Last Updated on May 6, 2026 by Eve Dawes
If you own a ZIIP Halo or are thinking about buying one, choosing the right gel is one of the most important decisions you will make. The gel is not just a conductive medium to help the device work. Each ZIIP electric complex gel is a formulated skincare treatment that delivers additional benefits directly to your skin while the microcurrent and nanocurrent are running. The microcurrent alone improves skincare ingredient absorption by 109% through electroporation, which means whatever is in your gel is going deeper into your skin than any topical product applied on its own.
There are five ZIIP gels to choose from: the Electric Complex, the Silver gel, the Golden gel, the Crystal gel and the Clear gel. They vary in price and in the skincare benefits they offer. Choosing the right one comes down to your primary skincare concerns. Here is a breakdown of each, what makes them different, and who each one is best for.
I have been using ZIIP devices since the original Halo and have trained one on one with ZIIP founder Melanie Simon, which gave me a deeper understanding of how each gel formula interacts with the microcurrent and nanocurrent waveforms. As the founder of Dawes Custom Cosmetics, a triple award-winning cruelty-free cosmetics line, I also bring professional beauty formulation training to every ingredient analysis I write. Everything here is based on genuine long-term personal testing across all five gels.
This post contains affiliate links and gifted items. ZIIP discount code: Use EVAD for 10% off ZIIP devices and gels at ziipbeauty.com.
What all five ZIIP gels have in common
All five ZIIP gels share the same base purpose: they conduct electrical current, allow the ZIIP device to glide smoothly across your skin, and serve as a vehicle for delivering skincare actives during treatment. None of them dry down the way traditional conductive gels do, which means you can also leave them on your skin as a mask after your treatment rather than removing them immediately. This is one of the things I genuinely appreciate about ZIIP’s formulations compared to other microcurrent brands that use a plain conductive gel with no skincare benefit.
All five gels work with both the ZIIP Halo and the ZIIP Halo 2.0.
ZIIP Electric Complex Gel
The Electric Complex gel is the original ZIIP gel and the most affordable option in the range. It is the standard conductive gel that comes with the device. It does its job well and is the right choice if you want to keep your routine simple and your costs down, or if you are new to ZIIP and not yet sure which additional benefits you want to target. It contains hyaluronic acid for hydration and a base of skin conditioning ingredients, but it is the most basic formulation in terms of active skincare benefits compared to the three premium gels.
Best for: first-time ZIIP users, anyone on a budget, or anyone who wants a clean neutral base without additional actives.
ZIIP Silver Gel $79.99 – Best for a hydration boost
The Silver Gel is ZIIP’s hydration and brightening focused formula and the gentlest of the premium gels. It is specifically designed for dry and sensitive skin, though it works well for any skin type that wants an intensely hydrating treatment without the heavier actives in the Gold or Crystal formulas.
The key ingredients are low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, finely crushed pearl, peptides, cucumber and aloe vera. The hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the skin for sustained hydration, the crushed pearl brightens and promotes collagen production, and the cucumber and aloe vera soothe and reduce the appearance of redness. It is silicone-free, paraben-free, oil-free and fragrance-free which makes it the safest choice for reactive or easily irritated skin.
I reach for the Silver gel when my skin needs hydration and calming rather than anti-aging or glow work. It has a lighter feel than the Gold gel and is a good option for anyone who finds richer formulas too heavy on their skin. You can also leave it on as a mask for up to 20 minutes after your treatment.
Best for: Dry, sensitive or reactive skin. Anyone who wants intense hydration and a brightening boost. Anyone who finds the Gold or Crystal gels too heavy.
Skip it if: You want anti-aging and collagen boosting as your primary focus – the Gold Gel is better for that. You have oily or acne-prone skin – the Clear Gel is more targeted for those concerns.
ZIIP Golden Gel $129.99 – Best for a collagen boost
ZIIP Golden gel is the anti-aging focused formula in the range and the one I use most consistently. It contains colloidal gold alongside peptides and skin firming actives designed to support the lifting and tightening benefits of the microcurrent treatments. The combination of the ZIIP Halo 2.0’s dual microcurrent and nanocurrent waveforms with the Golden gel‘s firming actives is noticeably more effective than the Electric Complex gel alone for plumping and lifting results.
If your primary goal with your ZIIP is lifting, contouring, and reducing the appearance of fine lines, ZIIP Golden gel is the one to reach for. I have had my best results using it for the Instant Gratification and The Lift treatment protocols in the ZIIP app.
Best for: anti-aging, lifting and firming, reducing fine lines, anyone using ZIIP primarily for facial sculpting and toning.
ZIIP Crystal Gel
The Crystal gel is the brightening and radiance-focused formula. It contains light-reflecting and illuminating ingredients designed to enhance luminosity and target hyperpigmentation and dullness. If your primary goal is achieving glowing, radiant skin or fading dark spots and uneven skin tone, the Crystal gel is the most targeted option for that.
This is the gel I reach for before an event or when I want my skin to look its most glowing. The results are immediately visible in a way the other gels are not quite as obvious about, which makes it excellent for same-day skin preparation.
Best for: dull skin, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, anyone wanting a pre-event skin glow.
ZIIP Clear Gel $59.99 – Best for Acne and Blemish-Prone Skin
Best for: Anyone with acne-prone, blemish-prone or congested skin. The Clear Gel is specifically designed to rebalance your skin’s microbiome, calm breakouts and reduce redness while conducting the ZIIP current. It works with both the ZIIP Halo 2.0 and the ZIIP Dot.
The Clear Gel contains Dendriclear to rebalance the skin’s microbiome, mint as a natural purifying solution, cucumber to calm the skin and aloe vera to soothe and reduce redness. The formula is lighter than the Gold, Silver and Crystal gels which makes it a good option for anyone who finds richer gels too heavy on their skin. If you’re on acne treatment medication consult your dermatologist before using.
Best for: Acne-prone, blemish-prone and congested skin. Anyone who gets hormonal breakouts. Anyone who finds the heavier gels too rich.
Skip it if: You want anti-aging or brightening benefits – for those go to Gold or Crystal. You have very dry skin that needs significant hydration – Silver is a better choice.
Use code EVEGEL for 10-25% off this gel.
Can you mix ZIIP gels?
Yes, and I do this regularly. My personal combination is Golden and Crystal mixed together, which gives me both the anti-aging firming benefits and the brightening glow in a single treatment. ZIIP themselves suggest this approach and it works beautifully. There are no contraindications to mixing the gels.
If you are new to ZIIP and want to try the different formulas before committing to a full size, the ZIIP Discovery Gel Set is the most cost-effective way to do it. It includes a sample of each gel so you can test them on your skin before deciding which to buy in full.
How much gel do you use per treatment?
Do not skimp on the gel. You need a generous amount to cover the treatment area fully and maintain consistent conductivity throughout. Using too little gel is not just ineffective, it can cause redness. Apply a thick, even layer across the entire area you’re treating before you begin and reapply as needed during the treatment. When in doubt, use more rather than less.
My personal ZIIP gel routine
For my regular morning treatment using the ZIIP Halo 2.0, I mix the Golden and Crystal gels in equal parts and use the Instant Gratification protocol. On days I want more targeted lifting I will use Golden alone with The Lift. When my skin is reactive or congested I switch to Silver for that session. I rarely use the Electric Complex gel now that I know the difference the premium formulas make, but it is a perfectly good option for anyone who wants to keep things simple.
Which ZIIP Gel Should I Start With?
If you’re new to ZIIP but already know your skin concerns, go straight to the gel that matches them: Clear for acne and blemishes, Silver for sensitivity, Crystal for glow, and Golden for anti-aging. I personally mix Golden and Crystal in my daily routine to get both the anti-aging and brightening benefits simultaneously. The Discovery Gel Set it comes with let’s you try the premium gels before committing but at a lower cost. Double check the ‘free discovery gel set’ offer when you buy the ZIIP is still live, as it used to be just the Electric Complex Gel that it came with.
Use code EVEGEL for 10-25% off gels and EVAD for 10% off the ZIIP Halo 2.0 device.
Frequently asked questions about ZIIP gels
Yes. A conductive gel is required for the ZIIP Halo to work. Without a gel, the electrical circuit is not completed and the device will not function properly. It also protects the skin from friction during treatment. ZIIP’s own electric complex gels are formulated specifically for use with the device. You should not substitute a regular moisturizer or serum.
ZIIP Golden gel is the most targeted option for anti-aging, lifting, and firming. It contains colloidal gold and peptides that work in synergy with the microcurrent and nanocurrent waveforms to support collagen production and improve skin tone and firmness. For maximum anti-aging results I mix Golden with Crystal to also get the brightening and radiance benefits in the same treatment.
The Clear Gel is the best ZIIP gel for acne-prone and blemish-prone skin. It contains Dendriclear to rebalance the skin’s microbiome, mint as a natural purifying solution, cucumber to calm the skin and aloe vera to soothe and reduce the appearance of redness. It can also be left on as an intensive mask for up to 20 minutes after treatment to maximize its skin-clearing benefits. Use it alongside the Problem Solver treatment in the ZIIP app for targeted blemish results. It is also the gel that comes with the ZIIP Dot acne treatment device.
With daily use, a standard ZIIP gel tube lasts approximately three to four weeks.
Yes. All ZIIP gels, including the Discovery Gel Set samples, are compatible with both the original ZIIP Halo and the ZIIP Halo 2.0. The Discovery Gel Set is the best way to try 3 of the most popular formulas before committing to a full-size purchase.
Yes. Use ZIIP discount code EVAD at ZIIP Beauty for 10% off ZIIP devices and gels.
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