness or inflammation)
Whether you use stone rollers, ice globes, a gua sha or something high-tech, a massaging regimen doesn’t have to be over the top. However, you should focus on the right technique to maximise the results. If you’re looking for a simple sculpt and tone, go for a gua sha and a regular jade roller. A gua sha aids lymphatic drainage and de-puffs your skin, while a jade or a quartz roller improves circulation and tones your jawline.
If you’re in your 40s, go for a facelift massager that targets the facial contours. This Alia Bhatt-approved massager by House of Beauty tightens and de-puffs face, improves circulation and elasticity.
Pore cleansing or anti-clogging
If you’re not too keen on pricey pore-refiner devices, at-home micro-needling or even derma-rollers, stick to a simple pore-cleansing tool that comes with different suction modes. This Havells 4-in-1 pore cleanser, for instance, features a multi-functional, micro-crystal head that exfoliates and removes blackheads, whiteheads and make-up residues.
Advanced exfoliation
When it comes to LED therapy, there’s a host of options you can explore, from LED masks to microcurrent devices. While microcurrent facial equipment can offer results if used on a regular basis, if you’re just starting out with at-home beauty technology, go with easy-to-use LED face masks that can treat a number of skincare issues at once.
LED facial masks are usually high-tech sheet masks. They use photon light therapy treatment that targets different problems. While blue light clears up acne and prevents breakouts, red light stimulates circulation and aids in collagen production and purple improves lymph metabolism. House of Beauty’s seven-colour LED photon light therapy treatment, for instance, treats acne spots, blemishes, wrinkles, fine lines and also offers an anti-ageing treatment.
If you’re fluid with your budget, go for Victoria Beckham and Chrissy Teigen’s favourite Korean LED mask, which offers a non-invasive alternative to chemical peeling or laser resurfacing. Buy it here.
Sculpting
To be fair, jade rollers or gua sha are the most economical tools for sculpting, since they also improve tissue drainage and aid in sculpting. But if you want a more targeted, effective face sculpting tool, go for something like Dr G’s Face Sculpt Plus, which is a high-frequency vibrating massager, designed by Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, which doesn’t just activate cell activity and tighten facial muscles, but also works as a pick-me-up for your skin.
Quick drying (hair)
If you have long hair and very little time to style it in the mornings, go for the soft bonnet dryer. It offers a quick, hassle-free drying experience and you don’t need to make your arms sore, unlike hand-held dryers which have to be manually operated. You can find some great options on Amazon.