At home microdermabrasion, tools are the new cool skincare beauty gadgets on the block that everyone wants for a deeper skin exfoliation, but do you get the same results like a professional treatment? And, are the at-home microdermabrasion tools even worth the price? Today I have three at home skincare tools that I am reviewing and comparing: the PMD Personal Microderm Machine, The Silk’n Revit, and the Rodan and Fields Redefine Macro Exfoliator. If you want to know the best at-home microderm system to get, make sure to read this entire review.

All right, now that you know the gist of this post and review, let me give you a bit of my personal background and why I am qualified to give this review. I have performed hundreds and hundreds of microdermabrasion’s on clients as an esthetician working with doctors. Also, I have used every form of microderm out there from diamond machines to weird paddle mircroderm’s, and of course, the traditional crystal method; they are not all made equal. That also goes for these three at home microderm machines in effectiveness vs. cost.

Before I jump into these skincare tool reviews, let’s get the basics out of the way and talk about the benefits of microderm and the difference between at home vs. in-office treatments. Here we go…this stuff is important!

Microdermabrasion Benefits:
1. Exfoliates dead skin cells
2. Evens out skin tone
3. Give softer and smoother skin
4. Helps to unclog pores
5. Reduces blemishes
6. Helps with fine lines and wrinkles

At-home vs. In-Office

1. Have someone perform the treatment vs. you
2. You could potentially get a stronger treatment in the spa with someone who knows what they are doing.
3. In a skincare office/spa, you will have someone who not only knows skin but also evaluates yours and can suggest a Microderm treatment and skincare plan based on your skin issues.
4. You will spend far more money in the long run in an in-office Microderm series vs. at home treatments. However, it’s possible you may not get the same results.
5. Average in office cost is around $50.00 per treatment, and that’s on the cheaper side. Now that you understand the differences, I will do my reviews of these at-home skincare tools based on performance, usability, and cost vs. effectiveness.

PMD Personal Microderm: This is the first personal micro machine I had ever used, and I am 90% sure it was the only one on the market at the time. I got my PMD (personal microderm machine) about three years ago if that tells you anything.

The Gist:

1. Uses aluminum oxide crystals on a patented spinning disc
2. Hand Held Vaccum device to help with exfoliation
3. Comes with seven exfoliating discs: 1 training disc, two sensitive discs, two ultra sensitive discs, two moderate exfoliation discs.
4. Includes training material so you know how to use this device.
5. Costs $159.00

My Thoughts: Honestly, if you use this handheld micro-device with just the sensitive discs, you are not getting a great treatment. If you truly have sensitive skin, I would only do it under the care of a professional or buy this system under the care of a professional, so they can walk you through it for your particular skin type. With that said, the moderate exfoliation discs give a good exfoliating treatment, and I would say that it’s the same aggressiveness as a lighter in-office Microderm. My favorite thing about this device is how easy it is to hold and how well the suction/vacuum does to hold onto the skin. It gave my skin that post-micro pink sunburn kiss and feel that I always look for after any Microderm treatment. There was no streaking/striping, so I could resume normal activities promptly.

Cost vs. Effectiveness: I don’t think $159.00 is a terrible price at all for the PMD. BUT, I could do without the sensitive discs as I sincerely don’t think they are doing anything except for maybe…maybe a very light exfoliation. However, the moderate exfoliation disc is excellent and does a fantastic job. With that said, like any skincare treatment, you need to be on great skincare to get maximum benefits.

PMD Found At Nordstroms for $159.00 (same price as Amazon and Ulta) plus Free Shipping

Silk’n ReVit: The Silk’n Revit is one of the newest at-home microderm machines on the market. I have had it for a month or so and have used it two times so far.

The Gist:
1. Crystal free and uses a diamond tip as its exfoliator
2. Has a vacuum as well for extra effectiveness
3. Has a filter that shows you how well your skin gets exfoliated
4. Comes with three diamond exfoliating tips that help give either a lighter or more aggressive treatment
5. There are two levels of vacuum strength.
6. Costs $99

My Thoughts: So, here are a few thoughts on the Silk’n ReVit. For starters, it’s easy to hold and use. I like that there are a few options for exfoliation and that there are two strengths. However, for someone that is used to getting Mircoderms, the gentle level and gentle exfoliating head will be disappointing. So, use the most aggressive one. For me, it’s important to see that my skin is slightly flushed (not flaming red) and feels like I got mildly sunburned. I got both of those results using the stronger diamond tip and doing it on the second level of strength. It was pretty great.

Cost vs. Effectiveness: I mean, it’s $99.00…you can’t beat the price. But again, I could do without the non-aggressive diamond tips because I don’t think they are doing much in the way of exfoliating the skin; especially in comparison to in-office Microderms. With that said, the company clearly states in all of their marketing that they use gentle exfoliating tips…so there you have it.

Silk’n ReVit $99 at Nordstroms + Free Shipping + On Amazon for $76.04 and free-shipping with prime…best deal I have seen + Found at Silk’n.com for 20% off with coupon code love20 plus free shipping..but Amazon is still a better deal IMO

Rodan and Fields Re-Define Macro Exfoliator: Of all of the at-home Microderm machines, the Re-Define Macro Exfoliator is by far the most technology savvy. It uses patent-pending Doc Smart Technology to vary the intensity and time of where the machine should be on your face, neck, and decclotte. It’s also programmed by the R&F doctors to give you the treatment they would give you essentially.

The Gist:

1. Can be used in Doc Smart mode or not
2. Has a diamond tip
3. Has 10 levels for your comfort
4. Claims to remove 5 million dead skin cells in 5 minutes.
5. Is pretty high tech for an at-home skincare tool
6. Costs $279

My Thoughts: Let’s just start first with how pretty it is. It’s a pretty dang good looking at-home skincare tool that will instantly make you look like you have your skincare game on lock. And- while I don’t need the Doc Mode, it’s a gigantic plus for people that don’t have a clue as to what they are actually doing. It’s like a safe guard or…idiot proof…however you decide to look at it. Essentially the Doc Mode saves you from overdoing any particular portion of your face by not only adjusting the strength, but it will also tell you when to move somewhere else. As far as results go, I used the R&F Macro Exfoliator on level 10. I definitely got my pink-skin-results and that post-micro sunburn feeling I love. I would say the only downside to this system is that it only comes with one diamond tip (although slightly more aggressive than the Silk’n and ten levels to play with) and the machine can be hard to hold if you have a child-like hand size like me. Legit, my hands are super small.

Cost vs. Effectiveness: Well, here is the deal, this at home micro-machine is pricier than the other two for sure. But you have to look at the facts. The other two don’t have the built-in Doc Mode…so you are paying a higher price for a more tech savvy device that certainly does give a better treatment.

You can only find this beauty gadget through R&F rep. So, my friend Leah is offering $40.00 cash back when you buy one of these through her HERE making it only $239.00! That’s better than the cheapest deal on amazon. BUT you need to mention Citizens of Beauty to get this discount on the Macro Exfliator that I asked for specifically for you guys (Thanks Leah). (And p.s, I get zero kickback for referring her and I didn’t get anything for free…just thought I would put that out there.)

So What Does This All Mean?

I will just say that the PMD is off my must-have at home microderm list. I wouldn’t toss it if you have one, it’s just that the Silk’n is only $99.00 and more effective. So, that leaves us the Silk’n vs. the Rodan and Fields Macro Exfoliator. Both have diamond tips that are similar, but the R&F is more gritty, which will give a better treatment. I also think that the ten levels the R&F has and the Doc Mode is fantastic for people who are unsure about giving themselves a treatment. The technology behind the R&F makes the price tag understandable and it does give the best treatment out of the three at-home skincare tools.

In the end though, none of these microderms have the same power as an in-office microdermabrasion treatment given by an experienced esthetician for liability purposes from the brand. I would assume it would be a huge disaster if a bunch of un-trained consumers were using an in-office strength diamond tip/crystal blasting microderm machine at-home. It would be awesome, but some people don’t follow instructions well, and would most likely end up shredding the crap out of their skin. I would say that for every 3 at-home microderms you give yourself, it equels out to one in-office microderm. So, I would say that it’s definitely worth investing in an at-home machine if you can make sure to read the “how to” material thoroughly so that you are actually getting the most out of it. Plus, between you and me, there are tricks to making your treatment more effective (ahem, double pass).

Side note: If you have active-acne, are using retinol, or Benzoyl Peroxide, you want to be extra cautious. If you have any concerns, ask your doctor before you begin using your microderm for at-home use.