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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
Light therapy started as—and still is—a popular in-office treatment, something you could only get at the dermatologist or as part of a fancy facial. But in recent years there’s been an onslaught of new, at-home LED masks that you can simply pop on for a few minutes a day to reap all of the many skincare benefits. So, what are those benefits exactly? LED light therapy involves exposing the skin to different wavelengths of light, each of which has a different effect on the skin (and comes with a different color). For example, red light stimulates collagen production, which can reduce lines and wrinkles as well as combat inflammation, leaving skin healthier and glowier, says Ana Ibarra, a licensed aesthetician and certified laser technician at the Northwestern Med-Spa in Chicago. Another one of the more popular options, blue light is great for those with acne-prone skin because it kills acne-causing bacteria and also targets overactive sebaceous glands, she explains.
Final Verdict
Topping our list is the Dr. Dennis Gross Spectralite Faceware Pro, which offers both red and blue light settings and a short treatment time. As a budget-friendly alternative, opt for the Skin Gym Wrinklit LED Mask.
That being said, “At-home LED devices use lower energy levels that haven’t been proven as effective,” notes Ibara. Still, when used regularly, they can have a positive effect, not to mention are great as a maintenance option in between pro treatments. The other nice thing? "LED light therapy may not have very dramatic effects compared to other skin rejuvenation approaches, but it is painless and does not require any recovery time," says celebrity cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Simon Ourian of Epione Beverly Hills.
With all of that in mind, we put some of the most highly-rated at-home LED masks to the test. Our testers used these for weeks at a time, rating not only how well each addressed specific skin concerns like texture, tone, and lines but also the device’s design and ease of use. Our team then combined these results with our own research to compile our list of the very best on the market.
Light it up with any of these best LED light therapy masks.
Best Overall: Dr. Dennis Gross Spectralite Faceware Pro
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Courtesy of Sephora
Medical-grade
Easy to use
Short treatment period
Offers different wavelengths of light
Expensive
Rubber band tends to slip off easily
Ibara is a fan of hands-free masks, which she says tend to be easier for people to use (which in turn makes them more compliant). This is one of her favorites, a medical-grade option that targets the entire face and offers both red light and blue light settings. There’s also a setting that combines both, which is a major win in our book. Plus, since a session is just three minutes, it’s super easy to work into a daily routine.
Target Areas: Full face | LED Lights: 162 red and blue | Skin Concerns: Aging, acne | Session Duration: 3 minutes
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Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
What Our Testers Say
"I used the mask every single day for 90 days (and have continued use since then). Another wonderful takeaway I've noticed is that the tone of my skin appears radiant, and my complexion looks fresh, which I’m very satisfied with." — Ashley Rebecca, Product Tester
Best Budget: Skin Gym WrinkLit LED Mask
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Wireless
Easy to use
Offers different wavelengths of light
No automatic shut-off
Longer treatment period
The hard truth of the matter is that, as a general rule of thumb, high-quality LED light therapy devices are going to be pricey. After all, these are inspired by in-office technology. So yes, to a certain extent you do get what you pay for (which is why this is the only option on our list under $100). Still, this pick—which looks more like a protective face shield than a mask—does offer three different wavelengths—red, blue, and orange—and is wireless and easy to wear. Though you do have to wear it for longer than many others, anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes is recommended.
Target Areas: Full face | LED Lights: Red, blue, orange | Skin Concerns: Aging, acne, dullness | Session Duration: 15 to 30 minutes
Best for Comfortable Wear: CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask
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Comfortable
Doesn’t have to be used daily
Cord can be slightly cumbersome
The hard, plastic, Power Rangers-esque vibes of many of these masks can admittedly be off-putting and not the most comfortable. That’s why we appreciate this unique pick; made of a patented flexible silicone, it quite literally wraps around your face. And that not only makes the whole experience more comfortable, it also ensures your complexion is more evenly targeted by the LED light. (In this case, it’s a combo of red and near-infrared light to help target signs of aging.) Also nice: You only need to use it three to five times per week for best results.
Target Areas: Full face | LED Lights: 49 red | Skin Concerns: Aging, acne | Session Duration: 10 minutes
Best for Lips: reVive Light Therapy Lip Care Device
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Courtesy of Walmart
Plumps the lips slightly
Short treatment period
Bite tray must be cleaned every use
This lip mask is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around your lips—plus, its red lights help to boost circulation, leaving your lips feeling plumper, too. You can use it daily, for sure, and then add on an extra session (you can use it up to three times per day) before a big night out. An attachable bite tray lets you hold it in place with your mouth, too.
Target Areas: Lips | LED Lights: Red | Skin Concerns: Aging, loss of firmness | Session Duration: 3 minutes
Best for Eyes: Skin Inc Optimizer Voyage Tri-Light Glasses
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Courtesy of Skin Inc
Easy to use
Offers different wavelengths of light
Hands-free
Only treats one small area
Given that the skin around your eyes is the thinnest on the body, it’s also where signs of aging show up first. So if you’re looking for something to complement your eye cream, consider these tech-y glasses. (FYI, you do want to be careful with LED light therapy and your eyes, which is why it’s important to only use products dedicated to this sensitive area.) The sides of the glasses feature LED lights including red light for anti-aging, yellow light to combat dark circles, and orange light to tamp down puffiness.
Target Areas: Eyes | LED Lights: Red, yellow, orange | Skin Concerns: Dark circles, puffiness, aging | Session Duration: 10 minutes
Best for Body: Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite BodyWare Pro
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Offers different wavelengths of light
Can be used on different areas
Wireless
Adjustable
Expensive
Like we said, light therapy isn’t just for your face. Riffing off of that best-selling face mask, this newbie from Dr. Dennis Gross also offers that same option of red, blue, or red and blue light. It’s wireless and adjustable, and can be used anywhere on the body—think chest, arms, legs, back, shoulders, knees, you name it. And while it’s great for cosmetics purposes because red light also helps combat inflammation, it’s great for pain relief; this boasts a special setting if you want to use it for that purpose.
Target Areas: Full body | LED Lights: 216 red and blue | Skin Concerns: Aging, acne | Session Duration: 3 minutes for cosmetic reasons; 14 minutes for pain relief
Best Customizable: FOREO UFO Smart Mask Treatment
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Courtesy of Sephora
Short treatment period
Offers different wavelengths of light
Not hands-free
This high-tech tool basically gives you a customized facial in just 90 seconds. How it works: Start by applying a sheet mask or serum, then use the accompanying app to help tailor your session. This tool not only imparts red, blue, and green LED light, it also does all kinds of other fun things, like change temperatures, deliver sonic pulsations for improved product penetration, and more.
Target Areas: Full face | LED Lights: Red, blue, green | Skin Concerns: Large pores, dull skin | Session Duration: 90 seconds
Best for Targeted Areas: SolaWave Wand
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Warmth makes experience relaxing
Can be used all over face
Not hands-free
Okay, so this may be more of a souped-up face roller than a mask, per se, but it is a super unique (and easy) way of reaping the benefits of red light therapy. The small tool (it looks and feels like a razor) offers red light but also delivers microcurrent, therapeutic warmth, and facial massage. You can either glide it all over your face or just focus on targeted areas, but either way, the five-minute session is very enjoyable.
Target Areas: Full face | LED Lights: Red | Skin Concerns: Aging, acne | Session Duration: 5 minutes
Best Non-Mask: Trophy Skin RejuvaliteMD Red Light Therapy
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Makes for a spa-like feel
Interchangeable blue light panel also available
Cannot multitask while using it
Similar to the types of devices you’ll find in-office, this free-standing base and LED panel is meant to hover over your skin while you lay down. The combo of red, yellow, and amber LED lights helps improve texture and tone, and one session takes just five minutes. (A win for those of us who find it challenging to lay still with our eyes closed.) It also comes with protective eye goggles and has an automatic timer.
Target Areas: Full face | LED Lights: 120 red, yellow, and amber | Skin Concerns: Aging | Session Duration: 5 minutes
Best for Hands: Omnilux Contour Glove
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Unique device
Reduces pigmentation and fine lines
Longer treatment period
Everyone’s hands could use a little extra TLC. Along with applying SPF and hand cream daily, you can also pop on these gloves (they kind of look like an oversize oven mitt) a few times per week. Slip it on one hand and let the red lights do their thing for 10 minutes, then switch hands.
Target Areas: Hands | LED Lights: 144 red | Skin Concerns: Aging | Session Duration: 10 minutes
Best Multi-Tasker: MZ Skin Light-Therapy Golden Facial Treatment Device
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Courtesy of Net-a-Porter
Offers different wavelengths of light
Short treatment period
Expensive
There’s really not a complexion concern that this mask can’t address. In short, it works for anyone and everyone, thanks to the rainbow of different light settings. It has the red and blue light we’ve talked so much about, but also a green light for combating discoloration, yellow light for minimizing redness, and white light to tamp down the sensitivity. Yes, please. FYI, for best results, use it for 10 minutes, two to three times per week, gradually working your way up to 30 minutes per day.
Target Areas: Full face | LED Lights: Red, yellow, green, blue, white | Skin Concerns: Aging, acne, discoloration, inflammation | Session Duration: 10 minutes
Final Verdict
While they’re not an overnight miracle solution, LED light therapy masks are an easy and safe way to address a variety of complexion concerns. The Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro is pricey but well worth it in our book, a medical-grade option offering both red and blue lights and working in just three minutes. The Foreo UFO Smart Mask Treatment is another good—and very customizable—choice for a variety of wavelengths, temperatures, and pulsation settings. If you’re looking to target only specific areas of your face, the Skin Inc Optimizer Voyage Tri-Light Glasses are great for eyes, while the reVive Light Therapy Lip Care Device is ideal for lips.
Meet the Expert
- Ana Ibarra is a licensed aesthetician and certified laser technician at the Northwestern Med-Spa in Chicago. She’s known for her skin-changing facials—which include LED light therapy—and also for working with celebrities to help get their skin red carpet ready.
- Dr. Simon Ourian is a celebrity cosmetic dermatologist. He currently practices at Epione Beverly Hills and is the founder of Epione Skin Care, a favorite of Kim Kardashian.
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Meet the Expert
Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon in New York. Dr. Engelman has also been featured in the media as a consultant and is heavily involved in the MDSC Skinceuticals skincare line.
What to Look For in an LED Light Therapy Mask
Red Light
If signs of aging are your primary concern, board-certified dermatologic surgeon Dr. Dendy Engelman says to look for a mask that offers red light. This particular wavelength is ideal for helping to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin for smoother, less wrinkled skin in addition to reducing the appearance of pores and reducing inflammation. In addition to red light, she mentions that amber and white light also offer anti-aging benefits.
Blue Light
If you’re battling blemishes or looking to prevent future breakouts, Engelman says that blue light is best known for its ability to kill acne-causing bacteria. It also controls oil production and can be an effective treatment for psoriasis and eczema.
Adjustable Settings
As is the case with pretty much any beauty tool, opt for a pick that offers either several different types of light and/or varying intensities. This will give you the most bang for your buck and will ensure that you can tailor the treatment to give your skin exactly what it needs.
The Right Design
As Engelman explains, not all LED light therapy masks are the same, so you’ll want to look for a design that fits into your lifestyle. “If you want to multitask while you mask, make sure to get a wireless model,” she says. “If you really only need to target skin concerns around the eye area, there are small sunglasses-shaped models; on the other hand, if your neck could benefit from light therapy, too, look for masks that come with a neck piece.”
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. As a skincare enthusiast, she’s always loved professional LED light therapy treatments but recently hopped on board the at-home bandwagon as well. She uses the Dr. Gross face mask featured in this story every night (and has noticed a definite improvement in her skin texture and tone) and has also tried many of the other options on this list.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough LED light therapy masks from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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