I’ve spent enough time in fancy hotel spas and tested enough products as a wellness and beauty writer to accept a truth that still makes me roll my eyes: some of the weirdest-looking tools actually work.
When red light therapy first hit the trendy mainstream market, I was skeptical it did anything. What do you mean red light waves make you have clear skin? I love science, but how does that work?
Then I invested in a red light wand, and it’s the first tool I reach for when I break out, because it zaps acne like nothing else.
So yeah, I’m a believer now. The weird, luxury beauty and wellness things aren’t always a gimmick. If you’re trying to solve one stubborn body or skin problem, one of these “sounds fake” tools might be worth a real test run this year.
NAD
1. NAD+ shots and supplements
NAD+ is a coenzyme your body uses for cellular energy and repair, and levels decline with age. If you want the most noticeable, “I can feel this” option, ReadyRx’s NAD+ Rx shots are the splurge, pro move. They’re high-potency and clinician-guided, but they’re expensive and you have to deal with needles.
For a simpler daily alternative, Happy Aging’s NAD+ Women’s Longevity and Beauty Protocol capsules are the version I’d recommend to most people. I’ve been taking the capsules for 30 days and my skin’s been noticeably calmer. I haven’t broken out once, which is not my usual situation.
Best for: Anyone who wants steadier energy, better recovery, and a longevity angle, plus people who want skin support without changing their whole routine.
Worth it if… you want the strongest route and can handle injections (ReadyRx shots), or you want a consistent, needle-free routine that’s easier to stick with (Happy Aging capsules).
Skip it if… you don’t like needles or you know you won’t commit long enough to see a real difference.
Cold plunge at home
2. Inflatable cold plunge pool
I fell in love with sauna-and-cold-plunge culture while living in Copenhagen, where it’s less “biohacking” and more “this is how we reset.” Ritual Recovery’s The Standard lets you bring that Scandi habit home without dropping five figures or remodeling my life. It’s a lightweight, inflatable plunge designed for beginners, and the chiller keeps temps consistent so I’m not playing the daily ice-bag game.
Cold-water immersion has research behind it for post-workout soreness and recovery, and there’s emerging evidence around stress, sleep quality, and overall wellbeing. Personally, I can attest nothing cures jet lag better than a cold plunge and it’s my favorite bougie wellness hack I love to do year-round.
Best for: Anyone who wants an at-home cold plunge for energy and recovery, but needs something more affordable and realistic than a permanent hard-sided tank.
Worth it if… you’ll use it consistently, you want that Scandinavian reset ritual at home (backyard, garage, or basement), and you like the idea of a beginner-friendly setup with support and warranty behind it.
Skip it if… you know you’ll hate cold water forever, you want a rigid, luxury showpiece tub from day one, or you’re not going to do it safely. Cold plunging has real risks, so I’d start slow, keep sessions short, and be extra cautious if you’ve got heart or blood pressure concerns.
Full Body Red Light Mat
3. Full Body Red Light Mat
If you already believe in red light therapy but you’re tired of holding a little wand over one angry pimple like you’re interrogating it, the HigherDOSE Full Body Red Light Mat is the upgrade. It’s a big, flexible mat that lets you hit larger areas at once, think back, joints, legs, or your whole body after a workout.
You can lay on it in bed, drape it over yourself, or even hang it up, and it uses both red and near-infrared wavelengths (660nm and 850nm) for that deeper, recovery-focused vibe. It’s pricey at $1,199, but it’s FSA/HSA eligible and comes with a 120-day money back guarantee. If you want a smaller, more affordable entry point, the Solawave Wand is still a great option for targeted spots and breakouts, just not the same full-body experience.
Best for: People who want red light therapy for more than just their face, especially muscle recovery, aches, mood, and overall “I want my body to calm down” nights.
Worth it if… you’ll actually use it a few times a week, you want to treat bigger areas in one session, and you like the idea of turning red light into a real ritual instead of a five-minute handheld chore.
Skip it if… you’re on a tight budget, you only care about spot-treating breakouts (get the Solawave Wand instead), or you know you won’t commit long enough to notice a difference.
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Instafacial Plasma
4. Instafacial plasma serum
If you’ve ever looked at a pricey PRP facial and thought, “Love the results, hate the needles and the scheduling,” Dr. Diamond’s InstaFacial® Plasma Bioactive Growth Factor Serum is basically the at-home, daily version of that fantasy. It’s a weightless growth factor serum designed to mimic the skin-repair vibes of platelet-rich plasma, with added polypeptides and sodium hyaluronate so it layers nicely under moisturizer and makeup.
It’s $200, which is firmly in “this better do something” territory, but the appeal is that you’re treating it like a consistent regimen, not a once-a-year splurge treatment you forget to maintain.
Best for: Anyone who wants firmer-looking, smoother skin and is focused on texture, fine lines, and overall “my face looks more awake” polish.
Worth it if… you like clinical-leaning skincare, you’ll use it morning and night, and you want a PRP-adjacent glow without booking an appointment.
Skip it if… you’re sensitive to actives and prefer a minimal routine
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PMD Beauty
5. At-home microdermabrasion device
The PMD Personal Microderm Pro is basically the “I want a fresh face, now” tool when your skin feels dull, congested, or like your products are just sitting on top. It uses a spinning exfoliation disc plus gentle suction to lift off dead skin, smooth texture, and help your skincare absorb better. I’ve been using it consistently, and my husband has too. He struggles with acne, and I’m not kidding, his skin has been clearing up shockingly fast since we added this in. It’s also HSA/FSA eligible, under $200, and comes with a wild 20-year warranty, which makes it feel less like a gadget and more like a long-term skin investment.
Best for: Rough texture, clogged pores, post-acne marks, makeup that pills, and anyone who wants smoother skin without booking a facial.
Worth it if… you’ll actually use it weekly, you like devices that give a noticeable “reset,” and you want a tool that works for both face and body.
Skip it if… you’ve got very sensitive skin, rosacea flare-ups, or active inflamed breakouts that get angry easily. Also skip if you know you’ll overdo it. This works best when you keep it moving and don’t treat it like you’re sanding a table.
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AirDoctor
6. Heavy duty air purifier (and the underrated beauty hack of clean air)
Everyone wants a glow, but almost nobody thinks about the air they’re breathing 24/7. A strong air purifier is one of those unsexy wellness upgrades that can quietly change everything, especially if you’ve got pets, live in a city, deal with wildfire smoke season, or your home turns into a pollen trap every spring.
The AirDoctor 5500i is made for large spaces and open layouts, and it’s designed to cycle air frequently, which matters more than people realize. Clearer indoor air can help with allergies and asthma triggers, and if your skin gets reactive, congested, or irritated when your environment is messy, this is the kind of “health tool” that can show up on your face in a very non-obvious way.
Best for: Anyone with pets, dust, dander, allergies, asthma, or a home that gets hit hard during pollen season or wildfire season.
Worth it if… you want a wellness upgrade you’ll benefit from constantly without thinking about it, and you’re serious about making your home feel better to breathe in.
Skip it if… you’re in a tiny space and don’t need a large-room model (go smaller), or you’re not willing to keep up with filter replacements. An air purifier is only as good as the filters you actually change.
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NuFace
7. Microcurrent + red light facial toning kit
Microcurrent devices are the definition of “sounds fake.” You’re basically sliding a little gadget around your face and telling yourself the tiny electrical current is going to lift your cheekbones. And then you use one before a dinner reservation and suddenly your jawline looks a little sharper in photos.
The NuFACE TRINITY+ Complete Set is a luxe, at-home sculpting tool that pairs microcurrent with a red light attachment, plus targeted heads for eyes and lips. The catch is that microcurrent is a consistency game. Think of it like working out. You don’t do one Pilates class and become a new person, but you do get that immediate post-class glow and tighter feeling when you stick with it.
Best for: Anyone dealing with subtle sagging, puffiness, or a “my face looks tired even when I’m not” situation, especially if you love a pre-event beauty ritual.
Worth it if… you want visible, camera-friendly sculpting without needles, you’ll actually use it multiple times a week, and you like having guided routines through the NuFACE app.
Skip it if… you want permanent results, you hate keeping up with devices, or you’re not going to commit long enough for it to be worth the price.
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Eight sleep
8. Temperature-controlled mattress cover + sleep tracking
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 Core is one of those luxury wellness purchases that sounds absurd until you remember sleep runs your entire life. It’s a mattress cover and hub system that cools and heats each side of the bed independently, tracks sleep and health metrics, and can wake you up with a gentle vibration or temperature shift instead of a blaring alarm. If you’ve ever woken up sweaty at 3 a.m., argued over thermostat settings, or felt like your sleep quality tanks when your room temp is even slightly off, this is the “fix the environment” move that makes everything else easier. It’s expensive upfront, and there’s an ongoing Autopilot plan if you want the full feature set, but for hot sleepers and couples with opposite temperature needs, it can be a game-changer.
Best for: Hot sleepers, night sweats, couples who can’t agree on the thermostat, and anyone who wants to treat sleep like the foundation of their wellness routine.
Worth it if… you’re ready to invest in better sleep every single night, you love data, and you want cooling and heating control on your side of the bed without freezing out your partner.
Skip it if… the subscription element annoys you, you’re happy with your sleep as-is, or you’re not willing to troubleshoot a tech setup in your bedroom.
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Nood
9. At-home IPL hair removal system
If you want laser hair removal results without committing to a pricey package of appointments, Nood’s The Noodist Pro Kit is a really solid at-home alternative. It’s an IPL device (broad-spectrum light) designed to slow regrowth over time, plus a full routine of body-care add-ons to help with prep and ingrowns. I’ve been using NOOD for 30 days and I’m already noticing less hair growth on my armpits, which is the quickest place for me to tell if something’s working. It’s not instant, and it’s not one-and-done, but it’s the kind of tool that pays off if you’re consistent.
Best for: Anyone who wants longer-lasting smoothness, gets irritated from shaving, or wants a home option that’s cheaper than professional laser over time.
Worth it if… you’ll stick to the schedule, you want a faster, more convenient routine (10-minute sessions), and you like that it includes body-care to help reduce ingrowns.
Skip it if… you want immediate hairless results, you’re not going to be consistent, or your skin tone and hair color combination isn’t compatible with at-home IPL.
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Compression boots
10. Dynamic air compression boots
The Hyperice Normatec 3 Legs look like inflatable astronaut pants, but they’re the kind of luxury recovery tool you try once and immediately understand the cult following. They use dynamic air compression across overlapping zones to boost circulation and help your legs feel less heavy, less sore, and more “alive” after workouts, long travel days, or standing around on your feet. With seven compression levels and app control, it’s also easy to tailor to your tolerance, whether you want gentle relief or full-on recovery mode.
Best for: Runners, strength training girlies, frequent flyers, anyone who gets achy calves, puffy ankles, or that dead-leg feeling after a long day.
Worth it if… you want a legit recovery tool you’ll use weekly, you’re active or travel a lot, and you love the idea of feeling noticeably better in 20 to 30 minutes without doing anything.
Skip it if… you’re not going to use it consistently, you don’t have a place to store it, or compression therapy isn’t a fit for you due to circulation or medical concerns.
