12 Skincare Tools to Recreate Spa Treatments at Home

While there’s something to be said for the spa experience, there’s also something to be said for sneaking in treatments at home. Here’s are some awesome products to spoil yourself wtih.

At this point, it’s safe to say that you haven’t been to a spa or gotten a facial in a few months. Spas and salons were one of the first places to close down in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and will likely be some of the last places to open because of how much close contact they require. In other words, it’s time to learn how to take care of your skin at home. And, a few skincare tools can basically replace the spa treatments you might be used to getting.

While using these tools can create quite a different experience than getting pampered at a spa, the end result can be just as effective (and that’s really the whole point). Because these tools require more than just cleansing and patting a face mask on, be sure to read through the instructions thoroughly and even consult a dermatologist in some cases.

These tools are also going to cost a little bit more upfront, but if you get these treatments done at the spa on a fairly regular basis, then you’ll find that using these tools at home saves you money in the long run. Here are a few to check out:

For Microdermabrasion: Trophy Skin MicrodermMD At Home Microdermabrasion Machine

Microdermabrasion is one of the more popular skincare treatments out there. It essentially removes a layer of your skin to reveal brighter softer skin underneath. This is a non-invasive procedure that exfoliates and removes that layer of dry dead skin that is causing your face to look dull. Microdermabrasion machines are small, and buff and polish your skin. The procedure can get rid of the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce signs of sun damage, improve skin tone and texture, and bring radiance back to your skin.

It might seem intimidating to do on your own, but the Trophy Skin MicrodermMD At Home Microdermabrasion Machine makes it so much easier. The machine features a diamond-tipped exfoliating wand with a vacuum suction that gently buffs away those dry top layers of skin. The kit comes with everything you need to do this on your own, and you’ll quickly become hooked.

For Facial Massage: Mount Lai Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool

Gua sha is a lovely way of massaging your face, and it’s very easy to do at home on your own. During this natural ancient Chinese healing therapy, massage oil is applied to your skin, and then a massage tool is used to scrap your skin with short or long strokes, which stimulates circulation in the soft tissue to increase blood flow. Gua sha can improve circulation and help get rid of inflammation to promote healing.

Gua sha can also relieve facial and jaw tension, give you a brighter complexion, and visibly lift and contour the face. This Mount Lai Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool is made of xiyuan jade, a stone that has balancing properties and stays cool for a long time. You can also opt for the rose quartz, a crystal that is calming and aids in meditation. The shape of either of these is ideal for a comfortable grip for easier use.

For Dermaplaning: Dermaflash Luxe Sonic Dermaplaning Tool

A dermplaning treatment is another popular way to exfoliate your face and to get rid of those dead layers of skin making your face look dry and dull. It’s one of my personal favorites, because not only does it exfoliate away dead skin cells, but it also shaves off the peach fuzz all over your face, some of which you might have not even noticed until it’s removed.

When you have dermaplaning done by a professional, they use a tool like a surgical scalpel to gently scrape the surface of your skin and remove dead skin and hair. It sounds scary and looks scary, but I promise you it does not hurt at all, and the results are wonderful: brighter smoother skin that feels really soft.

This Dermaflash Luxe Sonic Dermaplaning Tool is the best way to do this treatment at home on your own. It looks less scary than a scalpel and works in three easy steps: the Preflash is cleanser that leaves skin clean, the Flash is the device going across your face, and the Postflash hydrates and balances your skin after using the Flash. It’s easy to use, and for the price compared to the price of a facial, it’s a great deal.

For Microneedling: StackedSkincare Microneedling Tool 2.0

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a device called a dermaroller to use small needles to prick the skin. Why would you want tiny needles leaving pinpricks all over your face? The procedure is supposed to help generate new collagen and skin tissue to leave your skin rejuvenated, smoother, firmer, and more toned. In other words, yes, it sounds terrifying, but it also works.

This sounds like something you probably shouldn’t do at home, but the StackedSkincare Microneedling Tool 2.0 is actually a really excellent way to do this procedure at home. It’s a small handheld tool with replaceable heads that you roll over your face in a specific way. Designed by an expert aesthetician, it will gently exfoliate and help with uneven texture. And, it’s not nearly as painful as it sounds!

For Facial Steaming: Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier

A facial steamer itself isn’t a treatment, per se, but it is a really great skincare tool to have on hand. Facial steaming is often thought of as a more gentle and natural alternative to exfoliating treatments, like the ones discussed above—so if those turn you off completely, you’ll probably love the ideal of facial steaming.

The idea is simple: You basically let steam envelop your face for a few moments. The steam will aid in gentle exfoliation, but it also opens up your pores to allow the active ingredients of your skincare to better penetrate the skin, so that they become more effective. You can use one every night before applying your facial serums and creams.

The Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier is a convenient option to putting your head over a bowl of boiling water (which is another option!). It’s a portable USB humidifier that can be plugged into anything like a laptop, car port, or charger to keep your hydrated wherever you are, and it’s pretty small. It feels really lovely on your skin.

For Pore Extracting: Dermaflash Ultrasonic Pore Extractor and Serum Infuser

Pore extracting clears out your clogged pores by basically sucking or pushing out all of the gunk that’s in there. This is a step that’s often included in a facial and isn’t always its own treatment entirely. It’s a good way to clear your pores and skin temporarily, although it doesn’t exactly shrink pores, and it doesn’t keep them unclogged forever.

If you want to do it at home, try the Dermaflash Ultrasonic Pore Extractor and Serum Infuser, which is a safer way to extract pores on your own. This tool has two modes. The Extract Mode cleans your pores out and removes dirt, oil, and blackheads with a spatula-shaped treatment head, which can get into any tight area on your face and makes the extracting process more comfortable.

The Infuse Mode enhances the penetration of active ingredients in your favorite skincare products using ultrasonic vibrations. You glide the head of this over your skin for both modes, making it super easy to use.

For Anti-Aging: NuFACE Mini

The NuFACE Mini is sort of like a handheld microcurrent facial. A microcurrent facial uses extremely low-voltage electrical currents that mirror your body’s own electrical currents to repair damaged skin and to stimulate collagen and elastin production (the things that make skin look bright and smooth).

This facial typically uses two prongs that deliver the energy into the dermis, the deepest layer of the skin, to gently get rid of any sign of aging by producing collagen and enhancing definition. With the right device, like this one, it’s easy to do this at home.

The NuFACE Mini is small but powerful. It’s a convenient size, can be used for just five minutes each day, and delivers results. It will leave your skin looking lifted, toned, and smoother.

For a High-Tech Mask: Foreo UFO Smart Mask Treatment

The Foreo UFO Smart Mask Treatment is definitely not your typical face mask. This is a 90-second treatment that uses LED light therapy to stimulate collagen production and tighten skin, thermotherapy to prep the skin and open up the pores, cryotherapy to restore pore walls to shrink pores and lift and tone skin, and T-sonic technology to boost circulation and offer a calming facial massage.

This is also a smart mask that is actually activated by an app on your cell phone. (Although there are modes you can set it to that don’t require you to use the app.) It’s a unique and interesting device that won’t take up much of your time at all, so it’s easy to incorporate it into your daily skincare routine.

For Acne Treatment: LightStim for Acne

If you deal with a ton of breakouts and you feel like you need something more than just a good face wash or spot treatment, try the LightStim for Acne device. It works by using blue light on your face, which can destroy bacteria that causes acne to prevent breakouts and clear existing breakouts to make your skin look more healthy.

LightStim will also help with your skin’s uneven texture, smoothing out the surface and making it look more clear as well. The MultiWave Technology emits wavelengths of light that work together to nourish your skin. It’s not exactly cheap, but it is a great way to clear up your skin safely at home.

For Thorough Cleansing: Clarisonic Mia Smart

Washing your face every morning and night is an essential part of a healthy skincare routine. However, it’s not enough to simply splash some water on your face, quickly rub in some cleanser, then just as quickly rinse it off. You need to really get in there, massaging skin with the cleanser so that it actually does what it’s supposed to and cleans away dirt and bacteria.

That’s exactly what the Clarisonic Mia Smart is for: really thorough deep cleansing that leaves your skin truly clean. It can also visibly minimize the appearance of pores and reduce eye puffiness, crows feet, and fine lines. There are different applicators sold separately that you can purchase as well, like ones that will blend your makeup.

The device has two sensitive skin cleansing modes and a Smart mode that with a timer, so you know exactly what you’re doing. There’s even a Soft Start mode to transition you into this type of sonic cleansing if you’re a beginner. Using this will leave your skin feeling cleaner than ever before.

For Basically Everything: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro LED Light Therapy Device

Like most Dr. Dennis Gross products, the Skincare DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro LED Light Therapy Device is not cheap—but it is really effective, and if you have the money to spend, it may be worth it. This is an FDA-cleared mask that sits on your skin (you’ll sort of look like Iron Man, which is actually very fun), and conforms to your face.

It uses a combination of red and blue LED lights to smooth the look of wrinkles, firm up skin, get rid of discoloration, and diminish blemishes. The red lights help boost the production of collagen and elastin, which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and sun damage, while the blue lights destroy bacteria that could cause future breakouts. So, it essentially does it all, and it has a convenient hand-free design. Just put it on, sit back, and let it do its thing.

For the Super Luxe At-Home Treatment: Mdna Skin Rejuvenator Mask Set

At $600, the Mdna Skin Rejuvenator Mask Set is one of the most expensive at-home skincare tools you can find out there. But those who have tried it and use it regularly swear by it, so if you’re willing to make the investment, it may be worth it. This is a high-tech professional-grade masking set that is a lot more than your typical face mask. It combines the Chrome Clay Mask and the Skin Rejuvenator to make your skin look more firm and rejuvenated in minutes (no rinsing necessary).

This one isn’t based on one specific spa treatment, but several different facials and treatments. The Skin Rejuvenator uses Deep Derma Technology to deliver hydration, visibly lift and firm skin, and improve the absorption of the serum from the Chrome Clay Mask, which uses magnetic energy to give skin a ton of nutrients.