I Test Beauty Products for a Living, and I Can’t Get Enough of These Facial Massagers (2025)

My undisputed favorite facial massager is from esthetician Shani Darden, who counts Pedro Pascal, America Ferrera, and Jessica Alba as clients. The LA-based pro incorporates this tool into her signature facials.

I notice improved results even when I didn’t follow the step-by-step instructions in the included FAQ booklet. For example, when I would freestyle glide the device across my face and focused on areas of improvement, I noticed the 11 lines between my brows and my smile lines were plumper after just two days. The results looked even better and more youthful on day three.

I’m someone who wants to avoid getting injectables, and this wand can help until I get over my discomfort and the actual need for fillers. And I’ve seen improvement just using the lowest power level (out of three).

I also love that it includes two magnetic attachments (partially because they’re easy to swap out and the attachments are harder to lose). One is a small circular disc for the larger face areas, such as the forehead, chin, and cheeks. The second is a smaller ball that’s safe to use around the eyes, nose, and lips. I tried using the ball across my entire face and the disc in another sesh, but the ball is too small and would be a bigger time commitment to achieve the same results. And the disc is a little too large for the eye area and just didn’t feel as comfy in that area of my skin.

And I know it’s not designed for this, but I’ve used the Wand as a massager on my arms and hands and found it provides excellent tension relief. While I thankfully don’t have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, I could see this tool helping to alleviate some discomfort you might be dealing with from TMJ disorders in your face.

While a splurge, this device is worth investing in. It took me a long time to even come up with a con for this because using the device and the quick visible results are just next-level good. But if I had to highlight one small area of improvement, the third intensity level is a little noisy. However, it’s relatively low to me and I’ve gotten so used to the sound and can tune it out.

TL;DR: I ordered one for my mom’s Christmas gift this year.

More: High-Frequency Wands Tested and Reviewed

I know the prices of some of these face massagers are jump scares, but if you’ve got a tight budget and still want an enjoyable manual face massager, this is the tool from you. You’re forgoing high-end tech, but you’re saving big. And with the tool currently 50% off (if you buy directly through Jenny Patinkin’s site), this face massager is cheaper than a Chipotle bowl with guac and tax in a big city. Not too bad!

This is the only face massager here I haven’t tested, but it’s the one that earned snaps from King, so I’m confident recommending it. This pretty pink face roller is made of rose quartz, and she likes that it stays cool in the fridge. When you use a cool face massager, it helps “constrict blood vessels to decrease puffiness,” she says.

The cool temperatures work by removing fluid from the face. It can also help calm inflammation, tighten the skin, and even help minimize the look of large pores. Note that you should not use this device cold if you have rosacea — it can worsen the redness.

The New York-based dermatologist also appreciates its small size, which she considers “perfect” for using around the eye area. “Gentle rolling under the eyes from the midline toward the sides can help decrease fluid accumulation,” adds King.

Key Spec

Celebrities and estheticians love the Gold Bar, plus it’s often sold out at Sephora. On top of it all, this vibrating sculpting T-bar is plated in 24-karat gold, making it luxurious and beneficial, with results that I can see immediately.

Crafted by celebrity makeup artist Jillian Dempsey — Kristen Stewart, Kate Winslet, and Leslie Mann are all clients — this splurge-worthy face massager is so much better than cheaper alternatives from white-label Amazon brands. The electric device is lightweight and compact, and my wrist never feels weighed down when holding the device.

It’s a fantastic tool that vibrates 6,000 times per minute to help drain the lymph nodes that cause facial puffiness. This massager comes in clutch when I have upcoming parties or am dealing with lack of sleep or allergies. (Or when I eat a delicious bowl of ramen.) The Gold Bar also boosts blood flow to my face for a glowy effect.

Dempsey’s device is also quite durable. I accidentally dropped it and was pleasantly surprised it still looked like new and didn’t have any annoying performance issues like lack of vibrations or charging issues.

Some people may wish the T shape is different or comes with attachments to swap out, but I don’t mind. I actually like the T design because I find that it helps me sculpt my cheeks more easily. I like using this tool after applying my face serum and cream.

Key Spec

I named Foreo the best face cleansing brush, and I stand by that statement. The antibacterial silicone face massager is equipped with two sides. The front has short and flexible bristles to remove unwanted dirt and oil that cause acne, and the back features soft-to-the-touch ripples that emits 8,000 pulses for a relaxing massage effect.

You can control the Bluetooth-capable skincare gadget with the Foreo smartphone app. I initially found the app a little confusing to use, so if you’re not super techy, play around with the app before using the brush. After a few uses, everything becomes rather intuitive.

It also only takes 60 seconds to use, so it’s a pretty sweet option for someone who is crunched for time. There are an impressive 16 intensities, five massage patterns — lymphatic, deep tissue, trigger point, reflexology, and shiatsu — and four guided massages to follow.

I like to wet my face and lightly rub a pump of face wash before pushing the large power button on the Luna. I’ll glide the tool across my skin in a circular motion, paying close attention to my oily T-Zone. Whenever I use this tool, my skin is less congested and visibly brighter. The massage also helps with plumping up my smile lines.

Key Spec

The NuFace currently ranks as our best overall microcurrent machine because it is the closest I’ll get to a facelift without getting invasive. The palm-sized powerhouse facial massager uses microdoses of electric currents to smooth, lift, and fill wrinkles in 5 minutes per treatment area.

And I know you’re probably thinking those electric currents sound painful, but not quite. The sensation is more of a light tingling, and my face looks and feels refreshed and tight in the best possible way after. So anyone who hates pain like myself can feel comfy using this device.

With a 5-minute treatment sesh per area, it’ll take about 15 minutes to sculpt my entire face. TBH, I’m not always consistent about actually using this device since I want something faster, but with regular use I can get away with using the device less often.

When I follow the instructions — slather on the prep gel, power on the device, and follow this tutorial — I notice instant and long-term benefits. Most notably, the NuFace microcurrent device helps lifts my cheeks and helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful appearance.

And I’m not the only fan of this exact device. Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, M.D, praised NuFace because you can use it multiple times weekly to target exact areas.

The kit includes a small conductive gel and conductive creme hydration that help the device glide around my face instead of dragging my skin.

Key Spec

How to Use a Face Massager

Whether your beauty rituals take a few minutes or upward of half an hour, facial massagers are the perfect low-key addition to upgrade your daily skincare routine. Research even shows you’ll gain the most from using a face massager for just 5 to 10 minutes a day.

But, how do you use them correctly? Well, it all just depends on the type of face massager you own:

• Electric and battery-powered options are simple to use: Press a button, and the device's vibrations will help massage your visage.
• On the other hand, manual tools like the create a lifting effect when you use a gentle upward rolling motion.

Speaking of a gentle technique, you can pamper your skin while you massage by incorporating a slip agent like a lightweight serum, oil, or moisturizer, advises Dr. Alain Michon, M.D., the medical director of Ottawa Skin Clinic. He says a slip agent helps prevent any surface-level bruising.

“The skin on the face is much more sensitive and delicate than the rest of the body, so it’s important to be gentle when using the devices,” he says. Just remember that if you use a facial cleansing massager like a Foreo Luna, it’s best to use your favorite face wash in place of a slip agent.

Overall, “more pressure doesn’t equate to faster or more noticeable results,” adds Palomino.

How to Clean a Face Massager

If you skimp on cleanliness, you risk breakouts and skin irritations, such as red, scaly, or raw patches popping up on your face, cautions King.

She suggests washing your face massagers with antibacterial dish soap at least once a week. Just add a drop on your fingers or on a toothbrush, and be sure to scrub the crevices. After, rinse with warm water, and then allow it to air-dry overnight. If it’s a face massager that can’t get wet, wipe it clean after each use.