9 Best At-Home Microdermabrasion Tools, According to Dermatologists | Glamour

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Anyone prone to getting clogged pores knows how hard it is to achieve smooth skin texture, but the best at-home microdermabrasion tools help to gently exfoliate dead skin cells. Think of it like a deep clean for your face. If you’re skeptical about using an at-home microdermabrasion treatment, Margarita Lolis, MD, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, says they’re totally safe to use on any skin type. “Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive procedure,” she says. Whether you have delicate fine lines, acne scars, dry skin, or sensitive skin, they’re a great method for “sanding away” the skin for improved skin texture and tone. To help you find the best ones, we turned to a variety of skin-care experts along with Glamour reviewers who’ve tried them out firsthand. Below, you’ll find a range of dermatologist- and esthetician-approved microdermabrasion tools, devices, treatments, and kits to incorporate into your skin-care routine.

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Nordstrom

PMD

This is one of the most talked-about microdermabrasion tools for at-home use. It’s beloved by Glamour reviewer Nikita Agarwal, but it also comes recommended by both Dr. Lolis and Varuni Palacios, an esthetician and founder of Studio Varuni. Dr. Lolis likes it because you can customize the intensity and level of exfoliation from surface cleansing to deep suctioning. It also comes with various disc options (interchangeable heads) specifically made for the face, body, sensitive skin, and more. “I typically get hydrafacials once a month, but I live in a really humid and polluted city in India so my pores get clogged within a day or two,” says Agarwal, who has acne-prone skin. She uses this tool on her cheeks and forehead to keep breakouts at bay, and says that using this also makes her makeup go on more smoothly. Read our full PMD review here.

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Dr. Lolis says this kit is known for its strong suction power. It includes a large, high-quality screen along with 50 replacement filters and six different tip options. (Like an air filter, many microdermabrasion devices tend to trap dirt in their disposable filters.) Dr. Lolis likes that this comes with multiple modes for beginners or those who have sensitive skin. It’s made with a real diamond tip along with an intuitive LCD screen to help guide you through your treatment. If you’re really into your skin-care-shelf aesthetic, you’ll appreciate that the diamond microdermabrasion machine comes in three color options too.

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HoMedics

This device comes recommended by Dr. Lolis, who says it’s great for beginners to microdermabrasion or anyone with more sensitive skin. “It’s very user-friendly and mostly focuses on gentle exfoliation,” she says. Use the cordless device with one of two diamond tip options for either sensitive or normal skin. While most tools are made with different intensity levels, this one is generally less powerful than other options. The four intensity levels are indicated with an LED light, so there aren’t many different buttons or features to mess around with here.

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Walmart

Conair’s tool has many fans, and Dr. Lolis is one of them. She loves that its small size is great for travel, and it gets charged via USB, so it’s very easy to take on the go. Though it’s a low-frills device, it still includes four tips and has three different intensity levels. Two pore-extracting tips are designed to be used as your first step. They help to remove blackheads and blemishes from the skin. Then, use one of the exfoliating tips as a second step. At just $30, you’ll be happy to know this works a whole lot better than those painful nose strips we all used to use back in the day.

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Dermstore

Macy's

This shopper-favorite tool is beloved for its versatility, and that is precisely why Dr. Lolis recommends it. “This is unique because it combines microdermabrasion with sonic technology to cleanse pores,” she says. “It also offers both wet and dry modes.” Start by using the microdermabrasion function to clean out congested pores before moving on to use the sonic function. What is sonic technology, you might ask? Simply put, it uses sound to create vibrations. Those gentle pulses help to deliver oxygen to the skin and encourage circulation. The enhanced blood flow to the skin can help smooth the appearance of fine lines over time. Since you can use this while it’s wet, we suggest popping it in your shower so you can use it while applying a hair mask. Now that’s what we call an “everything shower.”

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Walmart

Palacios has been treating her clients’ skin condition for years, and she calls this the “OG at-home microdermabrasion tool.” It may be inexpensive and look low-key, but she says the real diamond-infused tool is actually anything but that. “This thing packs power,” she says. With this, she recommends following up your treatment with lots of hydration. Try using a hyaluronic acid serum and even a face oil if your skin is particularly dry. Since this is a manual tool, you’ll also want to be extra careful about keeping it clean. Scrub it well with antibacterial soap and water after each use, and replace it when the surface starts to feel dull. It’s a great option if you want more control over how gentle or intense your treatment is, or if you’re simply on a budget. If you’re new to microdermabrasion, it’s a great way to dip your toe into the intensive exfoliation pond before you purchase one of the more tech-forward gadgets.

Neiman Marcus

Lancer Skincare

“Its price point is on the higher side, but it delivers more of a professional-quality treatment,” says Dr. Lolis about this device. “It offers strong suction and multiple tips for various skin-care concerns.” Not only does it come with two tips and a whopping 200 filters, Lancer even included tweezers to help you remove those filters with ease. It has a 180-degree swiveling neck that helps you get to hard-to-reach areas from head to toe. When you run out, you can easily buy extra filters for $20 or heads for $30.

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Nordstrom

Saks Fifth Avenue

Bloomingdale's

Yes, every item on this list will likely make your skin look and feel smoother, but Foreo’s Kiwi Derma Diamond Microdermabrasion & Pore Vacuum will do that while also vacuuming out pores on a deeper level. “This is a great device,” says Dr. Lolis. “It removes debris, dirt, sebum, and other impurities that are clogging your pores.” Furthermore, it features sonic technology to help improve blood flow. It’s a true three-in-one device. With six intensity levels and three massage settings, it’s the most versatile device on this list. Glamour contributor Neha Tandon says that it helps clear out the stubborn blackheads on her nose. “I love that this makes my skin look clearer when I’m not wearing makeup, but it also makes my makeup go on way smoother so it looks better than ever,” she says. “Plus, I feel like it makes my skin-care products penetrate more deeply and effectively.” She adds that while this does clear gunk out of her pores, it also removes some good oils from it too. “I usually have to use my most hydrating products after using this because I already have pretty dry skin.”

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Not all at-home microdermabrasion tools have a setting that’s gentle enough for ultra-sensitive skin or rosacea-prone skin. Palacios says it’s important to consider adding a physical face exfoliator in the form of a scrub to your skin-care rotation instead of a microdermabrasion treatment if you have really dry or sensitive skin. “This scrub is nice because it includes sugarcane extract (a botanical form of glycolic acid), which is great for exfoliation and brightening hyperpigmentation,” she says. Tandon is also a fan of this. “I don’t have sensitive skin, but I do love using this in the shower because I feel like it exfoliates my skin, and then I get a little steam for a deeper clean. Since I have dry skin, I follow it with a thick moisturizer.”

Howard Sobel, MD, a dermatologic surgeon, says that microdermabrasion is a noninvasive treatment that gently exfoliates the outer layer of skin and provides skin with a “refreshed and glowing appearance.” Varuni Palacios, an esthetician and founder of Studio Varuni in Los Angeles, says she’s a big fan of microdermabrasion because it’s painless and there’s zero downtime. “The treatment exfoliates the thick, outermost layer of the epidermis, which is called the stratum corneum.” The treatment has actually been around since 1985 (and became FDA approved in 1996) as a less aggressive alternative to chemical exfoliation. Palacios says that microdermabrasion works by using devices with superfine exfoliating crystal or diamond tips that remove dead skin cells. “The result is a more even skin tone and a brighter complexion in addition to a reduction in dark spots and even wrinkles over time.”

While these treatments work on the surface of the skin, there are newer in-office treatments, like hydradermabrasion, which stimulate collagen production while increasing blood flow to the skin. They combine the deep exfoliation of microdermabrasion with hydration by infusing serums with ingredients like hyaluronic acid into the skin.

In order to make sure your skin is properly prepped before using a microdermabrasion tool, “remove all skin care, oil, dirt, and debris from the skin by double cleansing right before,” Palacios says. When you start to actually put the device to use, Palacios warns not to press it too hard to your skin. “This will cause wounds, opening up a whole new unintended can of worms,” she says. “Divide the face into four quadrants and always use gentle pressure starting from the inner face moving outwards towards the hairline. Don’t pass over the same patch of skin more than once.” You’ll also want to make sure you’re avoiding sun exposure the day that you do the treatment and be extra diligent about using sunscreen in the days before and after you use it.

It’s safe to do microdermabrasion by yourself, but Palacios says that it is important to apply products correctly to make sure you don’t damage your skin. You’ll also want to make sure you practice good hygiene with your device.

Some devices have disposable filters. If that’s the case for the one you choose, make sure that you replace the filter after each use. “Think of it like a razor. We don’t want it left out to collect bacteria and germs, and we don’t want to use anything old or dull that could do damage instead of delivering results,” says Palacios. If yours does not have a disposable filter, be sure to thoroughly wash it with antibacterial soap and water between uses.