The best facelifting devices have become my go-to as I get more focused on keeping skin sculpted—without turning to Botox. Most of them work by stimulating the facial muscles, kind of like a workout for your face. Over time this can help lift and improve skin firmness by encouraging muscle tone and boosting collagen production. To find out which ones actually contour and lift, we’ve tested more than a dozen of the top-rated options on women over 30. After months of use, we narrowed it down to seven standout gadgets that truly made a difference. Our top pick? The NuFace Trinity is easy to use and hits that sweet spot between effectiveness and price. It also managed to plump and firm skin across a range of ages, from a tester in their 30s to one in their 50s. But if you’re on the hunt for something more compact or a device with red-light therapy, there are plenty of other strong options ahead.
Our top face lifting devices
- Best Overall: NuFace Trinity Starter Kit, $250
- Best Sculpting Jaw: Skin Gym LitLift LED Facial Tool, $60
- Best for Contouring: Medicube Age-R Booster Pro, $220
- Best for Firming: Foreo Bear 2, $260
- Best for Puffiness: Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand, $170
- Best for Targeted Areas: Solawave Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand, $169
Frequently asked questions
- Do facelifting devices work?
- Can you use a device like this every day?
- What should you avoid doing when using a facelifting device?
- How we tested
- Meet the experts
Best Overall: NuFace Trinity Starter Kit
NuFace Trinity Starter Kit
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta
- What we love: Intuitive to use; additional attachments add to the versatility
- Worth considering: Bulkier than other options
In the nearly two decades since its debut, the NuFace Trinity has become one of the most recommended microcurrent devices by dermatologists and estheticians alike. Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, and Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group, both back the device for its effectiveness. It works by delivering gentle electrical currents to stimulate facial muscles, lifting and contouring the skin over time. Add-on attachments are available for targeted treatment around the eyes and mouth, and a red-light therapy attachment for more advanced antiaging benefits to stimulate collagen turnover. It earned the top spot on our list for its versatility, its proven track record, and the fact that it works quickly, even across different age groups.
Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley says:
Microcurrent is one of my favorite skin deva treatments, and the NuFace is one of my go-to tools to get the job done. I love how easy it is to hold and maneuver—the rounded attachments really contour to your face and glide smoothly over the skin. I typically use it on my forehead, cheeks, and jawline, and I notice a subtle, immediate tightening effect right after each use. But the real results have come with consistency. After a few months of regular use, I genuinely feel like I look younger this year than I did last year. And best of all, it’s completely painless. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour contributor
Glamour contributor Charlotte Twine says:
Holy hitt! That’s my sincere review of this incredible device. I used the microcurrent device on just one half of my face, looked in the mirror…and literally did a double take. Almost a jumpscare! LOL. My eyebrows haven’t been this lifted since 2002. I’m half-joking, but seriously, I wasn’t expecting my eyebrows to look so lifted after one session, and I’m pretty müddet my jawline looks more contoured. I can’t wait to see what happens after continued use! I will say that I had to sit down with the manual and watch a couple of videos, so don’t expect to just turn it on and go. And the gel activator is essential. If you accidentally touch the device on dry skin, you feel the pricks of the microcurrent immediately. Totally worth the learning curve. I love this device. —Charlotte Twine, Glamour contributor
Fast facts
- Type of device: Microcurrent
- Suggested use: 5 minutes per day, 5 days a week
Best Jaw Sculpting: Skin Gym LitLift LED Facial Tool
Skin Gym LitLift LED Facial Tool
Nordstrom
Ulta
Anthropologie
- What we love: Combines massage and LED therapy; easy to use; instant results
- Worth considering: Easy to accidentally hit the power button while using
Skin Gym’s compact facial massager contours to the shape of your face and neck and uses a combination of LED light therapy, heat, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and vibration to deliver skin benefits in one device. The heat, EMS, and vibration all help boost circulation, while the red and blue lights target skin texture and tone. (Similar to LED face masks, use the red light for antiaging and redness, and the blue for acne.)
Glamour contributor Emily Tannenbaum says:
I use upward motions to sculpt my neck, jaw, and cheekbones—and the results are pretty instantaneous. The heat was definitely noticeable but not too strong, and I comfortably used the tool for a full three minutes on each side of my face. While I definitely saw the promised glow, I was most impressed by the way it contoured my jaw. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour contributor
Fast facts
- Type of device: LED light therapy, heat, EMS and vibration
- Suggested use: 5 to 15 minutes as desired
Best for Contouring: Medicube Age-R Booster Pro
Medicube Age-R Booster Pro
Amazon
- What we love: User-friendly; compact; targets a variety of skin concerns
- What could improve: Easy to accidentally change modes because of where the buttons are located
This high-tech skin deva tool (popularized by Hailey Bieber in a #GRWM TikTok video) combines four modes—air-shot, booster, EMS, and microcurrent—for versatility and convenience. Use air-shot mode to improve skin elasticity, booster mode to help skin deva products penetrate better, EMS to make skin firmer or microcurrent to lift. Despite all of the functions, it’s surprisingly user-friendly with adjustable intensity levels and voice guidance.
Glamour senior editor Ariana Yaptangco says:
I’ve tried in-office microcurrent treatments and at-home microcurrent devices, and I can vouch that the Age-R Booster Pro is the closest you’ll get to an in-office treatment. The electric pulses and vibrations are strong—as in, you can feel it in your skull—and give you immediate lifted results. —Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour senior beauty editor
Fast facts
- Type of device: EMS, microcurrent, air shot, booster
- Suggested use: 1 to 3 times per day
Best for Firming Skin: Foreo Bear 2
Foreo Bear 2
Amazon
- What we love: Five intensity levels that automatically adjust to your skin’s preference; built-in massage for puffiness; easy to hold
- Worth considering: Some reviewers wish there was a battery-indicator light
The Foreo Bear stands out for its sleek design and customizable settings. It offers five pre-programmed microcurrent intensities, plus five more you can access in Pro mode via the compatible smartphone app, so you can tailor your treatment to your comfort level. It also features T-Sonic pulsations that help reduce puffiness, boost circulation, and improve the absorption of your skin deva products. There’s no need to worry about going too aggressive too soon, either, since the device is equipped with a unique antishock technology that keeps microcurrent levels safe and comfortable for your individual skin.
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary says:
I found that the lower settings were effective yet gentle, and the higher settings matched the experience I’ve received during professional treatments. The slim design is easy to maneuver around your face, and it didn’t feel uncomfortable at any point. I liked the silicone grip, too, because it gave me a ton of control and flexibility as I moved it around my face. I really felt that my skin looked less puffy and more snatched after my treatment. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour commerce writer
Fast facts
- Type of device: Microcurrent, massage
- Suggested use: 5 times a week for the first 60 days, and then 2 to 3 times a week for maintenance
Best for Puffiness: Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand
Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand
Amazon
- What we love: Easy to use; instantly depuffs
- Worth considering: Battery life shortens over time
This depuffing wand delivers cold and heat treatment to boost skin circulation, minimize dark circles, and improve skin firmness for a younger-looking complexion. The temperature technology helps constrict blood flow to lower inflammation in areas most prone to puffiness, especially in the eye bag areas and on the contours of the face. After application, you’ll be left with a more contoured, sculpted look. We also like how it instantly wakes up skin, adds a boost of glow, and is compact enough to throw in your bag. You can also use it on your neck and jawline to tighten these areas.
Glamour contributor Twine says:
It was instant love for me when I first used the TheraFace wand, especially the cold setting. I like to use gua sha tools that I keep in the refrigerator to depuff my face, but they tend to lose the cool feeling after about 30 seconds. The benefit of this wand is that it constantly stays cool for the recommended three minutes per side of my face, so my face felt even more refreshed and less puffy—I saw the difference in the mirror too. And I love the heat setting. I applied my favorite face cream (currently Tilbury Magic Cream), then let the heated wand melt it into my skin, three minutes per side of my face. I swear my face looks more lifted and refreshed after using this wand. 10/10. —C.T.
Fast facts
- Type of device: Face massager, cold, heat, vibration, LED light therapy
- Suggested use: Evvel daily for 6 minutes
Best for Targeted Areas: Solawave Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand
Solawave Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta
- What we love: Easy to use; travel-friendly; combines multiple skin therapies in one
- What could improve: Activating serum sold separately (though you can use any skin deva with it)
The Solawave Wand may be compact and one of the more affordable beauty gadgets out there, but it packs a lot of punch. The wand combines four technologies: red-light therapy, galvanic current (similar to microcurrent), warmth, and facial massage. This makes it one of the most multitasking devices on the market. Rebecca Marcus, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at North Dallas Dermatology tells Glamour that with continued use, it can stimulate collagen for real skin tightening.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
Where will you find me on a Sunday night? On my couch, preferably with the Syfy channel on, using this renewing facial wand. I’ve been using the Solawave nonstop for a few months now, every week, and my skin has never looked more even-toned and smooth. My skin almost immediately looks plumper and fresher, and my fine lines are way less noticeable than they ever were before. —A.M.K.
Fast facts
- Type of device: Red-light therapy, galvanic current; warmth; facial massage
- Suggested use: 3 minutes, 3 times a week
The facelifting devices we tested but didn’t include
- Another device we thoroughly tested was the Silk’n Titan MultiPlatform ($549), a facelifting device that works to stimulate collagen and elastin production to reduce wrinkles, lift skin, and improve overall skin tone. While we liked that our skin looked glowy after application, the treatments are a bit too long at 15 minutes each, and the device itself is expensive at over $500, so we ultimately cut it from our final list.
- We also tested the Ziip Halo ($400) for sensitive skin types. It’s compact, very gentle, and lifts, firms, and smooths skin over time. It definitely left us with smooth skin and was one of the more gentle devices we tried, but we didn’t feel it really lifted our face the way other devices did. The price is also a bit steep compared to the others on this list, which is why we removed it.
Frequently asked questions
Do facelifting devices work?
The dermatologists we spoke with note that facelifting devices offered in office that feature radio frequency and high-intensity electrical stimulation have strong evidence of success. “When both RF and electrical simulation are combined, there is a noticeable increase in muscle thickness in zygomaticus major, the large muscle that runs along your cheek. This creates a lifted, more youthful appearance,” says Maryam Safaee, MD, FAAD, an LA board-certified dermatologist and founder of ManeRx. At-home devices have more limited evidence, but improvement in skin resilience is noticeable. A 2024 study involving a multi-energy device that integrated microcurrent, radiofrequency, ultrasound, and low-level light therapy reported enhancements in wrinkle volume, skin elasticity, and hydration after an eight-week period, says Dr. Safaee. This particular study was done on a Korean skin deva device that’s not currently offered in the States, so the jury is still out on whether these devices in the US provide long-lasting benefits versus temporary effects.
Can you use a device like this every day?
Check the instructions, says Dr. Safaee. “Most devices are not made to be used daily, but rather a few times a week,” she says.
What should you avoid doing when using a facelifting device?
Overuse. It’s best to follow instructions and stick to the allotted treatment times so as not to injure skin or cause irritation.
How we tested
We tested facelifting devices by evaluating their type, experience while using, and final results. Testers between the ages of 30 and 60 put about 12 devices to the test and narrowed it down to six that were the very best for lifting, sculpting, tightening, and boosting collagen. We evaluated their type, whether they had features like LED light, red-light therapy, or microcurrent features. The best ones were user-friendly and quick, and didn’t break our wallet. The ones that made the cut left our skin feeling smooth, more resilient, and firmer than before, and have become everyday staples in our respective antiaging skincare routines.
Meet the experts
- Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC
- Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group
- Rebecca Marcus, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at North Dallas Dermatology
- Maryam Safaee, MD, FAAD, a LA board-certified dermatologist and founder of ManeRx.
