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Medicube Booster Pro X2 Review: Is It Actually Worth the Upgrade?
Seeing as I’ve used – and loved – the OG Booster Pro for around two years, I was pretty sceptical about whether the X2 would actually be different enough to make me swap out my beloved original. But after using it for the past month, I’m converted. The new additions make my treatments quicker, I can combine modes rather than doing them one after another, and Mask Mode means I’m finally getting through my ever-growing sheet mask stash. NGL, I’m not normally a huge fan of devices with loads of functions – I find them overwhelming, fiddly and, quite frankly, a bit of a faff – but the AI app makes the seven modes much easier to navigate. I love that it tailors my routine to my skin concerns and preferences, but also properly explains how and when to use each mode, so there’s zero guesswork involved. Another big plus? There’s no conductor gel needed. I can just use a hydrating serum that’s already part of my skincare routine, which makes the whole thing feel much easier to keep up with.
Consistency-wise, I’ve been using Booster, MC, Derma Shot, Dual and Mask Modes every day over the past month, with Air Shot two to three times a week, and the biggest difference I’ve noticed is in glow and lift. My skin looks noticeably more radiant, while Derma Shot and Dual Mode have become my morning go-to’s when I wake up looking particularly puffy and want a quick sculpt before makeup. If you already own the original Booster Pro, I wouldn’t say you need to upgrade – the OG still has the core modes that, for me, make the biggest difference. But if you’re buying your first Medicube device, or want something that lets you do more in less time, I’d absolutely choose the X2. My OG Booster Pro has officially been relegated to the drawer – which, after two years of near-constant use, says quite a lot. Oh, and it’s even on sale at Amazon for £190 down from £210 – the perfect reason to invest.
Medicube Age-R Booster Pro review:
What is the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro?
If you’re not looking to fork out £200+ on the X2, the OG Medicube Age-R Booster Pro is still a very good option. It combines six different technologies across four modes: Booster, Microcurrent, Derma Shot and Air Shot, designed to help with everything from product absorption and radiance to firming, facial contouring and skin texture. As Dr. Hall told Glamour Contributor Denise Primbet when she first reviewed it, what sets the Booster Pro apart is its “multi-modality approach” – rather than investing in separate LED, microcurrent and sculpting tools, you’re getting several technologies in one device.
But what do each of the six functions do, exactly? Let’s go through them. First, there’s microcurrent (or MC mode). This is for firming. Then, EMS (electric muscle stimulation) made for sculpting and toning, LED light therapy for a boost in collagen production, sonic vibration for relaxation and electric needles to boost elasticity and even skin texture. Finally? Electroporation which increases product efficacy and absorption.
Within each of these six functions are four different modes to choose from: booster, microcurrent, derma-shot and air-shot (which each have their own automated LED colour and vibration pattern). Layers upon layers.
Regardless of the function and mode you choose to use, each of “these technologies aim to improve the absorption of active ingredients, enhance radiance, support skin elasticity, help with facial contouring and improve pore texture,” Dr. Hall added.
As Dr. Hall points out, “the use of electroporation is particularly impressive – it allows deeper penetration without permanently compromising the epidermis, which is something we usually only see in advanced in-clinic treatments. That level of innovation is still relatively rare in the Western at-home beauty market.”
How I tested the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro:
All of this might sound impressive, but as a journalist with years’ worth of experience testing beauty products for a living, I’m never going to just recommend something to you because it sounds good. Rather, I work for months to put a product through its paces to build a clear view.
When I first wrote this review, I had tested the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro for three months – not swapping out any of my usual skincare favourites to ensure that my results couldn’t be attributed to a change in facial serum, moisturiser or similar. I used the device twice a day alongside my go-to hydrating serum and followed my treatment with a face sunscreen in the day, or a nourishing night cream in the evening.
To ensure that this review wasn’t just tested on my skin and my skin type, I also enlisted the help of Glamour US’ Senior Beauty Editor Ariana Yaptangco who also tested the device for a number of months.
We both scored the device against a number of criteria, including how easy it was to use, how noisy it was, how it feels on the skin, whether we actually used all of the settings, value for money and whether we noticed a difference to our skin over time. I took before and after photographs – which you can see below – to illustrate the ways in which the Medicube Age-R Booster changed (or didn’t change) my complexion.
My Medicube Age-R Booster Pro before & after photos:
That speaks to one of the biggest pros of this device: you don’t have to use each setting every day to see results. I took a photo of my skin before I started my Medicube journey, and after three months’ worth of testing – and you can definitely see a reduction in acne scarring, a brighter skin tone, and a glassier texture to my complexion. I curated my own routine – and if you’re not sure where to start, you can use the Age-R Booster app to help guide you.
Need more than just one person’s before and after pictures to help persuade you to invest? Fret not. My colleagues at Glamour US and Glamour UK also shot before and after pics while testing the device. While the differences aren’t dramatic for Ariana, she noted that her skin felt more sculpted and lifted. Georgia noticed a more defined jawline and lifted brow and eye area.
