FOREO UFO Review: Sonic device for accelerating the effects of facial masks
If you are looking for a way to nourish intensively, brighten or firm your skin, but don’t have time to visit salons or devote too much time and energy to it at home, this cute little helper may be the solution. Thanks to this device, you can deeply nourish your skin in literally two minutes.
We tested FOREO UFO together with two basic Foreo original masks Make My Day and Call It a Night.
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FOREO UFO: Pros and cons
- The higher price of the device
- Need to buy Foreo original masks
- More effective skincare
- Speed – 90 seconds is all it takes
- Easy to use and maintain
- Complete waterproofness
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About the FOREO brand
FOREO comes from Sweden and covers a range of modern devices and original products for skin and body care.
The brand has been dedicated to technological innovations in the field of beauty since 2013 when its employees developed the first FOREO LUNA, a sonic cleansing brush for the skin. Apart from beauty products, you can also come across their sonic toothbrushes.
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What is FOREO UFO used for
The FOREO UFO comes up with a rather revolutionary way to nourish the skin deeply and effectively at home. Within 90 seconds, it allows its user to infuse skincare ingredients from its original masks into the skin, replacing the lengthy process of applying a regular face mask. High efficiency is achieved through a combination of T-sonic pulsations (vibrations passing through the skin), thermotherapy (heat), cryotherapy (cold) and broad-spectrum light therapy (mainly red, green and blue LED light).
At the same time, FOREO produces its range of masks for this purpose, which is used simultaneously with the device. It is a serum that is infused into a think microfiber pad. This mask is attached to the device and is passed over the face, neck and décolleté during the treatment. Thanks to the action of vibrations, heat or cold, the active substances are injected deep into the skin and locked there. The device simultaneously emits different types of LED light, which are also supposed to have a beneficial effect on the skin.
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Delivery and contents of the package
Shipping to the UK takes approximately 3-5 days from ordering and the package typically arrives via express carriers such as DHL, UPS or EMS.
Package includes:
- A device with a removable plastic wheel for fixing the face mask
- Stand that allows the device to dry better after use
- USB charging cable (without socket connector)
- Make My Day Face Mask Sample
This is one of two masks that can be used without downloading the mobile app, the device is pre-programmed for it. The second mask you can use without a mobile phone app is Call It a Night. If you buy other types, you will need to pair the device with the app.
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FOREO For You mobile app
The FOREO brand has developed its own application for its devices. You can register each device via its barcode and then enjoy other benefits, especially preset skin care programs when using masks other than two original ones. The UFO pairs with the app using Bluetooth and location sharing is also required.
You can also start a skin care program in the app while using the basic Make My Day or Call It a Night masks. The app counts down the time needed for the treatment, a soothing voice gives you instructions for proper care, comments on the treatment and plays soft background music.
The app is available both for Android and iOS phones and can be downloaded for free from Google Play and the App Store. It is currently possible to set it up in 12 languages in addition to English.
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User manual FOREO UFO
The FOREO UFO has a single button to operate it, making it very easy to use. A UFO mask – an individually wrapped microfiber swab soaked in serum – is first placed on the metal surface, secured with a plastic ring, and then the device is switched on with a single press. The device lights up and the first press activates the program for the Make My Day mask, and the second actives the program for the Call It a Night mask. Depending on which part of the light circle lights up, you can check which programme you have activated.
After a few seconds, the selected program will start itself. Simply place the device on your skin and glide the mask over your skin in circular motions, the UFO does the rest. It heats when it’s supposed to heat, cools when it’s supposed to cool, and changes the colour of the LED light according to how it’s best for your skin.
If you make a mistake or want to switch the device off before the selected programme has finished, just hold the button down for a long time. Otherwise, the device automatically switches itself off when the program is finished.
You can also leave the device control to the mobile app. If you order masks other than the two mentioned above, the mobile app is necessary.
After completing the entire cycle, remove the microfiber mask, rinse the plastic ring and the device under running water, dry it with a towel and place the UFO on the stand to dry well. The whole device is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about water going anywhere it’s not supposed to.
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Regular use and effects
During the first skin treatment, I was impressed by what the device can do in 90 seconds. It heats, cools, vibrates and changes lights. The sequence of these actions and their composition is determined by which of the masks you use. I assumed that FOREO was somehow taking into account the information about my skin that I filled out after downloading the app in the entry questionnaire, but I rather think not.
Sonic pulsations are sound waves that vibrate very quickly and penetrate deep into the skin. This, among other things, massages the face, relieves tension, improves blood circulation and the sonic waves also help to improve the absorption of the emulsion from the mask.
Thermotherapy involves the use of heat up to 45 °C, a temperature that opens the pores and thus improves the penetration of active substances from the serum into the skin.
LED light therapy uses the properties of red, green and blue light. Red stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, firms the skin and promotes healing. Green evens out skin tone, softens pigment spots and brightens dull skin. Blue kills acne-causing bacteria, is anti-inflammatory and stabilizes excessive sebum production.
Cryotherapy then uses the action of cold to revive the skin, reduce puffiness, shrink pores, tighten the skin, and help against inflammation. This function, however, has only a device of the higher series FOREO UFO 2, which also offers a wider spectrum of LED lights.
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FOREO Face Masks
I had the opportunity to try both of these original masks, but I would rather use the term serum for them because the emulsion is not washed off, it is left on the skin all day or all night until evening or morning cleansing. Their formulation is based on Korean skincare formulas.
Make My Day is a hydrating mask containing hyaluronic acid and red algae. Hyaluronic acid is excellent for moisturizing the skin because it can hold up to 1 000 times its weight in moisture, leaving the skin glowing. Red algae are rich in antioxidants and protect the skin from adverse environmental influences. In addition to pulsations, the device uses heat and red and green LED lights. This mask is designed as a daily mask, but since it doesn’t contain SPF, I think it is versatile. And if you use it in the morning, you still need to protect your skin with sunscreen. Whether it’s day cream, BB cream or makeup. I end up using it at night instead of night cream.
Call It a Night is a reviving and nourishing mask with ginseng and olive oil. Ginseng helps to tone and rejuvenate the skin, making it look younger and more radiant. Olive oil softens and nourishes the skin, leaving it smooth and supple. In addition to pulsations, the application also uses heating and a red LED light.
I must say that both emulsions eventually absorbed very well into the skin. Although I still had a shiny film on my face for a while after the treatment and felt slightly sticky, in a few minutes the serum was completely absorbed into the skin and the skin was soft and pleasant to the touch without a sticky or greasy feeling. That made me happy because it was one of the things I was worried about before using it. Thumbs up for not contain parabens, silicones or mineral oils.
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Experiences with FOREO UFO after one month of use
I currently use the activated mask device about three times a week, always in the evening as a deeply nourishing night treatment, alternating it with the regular serum that I bought before.
On days when I use FOREO UFO, I always focus on deep cleansing as well, so that nourishing ingredients from the mask reach the skin in the best possible way. I use a FOREO LUNA brush to do that. In the morning, the skin is usually very bright and fresh. So far I haven’t stopped enjoying the application with the device, the vibrations, skin warming and skin cooling are very pleasant, as well as the light therapy.
My favourite is the Make My Day mask, which is lightweight and leaves my skin beautifully soft. I’ve only charged the device once so far.
My advice: Over time, I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s too much nourishing emulsion in each packet of activated mask that microfiber fabric is infused with for single use.
I’ve even experienced that there’s too much of it to use twice. That’s why I now use each pack of the mask a total of three times. On the first day, I will use a cloth and leave the rest of the serum in the wrapper. After use, I was the cloth pad in warm water and let it dry. The next day, I add some water to it, stick it in the machine and spread half of the remaining serum over it. I do the same on the third day with the other half of the contents.
The price of one application of the mask is thus reduced to a third and the use of FOREO UFO is even a bit more cheerful.
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Summary
I regularly and happily use facials and masks, so this speeding up and streamlining of the whole process really caught my eye. FOREO UFO can make skincare a more pleasant ritual even for those who tend to neglect this activity due to lack of time or taste.
The device is sold in several colours and is universal for all skin types, so I see it as more important to choose the right mask, depending on what I want to achieve on my skin. FOREO offers a wide range of them, so you will definitely be able to choose according to your needs.
There is also a bit of a catch because you can only use this handy helper with original FOREO masks. So if you have a favourite mask from another manufacturer, you can’t apply it on this device and have to use it separately anyway. It is, therefore, necessary to calculate well whether you are willing to invest considerable money in the device and whether you want to buy original masks in the long term.
However, there is not much to complain about. It is made of medical-grade silicone, waterproof, and the built-in battery fully charges in about two hours and then lasts up to 40 treatments. Maintainance and operation are absolutely simple. The only danger I see is that the plastic wheel that attaches the mask to the device could crack and break.
Of course, you will achieve maximum results if you use FOREO UFO on well-cleansed skin. If you are wondering how to make skin cleansing more effective in addition to nourishing your skin, you can read out review of the FOREO LUNA.