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The first time I heard about the Droplette was on actor and activist Sophia Bush’s Instagram. As an investor in the product, she demonstrated how it worked—slowly moving the infuser along her skin. Afterward, her skin was glowy and dewy. Was it…magic? Did it work long-term? What actually was the Droplette?

The Droplette is a dermatologist-recommended and clinically validated micro-infuser that helps skincare ingredients like collagen, retinol, and glycolic acid “get 20x deeper into the skin than regular topical application,” claiming that this contactless technology is 90% more effective. If you’re curious, there’s a lot of science they share behind the brand and how it works.

The reason I was most intrigued? This futuristic science was developed by MIT scientists and backed by Harvard Medical School advisors. Then, it was funded by NASA, promoted by the likes of the NIH, and touted as one of the Best Inventions of 2022 per Time—talk about up to snuff.

However, if you’ve read my #hottakes before, you may remember that I don’t really believe in influencer hype. What works for others may not always work for me, and so I considered the same possibility here. Plus, I’ve been investing more in my skin over the last year, working with a dermatologist and starting a new medication to alleviate some of my concerns. I currently take Spironolactone and have a specific skincare routine focused on reducing cystic acne and mitigating redness. I also want to be transparent about this since any results shared below may not be solely because of the Droplette.

This is to say: I tested the Droplette with tempered expectations, knowing that a) sometimes the marketing exceeds the actual results, and b) my own experience may be different given the existing routine I already have. 

Okay, let’s dive in.

The Droplette device itself retails for $299—yes, it’s definitely expensive. It’s available in six colors—and, truthfully, the device looks a bit like a vibrator (ha!). But it’s small, sleek, and fits in the palm of your hand. Even with the charging port, it doesn’t take up that much real estate. The brand recommends not keeping the Droplette in the bathroom due to the humidity, so I’ve kept mine in the living room to use when watching TV in the evening.

On the top of the device, there’s a small space to insert a capsule, and Droplette sells various capsules based on your needs. The Collagen Hydrofiller is its best-seller though you can also focus on retinol, glycolic acid, and combo regimens. 12-packs of the capsules start at $39, and they come with two additional “device cleaning” capsules as well. I really appreciated that each capsule page deep-dives into the key ingredients, how it works, and the features (i.e., cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free).

My particular box came with the Collagen Hydrofiller for supple and hydrated skin and the 17-Volt Lip Plumper which claims to “create up to 40% fuller-looking lips in one minute flat.” I was particularly interested in the collagen capsule; I’m vegetarian, so I often can’t ingest collagen, and I liked the idea of accessing it this way instead.

I decided to charge it before use, though it does arrive partially charged. As the charging light glowed on and off, I read through the Technical Guide about the different parts, the directions, and the technology behind the infuser. I really liked how straightforward and easy the steps were to follow, that it’s intuitively built for your hand, and that it’s thoughtfully designed to glide right over your face. It’s also nice to hear that the Droplette can be used up to 80 times between charges. You could theoretically travel with it or go weeks at a time without recharging.

And I also learned that Droplette has an Apple iOS app! Once I registered my information, I could connect the device to Bluetooth and see everything from its charging status to recommended “modes,” like to tackle blemishes or “under the eye.” (You need to use the iOS app for the 17-Volt Lip Plumper option as it requires a bit more energy.) This feature made my skincare feel mega-futuristic.

I easily inserted a Collagen Hydrofiller capsule into the device, re-read the directions which said to do “each cheek and side of chin first, then the forehead,” and pressed power. The micro-mist that came out was super light and had a rose-like fragrance; it felt like a mix of body spray, rose hookah, and being in a warm sauna. I slowly moved it around in a circular motion around my face for 45 seconds. Per the guide’s instructions, I removed the capsule immediately after to prevent leakage. Another bonus is that the capsule containers can be recycled and Droplette has a recycling program.

I didn’t notice an immediate difference, to be honest. In fact, the only effect I felt was a lingering rose scent in my nose (you could try to hold your breath as long as possible when you’re using it on your cheeks/chin, but it’s not dangerous to inhale). But my skin was sufficiently dewy and didn’t feel irritated, so that was promising.

I then jokingly used the 17-Volt Lip Plumper on my husband who already has plump lips (lol). After connecting the Droplette via Bluetooth, we turned it onto the Lip Plumper mode, and it made a startling vibration noise. After we got used to the sound, we gently moved the device over his top lip and then bottom lip; he said the experience was a bit “tingly,” as if the Droplette was being slightly more forceful to penetrate the formula into the skin. After we were done, his lips were immediately pinker and plumper than they had been. I’m not personally interested in having plumper lips, but if you are, it seems like you’re in for a treat.

Since using the Droplette’s Collagen Hydrofiller capsules two times a day over the last few weeks, I’ve noticed that my skin does feel better and more hydrated, though it’s hard to say for sure that this was the sole reason given my overall skincare routine. The device does seem to lead to immediate effects, and I’m hopeful that they’ll translate to long-lasting results with enough use. If nothing else, it feels like a luxurious and indulgent ritual that you know is good for you—and it doesn’t require more than one minute at a time.

So, what are the cons? Well, for one, the device and the capsules are an upfront investment. At $299 plus $30-$60 monthly for capsules, you’re paying quite the pretty penny—especially since it’s recommended to use the Droplette twice a day. If you’re someone who heavily invests in skincare or Botox, then the price tag may even out for you, but it’s definitely not cheap.

The other issue is that you’re limited to using Droplette’s formulas (for good reason). In order to make sure each ingredient is safe and compatible for use with Droplette’s technology, the team extensively tests each of its own formulas. But that obviously poses a challenge for anyone who’s already on a regimented plan like me—as much as I’d love to try the other capsules, they wouldn’t work as part of my derm’s prescribed plan for now.

All things considered, would I recommend the Droplette?

If you’re someone who’s less interested in skincare or who needs a highly regimented plan with specific products, then it may not be worth buying. But if you’re excited about the future of skincare (or the intersection of tech and skincare), already invest heavily in your products, and plan to use this daily—then yes, it’s a worthwhile purchase. The Droplette is thoughtfully made, requires minimal upkeep and use for maximum results, and can be well worth the price tag. There are also a number of promotions for the Droplette throughout the year, up to 50% off, so that can help alleviate the upfront cost, though you’ll be on the hook for the subscription capsules.
If this is the future of skincare, then I am here for it.

Key Takeaways 

  • The Droplette is a clinically validated micro-infuser for maximizing your skincare in as little as one minute a day, using advanced technology to help ingredients like collagen and glycolic acid actually penetrate the skin unlike most other skincare brands.
  • At $299 for the device and $30-60/monthly for the capsules, the Droplette is an expensive investment—but if you already invest heavily in your skin, the price can be worthwhile.
  • Choose from different capsules/serums or go for the regimens; the results from using the Collagen Hydrofiller and Lip Plumper seemed to be somewhat immediate though we’ll see how effective it is long-term.

Henah Velez (she/her) is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade as well as the Executive Producer and Operations Lead of Money with Katie at Morning Brew, a personal finance brand for women. She’s also the co-founder of Departure, a quiet travel newsletter for women. Say hi on Instagram!