Is the ZIIP HALO Worth It? My Honest Thoughts & Results
- cozycritique
- Sep 2
- 7 min read
Hello everyone! Back in June I was generously gifted a really interesting skincare device that you may or may not have heard about yet, the ZIIP HALO. While I've tested out different microcurrent devices in the past, the devices themselves have been sort of gimmicky and the results were definitely lackluster as well. However, upon checking out the ZIIP HALO online, the consistent glowing reviews were undeniable! Not only has this device been recommended by major publications like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, it's also been endorsed by A-list celebrities, so it really seemed like the real deal. I've been testing this device out since July 11th, so while it hasn't been super long-term, if I was going to see results they would definitely be evident by now. In this blog I will go over the device, its features and how it works, a quick overview of the accompanying app, and of course, my results and final thoughts!
How Does The ZIIP HALO Work?
The core mechanism of the ZIIP HALO is its patented Dual Waveform Technology, which uses two types of low-voltage electrical currents, microcurrent and nanocurrent waveforms, to deliver both immediate and long-term results. I know the thought of using electrical currents on your face may make some of you nervous, but these currents are so gentle that even the most sensitive skin can tolerate them well.
Microcurrent works on a muscular level, sort of like a workout for your facial muscles! These low-level currents gently stimulate the muscles, which can provide an immediate lifting, toning and sculpting effect. It can also reduce puffiness and fluid retention in the face through lymphatic drainage. Microcurrent is also particularly helpful for acne-prone skin, creating an inhospitable environment for acne bacteria and reducing inflammation by increasing blood flow. With this type of current, you may notice some mild tingling or the occasional twitching muscle.
Nanocurrent is more of a slow burn that will give you results that you see over time with consistent use. This type of current works on a cellular level, triggering the production of ATP, Adenosine Triphosphate. This naturally-occurring molecule, which declines as we age, significantly boosts collagen and elastin production while providing our cells with the much-needed energy to repair and replenish the skin. This process also helps with skin inflammation, helping with skin calming and healing at a cellular level. This can also help with a reduction in pigmentation thanks to the increased cell turnover. Over time, signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and sagging will improve, and the skin will begin to look much brighter and more rejuvenated. This type of current is mostly undetectable, although you may feel some warmth from time to time.
The ZIIP HALO App
While this device can be used without the app for one standard treatment, I highly recommend downloading it! It's free and has been one of my favorite parts about using this device. There are a variety of different types of treatments to get the most out of your HALO! Each treatment is accompanied by a video tutorial led by ZIIP's founder Melanie Simon, so when you sync your device up and begin the treatment, you can follow along with her and know you're doing your treatment in the most effective way.
There's a 3-minute 'Learn Your Halo' interactive guide, which is a great place to start. After you've done that, there are 6 different Full Facial treatments you can choose from that vary from 4-12 minutes and use different combinations of currents depending on what kind of result you want. Some use only microcurrent, others use only nanocurrent, and some use a special combination of both! There are also 7 Targeted Treatments, such as lips, jowls, contour, de-puff, eyes, plump and brow lift, all designed to target very specific areas or issues in 2-3 minutes per treatment. These treatments can be stacked one after the other as well, if you're wanting to begin with a full facial and end with a targeted treatment or two to pay special attention to specific areas.
Lastly, the app also has 4 Plans, which are 7-30 day plans that target specific skincare goals in a structured treatment plan over a set amount of days. These plans include a 7 Day Facelift plan, a 14 day Wedding Prep plan, a 14 day Glass Skin plan, and finally the Best Skin Of Your Life In 30 Days plan. I've especially enjoyed this aspect of the app, as it really takes the guesswork out of selecting which treatments complement each other best.
How To Use The ZIIP HALO
First step, make sure your device is charged! It has a 2-hour battery life and takes 4 hours to fully charge. The device will glow orange while it's charging and you'll know it's ready to go when the light turns off.
To start, your skin must be clean and dry, no skincare just yet! If you have facial hair, these areas will block the electrical currents, so be sure to focus your treatment on the areas without hair. It's also best to either remove any facial piercings before starting, or if you're unable to, avoid those areas as much as possible.
Before beginning your treatment, you must apply a layer of conductive gel. This is a mandatory step, as this allows the electrical current to effectively pass through your skin. It's recommended to apply 4-8 pumps for the best results. ZIIP has a line of 5 different water-based gels to meet different skin needs. There's a basic Electric Complex Gel, which is free of any actives and good for any skin type, as well as 4 other gels with special ingredients to target various skin issues. According to ZIIP, the HALO increases skincare absorption by up to 109%, so the gels in the Activating Gels range can really enhance your entire treatment!
• Boosts collagen, firms, smooths, calms
• Bio-placenta with 5 growth factors, hematite, niacinamide, 24k gold
• Clears spots, reduces inflammation, antibacterial properties
• Dendriclear, mint, cucumber, aloe vera
• Boosts glow, evens tone, soothes, protects, reduces discoloration
• Glutathione, veronica flower, picea mariana extract
• Boosts hydration, cools, soothes, brightens, reduces redness
• Japanese hyaluronic acid, cucumber, aloe vera, crushed pearl
Once you've applied a layer of your gel of choice, power on your device by pressing the button on the bottom. The device will flash briefly, the outer band will glow, and once the silver globes make contact with your skin, the treatment begins! Moving in upwards and outwards motions, you'll notice a vibration at the end of each movement. This signifies the beginning of a new movement, helping you keep a good pace for the most effective treatment possible. Halfway through your treatment, you'll notice a beep, which is letting you know it's time to switch to the other side of your face. At the end of your treatment, your device will beep twice and shut off automatically. The device can be easily cleaned off with a soft cloth and some isopropyl alcohol, but do not get it wet!
ZIIP recommends using your HALO 3-5 times a week for the best results. While you'll notice results pretty quickly from the microcurrent, as I mentioned earlier, the nanocurrent takes a bit more time. You'll start noticing those long-term results around the 6-week mark with consistent use!
** It's important to note the official safety warnings from the ZIIP website. Use of the HALO is not recommended for individuals with any of the following conditions:
• Epilepsy
• Active cancer or those undergoing chemotherapy
• An implanted cardiac device (e.g. pacemaker, defibrillator)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
My Review
I'll start by telling you a bit about my skin and the sort of results I was looking for when I first began my HALO treatments. I'm 35, so while I don't have any deep wrinkles or serious signs of aging just yet, within the last year or two I've started noticing small changes here and there. Faint lines on my forehead from my sleeping positions, ones that weren't there before or would disappear almost immediately, that were suddenly sticking around for longer and longer. I also started noticing faint dynamic lines on my cheek area when I smiled that were made much worse when my skin was dehydrated, which also seemed to be a more consistent issue lately. My skin type is very oily, yet it's also incredibly dehydrated, and it seemed like nothing I applied was effectively hydrating my skin. I've also been painstakingly trying to repair fine lines and crepiness under my eyes from damage from a bad allergic reaction several years ago that won't seem to improve despite trying so many different eye creams.
To be completely honest, I wasn't expecting any sort of dramatic changes in a 6-week period considering years of a strict skincare routine hadn't helped a lot of the specific issues I was trying to target. To my complete and total surprise, the ZIIP HALO exceeded my expectations beyond what I thought was possible! The very first thing I noticed pretty early in my testing period was that my skin was no longer so dehydrated looking. The main benefit of the Silver Gel I'd been using was increased hydration, so that, paired with the fact that the HALO is supposed to help skincare absorption by up to 109%, had made a significant difference in a really short amount of time. Around week 2 I was noticing a drastic reduction in redness, and this is the last time I experienced a breakout as well. At the 1 month mark, the forehead lines and dynamic lines when I smiled were just.. gone? My skin looked plumped up, hydrated, calm and healthier than I've remembered it looking in a really long time. The thing I'm most excited about though is my undereye area. In the last couple of weeks the loose, damaged, crepey skin is at least 50% better than before. Just by looking at it, you can't actually tell there was any damage to begin with. These results have guaranteed that the ZIIP HALO is going to be a very important step in my skincare routine indefinitely and I can't wait to see how my skin continues to heal and improve.
I can't thank the ZIIP team enough for introducing me to the Halo! If you were on the fence about buying a HALO, I promise you it's worth every penny!
Where To Buy The ZIIP HALO
For those wanting to try out this incredible device, ZIIP has provided me with a discount code for 10% off devices and gels! Feel free to use COZYCRITIQUE at checkout for your discount!
ZIIP Gels: https://ziipbeauty.ca/collections/ziip-gel
Feel free to check out more beauty content on my Instagram @cozycritique and Tiktok @cozycritique
More skincare and beauty discount codes can be found here!
Disclaimer: Some products mentioned in this blog may have been provided to me for free in exchange for my honest review. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own. My priority is to provide authentic and unbiased feedback to help you make informed decisions.
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