Thome Twenty Up Pink Review - A Device for Acne?

Thome is a new player in the Korean beauty scene, specialising specifically in ‘ultra-sound’ skincare. This comes in the form of their simple, soothing skincare devices that help improve your skin without any of the irritating and ‘zapping’ of other skincare treatments. It's designed to be revitalizing for sensitive and acne-prone skin, allowing you to experience the benefits without the breakouts.

Why Ultrasound technology? It's valued for not only it's gentle technique (being virtually unfelt by the user), but also it's ability to stimulate deeper dermis and stimulate new collagen and elastin to firm and remodel your skin.

Unlike structural EMS or microcurrents, the risks to your skin is lower (although there's still risks of your skin feeling hot and getting red with overuse), but majority of the therapy skips over the top layer of skin entirely (for deeper benefit). But, does it get the same results? It will be less dramatic than a stronger therapy (such as the structural changes with EMS therapy to facial muscles), but it does have incredible results in trials for tightening skin, reducing pores and creating that glassy, smooth skin that is beloved in K-Beauty.

But can you really use it with acne-prone skin? A product can say it is safe with acne-prone, but the reality can be pretty different. Let's but the Thome Twenty Up device to the test and see the real results!

This device is designed for younger skin types who are looking for a fabulous boost and is named as such to ‘make your skin look like you’re back in your 20s.' In reality, it's well-suited to young skin types due to the lack of irritation of the skin's surface and creates a gentle alternative to other more invasive or irritating skincare treatments.

It comes with two main modes for hydration and boosting skin texture:
(1) Daily Mode / Yellow - which helps smooth your skin to apply your make-up routine in the morning
(2) Calming Mode / Blue - which helps cool redness, reduce inflammation and prepares your skin for bed with a boost of hydration.

Sounds pretty easy, right? One mode for the morning routine and one for the evening. The device comes with an easy USB-C charger (although I didn't have to charge it for the first two weeks!) and is incredibly portable, with it's own protective cap.

Although you might question; how can a device that doesn't feel like anything have overt skin benefits. Well, you can watch the action putting a serum on the head of the device, where it will pulse and dance. This is the interaction the ultrasound waves have with your skin cells in the deeper dermis (and you'll feel your skin grow hot as you use the device).

Ok, so you've got the cool device… but what products can you add to your skincare routine to get the best benefit out of it? This is where the ‘acne safe' profile of the device can get quickly thrown out of whack. After all, a serum that is known to be non-irritating and ‘acne safe’ can quickly become incredibly irritating when combined with a 12 minute ultrasound pulsing treatment. 

It is key that, if you are using this device to soothe acne spots and scars, that you are using gentle and hydrating gel formulas/serums that can boost your skin moisture and plump cells without triggering a breakout. I recommend that you take a break from using the device completely when pairing it with skin treatments to reduce acne (i.e. don't use the device with your retinol creams, azelaic acid or AHA/BHAs).

Instead pair it with incredibly simple (and hydrating products) containing:

- TXA/Niainamide (low dose)
- Hyaluronic acid
- Centella asciatica extract
- Aloe vera extract
- Ceramides
- Heartleaf extract
- PDRN
- Peptides

And if you are noticing more acne with a product, while using the device, you should stop using it immediately! I started using the Twenty Up with the Thome CPR serum (pictured above) and it triggered more breakouts, requiring me to switch instead to a hydrating TXA/Niacinamide serum with snail mucin.

Used the device and having trouble with the ‘trouble-shooting part’? Triggering acne, causing irritation or not getting those glassy pores? Check out our top 5 tips to making sure you get the best out of your device:

1. Always try to sterilise/cleanse the device head between use (lingering products can grow bacteria and trigger outbreaks). This can be achieved with antibacterial wipes or gently washing the head with a little face wash or soap.

2. Take care with using soothing and hydrating products; exfoliating agents are more likely to trigger outbreaks.

3. Alternate your acne routine with using the Thome device; i.e. if you use retinol cream or exfoliating agents in your PM routine, use the Thome in the AM to prevent irritation.

4. Make sure to use enough product with the device. The head should easily glide across skin to activate the ultrasound depth (if the device feels like it's getting caught or scrubbing, you need more product).

5. Trace areas of your skin with visible pores and trace upwards across lines you want to accentuate (i.e. cheekbones, jawline and forehead) to encourage collagen deposition for pores and more plump skin. 

Final Tip: Be patient. The more gentle the treatment, the longer it takes to see those results, but by 6 weeks you should be able to see a radical improvement to skin glow and health.

I started using the device 1-2 times daily (depending on my needs and general routine). I would skip it on sessions where I was using more irritating treatments such as retinol or exfoliating acids). I switched over from using the Medicube X2 (which is an incredibly powerful device), so was genuinely unsettled by the lack of ‘zapping' from this device.

It does heat up as you use it (each mode lasts for 12 whole minutes which can feel like a lot). I used it mainly with TXA, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and snail mucin, for deeper absorption and creating a protective layer for pore care.

After two weeks of use, there was a subtle improvement to acne spots - with a slow healing of active lesions and a deeper improvement to pores. With more gentle devices, you require a longer testing period to see more powerful results.

You can see a dramatic improvement to up close pores quickly, improvement to make-up adherence and smoother texture as well as general glow and plumpness of skin.

This device requires patience, deep skin care and you'll see amazing improvement (especially if your goals are glassy, flawless skin). Be adaptive to tackle breakouts, but sticking to the same routine day and night will give you a deep boost to your glow.

I would absolutely recommend it to make-up lovers who want to upgrade the smoothness of application and finish with a poreless, clear look. For an AM boost, your skin will have elevated clarity, reduced flaking and a clear, soft application.

As you can see above, my makeup look was elevated dramatically ✨ with the Thome Twenty Up. Using it in the AM provides deep skin prep, which absorbs skincare easily and creates a glassy surface for foundation.

This small device is perfect for travel (by design), incredibly small and self-contained with a long battery life and wonderfully beneficial skincare effects. It's an incredibly cool addition to any skincare routine that wants a boost without the irritation.

The compact Thome Twenty Up device is a fantastic edition to a texture-based routine (or if you love a good make-up glow), with the gentle power of ultrasound, already embedded into its own routine. It's easy to use, compatible with a variety of routines & acne-safe (when used in the right way).

Check out Thome (and their variety of soothing ampoules), available on Arktastic right now!

Want to learn more about Thome's skincare and how it works? Check out our Guide to Thome Skincare. Or check out our guide to the best skincare products to match up with your device (for the best glow ✨).

What is the Thome Twenty Up?

It's a mini portable ultrasound skincare device from Thome. It uses gentle ultrasound to help your skincare absorb, without the zapping feeling of stronger devices, so it suits sensitive and acne-prone skin.

How do I use the Twenty Up?

Apply a hydrating serum, then glide the head over your face. Use Daily Mode (yellow) in the morning to smooth skin before makeup, and Calming Mode (blue) at night to cool and hydrate. Each mode runs for 12 minutes.

Can I use it on acne-prone skin?

It's designed to be gentle on acne-prone skin. Pair it with simple, hydrating formulas, and stop using it if a product causes more breakouts.

Which products pair best with it?

Look for gel serums with hyaluronic acid, low-dose TXA or niacinamide, centella, aloe, ceramides, heartleaf, PDRN or peptides.

Can I use it with retinol or exfoliating acids?

We suggest not using the device in the same routine as retinol, azelaic acid or AHA/BHAs. Use the Twenty Up in the morning and your active treatments at night.

How long until I see results?

In our test, we saw a subtle change in pores and active spots after 2 weeks. After 6 weeks, we saw smoother texture, better makeup application and more glow. Results vary, so be patient and consistent.

How do I keep the device clean?

Wipe or gently wash the head with a little face wash or soap after each use, so leftover product doesn't build up.

Where can I buy the Thome Twenty Up in Australia?

You can shop the Thome Twenty Up and Thome skincare at Arktastic.