ZIIP HALO review: 6 months of testing by a Registered Nurse
I've been using the ZIIP HALO 2.0 for over six months now, so I think it's time for an honest review. I'm a Registered Nurse who specialised in aesthetic nursing, and it's important to me to look at the research when I try out any new skincare device.
In this post I'll cover what the device actually does, what I noticed after six months of consistent use, how it compares to NuFace, which gel I use and why, and what the clinical evidence really says about microcurrent.
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My verdict at a glance
⭐ 5 / 5
After six months of using the ZIIP HALO, it has now become a staple in my routine. It's a quite a big investment, and it only delivers if you're consistent, but it's definitely given me firmer, plumper, more lifted skin. As a nurse I'm confident in both the technology and its safety. If you use it three to five times a week and it earns every penny.
Pros
- The only at-home device that combines microcurrent and nanocurrent
- Firmer, more lifted skin after consistent use
- App-guided treatments are quick (from four minutes) and easy to follow
- Works out cheaper per use than regular clinic facials if you stick with it
- FDA-cleared for at-home use
Cons
- High upfront cost (currently £379.99 in the UK / $399.99 in the US)
- You have to keep repurchasing the conductive gel
- Results build cumulatively, so it's not an instant, dramatic lift
- Easy to abandon, so consistency is everything
What is the ZIIP HALO?
The ZIIP HALO is an at-home microcurrent and nanocurrent facial device. It connects to a free app on your phone, which sends personalised electrical waveforms to the device depending on which treatment you select. Each treatment targets a different concern (including lifting, contouring, brightening, and collagen renewal).
It was created by Melanie Simon, an electrical aesthetician who co-founded ZIIP with technologist David Mason. Simon first developed these microcurrent techniques for her professional facials, then adapted them for the ZIIP device and app.
The ZIIP uses both microcurrent (which works on the facial muscles) and nanocurrent (which works at a cellular level). This dual-technology approach is what sets it apart from most other devices on the market.
The device is compact, lightweight, and charges via USB-C. You need a conductive gel to use it (the device won't work without one), and ZIIP sells its own range with active ingredients built in.
ZIIP HALO 2.0 specs at a glance
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price (RRP) | £379.99 / $399.99 or £341.99 / $359.99 with discount code UKBEAUTY |
| Technology | Dual Waveform Technology™ (microcurrent + Nanocurrent™) |
| In the box | ZIIP HALO device plus Silver, Crystal and Golden gels (30ml each), ZIIP USB-C charging cable, user guide and ZIIP HALO bag |
| On-device treatment | 4 Minute Facial (pre-programmed so you can use it without the app) |
| App | Free ZIIP app on the Apple App Store and Google Play for personalised treatments and plans |
| Recommended use | 3–5 times per week, up to a maximum of 6 on a short-term plan |
| Charging | Up to 4 hours to fully charge |
| Warranty & returns | 2-year warranty on manufacturing faults, plus 30-day returns |
| Created by | Melanie Simon & David Mason (ZIIP, est. 2015) |
My ZIIP HALO routine
I use the ZIIP HALO three to five times a week, usually in the evening after cleansing. My favourite treatment is the Collagen Renewal, which runs for 10 minutes and focuses on cellular-level nanocurrent stimulation. I also use the Lift and Contour treatments regularly.
My preferred gel is the ZIIP Silver gel, which contains glutathione and cedar bark extract. I find it particularly good for skin tone and brightness. I apply around six pumps across my face before each treatment.
The app guides you through each treatment with Melanie's voice instructions, so you always know exactly where to move the device and for how long. I found it easy to learn and now follow along without needing to watch the screen.
What I noticed after 6 months
I want to be transparent about something before I share my results. I rarely publish before and after photos for skincare products or devices. I know that photographs are too easily influenced by lighting, skin hydration on the day, camera angle, and facial expression. A single comparison photo tells you very little about what a product actually does over time.
What I can tell you is what I have genuinely noticed after six months of consistent use:
My skin feels noticeably firmer. This became apparent around weeks six to eight. It is subtle but real. I also feel that there is a resilience to the skin that was not there before.
My skin looks plumper. This is consistent with what the research tells us about nanocurrent and its effects on fibroblast activity and collagen synthesis.
I have fewer fine lines, particularly around my eyes and forehead.
My face looks more lifted and defined along the jawline. I think this is because I use the Face Lift treatment regularly. That is the strongest microcurrent treatment available on the app.
Overall I just feel like I look like a well-rested, well-cared-for version of myself.
Is the ZIIP HALO worth it?
The ZIIP HALO retails at £379.99 here in the UK (but with my discount code UKBEAUTY you can get it for £341.99). In the US it's $399.99 ($359.99 with the same discount code).
I feel like that amount of money is a significant investment but honestly I think it's worth it if you actually use it consistently. Microcurrent is cumulative, so you need to use it regularly to see results.
For context: a professional microcurrent facial in the UK typically costs £80 to £150 per session. If you were having monthly in-clinic treatments, the ZIIP pays for itself in three to four months.
ZIIP HALO vs NuFace
The most common question I get is how the ZIIP HALO compares to NuFace.
The key difference is that the ZIIP uses both microcurrent and nanocurrent, while NuFace uses microcurrent only. The nanocurrent element drives cellular-level benefits (collagen stimulation and ATP production), rather than muscle toning alone. The app-guided system also makes the ZIIP more personalised.
NuFace is a solid, well-established device and simpler to get started with, but for the more complete at-home treatment, I think the ZIIP offers more.
For more information about the differences between the ZIIP HALO and NuFace, check out the table below.
| ZIIP Halo | NuFace | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical currents | Microcurrent and nanocurrent | Microcurrent |
| Battery life | 1 to 2 weeks on a single charge, even with regular use of 3 to 5 treatments per week | 1 to 2 weeks of daily 5-minute treatments, or roughly 65 microcurrent sessions |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Treatment time | 3 to 14 minutes | 5 to 15 minutes |
| Waveforms | 26 | 1 |
| Discount Code | UKBEAUTY for 10% off | I did ask the brand but got no response |
Common questions
Does the ZIIP HALO hurt?
No. You may feel a gentle tingling sensation with the microcurrent, particularly around the temples and bony areas of the face. This is normal and a sign that the current is conducting properly. With the nanocurrent it's common to feel nothing at all.
How often should you use the ZIIP HALO?
ZIIP recommends three to five times per week. I agree with this. Daily use is fine, but rest days allow cellular repair processes to work between sessions.
Can you use the ZIIP HALO after botox?
I would wait a minimum of two weeks after botox before using any microcurrent device. Microcurrent stimulates muscle activity, which could theoretically interfere with the distribution of botulinum toxin during the early settling period. After two weeks, I would consider it safe to resume.
Can you use the ZIIP HALO on your neck?
Yes. I use it on my neck regularly. When you follow the programmes in the app you will be shown which ones work for the neck. I use the Collagen Renewal treatment and the Face Lift treatment regularly and both of them use the ZIIP Halo on the neck
Can you use the ZIIP HALO every day?
The Collagen Renewal treatment is entirely nanocurrent so is gentle enough to use every day, but the microcurrent treatments should only be used 3-5 times a week.
Does the ZIIP HALO work without the app?
Yes. The device comes pre-loaded with the 4 Minute Facial, which can be activated without the app. For the full range of personalised treatments though (including the Collagen Renewal treatment), you need the app. I personally only use the app
What is the best gel for the ZIIP HALO?
I personally LOVE the Silver gel! This one gives a hydration boost. ZIIP also makes the Golden gel (for collagen boost), the Clear gel (for acne prone skin), the Gold gel (for extra glow), and the Electric Complex base gel.
Is the ZIIP HALO FDA approved?
Yes, the FDA has reviewed the device and cleared it as safe for at-home use.
The science behind microcurrent
If you want to understand why microcurrent works rather than just taking my word for it, here is the research.
The first major study on microcurrent was published in 1982. Scientists applied tiny electrical currents to rat skin and found that the cells produced much more ATP (the energy that powers every cell in your body). ATP levels increased by up to five times, and the cells also made up to 75% more protein, which is needed for repair and regeneration. This is why you'll often hear people say that microcurrent can increase ATP production by up to 500%.
It's important to know that this study was on rats and not people. The researchers tested rat skin in a laboratory. The findings gave scientists a good idea of how microcurrent may work, but human clinical studies are still needed to confirm the same effects in people.
The human evidence is more recent. A 2025 review published in Authorea, which looked at published studies on microcurrent therapy from approximately 2015–2025, reported clinical trials showing up to 21.18% wrinkle reduction and improved skin firmness. The authors also acknowledged however that different researchers used different methods, so it's difficult to compare the results. We also don't know what happens after using it for many years because most studies only looked at people for a short time.
ZIIP claims their device reduces the appearance of wrinkles by 28% and boosts plumpness and firmness by 27%, based on clinical testing. No independent published study is linked, so these figures should be taken as the company's own data rather than peer-reviewed evidence.
My conclusion: the science is genuine and the biological rationale is supported by laboratory research. The human clinical evidence is positive but still developing. That is an honest assessment, and it is why I feel confident recommending this device.
References
- Cheng N, Van Hoof H, Bockx E, et al. The effects of electric currents on ATP generation, protein synthesis, and membrane transport of rat skin. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1982;(171):264-272. PMID: 7140077.
- Ghalamghash R. Microcurrent Therapy for Skin Rejuvenation: Efficacy, Safety, and Future Directions. Authorea. 2025. doi:10.22541/au.175312426.66964213
