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TL;DR
Our favorite product overall is the BeautyBio Facial Microneedling Tool, which combines dermarolling and LED light therapy to reduce fine lines and improve skin texture. We also love the Angel Kiss 4-in-1 Microneedling Roller, which can be used on the face and body for smooth, glowy skin from head to toe.
Few treatments in the skincare world are lauded for delivering as many benefits as microneedling—aka a procedure in which teeny-tiny needles are rolled across the skin to create superficial injury that triggers the body’s natural wound-healing response, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. The result? Fewer fine lines and wrinkles, firmer skin, and more even tone and texture. Microneedling is even used to treat stretch marks and acne scars, and also has the added benefit of increasing the penetration and efficacy of skincare products you use afterward.
Rolling needles all over the skin, no matter how small, can be intimidating, but at-home derma rollers don’t penetrate the skin as deeply as those used by professionals in an office setting, meaning less discomfort and greater safety for the amateur microneedler. The recovery time with at-home derma rollers is shorter, too. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian advises using an at-home derma roller once or twice a week to see how your skin responds. “You should apply very gentle, even pressure, trying not to break the skin or puncture the surface,” she explains. “About four passes over the entire face is sufficient.” You won't see as dramatic results as you would with professional microneedling, but using an at-home derma roller is typically less expensive.
We tested 26 of the most popular derma rollers at home, using them one to three times weekly for two months. Testers evaluated each one on use, design, comfort, and overall effectiveness. Using their insights combined with recommendations from two dermatologists, we eventually landed on these nine options that truly improved the look of our skin.
Top Picks
Best Overall
BeautyBio Facial Microneedling Tool
Combines derma rolling and LED light therapy
Reduces fine lines and improves texture
Comes with a cleaning bottle
Caused minor irritation
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: LED light therapy, 540 needles
This one's a favorite of the Byrdie team. It was created by the inventor and patent holder of microneedling technology (File under: Why didn’t we think of that?). Rolling the 540 needles over your skin improves the absorption of topical products a whopping 200 times, but the benefits don’t stop there. It also delivers red LED light therapy, great for fighting inflammation and boosting collagen production, plus a unique vibrotactile stimulation to up these effects even more. You can even purchase separate heads for the body, eyes, and lips so that you can use this top-notch tool from head to toe.
Dr. Nazarian loves that this tool combines derma rolling with red LED light to double down on collagen stimulation, and our tester wholeheartedly agrees. After using the tool two to three times a week, she was impressed with the results, which included a reduction in her forehead lines and brighter, more even skin overall. The tool did cause a little irritation and redness, especially after she applied our favorite vitamin C serum, but it didn’t last long.
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Cara, tester with normal-to-dry skin: "I think it's a nice higher-end skin tool for anyone looking to improve fine lines or texture. I'm looking forward to getting the other heads for the eye area, lips, and body to try out, too."
Best Multipurpose
Angel Kiss 4 in 1 Titanium Microneedling Roller Kit
Swappable heads for face, body, and under-eye area
Leaves skin glowing and smooth
Improves skincare absorption
Can irritate sensitive skin
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Three options for different areas of the face and body
The Angel Kiss Titanium Microneedling Roller Kit includes three rollers: one for the face with 720 needles, one for the body with 1200 needles, and one for the delicate eye area with 300 needles. With its swappable heads and handy case, it’s one of the most versatile we found. Our tester found the roller quick and easy to use; it felt lightweight in her hand, and the sharp, even needles did their job in two minutes flat. She noticed that her skincare absorbed faster after using the roller, and by the end of the testing period, her complexion looked impressively glowy and smooth. Our tester’s one critique is that the process sensitized her skin afterward, leaving it tingly and a little tender for up to 30 minutes. She found that using the roller once every 10 days rather than weekly was the sweet spot for her sensitive skin.
Brittany, tester with combination-sensitive skin: “My skin feels glowier and softer after using the derma roller, and the texture does seem smoother.”
Best for Acne
ORA Gold Deluxe Microneedle Dermal Roller
Helps reduce acne
Cool design
Contributes to a more glowy complexion
Can cause temporary redness
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Comes in three colors, 0.25mm microneedles.
The ORA Roller’s 0.25mm titanium microneedles penetrate the skin to the perfect depth, boosting collagen and elastin and helping to reduce the appearance of acne scars and fine lines. Aesthetically speaking, this is a tool you’ll want to display on your vanity; it comes in three colors, including the pretty gold version that we used.
Immediately after using it, our tester experienced some redness—which is to be expected—but that quickly faded, leaving her with a more glowy complexion. The biggest benefit was seeing a reduction in acne; after a week of use, she had almost no breakouts. If she had to pick an area for improvement, it’s that she wishes the roller came with a complementary serum to maximize results.
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Rachel, tester with acne-prone skin: "Typically, if I don't keep up with my facial regimen, my skin breaks out. I have not really had any breakouts since using the derma roller."
Best for Fine Lines
StackedSkincare Microneedling Tool
Improved skin texture
Handle design is easy to use
Gentle yet effective
Could be more effective on hyperpigmentation
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Replaceable roller heads
This tool from StackedSkincare comes with an ergonomic handle that lets you easily control the pressure, helping prevent epidermal damage as it glides over the skin. It also comes with two replacement heads, which can be swapped out as needed. Our tester loved how surprisingly gentle this derma roller was on her skin. It left a little redness, but no irritation, and her skincare products absorbed more easily after using the tool. The derma roller was adept at improving uneven skin texture, leaving it glowy and radiant. While her hyperpigmentation remained stubbornly unchanged, she did notice that the fine lines around her eyes were less noticeable.
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Alice, tester with dry skin: "Overall, I love that this product was mild on the skin with little to no irritation. Over time, it really helped with the texture of my skin as well as the fine lines around my eyes."
Best for Texture
Kitsch Micro Derma Roller
Reduces wrinkles
Durable and easy to use
Helps skincare products absorb
Doesn’t come with a replacement head
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: 0.25mm stainless steel micro-needles, can be used on the scalp
This budget-friendly derma roller from Kitsch proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to get great results. The non-slip handle and head studded with 540 0.25 medical-grade micro-needles allow you to quickly treat your entire face, exfoliating the skin and reducing the appearance of imperfections. As a bonus, it can even be used on the scalp to stimulate hair growth.
Our tester found the Kitsch derma roller really easy to use—so much so that she officially added it to her everyday evening skincare routine. Although she didn’t notice any dramatic improvements, there was a slight reduction in wrinkles. Her one complaint is that the tool doesn’t come with a replacement head or instructions indicating when it should be replaced.
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Margo, tester with dry, mature skin: "I often applied an exfoliating serum after using the tool. I occasionally felt a slight tingling from that product as it was able to penetrate a little deeper because of the roller."
Best for Dark Spots
Prosper Beauty Microneedle Derma Roller Kit
Reduces hyperpigmentation
Boosts skincare absorption
Instantly improves skin tone
Product doesn’t feel robust/well-made
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Four replacement heads, with 600 titanium micro needles per head
To get the most out of your derma roller, its needles should be sharp and sterilized. Besides cleaning with alcohol after each use, Dr. Nazarian also recommends changing out the needle heads about every two or three months—or more often if you notice them dulling. When that time comes, you’ll appreciate that the Dermaroll by Prosper Beauty boasts four replacement heads—each studded with 600 ultra-strong titanium needles.
Our tester was relieved to find that the roller didn’t irritate her sensitive skin at all. She used it three times per week with no irritation or breakouts, just some light tingling and redness during use. It was easy to sanitize and switch out the heads, which was a plus, and although the plastic tool didn’t feel premium, she was pleasantly surprised by its performance. On days when she used the roller, her skin tone got an instant boost. Plus, it appeared to help her favorite skincare products absorb better—ideal for supercharging dark-spot-fading formulas.
Kelsey, a tester with combination-sensitive skin: “I felt my topicals penetrated my skin better. I also felt my skin had improved tone on the days I used the roller.”
Best for Contours
Environ Micro-Needling Cosmetic Roll CIT
Targets the areas around eyes, nose, and mouth
Reduces “11 lines”
Helps products absorb better
Doesn’t come with a cleaning solution
Feels uncomfortable on the skin
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Small barrel and 260 ultra-fine 0.2mm microneedles
Derma rolling the contours of your face can come with a learning curve—especially the delicate areas around the eyes, nose, and mouth (which, annoyingly, also happen to be areas that are particularly susceptible to fine lines). This delicate-looking roller from Environ was carefully designed to target those specific areas using its smaller barrel and 260 ultrafine 0.2mm microneedles, enabling you to get the benefits where you need them most. The shiny gold-plated tool also looks fancy, which is always a plus in our book.
Using this roller was not what our tester would call a relaxing, self-care experience. But she persevered, using it twice a week until she saw some subtle improvements about one month in. The main benefit was that skincare products applied afterward absorbed much better—albeit with a little stinging—making her complexion glow. She also noticed a slight improvement in the appearance of her “11 lines.” Unfortunately, the Environ cleaning solution came at an additional cost, and not a small one at that, so she used good old alcohol to get the job done.
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Best for Beginners
Roselynboutique Derma Roller
Beginner-friendly design
Doesn’t cause irritation
Speeds up skincare absorption
No dramatic long-term skin changes
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: 540 needles, ergonomic design, travel-friendly
Puncturing your skin with hundreds of sharp needles can feel a little scary, but even newbies can’t go wrong with this beginner-friendly derma roller in hand. The 0.25mm needles are safe and gentle—even on sensitive skin types—and the ergonomic handle makes the whole process a breeze. Our tester appreciated how comfortable it was to use, from the molded handle that reminded her of a razor, to the gentle application process; there was no soreness or discomfort to report. The tool helped speed up her evening skincare routine, too. Even heavier, thicker serums and moisturizers absorbed quickly, and her skin felt more hydrated as a result.
Nicolette, a tester with combination skin and hormonal acne: “I love how seamlessly it glides! The handle fits very naturally in my hand, and the application is very gentle.”
Best for Hair Growth
Vegamour Gro+ Derma Roller
Helps thicken hair
Minimal discomfort
Sleek design and protective case
Requires hair serum to maximize results
Might be too time-consuming for full scalp
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: 1,200 needles, wide head, protective case
Why stop at the forehead when there are purported benefits to derma-rolling your scalp, too? This elegant Vegamour Gro+ Advanced Derma Roller has a wide head and 1,200 fine needles to target the scalp, gently exfoliating and enhancing absorption of hair growth oils and serums for fuller, healthier-looking hair. Our fine-haired tester focused on her hairline, rolling the tool five times vertically and five times horizontally over thinning areas twice per week. The process was pain-free, and became a quick and easy part of her routine (although she noted that tacking your full scalp would be a very time-consuming business). By the end of the testing period, her hairline appeared to have thickened out slightly, and even her baby hairs were noticeably denser. However, her results did plateau somewhat, so adding a growth serum is recommended.
Esme, a tester with fine hair: “I do actually feel like my hairline thickened out slightly! The baby hairs seem thicker and denser on my scalp than before the testing period.”
What to Look for When Buying Derma Rollers
- Needle Material: When choosing a derma roller, Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, board-certified dermatologist, suggests reaching for a tool made from either stainless steel or titanium. “Titanium is the best, as it is stronger and therefore will be more effective over time,” she says. Surgical steel is another great option.
- Needle Length: It’s crucial to look into the needle length of a derma roller, not only to ensure it’s effective enough for your specific skin concerns but also to make sure your skin can tolerate it. Generally speaking, at-home models with a needle length of 0.2 to 1 millimeter are best for beginners; however, Dr. Skotnicki recommends a 0.5-millimeter needle. “I think for at-home derma rolling, this length makes the procedure safer,” she says. Of course, it’s always advisable to speak with your dermatologist, who can help determine the best length based on your needs.
- Replaceable Heads: This depends on your preference, but for those who strive to make their beauty routine as eco-conscious as possible, opt for a product with at least one replaceable head. That way, you won’t need to discard or recycle the entire handle and roller once the needles become dull. Not to mention, it'll help you save a few bucks along the way.
How We Tested Derma Rollers
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Byrdie believes in using the products we recommend, so we prioritize testing them in real-life settings. For this article, we researched the top-rated derma rollers around, then asked our team of expert testers to try 26 options IRL. They used each tool one to three times weekly for two months, providing in-depth insights about the experience, which informed our final selection of recommended products.
- Derma Rollers Tested: 26
- Testing Period: 8 weeks
- Methodology: Derma rollers were tested by testers at their homes. We tested them on a variety of skin-types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin.
- Factors Considered: Ease of use, design, comfort, and overall effectiveness
Meet Our Experts
For this article, Byrdie consulted the following experts:
- Dr. Sandy Skotnicki is a board-certified dermatologist and allergy expert based in Toronto, Canada.
- Dr. Rachel Nazarian is a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She’s admittedly not a DIY kind of girl, but is a huge fan of professional microneedling and relied on her extensive knowledge and experience with that, plus extensive research and input from the Byrdie team, when compiling this list.
Esme Benjamin is a writer, editor, and podcaster based in New York, and has been contributing to Byrdie since 2023. For this story, she tested the Vegamour Gro+ Advanced Derma Roller on her hairline and scalp, with impressive results.