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From celebrity selfies to TikTok reviews, there’s a reason so many of us are obsessed with LED face masks. The best LED face masks – many of which use red light therapy – can treat conditions that span from acne to wrinkles, hyperpigmentation to hair loss. Beloved by facialists, dermatologists and, of course, Vogue editors, they deliver different wavelengths of light to the skin, which ultimately stimulate cellular activity in different ways. “LED light therapy is an effective, painless and non-invasive aesthetic treatment,” confirms consultant dermatologist, Dr Jinah Yoo. portable beauty equipment
Anecdotally, many of us can attest to the efficacy of LED light when we use it regularly: “Since incorporating LED in my skincare routine, I’ve seen significant improvements in the clarity and texture of my acne-prone skin,” says beauty writer Tracy Achonwa. “With regular use, the deep bumps I used to struggle with have disappeared and new breakouts are a rarity.” Vogue contributing beauty editor, Lauren Murdoch Smith, also swears by red light therapy for its rejuvenating effects. “10 minutes each day is all you need to brighten, plump and reduce the appearance of wrinkles,” she says. A-listers, including Victoria Beckham and the Kardashians, are also fans.
Do LED face masks work? We’re big fans over here on the Vogue beauty desk – when we use them consistently, we’ve all seen excellent results. But don’t just take our word for it. In this story, we spoke to the experts to find out everything there is to know about LED, how it works and any tips and tricks, alongside our reviews of the best LED face masks on the market.
Since LED light therapy is incredibly popular right now, choosing your device an be a bit of a daunting task – there are a lot on the market, and it can be confusing to understand what all the technical jargon means. Each mask in our edit has been put to the test by our editors for at least one full skin cycle – we’ve only included those we really rate.
The best LED face masks, tested by Vogue beauty editors.
Jump to: What is LED light therapy and how does it work? | What colour LED do I need? | Which is the best LED face mask? | Vogue’s top LED devices, reviewed | How often should you use an LED mask?
Discover the best LED face masks for clearing acne, smoothing fine lines and brightening skin in our curated guide below.
Shark Beauty CryoGlow Under-Eye Cooling and LED Anti-Ageing and Blemish Repair Mask
Shark’s CryoGlow LED face mask is all over social media right now for good reason. With 480 LED lights and four targeted treatment modes (including Better Ageing, Blemish Repair, Skin Sustain and Under-Eye Cooling), it’s a multitasking wonder that has been clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, boost luminosity and improve blemishes and skin roughness. All that while also helping to cool and depuff the eye area, which is an absolute dream the morning after the night before.
Pros: Targeted treatment modes | cooling function | comfortable to wear | great for all skin types
Cons: Battery life could be better
Tried and tested by Vogue contributing editor Lauren Murdoch-Smith.
MZ Skin’s Lightmax patches use near-infrared and red light therapy at clinically proven wavelengths of 830nm and 630nm respectively – and they make light work of targeting the delicate eye area. According to beauty writer, Tracy Achonwa, 10 minutes is all it takes to see a difference on tired eyes, with results that get better over time. You’ll also find a softening in laughter and eleven lines – wherever you wanted targeted LED treatment, you can stick these nifty patches.
Pros: Work incredibly well on the eye area | stick-on so can be used anywhere | convenient and comfortable | improved tone and texture
Cons: Limited to small areas | not an affordable option
Skin LED Light Therapy Mask
Why it’s Vogue approved: Clinically proven to reduce wrinkles by an impressive 35 per cent in just four weeks, CurrentBody’s LED Mask is also a hit with a number of celebrities. With red and near-infrared, it won’t target acne-prone skin (as it doesn’t offer blue light), but it is brilliant for general luminosity, collagen boosting and skin smoothing. And to add to that? It’s made from patented flexible silicone, which isn’t just comfortable, but it ensures light covers every area of the face. It’s a yes from us.
Pros: Boosts collagen with red LEDs and near infrared | silicone comfortably flexes to the contours of your face | great for brightening skin
Cons: Does not include blue LED light
Read more: Everything You Need To Know About Red Light Therapy
CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet
Why it’s Vogue approved:
If hair growth is a concern for you, then this is the LED mask you should try. Clinically proven to increase hair growth rate by a huge 128 per cent in 12 weeks, it may look a little out-of-this-world, but the results it delivers more than make up for it. Emitting a spectrum of red light (from 620-660nm), it supercharges energy in the hair follicles, reduces inflammation (which is responsible for so many of our hair and scalp issues) and boosts scalp blood flow, thereby promoting hair growth. It works especially well when paired with hair growth treatments – make sure you use it for 10 minutes a day for optimal results.
Pros: Really effective for hair growth | easy to wear | excellent scalp coverage
Cons: You can only use it on your head
Why it’s Vogue approved:
Omnilux’s dermatologist-approved red light mask works on a cellular level to reduce fine lines, sun damage and visible signs of ageing. Using two wavelengths of light – red 633nm and near-infrared 830nm – to stimulate collagen, you will see improved skin tone and firmness within four to six weeks (the brand recommends using the mask three to five times a week for four to six weeks to see best results.)
Pros: Good for travel | dermatologist-approved | flexible design
Cons: Does not include blue LED light
4-in-1 Skincare Wand With Red Light Therapy
Why it’s Vogue approved: Though it’s not a mask, the Solawave wand is one of our favourite LED light therapy tools – and it’s especially good for travelling. Many Vogue editors have developed quite a penchant for this multi-purpose device, which combines four treatments in one. As well as red light therapy, it offers microcurrent technology, facial massage and therapeutic warmth, and targets dark spots, blemishes and fine lines. Solawave recommends using the wand for five minutes, three times per week.
Pros: Compact and easy to travel with | offers targeted treatment to problem areas
Cons: A powerful device for targeted treatment, but not suitable for the full face | only one wavelength
Pro LED Light Therapy Mask
Why it’s Vogue approved: Modestly priced compared to its counterparts, Sensse Pro’s mask is our pick for LED therapy on a budget. It is flexible, comfortable and easy to use, with a whopping four wavelengths included to rejuvenate skin. There are the usual suspects – red and blue – to boost collagen and banish acne, but with added yellow and purple treatment modes that help promote lymphatic drainage and brighten blemishes too.
Pros: Purifies, rejuvenates and repairs skin as well as addressing signs of ageing | slim and lightweight silicone is comfortable to wear, plus easy to wipe clean after each use | doesn’t break the bank
Cons: Needs patient, consistent use over several months to see the best results
Food and tested by Vogue Writer Kiana Murden.
DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro Mask
Why it’s Vogue approved: There’s a reason this Dr Dennis Gross LED mask always sell out. Having tested it extensively ourselves, we’ve found that it’s a brilliant mask for those who are short of time or want to incorporate LED into their routine, but never find a moment to actually do it. Each treatment “session” is just three minutes, which means the red, blue or red-blue combo lights (of which there are 162) get to work quickly. From evening out skin tone and texture to softening fine lines and discolouration, it’s truly brilliant.
Pros: Speedy session time | treats everything from acne and pigmentation to signs of ageing
Cons: Rigidity of mask may be uncomfortable for some
Why it’s Vogue approved: One of the Vogue beauty team’s collective favourites, The Light Salon’s medical-grade Boost LED Face Mask is easy to use and deploys a combination of clinically-proven red 633nm and near-infrared 830nm wavelengths that help to instigate good blood circulation, collagen and elastin production and toxin removal. It’s also incredibly comfortable.
Pros: Medical grade device | made of flexible silicon | easy to use | stimulates collagen production for youthfully plump skin
Cons: Only has one treatment mode
CurrentBody Skin Dermalux Flex MD
Why it’s Vogue approved: Many LED devices are marketed as “bringing the clinic home”, but this one actually lives up to those claims. A powerful, medical-grade brand favoured by top facialists, the Dermalux Flex has been attenuated for safe home use by non-trained professionals. It still delivers salon results, though, with 360 lights configured to deliver clinically proven wavelengths for targeting acne, ageing and even muscle aches. We love that it can be placed above the face and body for all-over rejuvenation, as does Kate Moss, who’s also a fan of this device.
What experts say: “I use the Dermalux LED device in my clinic and I am a fan of the results it offers,” says dermatologist Dr Yoo. “It’s worth noting that this home-use device will be weaker than an in-clinic LED device, but it has great specs as far as efficacy is concerned.”
Pros: Powerful with a high number of clinical strength bulbs | can be used all over the body
Cons: It’s an investment, but if you use it enough, it’s worth it
Foreo FAQ™ 201 LED Anti-Ageing Face Mask Treatment
Why it’s Vogue approved:
With 600 strategically-placed lights, this lightweight silicon mask gets to work quickly on the signs of ageing, from wrinkles to uneven texture and lack of firmness. With a clever open eye design – which means you can see easily while you use it – you can go about your business while wearing the mask. Perfect for anyone who likes to multitask.
Pros: Open eye design | 600 LED lights | flexible fit | easy to clean | lightweight | powerful combination of lights
Cons: Great for signs of ageing but may not treat other skin issues, such as hyperpigmentation
Why it’s Vogue approved: All the pros love this mask, which has become something of a cult buy within the industry. It offers four different wavelengths – red, blue, green and near infrared – and six different treatment modes (including anti-ageing, calming and purifying), plus it’s home to a huge 770 medical-grade LED lights to help reduce dark spots, scars, breakouts and boost collagen production. Well worth the money if you’re going to use it regularly.
Pros: Treats every conceivable skin concern with four LED colours and six treatment modes | highly effective with 770 medical grade bulbs
Cons: Powerful mask which needs to be plugged into a wall socket, so you'll have to stay put during sessions
LED (or light-emitting diode) therapy is a treatment that exposes the skin to different wavelengths of light. “This light is absorbed by the mitochondria – the powerhouse of our cells – which can trigger a variety of biological responses,” says facialist Sarah Bradden. Among them: enhanced circulation, increased collagen production and tissue repair – all of which result in brighter, plumper and smoother skin.
And the benefits aren’t just skin deep. “The absorbed light energy can stimulate the release of growth factors, neurotransmitters and also reduce inflammation,” Bradden continues, explaining that this is why LED exposure can have positive benefits in areas as varied as pain reduction, brain function, and hair growth.
Different LED colours have different wavelengths which penetrate the skin at varying depths. To target specific skin concerns, Dr Yoo stresses the importance of choosing the right LED wavelength for the issue you want to treat. See her recommendations in the table below:
Yes. Depending on the light emitted by the mask, they can offer a multitude of benefits. For example, while red light increases collagen and elastin production, blue light targets acne-causing bacteria, green light helps with pigmentation, and yellow is brilliant for healing. When combined with a good daily skincare routine, they can help improve skin health from the inside out, boost radiance, tackle acne and other skin conditions, and leave the skin clearer, smoother and plumper.
Read more: A Comprehensive Guide To The Best Vitamin C Serum
The more consistent you can be about using your LED face mask, the better. Ask any skin expert whether at-home LED masks work and their answer is always, yes, if you get a good quality device and use it consistently. Using them every day – for about 10 minutes – is ideal.
Since they don’t emit UV light and are non-invasive, they are also very safe to use, so overdoing it isn’t easy. For best results always follow the instructions, and if you do notice irregular signs of damage, stop use of the mask immediately and consult your doctor or dermatologist.
Read more: 14 Best Acne Treatments & Products For Spots
For the best results, it’s recommended to use any sort of LED device on clean skin. Gently wash your face prior to therapy with a non-drying cleanser to remove any skincare and make-up residue. Also try to avoid any aggressive exfoliation and sunlight exposure before starting LED treatment. Post-treatment, follow up with serums, creams and other soothing moisturisers.
skin resurfacing machine Victoria Beckham has spoken about using one of Vogue’s LED mask top picks, The Light Salon Boost Light Therapy Mask, when she’s at home.