When you see celebrities with impeccably polished skin, the chances are it’s not just expensive beauty products at work. Microdermabrasion is the go-to method for getting that fresh, clear, glass-like appearance to your complexion. It really is a super treat-ment for your skin (pardon the pun!)
If you’re in the market now for a home device but wondering which is the best microdermabrasion machine for you, we’re going to look at 9 different home microdermabrasion machines and devices here, to help you make the best choice for your skin type, your desired outcome, and, of course, your wallet.
Table of Contents
Why Use Microdermabrasion
Dead skin cells can build up on our skin, creating an uneven surface, causing light to scatter in different directions. This is particularly common for those with dry skin, and it’s why unexfoliated skin can look dull.
Microdermabrasion is a type of mechanical exfoliation (as opposed to chemical exfoliation, which uses AHAs and BHAs such as glycolic acid to dissolve dead cells).
Microdermabrasion uses tiny diamond or crystal particles to slough away these dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. The key is in the name – the ‘abrasion’ caused by the rough surfaces of the device’s tip gently distresses the outer layer of the skin, prompting a healing reaction through increased cell turnover.
Once the dead skin cells are removed, the skin’s surface is left smooth, soft and even. This enables light to bounce off and create a healthy glow. But glowing skin is far from the only benefit of this procedure.
Other benefits of microdermabrasion include:
- clearer skin, due to the removal of dead skin cells that can clog pores
- anti-ageing effects, thanks to the abrasion that stimulates new cell growth and decreases wrinkles
- makes skin feel soft to the touch
- aids in absorption if beauty products and moisture
- helps makeup go on more easily
- promotes healthy blood flow and increased collagen production, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
Microdermabrasion at Home
Although microdermabrasion is more intensive than using a scrub or pumice to exfoliate our skin, it doesn’t need to be administered by a professional. Home microdermabrasion machines are much more affordable than professional sessions, and they save you the time and hassle of attending a clinic.
Although these home tools can be great for saving money, buying the wrong one can be disheartening, and result in further expense down the line if it needs replacing.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best microdermabrasion machines available for home use.
1. PMD Personal Microderm Classic – Best Personal Microdermabrasion Machine
Starting out with one of the smaller and more feminine options on the market, the PMD Personal Microderm Classic comes in an attractive blush color and an aluminum oxide crystal tip. It’s small, maneuverable, and comes with a generous variety of discs. There are a couple of variations available including one for men.
The reason this device is so popular is its ability to be customised. Most at-home microderm devices come with two discs, but this one comes with three different categories, and two discs in each.
The discs are labeled ‘moderate’, ‘sensitive’, and ‘very sensitive’. The difference between them is the coarseness of the crystals. Those rated ‘sensitive’ are great for the delicate areas of the face, and the harsher ones are good for larger, drier areas of the face and body, such as the neck and chest.
This makes the PMD an ideal tool for beginners. If you’re a little intimidated by the abrasiveness of the process, you can start with the ‘very sensitive’ discs, and work your way up. A good tip is to try using it on the back of your hand first, to get used to the speed and sensation.
Remember, the tip should be worked across the skin in small, delicate circles. Never ‘dot’ the tip on and off the skin. This can result in pressure on your blood vessels.
The only downside of the PMD Microderm Classic is that some users have noted weak suction power. Microdermabrasion devices come with a suction function to help remove the dead skin cells as you exfoliate. This device is niftier than it is powerful. If you have frequent problems with clogged pores, you might choose to look at a more powerful option.
2. Microderm GLO Diamond Microdermabrasion Machine and Suction Tool – Best Microdermabrasion for Acne Scars
In comparison to the PMD Classic, this one looks less like a wand and more like something you’d see in a lab. But don’t let this put you off! This orb-shaped device fits into the palm of your hand and is surprisingly lightweight for the power it packs. It seems to be one of the best-rated microdermabrasion machines for home use as it appears on many best-selling lists online.
The Microderm GLO tip uses real diamonds – hence the price point being a little higher than others we’re looking at here. It also comes with a handy bristle brush to help clear the skin of debris as you go. Some users have found that this device is powerful enough to be effective in the treatment of acne scarring.
Because microdermabrasion works by irritating the skin to prompt the development of new skin cells, it can help your body to work old scar tissue out of the skin’s surface.
There are many positive online reviews for the Microderm GLO confirming progress with decreasing scars. If you are looking at microderming especially for this purpose, it should be noted that it will require several months of use.
Longevity is important when considering which microdermabrasion device to buy. As with all electronics, it will need to be of a certain quality level in order to last.
The Microderm GLO tips are designed to last between six and nine months of use (if you use the device the recommended two to three times a week). It includes two tips, so with this device, you’re purchasing well over a year’s worth of use.
Learn More at MicrodermGlo,com or Microderm Glo Reviews
3. Silkn ReVit Prestige Microdermabrasion Device – Best for Blackheads
Silk’n have are rapidly becoming the go-to brand for a broad range of beauty technology. They stock everything from microderm kits to styling tools to hair removal devices. The best thing is, they price their products affordably, so everyone can access treatments that would previously have required an expensive salon visit.
The Silk’n Revit Prestige is similar to the Exfora. It’s a sleek wand-like tool that comes with four treatment tips and thirty filters (which should last you several months depending on how much you use it).
The diamond-particle tips include a ‘fine’ tip for delicate zones of the face, the ‘regular’ tip for the rest of the face and the neck, and a ‘body’ tip for – you guessed it – the body!
As a bonus, it includes a ‘massage’ tip. This is a more gentle treatment that combines a smooth tip (no diamond particles) with the suction function, excellent for boosting circulation and brightening the complexion on a daily basis.
Check Price and More Info On Silk’n
4. Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System Starter Kit – Best for Beginners
If you’re looking to dabble in the world of microdermabrasion but don’t want to commit to a full-blown machine, consider starting with something like Neutrogena’s Microdermabrasion System Starter Kit.
It includes 12 single use ‘puffs’ (pre-treated pads) that incorporate ultra-fine crystals to gently exfoliate the skin’s surface. It comes with a small device that provides ‘micro-vibrations’ to boost circulation and skin cell renewal.
Because the crystals used are so fine, this product is suitable even for the most sensitive of skin types. It also doesn’t involve any suction or machinery, so it’s much less intimidating for newbies.
This kit is designed to be used every 1-2 days, so it’s enough for a month’s supply only. Because this is a very mild method of microdermabrasion, you’re unlikely to see dramatic results with things like acne scarring or deep-set wrinkles.
Moreover, think of it as a friendly (and affordable!) introduction to the process, and then upgrade if you want to take it up a level.
5. Trophy Skin MicrodermMD – Best Microdermabrasion Machine for Sensitive Skin
The Trophy Skin MicrodermMD is an advanced microdermabrasion machine made from medical-grade materials. Built almost like a laptop, and much more powerful than many of the handheld options featured here, this device is about as close as you can get to a professional treatment at home.
Like the Microderm GLO, it uses real diamonds in the tip, and the build quality has been widely lauded as one of the best on the market.
The interactive LCD screen is what makes the MicrodermMD really stand out. It comes with three modes – ‘auto’, ‘manual’, and ‘sensitive’.
The ‘auto’ setting is a set 5-minute treatment, whereas the ‘manual’ mode allows you to use the device for however long you like. This is great for beginners who might like to start with just a minute at a time. The ‘sensitive’ mode is a setting with lower suction, allowing you to ease into the process, and switch it up when you’re ready.
The Trophy Skin MicrodermMD comes with a tutorial mode as well as a full instruction manual. These functions really do make it an ideal choice for those completely new to microdermabrasion, providing guidance at every step of the way. But as the highest-priced item on this list, it is an investment!
Read More about Trophy Skin MicrodermMD
6. Exfora by Vanity Planet – Personal Dermabrasion Wand – Best Microdermabrasion for Body
If you love the idea of having a screen to guide you, but don’t quite have the budget for the Trophy Skin Microderm, Vanity Planet’s Exfora Wand is for you. The interaction is a little simpler, and there’s no tutorial mode, but the smart screen makes this device easy and straightforward to use. It directs your usage, tracks your usage time, and monitors the battery level.
The build quality of the Exfora is impressive for the price. It uses medical-grade diamond encrusted heads to deeply exfoliate. The suction strength is customisable, allowing you to slow down or speed up based on your comfort level.
It includes four heads – fine, normal, body, and massage. It also includes an upkeep brush to help you keep it clean. For the price, this is a great selection, providing a broad and customisable microdermabrasion experience.
7. Trophy Skin MiniMD – Best Mini Microdermabrasion Device
The Trophy Skin MiniMD essentially provides all of the benefits and quality of the Trophy Skin MicrodermMD, but in a handheld, wand-style form. It is more suitable for home treatment as opposed to using professionally.
The MiniMD is much more affordable than the larger device, but it’s also not built to last as long. Due to the size, the suction is slightly less powerful than the MicrodermMD.
The main benefit of opting for the smaller one is the cost. It also only comes with 1 diamond tip, unlike the MicrodermMD which has more. You can compare Trophy Skin Microdermabrasion devices here.
Whichever you choose, if you’ve got the budget for them, you can’t really go wrong with Trophy Skin products.
Customer Reviews on Trophy Skin
8. Michael Todd Beauty Sonic Refresher – Best Microdermabrasion Machine with Hydration
The Michael Todd Beauty Sonic Refresher is a more affordable device than some others we’ve listed here.
However, bearing in mind this lower price point, the build quality is not quite as premium. Some users have said it ‘rattles’ on the highest vibration setting and some have experienced problems with the USB charging port.
But, most importantly when it comes to microdermabrasion, the heads are built with diamond encrusted tips. The device comes with three types – coarse, fine, and small fine – and three speed settings. This one is a really good option if you want to dip your toe into the world of at-home microdermabrasion, but don’t want to make a big investment right off the bat.
Interestingly, what sets the Michael Todd Beauty Sonic Refresher apart from the others is the ‘wet’ setting. It dispenses a very fine mist, providing extra rejuvenation and hydration for this skin as you go. This setting can be used either before or after the microdermabrasion treatment.
9. Kelley West Microderm 360 Spa Grade Microdermabrasion – Best Cheap Microdermabrasion Machine
If you’ve been looking for a budget-friendly solution to home microdermabrasion, the Microderm 360 from Kelley West is the cheapest device we’ve come across, AND it has a tonne of great reviews.
Despite the low price, it has two diamond tips, one fine for the face and a coarser tip for the body. You would imagine a device at this price point would be pretty basic and it is, however it has two suction levels, just like other comparable devices that cost a lot more. The lower setting may well be the only setting you need to use depending on your skin type.
Everything you need is included to get you started. It even comes with a nice storage bag. If you’ve tried microdermabrasion before and know you’re looking for a device that will last for years, perhaps check out one of the other microdermabrasion machines like the Silk’n Revit or the Microderm Glo.
If on the other hand, you’d like to see what all the fuss is about with this type of exfoliation for your skin, you’ll get a taster with this device. For the price, you really can’t go wrong.
Conclusion
The best microdermabrasion machine is highly dependent on your personal expectations.
Do you just want to bring a little brightening to your skin, or do you want to target problem skin, ie acne scars, or deep-set wrinkles? If you’re looking towards the latter, our best advice is to invest in something powerful enough to make a real difference.
Think of it this way. With the average professional microdermabrasion session costing around $60, even if you’re spending $200 – $300 or more on a home device, you’re still saving huge amounts of money over the course of the year. Not to mention how effective results can help you feel better about your skin.
Effective microdermabrasion requires quality devices that protect your skin rather than harm it. With beauty technology, you tend to get what you pay for, so don’t be afraid to splash out a little on a highly-rated device.
