Cold Plasma Skincare Devices: What At-Home Plasma Can — and Cannot — Prove

QUICK ANSWER Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is partly ionised gas generated at close to room temperature. It has a genuine research base in medicine, particularly wound care and antimicrobial applications. At-home cold-plasma skincare devices such as PHLAS (Germany) and JUBI Plasma (Taiwan) bring the technology into cosmetic self-use, but that medical research does not automatically validate these devices or their marketing claims. Device design changes biological exposure, and independent evidence for specific home devices is limited. Cold plasma is not the same as an ablative "plasma pen", RF, LED or laser. It is an early-stage category worth watching, not a replacement for medical care.

Last researched 24 September 2026 by the Korean PDRN Editorial Team. Editorial research only — we have not tested any device in this article. We have no affiliate relationship with PHLAS or JUBI, and this page contains no shopping links.

In this guide

• What is cold atmospheric plasma?
• Cold plasma vs plasma pen vs laser and RF
• PHLAS explained
• JUBI Plasma explained
• What clinical research actually supports
• Why product-specific evidence matters
• Safety and regulation
• Questions to ask before buying any cold plasma device
• How cold plasma fits alongside other skincare
• UK availability
• Should consumers buy early?
• Frequently asked questions
• How we researched this guide

What is cold atmospheric plasma?

Plasma is often called the fourth state of matter, alongside solid, liquid and gas. It forms when enough energy is added to a gas that some of its atoms or molecules become ionised, creating a mix of charged particles, excited molecules, ultraviolet light and short-lived reactive chemical species.

Most plasma we encounter in everyday life, such as lightning or the sun, is extremely hot. Cold atmospheric plasma is generated at normal atmospheric pressure in a way that keeps the gas close to room temperature, so it can be applied near living tissue without burning it.

Researchers believe much of CAP's biological activity comes from reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (often abbreviated RONS) produced when the plasma interacts with air and the skin surface. At certain doses these species can reduce microbes; at others they can influence cell signalling. Dose is the key word: the same technology can have different effects depending on how much reaches the tissue.

Different devices generate CAP in different ways. Two common approaches are:

• Plasma jets, which push a gas (such as argon or helium) through an electrical field and direct a plume at the skin;
• Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and surface micro-discharge (SMD) devices, which generate plasma from ambient air across an electrode surface held close to the skin.

These differences matter, as we explain below.

Cold plasma vs plasma pen vs laser and RF

The word "plasma" is used in beauty marketing for very different things. Confusing them is one of the most common mistakes consumers make.

Two points stand out:

• Cold plasma is not a plasma pen. A plasma pen is designed to cause controlled burns. A cold-plasma skincare device is marketed as non-thermal and non-ablative. Results and risks from one do not apply to the other.
• Cold plasma is not RF, LED or laser. It works through reactive chemistry rather than heating or light absorption, so evidence for those technologies does not transfer.

PHLAS explained

PHLAS is a cold-plasma skincare device made in Germany. Its manufacturer describes it as a cosmetic skincare device for self-use on intact, dry skin.

Key details from PHLAS's official pages:

• Technology: surface micro-discharge (SMD) cold plasma generated from ambient air, with no added gas cartridge. PHLAS describes the technology as based on more than 20 years of cold-plasma research and cites research partnerships.
• Application: approximately 60 seconds per area.
• Consumable spacers: single-use-style paper-foam spacers sit between the device and skin to keep a constant distance and create a small, defined air volume in which the plasma forms. PHLAS says the device cannot be used without them, recommends changing each spacer every three days, and sells refills in small and large sizes. Spacers are an ongoing cost to factor in.
• Price: the official direct listing showed €399 when we researched this guide. We have not converted this to a UK price, because shipping, VAT, duties and currency movements would all affect what a UK buyer actually pays.
• Regulatory marking: PHLAS states the device carries a CE mark under applicable EU regulations. A CE mark is not the same as UKCA marking, and it does not mean UK medical-device approval.

PHLAS markets the device for blemish-prone, redness-prone and sensitive skin, and for the appearance of enlarged pores, and shows before-and-after images. These are manufacturer positioning and marketing materials. They are not independent clinical evidence, and a cosmetic device should not be used as a self-treatment for acne, rosacea or any diagnosed skin condition.

JUBI Plasma explained

JUBI Plasma is made by Jubilee International Biomedical, a company based in Taipei, Taiwan.

According to the manufacturer's English-language product page:

• the device uses a proprietary eSIP ("Energy Superior Ion Plasma") cold-plasma technology in what the company calls Radiant Mode;
• a separate 24K gold-plated massage head provides a second mode, called Golden Pulse, which the company's Chinese-language page describes as sonic vibration;
• the company markets it for five concerns — uneven texture, wrinkles, low moisture, excess oil and blemishes — and describes it as safe for all skin types.

These are manufacturer claims. We have not found independent, peer-reviewed studies of JUBI Plasma. The company's statements about purifying, calming inflammation and enhancing skincare absorption have not, to our knowledge, been independently tested for this device.

JUBI Plasma appears to be sold through regional distributors and direct contact with the company. We have not verified any UK distributor, UK price or UK warranty.

It is worth noting that JUBI Plasma combines two different technologies. Any effect a user notices could come from the cold-plasma mode, the vibration mode, the skincare used alongside it, or simply regular facial massage — which is another reason product-specific, controlled evidence matters.

What clinical research actually supports

Cold atmospheric plasma is a legitimate field of scientific and medical research. The honest picture is more nuanced than either enthusiasts or sceptics tend to suggest.

Where the evidence is strongest

A 2020 systematic review of CAP in dermatology found published clinical evidence concentrated in areas such as chronic wounds and infected skin, reflecting CAP's antimicrobial and wound-related research base. A 2022 review of CAP in dermatology similarly described promising applications while emphasising that many studies were small, varied in design, and used different devices and protocols.

Delivery and skin treatment research

A 2025 review examined CAP for drug delivery and skin treatment, including research on whether plasma can temporarily increase skin permeability. This is an active research area, but, as with other delivery technologies, laboratory or early clinical permeability findings do not automatically translate into better visible results from a home device.

Tolerance

An early study in healthy human skin investigated tolerance to a CAP source and reported that the tested exposure was well tolerated under study conditions. This is useful basic safety research for that specific source and protocol; it does not establish the safety of every consumer device.

What this means for home devices

None of this research was carried out on the specific consumer products in this guide, and most of it concerns clinical or medical contexts. Cold plasma's medical research base is genuine, but it does not automatically validate cosmetic home devices or their marketing claims. Evidence from wound-care research should not be read as support for self-treating acne, rosacea or other conditions at home.

Why product-specific evidence matters

A 2026 review of how deeply cold plasma's effects penetrate into tissue makes a point that applies directly to consumers. It found that device parameters, the gas used, the distance from the skin, treatment duration and application conditions strongly change biological exposure.

That means "cold plasma" on a box is not enough to infer that two devices are equivalent — or that a home device delivers anything like the exposure used in a clinical study. A jet using argon at one distance and duration is a different intervention from an ambient-air surface micro-discharge device held against a spacer for 60 seconds.

The practical consequence is simple: for any cold-plasma device, the useful question is not "does cold plasma work?" but "what independent evidence exists for this device, used this way?" For PHLAS and JUBI Plasma, independent product-specific evidence is currently limited.

Safety and regulation

• Follow the specific manual. Each device has its own instructions and warnings. PHLAS, for example, states its device is for intact, dry skin. Do not generalise one device's instructions to another.
• Avoid broken, infected or inflamed skin unless a device's instructions and a clinician specifically advise otherwise.
• Take extra care if you have an implanted electronic device, are pregnant, or have a diagnosed skin condition. Check the manual and consider professional advice before use.
• Do not replace medical care. Persistent, painful, scarring or worsening acne, rosacea or other conditions should be assessed by a GP, pharmacist or dermatologist.
• Understand the marking. A CE mark indicates conformity with applicable EU rules; it is not UKCA marking and does not mean UK medical-device approval. A device marketed as cosmetic is not being sold as a medical treatment.

Questions to ask before buying any cold plasma device

Because "cold plasma" covers very different engineering, these questions are more useful than any headline claim:

1. How is the plasma generated? Ambient-air surface micro-discharge, dielectric barrier discharge and gas-fed plasma jets are different interventions with different exposure profiles.
2. What independent evidence exists for this exact device? Look for studies by researchers not employed by the manufacturer, with published methods — not just before-and-after photographs.
3. What is the device intended for? A cosmetic device for intact skin is not sold or assessed as a treatment for acne, rosacea or wounds.
4. What does it cost to run? Spacers, replacement heads or other consumables can add a meaningful ongoing cost.
5. What regulatory marking does it carry for your market? In Great Britain, check whether it is UKCA or CE marked, and do not read either as a medical approval for a cosmetic product.
6. What support is available locally? Warranty, returns, charger and plug compatibility, and customer service in your country all matter for an electronic device bought early.
7. What does the manual say about who should not use it? Contraindications and precautions are device-specific; read them before buying, not after.

If a brand cannot answer these clearly, that is useful information in itself.

How cold plasma fits alongside other skincare

For most people, the fundamentals of skincare are unchanged by any device: a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser suited to your skin, and daily broad-spectrum sunscreen do most of the work. Devices, including cold-plasma devices, are optional extras whose value depends on the evidence for each product. If you are dealing with a skin condition, a healthcare professional can advise on treatments with established evidence.

UK availability

• PHLAS: the official site lists direct sales, but PHLAS's own FAQ stated at the time of writing that it currently ships within Germany, with plans to expand to more countries. We have not verified UK shipping, UK pricing or UK after-sales support.
• JUBI Plasma: sold through distributors and direct contact with the manufacturer. We have not verified UK distribution.

We will update this guide if official UK availability is confirmed.

Should consumers buy early?

A neutral framework:

It may make sense to consider one now if:

• you are curious about new skincare technology and accept that evidence is early;
• you understand it is a cosmetic device, not a treatment;
• you can buy with clear returns and warranty terms, and you have budgeted for consumables such as spacers.

It may make sense to wait if:

• you want independent, product-specific evidence first;
• you need UK support, UK pricing and UK warranty;
• you were hoping to treat acne, rosacea or another diagnosed condition — in which case speak to a GP, pharmacist or dermatologist instead.

If you are building a skincare routine, an established approach — gentle cleansing, a suitable moisturiser and daily sunscreen — will matter more than any single device. Our routine builder can help, and for PDRN skincare specifically, our PDRN Reality Check helps you decide whether it suits you. Cold plasma is not a way to make PDRN or any other skincare work better. You can browse more guides in our guides section.

Frequently asked questions

What is a cold plasma skincare device?

A device that generates cold atmospheric plasma — partly ionised gas near room temperature — at the skin surface. Home versions are marketed as cosmetic skincare devices.

Is cold plasma the same as a plasma pen?

No. A plasma pen deliberately burns small spots of skin (ablative). Cold plasma devices are designed to be non-thermal and non-ablative. They are very different technologies with different risks.

Does cold plasma skincare work?

Cold plasma has a genuine medical research base, especially in wound care and antimicrobial research. Independent evidence for specific at-home cosmetic devices, including PHLAS and JUBI Plasma, is limited.

Can cold plasma treat acne or rosacea?

We cannot recommend self-treating acne or rosacea with a cosmetic device. Research in clinical contexts does not validate home-device claims. Persistent or worsening skin conditions should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

How much does PHLAS cost?

The official direct listing showed €399 when we researched this guide. We have not converted this to a UK price, and spacers are an ongoing extra cost.

Is PHLAS available in the UK?

PHLAS's FAQ stated it currently ships within Germany. We have not verified UK availability.

Is cold plasma safe?

Safety depends on the specific device, its settings and its instructions. Use only on the skin areas and conditions the manufacturer specifies, avoid broken or inflamed skin, and check the manual if you are pregnant or have an implanted electronic device.

Is a CE-marked cold plasma device approved in the UK?

A CE mark is not UKCA marking and does not mean UK medical-device approval. A device sold as cosmetic is not approved as a medical treatment.

How we researched this guide

We reviewed the official PHLAS and Jubilee International Biomedical websites and peer-reviewed reviews and studies on cold atmospheric plasma. Manufacturer information and scientific evidence are kept separate, and manufacturer statements are labelled as claims. We have not tested these devices. See our review methodology and editorial policy. Explore other technologies in our beauty device guide.

Editorial and medical disclaimer This guide is educational and is not medical advice. Cosmetic devices are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment of skin conditions. Follow each device's instructions and stop if you experience pain, burning or significant irritation.