The Ultrasonic Skin Scrubbers I Reach for When My Skin Feels Congested

There are days when I look at my skin and want to slough it all off and start fresh. Not because anything is particularly wrong, but because my complexion feels weighed down by oil, dead skin, and whatever else has settled into my pores. While I’m diligent about exfoliating with chemical formulas, I was intrigued when I first learned about ultrasonic skin scrubbers, also known as ultrasonic pore extractors or skin spatulas.

If you’re unfamiliar, board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, MD, describes them as handheld devices that use high-frequency vibrations, typically between 20,000 and 30,000 hertz, to exfoliate and cleanse the skin’s surface. “Ultrasonic technology helps decongest pores without the harshness or trauma associated with physical scrubs or manual extractions,” she says. “The device’s spatula vibrates gently and rapidly, dislodging excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells from the pores.” Many models also include an infusion mode, which can help enhance the absorption of serums and moisturizers.

While gliding a metal spatula across your face might sound intimidating, Dr. Green says these devices are generally safe for all skin types when used correctly. She recommends always using them on damp skin with water, a facial mist, or a cleanser, since using an ultrasonic scrubber on dry skin can increase friction and irritation. They should also be avoided on active acne, open wounds, sunburned skin, or healing areas.

As with any form of exfoliation, less is more. Dr. Green recommends using extraction modes no more than once or twice a week to avoid irritation or disruption of the skin barrier, while cleansing and infusion modes are typically gentle enough for more frequent use. Ahead, Vogue’s edit of the best ultrasonic skin scrubbers to help decongest pores, lift away buildup, and leave skin looking smoother.

When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.

As it relates to ultrasonic skin scrubbers, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: modalities, modes, ease of use, speed, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you. Read more about our testing methodology here.