We take a look at a new line of home skincare tech, and ask if it’s right for you…
All products featured on thegloss.ie are selected by our editors. If you buy something through affiliate links on our site we may earn a commission.
What’s your take on at-home skin tools? When it comes to skincare tech, such as at-home LED face masks, I always feel I’d rather invest the money in going to an expert for some pro-level treatment, rather than chance my arm with an expensive at-home device that, by definition, will never operate at salon level. For example, Eavanna Breen recently took on the new Lyma Advanced Pro Laser machine into her Dublin 2 clinic, a non-invasive bit of tech that’s suitable for all skin types, and she swears by its results.
A key problem is that you can’t control how people use tools at home. There is so much room for error. And most of the tools I’ve tried out, I don’t really rate; I thought the Foreo sonic device, for example, was a complete waste of time. It all reminds me of how we went mad over the Clarisonic sonic face brush and then completely discarded it – the brand, owned by L’Oreal, went out of business in 2020, having been the absolute must-have before that.
Commitment is a big issue. As with the dreaded foot spa, there’s a tendency for us to invest in things like this, because they’re all over social media (remember, these people try these things for free, or get paid to promote them), and then put them in a cupboard after a week or two. If the most you can do is a bit of Gua sha occasionally while watching TV, stick with the salon. If you do have the time or inclination to really commit to something like this, the attention you’re paying to each area of your face or body probably means you’ll see some kind of result.
Lyma’s easy to use at-home laser (exclusive to Brown Thomas) is “medical-grade” and garners excellent reviews on improving skin texture, tone and lines, if you’re willing to commit (you need to use it daily for twelve weeks minimum). Over €2k is clearly a huge investment; I feel it’s definitely worth trying LED out in a professional salon first to get an idea of the kind of results you can expect.
Geske is a German tech brand seeking to make home facial tools accessible, with a lower price point (from €10, with everything under €60), and pharmacy stockists. There are seven tools in all, including several sonic brushes. Geske’s MicroCurrent Face-Lifter is €49.95; other tools include a sonic facial brush and an intriguing “warm and cool mask”, featuring LED light, to deliver an at-home facial. There is an app to help guide you in using Geske’s tools.
The MicroCurrent Face-Lifter is designed to tone your skin by exercising facial muscles using sonic “Pulsation Technology”, with a gentle massage. The instructions say it must be used with their own microcurrent gel (€12.95) but I’m not convinced you need a separate conducting gel; from what I’ve read, an aloe gel or a water-based serum, such as something with hyaluronic acid, most likely already in your cupboard, will work fine.
If a home tool like this helps you to focus on your skincare routine and is straightforward to use, then all good. And if you’re interested in trying out some new tech without spending a fortune, this is a good option. Personally I’d steer clear of any microneedling device, though, whatever price it is. Skin experts do not recommend at-home use. Microneedling is by its nature causing injury to your skin, to encourage repair, so why would you let someone who’s not an expert (i.e. you) do that to your face? One to leave to the pros, I reckon…
Geske is at selected pharmacies nationwide.
We’d love to know if you have any at-home face tools that you really rate. Please let us know at digital@thegloss.ie.
