[Test & Review] Foreo UFO 2, a home spa that weighs 146g

Get ready to pull out your credit card! Today, we’re talking about facial devices, and more specifically the FOREO UFO 2

When I showed the product photo on Instagram, everyone asked me what it was. What it was for, what gadget I’d bought this time. I admit it! This year is the year of gadgets, I treated myself to some truly unique products like the reMarkable, Insta360 go 2 and now Foreo UFO 2

As usual, this post is NOT sponsored

Foreo

Foreo is a Swedish brand, specializing in “beauty” devices for the general public. Their main technology is T-sonic: sonic vibrations.

They started by releasing facial cleansing devices (like the LUNA PLAY PLUS which I’ve already talked about here), then sonic toothbrushes, light therapy devices, “spa”-type devices… and the UFO 2, which I have here, is part of the UFO line, which is a mini home spa. Let me explain the why and how.

FOREO products are sold at Sephora, but also on their official website (link). There are more promos on the official site than at Sephora.
Veepee often has deals, click here to get a 10€ discount through my referral

Why did I buy it?

Remember, I set myself a challenge: to follow the Chizu Saeki method for 3 months. This method recommends applying two hydrating masks a day (morning and evening) for 3 minutes. I got very good results after a week, so I told a friend who’s a cosmetics fan like me.

She replied that it doesn’t surprise her. The mask allows the products to be better absorbed by the skin. And that you can’t get the same results with your bare hands as you can with masks or with devices made for that purpose. Plus, she has the Foreo UFO 1 and the UFO 2 just came out, I should try it because it will make my skin even more beautiful.

My friend has baby skin, so if she says hands aren’t enough, I’ll take her word for it.

However, I pointed out that yes, I’ve seen YouTube videos, and I’m not impressed. That if the UFO must be used exclusively with FOREO masks, forget it—how can I find those all over the world? And then she dropped a bit of info hidden by all those sponsored YouTubers & dishonest bloggers who are just in it for the money and not to inform: The UFO can be used on bare skin, without a mask OR with any sheet mask.

I asked her if such a device is compatible with my dental crown, and she said yes. Other devices that boost product absorption often use microcurrent (like Nuface, or Yaman, or Hitachi Crie), but this one uses sonic vibrations. I asked the brand for confirmation and they said it shouldn’t be a problem with my crown.

After doing my research, I bought it. In Thailand, it costs a bit less, €220. The device arrived in 3 days.

What does the FOREO UFO 2 do?

The Japanese have been using heating or cooling devices for years to better drive active ingredients into the skin, or boost blood circulation. The FOREO UFO 2 is a more international version of these devices. It also incorporates light therapy (emitting LED lights in different colors – each color has an effect on the skin).

So in 90 seconds, UFO 2 can drive in actives as much as a sheet mask in 20 minutes. It will:

emit heat : Now heats up 5x faster, releases trapped sebum, opens pores, and preps the skin for deep absorption of active ingredients. The brand says it can go up to 45°C, which is very hot. Normally, I stop at 38°C if I’m using a mask, and 37°C on bare skin. That’s plenty.
or provide a cooling effect : to reduce puffiness, shrink pores, lift and firm the skin to eliminate signs of aging. The brand says the device can go down to 5°C but that’s false! It’s 15°C, and when gliding over the skin, it doesn’t drop below 20°C.
while emitting the desired LED light (multiple colors to choose from): light therapy is based on NASA research that was looking for a solution for astronauts who don’t have sunlight. Each color/wavelength has a specific purpose:
- RED : stimulates collagen and elastin production to firm and lift the skin. This reparative LED (light-emitting diode) softens fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging while boosting the skin’s healing process.
- BLUE : minimizes imperfections, destroys P. acnes bacteria to stop breakouts and stabilizes sebum production. Blue light also reduces inflammatory acne and unpleasant lesions.
- GREEN : evens out skin tone, brightens dull complexions, and fades age spots, dark circles, and other blemishes.
- WHITE: is the longest wavelength and penetrates deeper into the skin than any other color. White LED tones and firms the skin, reduces puffiness, activates the skin’s natural renewal system, and produces an overall rejuvenating effect.
- PURPLE : is a combination of red and blue light that helps eliminate toxins, boost radiance, soothe inflammation, and speed up healing.
- ORANGE : reduces sun damage and revitalizes the skin for a healthy glow.
- YELLOW : soothes sunburn, softens rosacea, fights swelling, and improves overall skin tone.
- CYAN : is a blue-green anti-inflammatory light that calms stressed skin. It has been proven to promote healing, reduce the size of swollen capillaries, and block pain.
while massaging (T-sonic technology, sonic vibrations): T-Sonic™ pulses massage, increase microcirculation, deliver nutrients and oxygen to every cell, and facilitate the hyper-infusion process by pushing ingredients deeper into the skin.

Now you understand why it’s like a mini spa at home. In a small machine at 146g ! That’s why this serial traveler chose it. If it were bigger or heavier, it wouldn’t have had a place in my suitcase.

Review

Packaging

I find the box too big for the device, and you can’t easily take it traveling and protect it properly, because there’s no case, unlike the brand’s other devices (the LUNA).

The device itself is way too beautiful! The black color is brand new; the saleswoman tells me it’s super rare, she doesn’t have many.

I think it looks so classy. Especially since I also have a black LUNA. The two look great together!

Inside the box, we have:

the FOREO UFO 2
a plastic stand (to place the Foreo UFO 2 on, for looks)
a Make my day mask
a cable
user guide
the saleswoman also gave me a Shimmer Freak mask as a gift

The user guide shows what YouTubers and the brand want us to believe: you have to use the device with FOREO masks sold separately. That’s not cool! Not cool! We’re not at Apple here.

It’s this metallic side that needs to be in contact with the skin:

Effectiveness

the heat : The brand says it can go up to 45°C, which is very hot. Normally, I stop at 38°C if I have a mask on, and 37°C if I use it on bare skin. That’s more than enough. This feature is a game-changer, seriously! UFO 2 reaches the desired temperature much faster than UFO 1. My cosmetics are absorbed much better when I use UFO 2 than when I just use my hands. You can see it in my increasingly radiant complexion, because my skin is really more hydrated.
a cooling effect : it’s the least impressive feature because the brand says the device can go down to 5°C but that’s false! It’s 15°C and if you run it over the skin, it doesn’t go below 20°C. The “reduced pores” effect is a lie. On the other hand, it feels really good after a day in the sun, or in the morning.
the massage (T-sonic technology, sonic vibrations): I’m already used to FOREO’s sonic pulses from my LUNA cleansing device, so I’m not super impressed either; it’s not like the manual massage you can get from a Kobido expert, for example, but it greatly contributes to better absorption of the products. Plus, it’s compatible with my dental crown, so I’m sold!
desired LED light desired (several colors to choose from): I strongly believe in the effects of light therapy. I already have a machine I’ve been using for 10 years. The light from that machine is much more powerful (it dazzles me) while the UFO 2’s light is softer and not strong enough, and it also diffuses through the device’s edges, so the intensity isn’t uniform. I think having a 4-in-1 machine is cool, but if you’re counting on light therapy to improve your skin seriously, the UFO 2 clearly isn’t the best.

My Honest Review

I am thrilled thrilled with my purchase ! I’m not just saying that because I bought it and it was too late to change my mind lol.

I see a real difference since I’ve been using two masks a day with the Chizu Saeki method. Now, when I use the UFO 2 to get actives to penetrate deeper, I see even more benefits.

My skin is really bouncy. Being hydrated, my skin no longer has imperfections (even though I’ve stopped using niacinamide, out of laziness) and my nasolabial folds are less visible (before, I had to massage daily to achieve such a result). I’m super happy because it cuts down the time I spend pampering my face—it’s easy, quick, and pleasant.

The machine is very easy to rinse with just water (it’s waterproof). Also, since you can use it on bare skin or on any mask, I’m not tied to the FOREO universe and don’t have to worry about restocking masks, for example. That’s one logistical problem less.

Its featherweight is very pleasant both during use and for travel. I just wish it came with a case or some protection for the metal plate against scratches.

I find that using an app does offer some advantages. Before, there were only 5 LED colors. After the app update, you can have a bunch now. But having too many colors isn’t necessary either. Between two shades of blue, you can’t really tell what each does, you know what I mean? 8 colors is plenty.

To see my stories on Foreo UFO 2 on Instagram, click here

The Cons –

My girlfriend’s UFO 1 broke down and since she bought it second-hand, customer service wasn’t very friendly. She had to contact the seller, who tried to find her receipt. Anyway, you should declare “gifted by a friend” if you don’t want to deal with all that crap with customer service in case of breakdown.
I find that the other side of the machine doesn’t clean very well—there are holes everywhere; it’s pretty, but it’s so decorative they could have made a smoother, easier-to-clean side.
The “cold” effect isn’t that cold.
The marketing pushes FOREO masks too much; for a long time I thought you couldn’t use it without a mask. You see they want to sell accessories, but it’s not very honest of them.

Where to buy? And how much does it cost?

You’ll find UFO 2 on Amazon for 267€ (Amazon link), Sephora for 285€ (Sephora link) or directly on the official FOREO website for 279€ (FOREO link). Veepee often has deals; click here to get a 10€ discount through my referral

UFO 2 costs 267€ on Amazon (Amazon link), 279€ on the official site (FOREO link) and 285€ on Sephora (Sephora link). It comes in 4 colors (Sephora link, FOREO link)
the UFO 2 Mini is exactly the same size. It costs 179€ on Amazon (Amazon link) and on the official site (FOREO link) and 185€ on Sephora (Sephora link) and comes in 3 colors. It has all the features EXCEPT the cooling effect AND precise temperature control.

Step-by-step tutorial

How to use the FOREO app

First, you need to pair the device with FOREO’s official app. It’s very simple: just enable Bluetooth on your phone, tap “Add a device,” turn on the UFO 2, and the smartphone and device will do everything for you. It’s super easy!

You’ll be asked how you got the device. Don’t lie: if it’s a gift, you need to say it’s a gift. Otherwise, if you say you bought it online, they’ll ask for the purchase receipt.

Note: If there’s a technical issue, you can scan the QR code under the box to get the device’s serial number, then enter it manually in the app or on the FOREO website to link your UFO 2 to your account. If it still doesn’t work…

Once the device is linked to the app, you can see the different modes available.

Device info: device serial number
How to use: a video tutorial
Device care: explains how to clean it
Find my device: tap it and the device will emit a sound. Great for those who are messy like me
Treatments: find specific treatments for FOREO round masks & a “custom program 1”
Sheet mask: find specific treatments for FOREO sheet masks
Settings: set temperature limits
Smart control: to launch a “custom program 2”

It’s very important to go into settings and set your “cold” and “hot” limits.

Then go to “Treatments” and choose “Custom mode.” This is the mode that will be triggered by default every time you turn on the device and use it without the app. You can see the 8 base lights, the treatment duration (I recommend 120s), the temperature (I recommend “hot”), and the vibrations (I recommend “strong”). Once set, you’re done!

How to use UFO 2 with a FOREO mask?

It’s very simple: if you bought a FOREO mask, go to “Treatments” if you have a round mask, or “Sheet mask” if you have a sheet mask. Choose your mask name, and the machine will talk to you and tell you where to move your UFO 2. Couldn’t be simpler!

How to use UFO 2 without a mask, on bare skin? with a toner/serum (use #1)

You can use UFO 1, UFO 2, UFO 1 mini, and UFO 2 mini Without masks. No one tells you this, but I will! The brand would prefer you use their masks to sell more, but in reality, you don’t need them.

You can run it on bare skin, which is prepped with products beforehand. Be careful with the settings: a max temperature of 37°C is recommended when using on bare skin.

Either you trigger the “custom mode” I mentioned above. Once configured, just press the start button without having to open the app.
Or you go to “Smart Control.” Here you have a multitude of LED lights to choose from, along with vibrations and temperature.

What I often do is slather on a thick layer of serum or toners. Then I run the UFO 2 over my face, then apply moisturizer, and that’s it.

How to use UFO 2 with a mask from another brand?

It’s very simple, just use the two modes above, custom mode or smart control. You can pick any FOREO mask at random; the programs differ from mask to mask, so you’ll need to test to see what works best for you.

You can optionally set the temperature to 38°C if you’re using it on a sheet mask.

How to use UFO 2 with my serum and a cotton pad? (use #2)

The trick is to apply serum to your skin before using the UFO.

But you can also use a cotton pad that is great and lets light through: it’s called SILCOT, a Japanese brand I’ve talked about for years on this blog (Amazon link, Stylevana link).

Place the SILCOT cotton pad as if you were using a FOREO mask.

Then wet the cotton pad with your chosen serum.

Use UFO 2 with custom mode or smart control.

Cotton lets LED light through without any problem.

Care

Very easy!

Note: I won’t address topics already covered in the article, take a minute to re-read the article! I’m not FOREO’s customer service, thanks!