Entering the world of at-home microcurrent can be overwhelming. There are now multiple devices on the market, such as NuFace, Ziip, MyoLift, the FOREO Bear, and Clareblend, each accompanied by their own conductivity gel. For anyone new to this realm, microcurrent is a low-level electrical current that mimics the body’s natural current to increase cellular energy and activate muscles. Microcurrent is my favorite anti-aging modality for maintaining skin and muscle health.
Microcurrent needs to be used with a conductive substance in order for the device’s current to flow readily into the skin. This electrical current is able to not just affect muscles but allows cells to become more permeable, increasing product absorption. That means all the ingredients in the product you pair with microcurrent will dive deep into the skin. Unfortunately, the majority of gels on the market include some not so great ingredients, in their formulas, that would also get pushed deep into your skin. In today’s post, I’ll be walking you through conductivity gel options. I’ll show you my favorite conductive products (all without the icky stuff) to use with microcurrent, as well as show you how to easily make an organic gel at home.
What You Want In A Gel
Slip: For a product or conductivity gel to be an ideal, it needs to provide a nice slip on the skin. While a lot of substances are conductive, such as plain old water, not all conductive products provide slip. When performing microcurrent, you glide the device’s probes across the skin. Without slip, the probes catch the skin pulling and irritating the surface.
Hydration: To get the most out of your microcurrent treatment, the skin must be hydrated. This means applying hydrating products prior to your treatment and drinking plenty of fluids. Using a hydrating conductivity gel, with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, is a great way to ensure you’re getting an effective microcurrent treatment.
Anti-Aging: Since microcurrent increases product absorption it makes sense to use products full of nourishing actives, things like antioxidants, peptides, vitamins, and minerals. Pairing these kinds of ingredients with microcurrent is a great way create change in the skin.
Conductive Properties: Minerals are a great addition to conductivity gels since they conduct the flow of the current and have beneficial skin properties. Zinc and gold both have anti-inflammatory benefits and gold additionally helps to protect collagen. Selenium is antioxidant and can act similarly to vitamin E, safegaurding cells. Colloidal silver is anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory. Copper can increase healing in the skin and promotes collagen and elastin by stimulating fibroblasts. While all of these minerals conduct electricity to varying degrees, in a pinch, a little table salt added to a gel will also increase conduction.
What You Don’t Want In A Gel
Oil: Conductivity gels are usually water-based products since oils tend to interfere with the current. Realistically, a little oil included in a product is fine. There is natural oil all over your skin. However, using an oil-based product, which would mean a lot of oil, will inhibit the current and prevent your device from working.
Gross Stuff That You Don’t Want In Your Skincare Anyway
Unfortunately, the following ingredients can be found in most conductivity and ultrasound gels. While not good to begin with, microcurrent will increase these ingredient’s negative effects. This is not intended to scare you or make you feel bad, but empower you to make thoughtful decisions about what you’d like to put in your body.
Propylene glycol: This petroleum byproduct is thought to potentially build-up in the body and is known to be a skin irritant, despite being included in most skincare, even natural and organic products.
Polyethylene Glycol & PEG’s: Polyethylene is a plastic derivative and PEG’s (PEG-6, PEG-7, PEG-8) are derived from Polyethylene Glycol and a mixture of other compounds. This mixture is often riddled with impurities, many of which have been linked to cancer and toxicity.
Butylene Glycol & Glycols In General: While considered to be “safe,” Butylene Glycol is often derived from petroleum. I try to avoid these ingredients when I can, especially if a product contains more than one form of glycol.
Benzyl Benzoate: This synthetic fragrance doubles as an insecticide and is known to be toxic.
Benzyl Alcohol: This is a known toxic irritant and allergen.
Triethanolamine: In short exposure, it is known to be irritating and over a long period of time becomes toxic to humans.
Synthetic Colorants: While often linked to cancer, synthetic dyes are known to cause skin irritation and clog pores.
Popular Conductivity Gel Ingredients
Not to call anyone out, I just thought it’d be helpful to see the full ingredients of the top options side-by-side. The Ziip gels have some of the coolest actives available in this category, so if Butylene Glycol and the Benzyls don’t bother you, definitely check them out.
NuFace Hydrating Leave-On Gel: Water, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Betaine, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Carbomer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium HydroxideTocopherol, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60.
NuFace 24K Gold Complex: Water, Propanediol, Gold, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Algae, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, sh-Oligopeptide-1, Dimethyl MEA (DMAE), Thioctic Acid (Alpha Lipoic Acid), Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Magnesium Sulfate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Chloride, Trehalose.
Zip Silver Gel: Glycerin, Aqua, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citric Acid, Copper Gluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Aspartate, Honey Extract, Pearl Powder, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrapeptide-14, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.
Ziip Golden Gel: Glycerin, Aqua, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Hematite Extract, Dimethyl Isosorbide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acetyl Glutamine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Caprylyl Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Copper Gluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Glycine Soja Extract, Gold, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Lecithin, Magnesium Aspartate, Menthoxypropanediol, sh-Oligopeptide-1, sh-Oligopeptide-2, sh-Polypeptide-1, sh-Polypeptide-11, sh-Polypeptide-9, s-Mu-conotoxin CnIIIC, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate.
Jellen Peptide Power Gel: Organic Aloe Leaf Juice (Aloe Barbadensis), Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate), DMAE Bitartrate (Dimethylaminoethanol Bitartrate), Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Provitamin B5 (DL-Panthenol), Witch Hazel Water (Hamamelis Virginiana), Butylene Glycol, Water (Aqua), Carbomer, *Polysorbate 20, *Tetrasodium EDTA, *Phenoxyethanol, *TEA (Triethanolamine), *Alcohol. (*contains < 0.1%)
My Favorite Conductivity Options
The following is a selection of products I personally use for conductivity when performing microcurrent on myself and my clients (back when I saw clients 😩). Keep in mind, most water-based products work for conduction. So if you have a favorite water-based skincare product at home, definitely give it a go!
ReStore Bio-Active Complex
This clean anti-aging conductive option blends hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, a collagen peptide complex, zinc, and copper (responsible for the blue color), to treat the skin while stimulating and increasing the flow of the current. It is my go-to conductivity gel and I use it on myself and my clients. It leaves the skin incredibly soft and doubles as a hydrating mask treatment. Use code ORGANICESTHETICIAN for 5% off.
Full ingredients: Filtered Water (Agua), Vegetable Glycerin, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Hyaluronic Acid, Citrus Urantium (Neroli) Oil, Copper, Ascophyllum Nodsum (Sea Kelp) Extract, Collagen Peptide Complex, Zinc, Camelli Sinesis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide.
Organic Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe is full of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that help soothe and hydrate the skin. Aside from the DIY recipe, I’m about to show you, this is the most cost-effective option to use. I’d suggest joojing it up a bit with either your favorite serum, hydrating toner, or mineral complex.
Full ingredients: Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Agar-Agar, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Organic Grapefruit Seed Extract.
Silver Biotics Silver Gel
Colloidal Silver is a natural antimicrobial treatment that is also conductive. I used this gel as conductivity for years and loved the consistency. Full transparency though, I do wonder what the long term effects of constantly using an antimocrobial gel might be on your skin’s microbiome. Because of this, I think this is best for someone prone to breakouts.
Full ingredients: 20 ppm patented silver solution (deionized water, silver), TEA, and Carbomer.
TEA is an abbreviation for Triethylamine. I know, didn’t I just say to avoid this ingredient? It was explained to me that the TEA in this product was burnt off during the formulation process and, while listed as an ingredient, is not present in the actual gel. I’ve always taken them at their word and have used this product despite the ingredient list. What’s right for me might not be right for you. Just keep this in mind if you decide to purchase.
Orgaid Organic Sheet Mask
Sheet masks are a great alternative to using gel-based products for conduction. I especially love using sheet masks with my 7eWellness Conductivity Eye and Lip Masks or hooked up to their alligator clips, which electrify the whole sheet mask, pushing the product deep into the skin. Orgaid makes some of my favorite organic sheet masks, this Vitamin C option is my current favorite, along with Whamisa. You can shop my favorite sheet masks here.
Full ingredients: Water, Organic Lemon Distillate, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Lactobacillus Ferment, Hyaluronic Acid, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Organic Orange Peel Extract, Organic Pomegranate Extract, Organic Rosehip Extract, Organic Lavender Extract.
Mists & Add Ins
Morningstar Minerals Derma Boost
This blend of purified water and fulvic minerals provides an energizing boost to your skin. These vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are essential to skin health and are conductive or semiconductive. Use as a boost to a gel or mask, or as a mist to rehydrate product on your skin during a microcurrent treatment.
Full ingredients: Fulvic minerals, purified water (through filtration and reverse osmosis) Mineral List Antimony Lanthanum Thallium Barium Lithium Thorium Beryllium Lutetium Tellurium Bismuth Magnesium Terbium Boron Manganese Thulium Bromine Molybdenum Tin Calcium Neodymium Titanium Carbon Nickel Tungsten Cerium Niobium Ytterbium Cesium Osmium Yttrium Chloride Palladium Zinc Chromium Phosphorus Zirconium Cobalt Platinum Copper Potassium Dysprosium Praseodymium Erbium Rhenium Amino Acids Europium Rhodium
Colloidal Earth Complete Colloidal Mineral Complex
This like the spray above makes for a great addition to any treatment. This Mineral Complex is concentrated, so a little goes a long way, and will undoubtedly create a bit of micro-circulation which oxygenates the skin. Use code Katie10 for 10% off.
Ingredient list: Calcium, Chloride, Copper, Iodine, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum,
Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium, Sulfur, Zinc, Iron, Chromium.
Make Your own conductivity gel
Sea Moss
Making your own conductivity gel is surprisingly simple and can include as little as two ingredients, purified water and sea moss. Sea Moss is the prefered seaweed for making gels. Considered the superfood of the sea, Sea Moss is loaded with vitamins and minerals, is hydrating when applied topically, and is beneficial for treating both eczema and psorisis. While we are focusing on it’s benefits from being applied to the skin, many ingest seaweed gel in smoothies or use it as a thickening agent in recipes.
Start by soaking a handful of Sea Moss in purified water. Fully submerge your Sea Moss and let sit for 2-3 hrs. The picture on the left is how it starts. The picture on the right, is the Sea Moss 3 hrs later. I used quite a lot of Sea Moss. My suggestion would be to use less, about a cup. I used close to 2 1/2 cups.
When your Moss is done soaking, drain and rinse your seaweed.
Next, add your sea moss to a blender with purified water. I started with 1 cup of water and added more as needed. Blend on high until fully emulsified. For me that was close to 5 mins. You want a finished gel that isn’t too thick, so you are able to brush it on the skin.
Once you have a consistency you like, feel free to add in ingredients of your choosing. Things like your favorite serum, toner, or mineral complex (not that it’s needed with mineral rich seaweed). I added green tea to mine, an Imperial Milky Oolong from Imperial Tea Court in San Francisco. If you are considering adding a liquid to your gel, think about substituting it for the water used in the blending processes. This will prevent your gel from being too runny.
Once complete, transfer your gel into jars. Your DIY Conductivity Gel will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
I’m looking forward to hearing what you come up with, so please share, if you try this at home!
