Plain-English guides to at-home beauty devices and K-beauty skincare.

The Best Gels and Serums to Use With Facial Devices

The gel or serum you use can make or break a device routine: it affects comfort, contact and, for some devices, whether the device works at all. Here’s what to use with LED, microcurrent, ultrasound, RF and multi-mode devices, with real product examples and prices.

By GlowLab Editorial Team Updated Published 8 min read

Our publisher, Dalmie LLC, sells Quadthera. We don't earn commissions from other links in this article. Disclosure.

Lifestyle scene: a woman in a bathrobe pressing serum into her cheeks during her skincare routine
Illustrative image

The short answer

  • Microcurrent: a generous layer of water-based conductive gel. Brand gels are fine; plain conductive gels work too.
  • Ultrasound: a water-based gel or ampoule to couple the sound waves into the skin.
  • LED masks: clean, bare skin. Apply serums afterward.
  • RF: whatever the brand specifies, usually its own conductive gel.
  • Medicube Booster Pro: no gel needed; use over your skincare.

Prices below were seen on each brand’s site on October 7, 2026 (price as of Oct 2026). Research-based; we haven’t tested these products hands-on.

What to use with each device

Device type vs the medium to use
Device typeWhat to useWhyExamples (price seen)
Microcurrent (NuFACE, ZIIP, FOREO)Water-based conductive gel or serumCarries current evenly; prevents zapsNuFACE Aqua Gel $35 (1.69 oz); ZIIP Electric Complex Gel from $29.99
Ultrasound (Quadthera, THOME, glow.m)Water-based gel or ampouleSound doesn’t travel well through air; gel couples head to skinFORHERTZ gel $26†; THOME ampoules $22.90; glow.m gel $18.99 (100 g)
LED masksBare, clean skinProducts can block or scatter lightSerum after treatment
RFBrand-specified conductive gelNeeded for safe, even energy deliveryCurrentBody RF gel $39.99 (3 oz)
Medicube Booster ProYour normal skincare (Air Shot on dry skin)Designed to work without geln/a

† FORHERTZ is Quadthera’s gel brand. GlowLab's publisher, Dalmie LLC, is a US retailer of Quadthera and may earn from sales.

Why the medium matters

For ultrasound, gel isn’t optional. Ultrasound passes poorly from a device into air, which is why medical ultrasound always uses a coupling gel (StatPearls). Without it, little energy reaches the skin. For microcurrent, the gel carries the current and spreads it out; too little and you get uneven contact, tingling or a sharp “zap.” For LED, the opposite applies: anything between the light and your skin can get in the way, so brands like Omnilux recommend bare skin.

Microcurrent gels

Bottle of NuFACE Aqua Gel Activator on a white background
Image: NuFACE
Bottle of ZIIP Electric Complex Gel on a light background
Image: ZIIP
  • NuFACE Aqua Gel Activator: $35 (1.69 oz), $55 (3.3 oz), $80 (10 oz). Included with NuFACE starter kits. NuFACE
  • ZIIP gels: Electric Complex Gel (the original formula) from $29.99; Clear Gel $59.99; Silver and Crystal Gels $79.99; Golden Gel $129.99 (showing as unavailable when we checked). ZIIP
  • FOREO: BEAR 2 must be used with a conductive serum; FOREO recommends its SUPERCHARGED serum. Its price didn’t display for our tools.
  • Generic conductive gels: Wirecutter notes these provide the same benefit as brand gels for microcurrent (Wirecutter). Choose a fragrance-free, water-based one.

Device picks: the best microcurrent devices · NuFACE vs ZIIP vs Medicube.

Ultrasound gels and ampoules

Disclosure: GlowLab's publisher, Dalmie LLC, is a US retailer of Quadthera and may earn from sales. Learn more.
Tube of FORHERTZ 3D Booster Mask Gel on a white background
Image: FORHERTZ / Quadthera
Tube of THOME Hyaluron Boost Ampoule on a white background
Image: THOME
glow.m Moisture Booster Gel packaging on a white background
Image: glow.m
  • Quadthera FORHERTZ 3D Booster Mask Gel: $26, or $79 for a 5-pack. Quadthera says any water-based conductive gel works with the Titan, so this is a convenience, not a requirement. Quadthera
  • THOME Boost Ampoules: $22.90 each (Hyaluron, PDRN, Exosome, Peptide and Niacinamide versions); the four-goal set is $368.60 (regular $490.60). THOME recommends them with its devices. THOME
  • glow.m Moisture Booster Gel (100 g): $18.99 sale ($30 regular); sold with glow.m devices. glow.m
  • Plain water-based gels: fine for most non-focused ultrasound devices if the maker allows them. Check your manual.

Ultrasound is often sold on improved absorption, and ultrasound can increase skin permeability (Azagury et al., 2014). That’s a reason to choose a simple, gentle medium rather than a strong active. Learn more in what is at-home ultrasound skincare? or compare devices in the best at-home ultrasound devices.

LED masks: bare skin first

Omnilux recommends completing treatments on bare skin and generally advises against combining retinol with light therapy because of the risk of a reaction (Omnilux). Apply your serum and moisturizer after the session. CurrentBody sells hydrogel face masks ($54.95 for 5) and a Green Tea Serum ($60.99) as add-ons, but neither is needed for the light to work. See the best LED masks.

RF and multi-mode devices

Tube of CurrentBody Skin RF conductive gel on a white background
Image: CurrentBody

RF devices generally specify their own conductive gel, for example CurrentBody’s RF Conductive Gel ($39.99, 3 oz; showing as unavailable when we checked). Follow the manual: the gel is part of how energy is delivered safely. Medicube’s Booster Pro devices and RF Ultra Tune are designed to work over your regular skincare with no gel; Medicube says Air Shot mode should be used on dry skin.

What to look for (and avoid)

  • Water-based. Oils and heavy balms can make glide uneven and are usually not what device makers specify.
  • Simple humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid or aloe keep the layer slippery and hydrating.
  • Fragrance-free if your skin is sensitive. The AAD advises people with rosacea to avoid alcohol, camphor, fragrance, glycolic and lactic acid, menthol, sodium lauryl sulfate and urea (AAD).
  • Skip strong actives under the device unless your device maker or dermatologist says it’s fine.
  • Enough of it. A thick, mask-like layer beats a thin smear.

Sensitive skin? See the best anti-aging devices for sensitive skin.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use aloe vera gel instead of a conductive gel?
Many people do, and plain, water-based gels often work for glide and conductivity. But “aloe” products vary widely, some contain alcohol or fragrance, and your device maker may specify a medium. Check the manual first, and choose fragrance-free if your skin is sensitive.
Do I have to buy the brand’s own gel?
Usually not. Wirecutter notes generic conductive gels provide the same benefit for microcurrent devices. Quadthera (our publisher, Dalmie LLC, retails Quadthera) says any water-based conductive gel works with its ultrasound devices. Some brands design routines around their own products, and using something else may matter for warranty or results claims, so read the fine print.
Can I use my vitamin C or retinol serum with a device?
Be careful. Devices marketed to boost absorption could, in principle, increase irritation from strong actives. Omnilux, for example, generally advises against combining retinol with its light therapy. Unless your device maker or dermatologist says otherwise, keep strong actives for after your session or for a different time of day.
How much gel should I use?
More than you think. For microcurrent and ultrasound, a thin layer causes drag, uneven contact and, with microcurrent, zaps. Apply a mask-like layer and re-apply if the device starts to drag.
Do LED masks need a gel?
No. Most LED brands recommend clean, bare skin during treatment, then your usual skincare afterward. Some brands sell hydrogel masks to wear separately, but they aren’t required for the light to work.

Sources

  1. NuFACE: Aqua Gel Activator
  2. ZIIP: Electric Complex Gel and other ZIIP gels
  3. FOREO: BEAR 2 manual (conductive serum requirement)
  4. Quadthera: FORHERTZ 3D Booster Mask Gel (our publisher, Dalmie LLC, retails Quadthera)
  5. Quadthera FAQ (any water-based conductive gel) (our publisher, Dalmie LLC, retails Quadthera)
  6. THOME: Boost Ampoules
  7. glow.m: Moisture Booster Gel
  8. CurrentBody: RF Conductive Gel, hydrogel masks and Green Tea Serum
  9. Omnilux: Contour Face FAQ (bare skin; retinol caution)
  10. Medicube US: Booster Pro X2
  11. Wirecutter: The Best Microcurrent Face-Tightening Products and Tools
  12. AAD: 7 rosacea skin care tips dermatologists recommend
  13. StatPearls: Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation (NCBI Bookshelf)
  14. Azagury A, et al. Ultrasound mediated transdermal drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2014
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