As a beauty editor, one of the best perks of the job is getting to indulge in facials (all in the name of beauty journalism, of course). Ahead of Cosmo’s 2026 Holy Grail Beauty Awards, where we crown the very best tools, treatments, and skincare formulas, I spent months trying nearly every restorative facial on the market. From Hydrafacial to DiamondGlow, there’s hardly a facial treatment I haven’t tested at this point.

And after dozens of appointments, Team Cosmo named Glo2Facial by Geneo one of the best no-downtime facial treatments out there. The session is fully customizable, so no matter your skin concern, there’s a specific treatment to address exactly what you need, from a clarifying mode for acne-prone skin to smoothing uneven texture and dark spots.

Ahead, everything you need to know before booking a Glo2Facial appointment plus real Cosmo editor results that just might convince you to schedule one by the end of this story.

The Glo2Facial is a customizable facial with a variety of serum infusions tailored to different skin concerns. There are four main steps: radiofrequency to promote collagen production, oxfoliation (a combination treatment that oxygenates and exfoliates the skin), ultrasound technology that infuses personalized ingredients into the skin, and a detox step for gentle lymphatic drainage. It is painless, requires zero downtime, and offers eight different treatment options to choose from during the ultrasound portion. Keep reading for more info and Cosmo editors’ full thoughts on the treatment.

Step 1: Radiofrequency

First, RF Pro boosts collagen production and firms the skin with added heat. But don’t worry, this isn’t your drastic, hellish heat like you’d experience in Morpheus8 or Sofwave; it just goes up to 108 degrees, so it almost feels soothing, like warm stones on the skin.

Step 2: Oxfoliation

This step creates a CO₂-rich environment on the skin that boosts circulation and brings oxygen-rich blood flow to the surface, leaving the skin looking brighter and healthier. At the same time, it gently removes dead skin buildup and helps refine texture for a smoother complexion.

Step 3: Ultrasound

Next comes the ultrasound, which infuses your serum of choice deep into the skin through micro-vibrations. Each serum is tailored to the facial you choose—for example, the clarify option includes more exfoliating ingredients for breakout-prone skin, while the refine treatment boasts retinoid and peptides. Along with helping the ingredients penetrate more effectively, this also boosts hydration, thus supporting collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production within the skin.

Step 4: Detox

The last step of the treatment reduces redness and puffiness, and with a gentle massage and detoxifying movements, it helps stimulate lymphatic drainage and boost circulation for a more sculpted finish.

I opted for the Hydrate Glo2Facial since it’s one of the more gentle treatment options. Also, coming out of the winter season, extra hydration is what my always-thirsty skin definitely needed. Since it was my first time trying the treatment, I was a little nervous heading into the appointment. I’ve had my fair share of facials that were either painful or ended up aggravating my acne, but my provider assured me Glo2Facial was nothing like that.

The facial began with radiofrequency, which created a slightly warm sensation on my skin. It felt more relaxing than intense—definitely not painful or burning. Next came the oxygenating and exfoliating portion, which felt like a soft, sponge-like brush gliding across my face to gently buff and smooth the skin.

Then came the ultrasound step, where customized serums are infused into the skin based on your treatment goals. For hydration, my provider used a blend of blue spirulina to boost moisture retention, niacinamide to help minimize the appearance of pores, and lactobionic acid to gently exfoliate and smooth my skin.

The treatment finished with a mini lymphatic drainage massage using the device, which immediately made my face look more sculpted and lifted—especially around my cheeks and jawline. Overall, my skin felt incredibly smooth and deeply hydrated (I mean, that forehead glow in my after pic is borderline blinding), and even though this facial wasn’t specifically designed to target acne, the breakouts on my chin looked noticeably calmer and less inflamed by the end of the appointment.

With eight different facial options, there’s truly something for any skin type or concern. The menu starts with a gentle hydration facial, and each amps up the intensity a bit more. It’s not painful by any means, but the highest dose—the smoothing facial—should be done after at least one session of Hydrate or Protect to accustom your skin to the treatment.

Hydrate

What it’s best for: Nourishing dry and dull skin types

Key ingredients: Blue spirulina, niacinamide, lactobionic acid

Protect

What it’s best for: Healing dry, dull, or damaged skin

Key ingredients: Turmeric, mangosteen, ceramides

Firm

What it’s best for: Correcting loss of elasticity and fine lines

Key ingredients: CICA Exosomes, 24K gold, peptides

Energize

What it’s best for: Reducing puffiness and dullness

Key ingredients: Cocoa beans, caffeine, cinnamon oil

Clarify

What it’s best for: Decongesting acne-prone and oily skin

Key ingredients: Bamboo charcoal, lactic acid, willow bark

Refine

What it’s best for: Correcting uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and fine lines

Key ingredients: Red algae, retinoid, peptides

Brighten

What it’s best for: Addressing uneven skin tone and dark spots

Key ingredients: Vitamin C, kojic acid, carrot extract

Smooth

What it’s best for: Improving uneven skin tone, fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes

Key ingredients: Bilberry extract, salicylic acid, succinic acid

The cost of a Glo2Facial depends on the exact treatment and provider, but they start at around $200 and can go up to $600 with add-on areas or longer sessions that include LED. There are hundreds of locations nationwide that offer the service, and you can find your closest provider here.

The Glo2Facial is the ideal pro facial when you want visible results from a quick treatment. My entire session was about 30 minutes, and I instantly looked more hydrated and sculpted. It’s worth noting that this is a techy, results-driven facial, so you won’t be getting the relaxing experience of a classic spa appointment.

You can’t go wrong with any of the treatment options, but Cosmo’s personal favorites are Hydration for an instant glow or Clarify to quell acne. “Expect zero pain or downtime—just clearer and brighter skin with fewer clogged pores,” says beauty director Lauren Balsamo of the Clarify treatment, which is our team’s favorite pro facial for treating and preventing breakouts these days.

Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things skincare. She’s tested dozens of different facials throughout her career, including the Glo2Facial for Cosmopolitan’s Holy Grail Beauty Awards.