Skincare Tools for Women Over 50: What I Own and Use

If you spend any time looking at skincare online, you would think we all need a bathroom drawer full of gadgets just to wash our face.

Red light masks. Microcurrent devices. Facial wands. Dermaplaning tools. Gua sha stones. There is always something new promising firmer, smoother, younger-looking skin.

And, apparently, I have been curious enough to buy quite a few of them. Lol!

But I want to make something very clear before we get started. I have not tried every skincare tool on the market, and I’m not going to tell you that something works simply because I’ve heard good things about it.

The tools in this post are ones I actually own, have bought, or have personal experience with. I’ll also tell you when my experience with something is limited.

At 66, I’m realistic about skincare. I’m not expecting a little machine on my bathroom counter to suddenly make me look 35. I’m interested in taking good care of the skin I have, improving its appearance where I can, and finding things that are easy enough for me to use consistently.

Because if a skincare tool requires a 47-step ceremony every night, we both know where that thing is eventually going.

Straight into a drawer.

This post has been updated with current recommendations and links for a better reader experience.

Skincare Tools I Own

Omnilux Red Light Therapy Mask

Red light therapy is probably the skincare technology I get asked about most, and it is one category where I have actually put my money where my mouth is.

I own an Omnilux Age Renewal LED Bundle because it is cheaper when you buy them together as a bundle. I also own the Shark CryoGlow mask that I’ll talk about next, so I’ve had the chance to see how different at-home LED masks are designed and how they fit into a real skincare routine.

The reason red light therapy interests me is that it isn’t simply another beauty trend someone dreamed up on TikTok. Red and near-infrared light have been studied for their potential to support collagen production and improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin texture.

That doesn’t mean I expect to put on a mask for ten minutes and come out looking 35. If that happens, you’ll hear me yelling all the way from Tennessee. Lol!

I look at red light as one more tool for taking care of my skin over time.

Omnilux recommends using its mask on clean, bare skin, so I don’t apply my regular skincare products underneath it. That’s also a good reminder that every device is different. Read the instructions for the one you own instead of following a skincare routine you saw someone else doing online.

We Even Have an Omnilux Mask for Joe

Joe has the men’s Omnilux mask, designed specifically for men’s skin.

Now, I can’t promise Joe approaches skincare with quite the same enthusiasm I do. Lol! But I liked the idea that Omnilux created a version specifically for men instead of assuming one mask was automatically right for everyone.

If your husband has started eyeing your skincare gadgets, just know there are options made specifically for him.

Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask

I also own the Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask, and this one caught my attention because it combines LED light therapy with cooling technology around the eye area.

That makes it different from a basic red light mask.

The CryoGlow has LED treatment modes designed for skin concerns such as fine lines, skin firmness, and breakouts, along with cooling under-eye pads that can feel especially nice when you’re dealing with puffiness.

I think this is where shopping for skincare gadgets gets confusing.

Two products can both be called an “LED face mask” and still offer very different experiences.

If your main goal is straightforward red and near-infrared light therapy, you may prefer something simple. If you also like cooling around the eyes or want a mask with multiple treatment settings, a device like the Shark CryoGlow may appeal to you more.

I own both, and I don’t think that automatically means everyone needs both.

Actually, please don’t use me as your example for how many skincare gadgets a normal person needs. Lol!

The better question is, which features will you actually use? That is the question I would ask before spending money on any of these devices.

TheraFace Depuffing Wand

Some mornings call for coffee. Some mornings call for coffee and something cold on your face. Lol!

The TheraFace Depuffing Wand uses both cold and heat treatments. The cold setting is designed to help with the appearance of puffiness, while the heat setting can be used as part of a facial massage.

I like the idea of this type of tool because puffiness is something you can actually see and feel immediately. I don’t need every skincare gadget to promise that I’m going to look ten years younger six months from now.

Sometimes I just want to look a little less like I ate Chinese food at 9:30 the night before.

This is also the kind of device that makes more sense to me if you know you’ll actually reach for it. If you already love using an ice roller or doing facial massage, you might appreciate having the hot and cold settings in one tool.

ZIIP HALO

The ZIIP HALO is another type of facial toning device, and this is where skincare gadgets start getting more technical.

Devices like this use low-level electrical currents as part of a facial treatment. They aren’t the same thing as red light therapy, which is one reason I don’t lump all of these gadgets together and say, “They tighten your face.”

Different tools use different technologies. And this is also where I think you need to be realistic about the amount of effort you’re willing to put into your skincare.

A device can have wonderful technology, but if it lives in your bathroom cabinet with a dead battery, we’re probably not going to see many benefits from it.

Consistency counts.

TheraFace PRO

The TheraFace PRO is probably the multitasker of my skincare gadget collection. It combines several types of treatments in one handheld device, including microcurrent, LED light therapy, facial massage, and cleansing attachments.

I can see the appeal of buying one device that performs several jobs instead of having five separate gadgets sitting on your bathroom counter.

But I would also ask yourself a very practical question before buying something like this: Will I use all those features? More features aren’t automatically better if you only use one of them.

That is something I’ve learned about beauty products in general. Sometimes the simpler thing you use faithfully ends up being a much better purchase than the fancy thing with seventeen buttons.

Dermaflash Luxe

This one is different because it isn’t trying to tone or firm your face. The Dermaflash Luxe is a dermaplaning tool designed to exfoliate dead surface skin and remove peach fuzz. The company recommends using it about once a week.

Peach fuzz seems to get a lot more noticeable as we get older. Or maybe my eyesight just got better once I started using magnifying mirrors. I’m not sure which one I want to blame. Lol!

Removing that fine hair can leave the skin feeling smoother, and makeup may apply more smoothly afterward.

One thing I would pay attention to is the rest of your skincare routine. Dermaflash recommends avoiding strong exfoliating ingredients such as retinol and glycolic acid for a period after dermaplaning, so this isn’t something I would casually add to an aggressive skincare night.

What About NuFACE?

I actually bought a NuFACE because I wanted to try microcurrent. Then Ashleigh wanted to try it. You mothers already know how this story ends.

Apparently, “Can I try that?” is sometimes another way of saying, “Congratulations on your generous donation.”

So, I just ordered the NuFACE Trinity+ Starter Kit, and it is on sale for almost $100 off. This time, I’m keeping my mouth shut around my daughter. Lol!

NuFACE has been one of the GOATs in the at-home microcurrent world for such a long time that I decided it was time for me to give it a fair shot.

I want to actually use it consistently myself and see what I think, especially when it comes to firmness and the appearance of my jawline. Once I’ve used it long enough to have a real opinion, I’ll report back.

That’s how I want to handle these skincare tools. If I’ve used something enough to form an opinion, I’ll tell you. If I haven’t, I’ll tell you that too.

My Rose Quartz Gua Sha

I also own a simple rose quartz gua sha. Mine doesn’t light up, vibrate, plug in, connect to Bluetooth, or require me to remember another password. Bless it. Lol!

A gua sha is simply a smooth-edged tool that you glide over the skin as part of facial massage.

I wouldn’t buy one expecting it to lift your face permanently. Research on many of the claims surrounding facial gua sha is still limited. Cleveland Clinic notes that gentle facial massage may help lessen puffiness and can simply feel relaxing and refreshing.

And sometimes that is enough. Not every beauty product needs to perform a minor miracle.

Which Skincare Tool Would I Buy First After 50?

This depends completely on what bothers you and how much money you want to spend.

• If you’re mostly concerned with temporary puffiness, I’d look at a Gua Sha or a cooling tool.
• If peach fuzz and rough texture are what bother you, a dermaplaning tool may make more sense.
• If you’re interested in red light therapy and visible signs of aging, an LED mask is probably the category I would research first.
• If you’re curious about facial toning, then you may want to look into microcurrent devices.

I would not buy several of these at once. Pick the concern that bothers you most, buy the tool that addresses that concern, and see if you will actually use it. Your bathroom counter does not need its own technology department.

Do Skincare Tools Really Work After 50?

Some can help. But I think expectations matter. At-home skincare devices aren’t facelifts, fillers, lasers, or in-office dermatology treatments.

Some technologies have more research behind them than others, and even with the better-studied devices, results can be subtle and vary from person to person.

I look at skincare tools as an addition to my routine, not the foundation of it. Sunscreen, cleansing, moisturizing, and a skincare routine that works for your skin still matter more than owning the newest gadget.

And if you have a skin condition, take medications that make your skin sensitive to light, have implanted electronic devices, or aren’t sure if a particular device is appropriate for you, talk with your dermatologist or doctor and read the manufacturer’s contraindications before using it.

Tips I’ve Learned About Skincare Gadgets

Here are a few things I would tell a girlfriend before she bought one:

• Don’t assume every device is used the same way. Some need bare skin, while some microcurrent devices require a conductive gel.
• Read the directions. I know. Revolutionary advice. Lol!
• Don’t buy a gadget because someone online has gorgeous skin. You don’t know what else they’ve had done.
• Think about maintenance and replacement parts. Some devices require gels, blades, or other refills.
• Start with one concern. Puffiness, peach fuzz, fine lines, or facial toning. You don’t have to attack everything at once.
• Consistency matters. The best skincare gadget is probably the one you’ll actually use.
• Keep your expectations reasonable. We are taking care of our skin, not attempting time travel.

Frequently Asked Questions About Skincare Tools for Women Over 50

Are skincare tools worth buying after 50?

They can be, especially if you have a specific concern and choose a device designed for it. I wouldn’t buy a skincare gadget simply because it is popular. Think about what you want it to do and how often you’re realistically going to use it.

Is red light therapy good for mature skin?

Red light therapy is one of the more studied at-home skincare technologies. Research suggests it may help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, texture, and other visible signs of aging, although results vary and more research is still needed.

Do microcurrent devices really lift your face?

I would be very careful with the word “lift.” Microcurrent devices use low-level electrical stimulation and are marketed for facial toning and firming, but I wouldn’t compare the results from an at-home device to a surgical procedure or professional treatment.

Does gua sha get rid of wrinkles?

I wouldn’t buy gua sha specifically to erase wrinkles. I think of mine more as a facial massage tool that can feel relaxing and may temporarily help with puffiness.

Do I need more than one skincare device?

Absolutely not. Start with the concern you care about most. If you use that tool consistently and later decide you want to address something else, you can always add another one.

My Final Thoughts

I enjoy trying skincare tools, especially now that there are so many at-home options available. But the older I get, the less interested I am in telling you that you “need” something. You don’t.

If you’re happy using cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, and a couple of skincare products you love, keep doing that.

If you’re like me and enjoy experimenting with technology and seeing if you can give Mother Nature a tiny bit of competition, skincare tools can be fun. I just want us to spend our money on things we’ll actually use.

Because a $300 skincare gadget sitting untouched in a drawer has exactly the same anti-aging benefits as a potato.

And the potato is cheaper.