Wondering what microcurrent devices really do? I’ve got the science, the benefits, and an honest review of the ZIIP Halo microcurrent + nanocurrent device.

One of the most-read posts on my blog is my review of the ultra viral Medicube Age-R Booster Pro, and since then, I’ve had a steady stream of DMs asking me about at-home devices and microcurrent therapy. Clearly, there’s a lot of interest—and a lot of confusion—around what these devices actually do, how they work, and whether they’re worth the investment.

So I figured it was time for a deeper dive. Are these sleek little tools truly tightening our jawlines and lifting our brows? Or are they just expensive gimmicks riding the wave of our collective anti-aging anxiety?

If you’ve been curious about whether microcurrent devices live up to the hype, how they differ from EMS (electric muscle stimulation) tools, and what kind of results to realistically expect, this post is for you.

Full Disclosure: The lovely folks at ZIIP sent me the ZIIP Halo to try out for myself, but this is NOT a sponsored review. The thoughts below are all my own, and reflect my actual experience with this product.

What Are the (Supposed) Benefits of Microcurrent Therapy?

Microcurrent therapy uses low-level electrical currents that mimic your body’s own natural electrical signals (yes, our body is basically a machine that runs on electricity). These currents are delivered into the skin and underlying muscles to stimulate facial muscles, improve circulation, and encourage ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production, which is the fuel your cells need for regeneration.

In theory, this helps with:

Facial toning (lifting the cheekbones, jawline, brows)
Improved blood flow and lymphatic drainage
Increased collagen and elastin production
Better product absorption

Microcurrent is generally considered safe for most skin types. That said, it may not be suitable if you’re pregnant, have a pacemaker, or certain neurological conditions.

But, Does the Science Support This?

Now, you may have noticed I carefully prefaced the benefits above with the words, “supposed” and “in theory”. That’s because, while microcurrent therapy isn’t exactly new (it’s been used in physical therapy and wound healing for decades), its application in skincare is still catching up in terms of clinical research.

Some small studies have shown promising results for increased ATP production in cells, improved muscle tone in aging skin, and reduced wrinkle depth over consistent use. However, its important to note that results in these studies varied widely depending on the device, the user’s consistency, and other lifestyle factors. In short, the results are promising but don’t expect miracles.

How is Microcurrent Different from Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)?

This is where things get a little confusing—because not all face-zapping devices work the same way. While they often get lumped together, microcurrent and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) are actually two different things.

Microcurrent uses gentle, low-level electrical currents that mimic your body’s own signals. You usually won’t feel anything beyond a mild tingle. It stimulates the surface-level muscles and supports skin function without triggering full-on contractions.
EMS, on the other hand, is much stronger. It causes visible muscle movements and can feel quite intense. The Medicube, for example, made my facial muscles twitch in a way that was more than a little uncomfortable (mildly alarming, maybe)

TL;DR Microcurrent is about subtle long-term support, EMS is more like strength training with instant gains. Both can be effective in their own way, but they’re definitely not the same thing.

My Honest 14-Day Experience With the ZIIP Halo Microcurrent Device

What makes the ZIIP Halo different from most other devices on the market is that it uses both microcurrent and nanocurrent technology. Nanocurrent is a much smaller, more targeted form of electrical current that aims to support your skin at the cellular level, instead of targeting facial muscles. The device promises to lift, tone, and even brighten and clear the skin (but, of course, I’ll be the judge of that).

First Impressions

The ZIIP Halo is small, sleek, and fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. The packaging is beautifully designed—almost Apple-esque in its minimalism—and looks and feels like the premium you’re paying for it.

The shape however wasn’t as intuitive to use as some other devices I’ve tried, and it took me a few tries to really figure out the best way to glide it across my face. I highly recommend watching some tutorials online, or downloading the app for more guidance on how exactly to use it. Speaking of which…

The ZIIP App

Like most at-home devices, the ZIIP Halo also comes with an app, which syncs with the device and walks you through different treatment plans depending on your goals.

Usually, I don’t bother connecting my devices to apps, but in the case of the ZIIP Halo, I’d say the app isn’t just a nice bonus, it’s pretty much a must-have. The Halo comes pre-programmed with only one setting (the 4-minute “Lift” treatment), and I couldn’t find any way to switch programs or adjust the current levels on the device manually.

The good thing is that the app does add quite a bit of value, especially if you’re the type of person who wants a structured daily routine. It gives you access to a range of easy to follow, video guided routines, each focused on a specific skin goal.

The Conductive Gel

The device comes packaged with ZIIP’s Electric Complex Gel, which, despite its promise of being lightweight, did feel a little oily on my skin. I will say that this helped the device guide very smoothly without using a ton of product (big plus), but it did leave this little residue I ended up wiping off after every use.

ZIIP also offers a range of other gels with active ingredients to target specific concerns (like glutathione for brightening, or hyaluronic acid for hydration), but these come at a pretty significant price tag, so my recommendation would be to stick with the basic gel and incorporate targeted serums for these concerns instead.

Using the Device

To give the ZIIP Halo a proper chance, I committed to the 14-day “Glass Skin” treatment plan on the ZIIP app, one of the pre-programmed guided plans combining microcurrent and nanocurrent treatments.

Each day’s routine was anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes long (not always short, but not terribly time consuming on most days). As someone who gets bored of doing the same thing every day, I actually liked that the routine varied almost daily. It was like an exercise plan for my face, with different workouts scheduled for every day—complete with rest days included!

The current is also very mild, microcurrent feels like a minor buzz and nanocurrent is nearly imperceptible. Unlike the Medicube EMS device, which made my face twitch uncontrollably (especially around the mouth and eyes), the ZIIP felt gentle. There was a slight tingling sensation, but nothing painful or worrying. It was actually quite relaxing once I got into a rhythm.

So, Did it Work? Here Are My Results.

Now, we get to the bit that actually matters: Did I see any results from using this device?

Immediate Results

To test if I’d see an instant difference with just one use, I took this picture after using the ZIIP Halo on just one side of my face (on the left in the photo above).

I’ll be honest, the immediate lifting effect is pretty…subtle, to say the least. In fact, I wasn’t sure I could even see a difference in the mirror until I took this photo and realised that the “ZIIPed” side did in fact look the teeniest bit more lifted and awake than the side that hadn’t been ZIIPed.

It’s not as dramatic as the instant results you get from EMS devices like the Medicube Booster Pro but it is there, and makes me hopeful for the 14 day results.

Results After 14 Days

Side note, I actually had a birthday between these 2 pictures, which is to say that the aging anxiety was definitely hitting hard when I took the second photo. But, I digress.

After 14 days, the results aren’t dramatic either (after all, 2 weeks isn’t a long time in skincare terms), but they’re definitely more noticeable.

When I look at these Day 1 vs Day 14 images, there is a subtle but significant improvement in a few areas:

My face looks more lifted: Not dramatically sculpted, but definitely more toned around the jaw and cheekbones.
Reduced puffiness around the eyes and face, although some of that may be from the near daily lymphatic drainage too.
My skin just looks more “awake” I don’t know how else to describe this, but there’s just something brighter and more awake about the second image.

Was it full-on glass skin? Not quite. But I did feel like my face looked more lifted and awake (I’m going to keep using that word till I can think of a better one). I was impressed enough by the results that I’ve now moved on to their 30-day “Best Skin of Your Life” program. No mean feat considering I’m not the kind of person who likes to add a ton of time and effort to my skincare routines.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

I’ll be honest—I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this. But after using this device consistently for a while, I’m pleasantly surprised by the ZIIP Halo. The results are subtle but noticeable: a more lifted appearance, less puffiness, and generally healthier looking skin.

More than that, it feels good to have a structured part of my skincare routine that isn’t about applying another product but about supporting skin function at a deeper level.

Pros:

✅ Gentle on skin: Far less intense than EMS devices like the Medicube, with no involuntary muscle twitching or discomfort.

✅ Not super time-consuming: The shortest treatment (the pre-programmed “Lift”) is only 4 minutes long, which thankfully doesn’t add a ton of time to your daily routine

✅ User-friendly app: The ZIIP app is easy to use, intuitive, and provides strutctured programs and guided videos for every treatment.

✅ Conductive gel included: No extra purchase needed to get started, unlike some other devices. Plus you’re not wasting a ton of your serums or moisturizers on the experience.

Cons:

❌ Premium price point: It’s a significant investment, especially if you’re just exploring microcurrent for the first time. Plus, the cost of replenishing the gels can add up over time.

❌ Requires long-term consistency: Results are definitely cumulative with this one. If you can’t commit to regular use, you probably won’t see a noticeable difference.

❌ No manual controls: Unlike the Medicube device, which allows you to control the mode and current strength from the device, the ZIIP Halo has no manual controls. You do need the app for full functionality, which might not appeal to those who prefer a fuss-free experience.

Would I recommend it? If you're curious about microcurrent, enjoy skincare routines, and can commit to using it regularly, then yes. But if you’re after instant results or can’t commit to long-term usage, this might not be your thing.

If you are interested in the device, use my code THESKINIMALIST to get 10% off your first order, and let me know what your experience is like in the comments!

Do Microcurrent Devices Actually Work? I Tried the ZIIP Halo to Find Out.

Wondering what microcurrent devices really do? I’ve got the science, the benefits, and an honest review of the ZIIP Halo microcurrent + nanocurrent device.