I once believed that a woman could take care of her skin with just her hands—until the Clarisonic came along and proved me wrong. Back in 2004, I was a middle schooler convinced that astringent toner could fix anything. At the time, we were years away from $2,700 at-home lasers and high-tech microcurrent gadgets promising to “retrain the Golgi tendon.” My most sophisticated beauty tool was a flatiron.

I saved up for a Clarisonic, just like countless other women and girls. It became so popular that it was sold in over 50 countries. I used it religiously, as if its vibrations alone could magically transform my skin. The device—buzzing, spinning, scrubbing away dirt like a tiny orbital sander—taught me that glowing skin required electricity. More than just a mini power tool, the $195 Clarisonic pioneered an entire category of skincare gadgets. I was obsessed.

Now, Clarisonic is gone (turns out scrubbing your skin raw with a bacteria-laden brush isn’t ideal), but the beauty device market has exploded—maybe because we’re always chasing perfection. Today, there are “smart” facial cleansers, at-home laser hair removers, and more LED masks than you can count. Some boast clinical trials; others settle for vague claims like “FDA-cleared” or “dermatologist-approved.” Whatever the credentials, the appeal is obvious: Who wouldn’t want needle-free fixes for wrinkles and pores, all from the comfort of their couch?

But do these gadgets actually work? I dove into Reddit threads, YouTube tutorials, and glowing reviews promising “glass skin” and vanished dark spots. I scrutinized before-and-after photos like a jeweler examining diamonds. Determined to test them all, I gathered an arsenal of devices: LED masks that made me look like a Marvel villain, a red-light helmet for hair growth, Julianne Moore’s favorite Instagrammable “Skorr Glow” wand, a “depuffing” tool to sculpt cheekbones, and more—most requiring an app to function.

Scientific research on these devices is limited, but the strongest evidence supports LED light therapy, which uses specific wavelengths to treat skin. Red light supposedly boosts blood flow and collagen production, while blue light targets acne-causing bacteria. Microcurrent devices also show promise for tightening skin, though studies leave plenty of unanswered questions.

To cut through the confusion, I turned to facialist Raquel Medina-Cleghorn, whose sleek, science-backed studio, Raquel New York, balances wellness with hard evidence. She recommended the Therabody TheraFace Mask for its red, blue, and infrared LED settings, tossing around terms like “adenosine triphosphate” and “collagen proteins.” I was too distracted by visions of erased wrinkles to absorb much.

Later, I organized my gadgets into categories and set up a testing schedule. I started with red-light devices—the $470 CurrentBody mask (recommended three to five times a week) and Shark Beauty’s $350 version, complete with cooling under-eye pads.These eye masks claim to “brighten” and “soothe” delicate under-eye skin. Regular use is said to improve plumpness for a “glowing” effect. While I don’t see instant results, I do experience temporary blurred vision after wearing the bright red masks. After weeks of use, some old dark spots from blemishes appear lighter, and I feel like I look more refreshed. Some credit might go to my $1,695 Snoo Smart Sleeper bassinet—the real MVP—since it helps my five-month-old sleep longer, giving me extra rest.

Comedian Jacqueline Novak, co-host of the wellness podcast Berlant & Novak, has tried countless beauty gadgets. Her current favorites include the PureLift Pro for “instant sculpting” and the Nira Pro Laser, which heats the skin just shy of discomfort. She and co-host Kate Berlant even flew to London to get the hyped-up Lyma Laser Pro ($5,995), one of the most talked-about devices. Novak remains optimistic, though she admits she’s not always consistent enough to judge results. “The fine print says you have to be diligent,” she jokes. “If it doesn’t work, it’s probably my fault—like a bad boyfriend blaming you for the relationship failing.”

CurrentBody CEO Laurence Newman acknowledges that in-office treatments like Botox work faster than at-home devices, which fall somewhere between injectables and skincare. Esthetician Madalaina Conti recommends a combined approach: dramatic results from professionals, maintenance at home. “Your facial muscles need regular attention,” she says. “You wouldn’t expect results from seeing a personal trainer once a month—you have to put in the work between sessions.”

For those willing to commit, these devices can extend time between pricey appointments. Dermatologist Anetta Reszko, creator of the Skorr Glow wand, calls it a “democratization” of skincare, making treatments accessible to those who can’t afford frequent office visits. Newman agrees that while gadgets can’t replace professionals, they’ve carved out their own niche.

In my apartment, though, they’re taking up more than just a niche. My Ziip Halo microcurrent device sits in my medicine cabinet—I love gliding it along my jawline while zoning out to Real Housewives. The Laduora Duo, a multitasking vibrating hairbrush, blends in on my counter and leaves my hair smooth.The LED mask is so shiny that I leave it on my desk, using it while I scroll. Los Angeles hairstylist Robert Vetica encourages this habit—he tells me his client Naomi Watts saw a 25% increase in hair thickness after four months of use. (Well, sort of: “She didn’t notice,” he admits. “But I was shocked!”)

Unfortunately, bulkier devices aren’t as easy to store. My LED masks pile up in a corner of the living room, and the helmet sits on a side table like a prop from a futuristic Hamlet. Poor Yorick—he would’ve loved cell rejuvenation.

So do I, but I can’t keep this up. My surge protectors are overloaded, and I have to unplug the food processor just to charge all my gadgets. Dr. Evan Rieder, a dermatologist and psychiatrist in New York, gives me permission to let most of them go. “If you have the time and money, these tools probably won’t hurt,” he says. “But most don’t have much data backing them.” Instead, he recommends the tried-and-true anti-aging routine: sunscreen, prescription retinol (like tretinoin), and in-office treatments like Botox and lasers. Skincare tools are only worth it if they bring you joy, he adds. “Using them gives you a few moments just for yourself—I think that’s what people really want.”

After weeks of testing, I book an appointment at Ricari Studios, a high-tech spa where clients wear full-body white stockings for treatments. In their New York location overlooking the Hudson, a serene woman named Jodi explains the process. Ricari specializes in lymphatic drainage massage using a massive, octopus-like machine with gliding “legs,” plus Lyma lasers for facial brightening. For 90 minutes, Jodi operates the devices while I relax—it feels indulgent yet clinical, like physical therapy for the elite.

I realize I prefer tools when someone else is in charge. “We hear that a lot,” says Ricari founder Anna Zahn. “Clients say, ‘I have it at home, but it’s so nice to have it done for me.’”

By the end, I feel loose and refreshed, as if the weeks of red light therapy finally paid off. I vow to stick with LED—though the resolution feels as flimsy as promising to floss daily starting next week. But the best part isn’t the glow or the relief. It comes in the last 45 seconds, after the machines are put away.

Before I leave, Jodi dabs a cooling menthol balm on the back of my neck and shoulders. The sensation fades quickly, but it’s incredible—like a mom rubbing Vicks on your back as a kid, or a roommate pressing frozen spoons on your eyelids after a rough night. No Bluetooth required.

LED Light Therapy Face Mask: Series 2
$380 | CURRENTBODY

Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask
$350 | AMAZON
$350 | SHARK