2019 is no question the year of skincare. While we once fell head over heels everytime a new eyeshadow pallet hit the scene or gossiped with all our friends about some new miracle hide-all foundation, this year it’s all about how to achieve that flawless, baby smooth, #WokeUpLikeThis, dewy make-up free skin. In addition to all the ooey-gooey goodness of clay masks, oils, creams, and soaps, we can’t forget about all of the excellent skincare tools the beauty world has to offer. While on my continuing mission to maintain and improve my skin, especially as I get older, I knew I needed to jump on board and try out a few of the beauty gadgets the internet is talking about.
Because not everything works for every skin type, first off, here is my own skin type profile: I have combination skin, meaning that I have an oily t-zone with drier cheeks. My pores tend to be on the bigger side in addition to some residual acne scarring on my chin from when I was younger, so smoothing out my texture is a must. It’s also important to me that my products prevent and reduce wrinkles as a 45-year-old. If you have a similar profile, you may expect some similar results.
Out of the myriad of options out there, I ended up choosing the Sdara Microneedle Derma Roller and the Nu Skin Facial Spa to try for this blog. So, am I ready for the Bareface Challenge after trying these two wacky gadgets or are the promises just too good to be true?
The Sdara Microneedle Derma Roller
First off, what exactly is a derma roller? The technique was first used back in 1995, but historically, derma rolling was something a person could only have done in a dermatologist’s office. Today, the tools are readily available so that you can utilize this technique at home at a much more affordable price. The small, fine needles are rolled across your skin, creating small holes. The punctures are not deep enough to be considered invasive, however, the superficial injuries trigger your body’s wound healing process.
So, what does poking a million tiny holes in my face actually do? Allegedly, according to this 2016 study, when the wound healing process is triggered, your skin produces more collagen and stimulates new capillary (teeny tiny blood vessels) growth. This leads to a more youthful appearance by reducing wrinkles, shrinking pores, and creating elasticity. When used in tandem with anti-ageing serums and other topical treatments, microneedling can help these products penetrate deeper into the skin for a more effective result.
In the name of science and for the benefit of my lovely readers, I decided to try rolling what could double as a medieval torture device across my face to see what would happen. My weapon of choice for this experiment is the Sdara Microneedle Derma Roller paired with its signature Vitamin C Serum. This tool is made with .25mm titanium microneedles, the length recommended by dermatologists for home use. The Vitamin C Serum is made with all natural ingredients such as aloe, witch hazel, jojoba oil, and of course, plenty of vitamin c. As a great bonus, Sdara does not test any of their products on animals.
I used the roller three times a week as recommended, waiting for about two weeks worth of results. I made sure to sterilize the roller with a spray bottle of alcohol just to make sure that it was good and clean before I used it to poke holes in my skin. After rolling it across my entire face a few times, I applied the Vitamin C Serum. Right away, I liked how it tingled on my face. I could tell instantly that it helped deliver the product much more deeply into my skin than just using the serum alone. Over time, I noticed that my pores were indeed shrinking and that the acne scars on my chin were being smoothed away. I’m not sure how much this will help some of the deeper wrinkles over time, but it certainly makes my skin feel so much more supple and dewey, so I believe that even if it can’t help reduce wrinkles, it will totally help prevent more of them. While I enjoy the Vitamin C Serum, it is a little pricey, so if you purchase the Sdara roller, don’t be afraid to try it with your own more budget-friendly anti-ageing serum. If you use this roller on a regular basis, be sure to replace it every one to two months.
The Nu Skin Facial Spa
For my next beauty gadget experiment, I chose the Nu Skin Facial Spa. This fun little tool claims to be a “10-minute luxurious spa experience for a more radiant, youthful appearance” which is a pretty high claim for my busy lifestyle. If I only need ten minutes at the spa three times a week to look younger, that makes this worth every single penny of the $384 price tag.
What does this thing actually do? This small machine packs a punch by sending microcurrents through the skin via a chrome conductor that delivers a targeted treatment to specific areas. The tool is meant to glide across the skin after applying the Conductive Gel that helps the currents to better penetrate the skin. According to the Nu Skin Website, the benefit to using this system is the microcurrents stimulate and tone skin and facial muscles for a tighter appearance. Instead of poking holes in my face, this time I’m going to give myself a lot of small electrocutions…
I have been using the Nu Skin Facial Spa system for two weeks now as well, and while I feel like this product even more so than the last one takes time to work, I have begun to notice some improvements with the size of my pores and overall brightness of my complexion. Some other people who have been using this product for several months to several years have said it actually does reduce saggy skin and improve the look of droopy jowls one might obtain as we age. One reviewer says that they even had a skin test done by their dermatologist for bacteria levels and got a clean bill as a result of using this device.
While its difficult to say now exactly how well this gadget works after long term treatments, I can say that it’s definitely a tool that I will continue to use in hopes of also achieving some of the results from other reviewers. One warning this device comes with is that you should avoid using it on your neck and chest due to the electrical currents it emits… you certainly want to prevent muscle spasms from happening in those sensitive areas!
In the end, many of these funky skincare beauty gadgets are just going to be a passing fad, but I truly enjoyed both of these tools. I think that with regular use, they both will help make me feel more comfy stepping out of the house to rock a bare face! Are you ready for the Bare Face Challenge? Tell me about some of the wild beauty gadgets you’ve tried– are they now a staple in your skincare routine? Or were they a skincare stinker?
Photo credit: @bergercreative // @colorandgrace
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41 Comments
Shelbee on the Edge
Great review, Grace! I haven’t tried any products like these so this was super helpful. By the way, the new blog layout looks fabulous!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Grace Liang
I’m so glad you found the post helpful, Shelbee! Thank you for your support! 🙂
Gemma
Such a great post. Have never tried any of these so lovely to find out about them.
Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
Grace Liang
Thank you so much, Gemma! It’s always fun to try out new skincare products!
Jill
I always up for trying new beauty gadgets. I haven’t tried either of these but they both sound great! Thank you for sharing your review!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Grace Liang
Of course! Thank you for stopping by, Jill. I always love trying out new beauty gadgets also!
Cristina - Memories of the Pacific
The needles sound scary but I’m glad they are effective! I love Vitamin C serums. I’ve tried one from Clinique and loved the result
Grace Liang
The needles can definitely be a little intimidating at first, but it is very effective! Clinique has wonderful products also! 🙂
Via Singh
I have Nu SKin massager. I did not know about microcurrents. Sounds interesting but I don’t like the pricing. But I have this on my wish list for a really long time. Loved reading your thoughts. 🙂
Via | http://glossnglitters.com
Grace Liang
Thank you so much for your feedback and support, Via! The pricing is definitely high, but it seems to be worth it! 🙂
Laura Bambrick
I’ve seen the Nu Skin Facial Spa and was curious to see what it is. Thanks for these great reviews on both items!
Grace Liang
Of course! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read this post, Laura! I really appreciate it! 🙂
Bri
I got to know about Derma Roller only very very recently and read a lot about it! So nice to read your review too! I also think it cannot do miracles, but must have some benefits (I mean if made at home). I’m really curious to test it myself now! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
xx Bri | http://www.brigitadaisy.com
Grace Liang
Thanks for stopping by, Bri! If you try it out for yourself you’ll have to let me know your thoughts! 🙂
Tina
The derma roller sounds sooo cool – definitely need to try as well 🙂
♥
xxx
Tina
https://styleappetite.com
Grace Liang
It is definitely a product worth trying, Tina! Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
mireille
I really do not use anythign on my face so I always find it interesting to read about products and tools others use!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Grace Liang
I’m glad you found this post interesting, Mireille! Your skin looks wonderful! 🙂
jodie filogomo
I just love how we can help our skin with so many great products!!
XOOX
Jodie
Grace Liang
I completely agree, Jodie! I love trying out new skincare products!
Nusaiba
This new beauty gadget is very nice.
Love
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Grace Liang
Thank you so much for stopping by! 🙂 I appreciate your support!
Kathrine Eldridge
I have done micro needling and loved it so I need to get this tool. Thanks for sharing these and for the link up!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Grace Liang
I’m sure you would love this tool then! 🙂 Thank you for your support, Kathrine!
Atsuna Matsui
Oooh I’ve tried microneedling before and I’ve definitely seen benefits from doing in on my skin. It stimulates collagen growth and really smooths out the texture of your skin.
BLOG | YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM
Grace Liang
That’s wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I always love hearing how different beauty/skincare treatments and products have worked for others!
Julie
Ooh, I’m kind of scared of the derma roller, does it hurt? Lol I’ve not tried the Nu Skin but I’ve had facials using laser, that was interesting. Speaking of, I should probably book a facial soon, it’s fallen to the bottom of my priorities lately…
Grace Liang
Thank you for stopping by, Julie! 🙂 The derma roller is definitely intimidating, but does not hurt!
Liberty Belle
Interesting products. Good review.
Grace Liang
Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate it! 🙂
Melissa Kacar
These products sound so interesting! I’ve never seen these before, so thanks for sharing your review! 🙂
melissakacar.blogspot.com
Grace Liang
Thank you for reading my review, Melissa! I appreciate your support! 🙂
Priya
loved this beauty gadget
https://www.stylebasket.in
Grace Liang
That’s so great to hear! I always love trying out new beauty gadgets!
Michele Morin
All new information to me! Thank you!
Grace Liang
Of course! Thank you for the support, Michele!
https://colorandgrace.com/
Jaclyn Musselman
That Derma Roller looks like a great product to include in my beauty routine. Thanks for sharing!
Grace Liang
Thank you for stopping by, Jaclyn! You’ll have to let me know what you think of the Derma Roller if you try it out! 🙂
Jessica
Both are really great skincare gadgets indeed.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Grace Liang
I completely agree with you, Jessica! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Emma Peach
Interesting reviews Grace! I’d love to try a derma roller, I may have to invest in one! Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com