Whilst it may look a little bit torturous to novices, using a derma roller or other microneedling tool is one of the few beauty practices with a long list of benefits.
What is a derma roller?
A derma roller is usually a wand shaped instrument with hundreds of mini needles attached to a rolling head attachment.
It sounds pretty brutal, but when gently rolled across the face or skin it creates microscopic holes in the skin, boosting collagen production and circulation, as well as helping your skin to absorb products more easily.
Whether you're addressing stretch marks, acne scarring or sun damage, we've rounded up some of the best options worth considering for every skin qualm.
What kind of derma roller should I use?
It's something a lot of people do in salons as part of a treatment, but if you're eager to try it out yourself, there's plenty of tools out there to get you started.
They aren't as heavy duty as the ones used by professionals, but still do a good job - dermatologists recommend starting with a .25mm needle, anything over 3mm is considered unsafe for home use.
It's also very important to make sure you're cleaning your rollers properly after use. It's recommended to use warm water to rinse after use, followed by spraying the tool down rubbing alcohol.
When should I not use a derma roller?
It should go without saying, but if you're experiencing an acne breakout or any kind of breakout for that matter, don't use a derma roller.
You'll also want to check with your GP or dermatologist if you suffer from skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. If you have an infection. open wound or any kind of flare up on the area of skin you plan to use it on, we'd recommend waiting until that has cleared up.
Top performers in this field come from Swiss Clinic and Sdara available on Amazon, but we've listed all of the options below.
Best derma rollers for all skin types
1. Ochilima 540 Titanium Micro needle Derma Roller
Best for stretch marks
Boasting an impressive 540 titanium needles at 1mm, this derma roller is a good option for those targeting specific skin issues including scars, stretch marks and hyper pigmentation.
The ergonomic shape and anti-slip design allows you to comfortably hold the tool, whilst maintaining a good angle for rolling across various areas of your skin.
2. Sdara Derma Roller
Best for acne scars
The Sdara Derma Roller has thousands of positive reviews and is a complete package for a newbie to micro needling.
There's 540 titanium needles at .25mm, perfect if you're just starting out. It's the optimal needle size for helping serums and products sink deeper into your skin, it has also been hugely praised for its positive effects on acne scarring.
3. Kitsch Micro Derma Facial Roller
Best for textured skin
If you're new to micro needling, understandably you might not want to fork out loads on a new tool, for under £15 the Kitsch Facial Roller is one to consider.
The roller has stainless steel needles sized 0.25mm, another good option for beginners and those wanting to address mild scarring, enlarged pores and general texture issues.
4. StackedSkincare Micro Exfoliating Roller
Best for fine lines and wrinkles
With a super sleek design that's as practical as it is nice to look at.
It has .2mm stainless steel needles, which is just under the dermatologist recommendation of .25mm, but one to look out for if you're a beginner or suffer with easily irritated skin.
With fine needles and an ergonomic handle, this one is a good option for beginners too. It's also created by an aesthetician, which is just about as good reason as any to go with this brand.
5. Flexi Skin The Microneedler Rose Gold Microneedling Tool
Best for skin plumping
This rose gold tool from Flexi Skin will make a nice addition to any beauty kit.
It has 540 tiny needles at .25mm, ideal for boosting product absorption and allowing skin to repair and renew quickly. It isn't too bad of an option to use in places for hair growth either.
The ergonomic handle makes it easy to hold and properly manoeuvre around the face.
Buy now from Oliver Bonas ( £35 ).
6. Swiss Clinic Skin Roller
Best for use on the body
Featuring an impressive, slimline design and three different attachments, the Skin Roller from Swiss Clinic is perfect for use on the face and body.
The set contain three attachments including a 0.2mm roller for the sensitive parts of the face, a 0.5mm roller for the face and a 0.5mm head with 1080 needles for the body.
Buy now from Current Body ( £59 ).
7. Skin Gym Goldie Face Roller
Best needle-free derma roller
If you aren't too hot on the idea of a needle facial, this tool from Skin Gym might be a little bit more up your street.
With not a needle in sight, the gold plated facial massager uses spiked nodules to offer the same benefits as the needle counterparts. It will also look pretty good alongside all of your either beauty products an makes for the perfect Insta-worthy tool.
Apply a few drops of your favourite serum or moisturiser before using the tool for optimal product absorption.
Buy now from & Other Stories ( £33 ).
8. Ecooking Derma Roller
Best for hyper pigmentation
This lightweight and sleek design from Ecooking has 540 needles at 0.5mm, which is a good suggestion if you're looking to combat skin issues such as sun damage, hyper pigmentation and wrinkles.
It's suitable for use for all skin types and can be used on the face, neck and decolletage, the roller works to stimulate circulation and improve elasticity for a firmer and more youthful-looking visage.
9. Glowie Micro needle Face Roller
Best for beginners
Get a glowing results without the hard work. There's significantly less needles on this model, 192 to be exact, which could be a good starting point for those apprehensive with needles.
It boasts an ergonomic shape, as well as an anti-slip design to keep you in control and comfortable during your experience.
10. BeautyBio GloPRO Micro needling Regeneration Tool
Best overall kit
Worth £240, this special kit is a must-have for anyone in search of the perfect glow and is the perfect introduction to the brand.
Boasting clarifying Skin Prep Pads, The Nightly (5ml), The Ultimate (5ml) and The Balance (59ml), this highly-effective facial roller also has red light technology, pulse stimulation and 540 tiny 0.3mm micro needles to safely and painlessly micro needle.
It helps the skin’s natural healing response, enhancing cellular turnover resulting in visibly firmer, smoother and a younger-looking complexion.
Buy now from Cult Beauty ( £199 ).
11. ORA Microneedle Lip Plumping Roller System
Best for lips
Whether you're trying to give your lips a little plumping to formulate the perfect put, or you're trying to tckle hyper pigmentation in that area, this dedicated tool is the ideal option.
This micro needling tool comes with a specialised, narrow head which can be used on lips for a plumping effect. It boasts 180 ultra-fine needles that are relatively gentle on your lips once you get used to it.
12. Linduray Skincare Cosmetic Micro needle
Best for sensitive skin
A highly rated tool from Linduray Skincare, this micro needling device is great for new users because it’s easy to use and affordable too.
Reviewers boast that it’s virtually painless and gentle enough for use on even the most sensitive skin, which can be a concern when it comes to more aggressive micro needling treatments.
We'd suggest starting off once a week with this tool if your skin is on the sensitive side to get your skin used to it first.
Keep your skin healthily glowing and free from toxins at home, check out the best facial steamers worth buying in the UK.
