There's a myriad of skin care products out there - and now, there is a myriad of skin care tools that come along with the products to promise greater results. From facial cleansing brushes to LED face masks and even guasha boards, we are here to discuss if you really need these tools.
Do I really need skin care tools?
Nope! At least, you don't need any tools for skincare. Yes, you can use these facial tools and techy gadgets - but there's no real evidence that they are essential to healthy, radiant and beautiful skin. Some of them can even irritate your skin - especially if you have underlying skin conditions like sensitivity and acne.
Here are some common tools we see in the skin care industry:
Facial cleansing brushes
Facial cleansing brushes are often silicon brushes to physically exfoliate your skin while you wash them. However, they do not "dislodge" gunk from your skin - your skin cells are much, much smaller and these brushes simply give you the illusion of cleanliness.
It can cause skin redness and increased breakouts if you have sensitive skin or acne as it irritates the skin barrier.
LED face masks
LED face masks use light-emitting diode therapy to emit different wavelengths of light to potentially help stimulate collagen production, kill acne-causing bacteria, and even reduce inflammation.
However, these face masks have limited efficacy as they have to be safe for non-professionals to use. Visiting a professional for these treatments will definitely yield you more results in the long term.
Gua Sha Tool
Gua sha is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves scraping the skin with a stone tool. While it was traditionally done on the back to eliminate toxins and "bad" energy, some people are now doing it on their faces.
Cryo tools
Cryo comes from the Greek word kryos - which means icy cold. Cryotherapy therefore comes in the form of ice rollers helps to sooth irritation and inflammation as they temporarily shrink the blood vessels in your skin to help bring down swelling.
They provide temporary solutions to sooth bloating and puffiness in the eyes and face. However, it can further aggravate sensitive skin as your blood flow is reduced.
Facial steamers
A common step in facials is steaming the skin. This helps to soften the top layer of your skin and aid extraction - but doing it at home doesn't "open" your pores and melt your blackheads.
Microcurrent facial devices
Microcurrent devices emit a low-grade electrical current that stimulates your muscles, potentially leading to slightly firmer and more lifted-looking skin over time. Evidence is mixed: Some people swear by them (when used consistently for, well, ever), while others saw no visible results.
But, as with all things in skincare, you do you, and use whatever makes you happy.