LED face masks claim a lot — fewer wrinkles, less acne, brighter skin. Harvard Health’s studies have also shown promising results. But which ones really live up to the claims? After testing the top options on the market, we’ve narrowed down the best FDA-approved LED masks that are truly worth your time (and money).
What is an LED face mask?
LED masks, which have light-emitting diode in the form of red, near-infrared and blue light, are still making wellness waves as one of the trendiest (and priciest) ways to revamp your skincare routine at home, using a powered-down approach to anti-aging and skin rejuvenation already done at the dermatologist’s office.
However, this doesn’t mean all LED face masks are created equal. In fact, many of them do not have the right specifications or safety clearance to improve your skin’s glow or reduce the appearance of acne.
Before you get started with light therapy at home, it’s important to note that an LED face mask shouldn’t replace an existing skincare routine consisting of research-backed ways to keep your skin healthy and glowing, including using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or over, finding a face-washing cadence that suits your skin type and regularly using other skin-boosting agents, such as retinoids.
It’s also important to keep in mind that even the best LED face masks will not work skin miracles or cause your face to change drastically. If that’s your goal, you can consider more invasive or direct cosmetic care such as botox or filler.
With all that being said, there is enough evidence linking red light therapy to the improvement of skin appearance to make an investment in a quality LED face mask worth it. To make your hunt a little easier, we’ve rounded up a list of the best LED face masks out there.
What is red light therapy?
Red light therapy is used for skin rejuvenation and brightening for people wanting to reduce the appearance of some signs of aging, like fine lines, or brighten their skin overall. It’s traditionally been used in dermatologists’ offices in higher strengths, but in recent years, at-home red light therapy masks have become a hot new skin-care tool. Research behind it shows that, at certain levels (more on that below), red and near-infrared light can stimulate collagen production.
Light therapy has also been used as a medical therapy versus a more cosmetic one. For example, there is research showing potential benefit for red and near-infrared light therapy on tendon healing. Red light therapy may also be used for hair loss.
What type of light should I look for in a mask?
If you’re after skin-brightening or anti-aging effects, you should look for a mask that has at least 630 nanometers red light and 830nm of near-infrared light. This combination has been recommended by dermatologists we’ve spoken with in the past and has research backing its use in the way it penetrates skin.
If acne is your target, however, you should choose a mask with blue light, which has anti-bacterial effects and targets closer to the surface of the skin than red or near-infrared light, which go deeper.
How we chose the best light therapy masks
We selected masks only from companies that have clearance for their technology from the US Food and Drug Administration. This means that the LED light specs provided through each mask are safe to use as directed. It also means that — while you shouldn’t expect dramatic results overnight — the mask has shown at least some level of efficacy.
From there, we made selections based on the type and strength of light emitted and firmness or material of the mask. We considered popularity and reviews and tested a couple models ourselves (the Omnilux Contour Face and Omnilux Men).
Best flexible LED mask
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Pros
- Company has a lot of publicly available research
- Comfortable and versatile
Cons
- Not as powerful or irradiant than other LED face masks on the market
- It comes with a chord and power button attached, so you need to carry it around during use
Omnilux is one of the most popular LED face masks on the market, and for good reason: Its tech is cleared with the FDA and it contains the right formula of light for anti-aging and brightening results (633nm red light and 830nm of near-infrared). Price-wise, it’s not the most expensive out there and is fairly middle-of-the-road. Of course, in LED face mask lands, that means it’s still a big chunk of change to drop.
I’ve been wearing the Omnilux Contour on and off for the past few months and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I don’t think I’ve used it consistently enough to see improvements in fine lines (for me, that’s mostly around my mouth), but I do like how it gives me a bit of a glow after. I plan to keep using it, as I was not expecting any LED face mask to work “miracles” or drastically change my face overnight.
One thing about all Omnilux LED masks in general is that it has a cord and power button you’ll need to keep with you while using it. I don’t mind this at all, since I take my light therapy time as an opportunity to lay on the ground and practice mindfulness, but for multitaskers that want to do light therapy during chores, this may be annoying and they may opt for a different mask.
Best combination LED mask for anti-aging and acne
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Pros
- Powerful irradiance
- Anti-aging and acne-fighting light therapy
- Vibration setting
- Comes with an eye shield for people with sensitive eyes
Cons
- May not be as comfortable as a silicone mask
- On the pricier side
At CNET, we’re a big fan of the brand Therabody and their massage guns. The brand also sells an LED face mask with particularly impressive specs: It contains both near-infrared and red light for anti-aging and skin brightening effects, but also has a blue light mode to target acne.
It’s also one of the most powerful on the list, with an irradiance of 64 mW/cm2 and higher, depending on which light you’re looking at. Another bonus: It vibrates for a mild face-massage effect.
For people who battle acne and want a little glow boost, the TheraFace is a powerful choice.
Depending on your preference, a con of the TheraFace could be that it’s hard and bulky compared to other LED face masks that are made of silicone. And while the mask is loose enough to allow for air (and easy to take off), it doesn’t have a mouth or nose hole, which may provide a more claustrophobic feeling for those prone to have one.
Therabody says it comes with two treatment settings: 3 minutes for a quick glow-up, or you can choose the full 9-minute setting for what the company calls “clinically-backed results.”
Best LED Mask for professional-grade results
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Pros
- Combines red, infrared and near-infrared light to target multiple skin concerns
- Comfortable to wear with adjustable straps
- Quick treatment time (10 minutes)
Cons
- Full-face coverage may feel bulky
- Not suitable for those with extremely sensitive skin
The CurrentBody LED face mask is a great option for those seeking professional-grade skincare treatments from home. This mask offers a combination of red, infrared and near-infrared light therapies to address multiple skin concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, acne and uneven skin tone.
The red light stimulates collagen production, the infrared firms, tightens and brightens the skin and the near infrared targets areas where aging signs are more pronounced, like wrinkles.
It has an adjustable strap and a lightweight design, which will make it comfortable for most people to wear for the 10-minute sessions. I also appreciate that this masks covers the area under your chin, which I haven’t seen from most other brands.
Best LED face mask for acne
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Pros
- Good for people whose main skincare concern is acne
- Soft and comfortable fit
Cons
- Not ideal for people who want to target collagen production or anti-aging
Omnilux Clear is similar to the Omnilux Contour in design: It’s a comfortable, flexible silicone mask that comes with a power cord you carry around with you. The Omnilux Clear is different, though, in that it’s specifically designed for people with acne. The Clear is packed with 415nm blue and 633nm red light wavelengths.
Because it doesn’t contain the near-infrared and red light combo like Omnilux’s other masks, the Clear is specifically marketed toward teenagers 14 and older and adults with mild or moderate acne. Blue light has anti-bacterial properties, targeting one of acne’s causes. Also, because blue light can make people’s eyes more sensitive than red light, Omnilux said they’ve included a bit of eye protection built into the Clear mask.
At $395, it’s the same price as the Clear’s anti-aging cousin, the Contour.
Most stylish LED mask
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Dr. Dennis Gross
Pros
- Powerful irradiance
- Short
- Features both blue and red light
- Novel and stylish mask style
Cons
- Hard mask may not fit every face
- Mask doesn’t include most-tested 633 nm red and 830 nm near-infrared wavelengths
- Doesn’t include goggles or eye shields for blue light setting (though company says mask is safe to use as-is)
Similar to the TheraFace, this mask by Dr. Dennis Gross contains both red and near-infrared light, as well as blue light for a range of uses. Treatment time is just 3 minutes, which makes sense given its relatively high irradiance (60 mW/cm2); like other high irradiance devices, a little goes a long way, and you don’t want to overstay the mask’s welcome on your face as it can start to heat up.
Dr. Gross is a well-known dermatologist in the New York City area, and his DRx SpectraLite Faceware Pro may be one of the coolest and prettiest looking on the market. It’s not silicone and flexible like some LED masks, but unlike the TheraFace, it has holes for your nose and mouth and conforms more to your actual face.
Best LED face mask for men
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Pros
- Specifically designed for men
- Omnilux is a solid LED face mask brand that makes other popular devices
- Mask is larger and provides for more room around the head and face
Cons
- Jury is out on whether the extra-deep wavelength really is needed to benefit men’s skin
Omnilux, riffing off their wildly popular Omnilux Contour Face mask, has come out with a mask for men.
No, light therapy is gender-dependent. But Omnilux said it created this mask for men because men’s skin is a little thicker, so they included an extra-deep wavelength (1072nm near-infrared) to get under that thick skin.
Whether or not this really matters remains to be seen, but I did find the mask for men much roomier, making it suitable for larger faces or features. It also has a different pattern than the Contour. In terms of treatment time, it’s the same drill: 10 minutes, and you hold the cord.
Best LED mask for multitasking
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Pros
- Comfortable
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Secure fit
- Three modes
- Breathable
- Has eye shield
Cons
- Doesn’t come with USB power adapter
- May not be for those who prefer a flexible material
Complete with 360 LEDs, the Illumina Face Mask offers triple wavelength technology, featuring red, infrared and blue light therapy to target wrinkles, acne, sun damage and enlarged pores. It has also been FDA-cleared, IEC safety tested and ISO quality assured. It is recommended to be used 3-5 times per week for 10 minutes. Once you start a treatment, it will automatically turn off after 10 minutes.
iRestore calls Illumina the “most multitasker-friendly mask,” and they are right. It has a built-in eye shield and slit for breathing, hovers over the face for comfort and to prevent sweating, is lightweight at only 181 grams and has dual straps for a secure fit. It has a MagSafe-inspired, snap-on power cable that connects to an easy-to-use remote that can be clipped onto a piece of clothing for moveability. Plus, the remote is interchangeable and can be used across different iRestore masks.
The Illumina Face Mask comes with a storage pouch and microfiber cloth for cleaning. It requires a USB power adapter (not included) for charging and takes 2 hours to charge.
I will take this time to address one small scare I had during my entire testing of the Omnilux face masks, which turned out to be a lesson in reading the fine print. I’d been using red light therapy masks while lying down as part of a nice, little meditative routine. But one day with the Omnilux mask for men, I had my eyes wide open while reading a political article for the duration of the 10-minute treatment. After taking off the mask, roughly 20 minutes later, I started to feel symptoms of what I’ve assumed in the past to be an ocular migraine. My vision felt slightly distorted, like I could still see but through a slightly watery filter.
I won’t lie, I freaked out a little. While I knew that Omnilux’s products were FDA cleared and red light is safe when used as directed near the eyes for most people (there’s even some research suggesting red light can benefit eye health), I didn’t read the fine print of contraindications for using the Omnilux mask, which warns people prone to light-induced headaches and other conditions that make you more sensitive to light, some skin conditions and genetic eye conditions.
My vision was completely normal within an hour, as it has the handful of other times I’ve had symptoms of a migraine brought on most often by changes in light, or something really similar that temporarily distorts my vision than makes me very tired and gives me a headache.
I have continued to use the Omnilux Contour mask (I have zero clue if the extra-deep wavelength in the men’s mask had anything to do with it), but with my eyes completely closed and after exposing them to other sources of light so it’s not as abrupt an adjustment from complete dark to red light. This is strictly my choice, though. If you also get light-induced headaches or are otherwise sensitive, ask your doctor before trying an LED face mask. Also, check the list of contraindications and safety instructions before buying and using any light therapy mask. You can also buy eye protection to wear with your mask if your eyes are particularly sensitive.
Red light therapy may not be safe or suitable for people with some health conditions, including lupus erythematosus, photosensitive eczema or albinism, according to Omnilux information. You also shouldn’t try light therapy at home (at least without asking your doctor first) if you have a photosensitive disorder which makes you especially sensitive to light, or if you have light-induced headaches.
Otherwise, as long as you choose a brand that’s been cleared by the FDA, and you follow each company’s directions for use, LED masks should be generally safe to use for most people. At the wavelengths mentioned, red and near-infrared light shouldn’t hurt the eyes. Some people may have eyes more sensitive to light and should invest in eye shields or keep their eyes shut.
Blue light is another story, however. Blue light may be largely safe to look at when emitted through a screen, for example, but there isn’t as much research on blue light from LED masks on the eyes. If you’re using a light therapy mask for acne (and choosing one with blue light), make sure you’re following the instructions and consider wearing eye shields or goggles, usually sold through the LED mask company.
If you’d like to target sagging skin or are interested in anti-aging effects, you should look for an LED mask with appropriate wavelengths of red and near-infrared light (about 633nm and 830nm, respectively).
The Mayo Clinic’s research and dermatologists suggest that LED face masks are generally safe to use. However, people who are sensitive to light should avoid them. Additionally, eye protection is recommended, especially with blue light.
While home LED masks are usually not powerful enough to cause high-intensity damage, it is still possible to cause skin irritation if used for excessively long durations of time. When using LED masks, you should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for duration of use.
FDA clearance: For safety, and to make sure you’re not buying a counterfeit product, it’s a good idea to purchase a mask that has been cleared by the FDA.
Specs of light: For anti-aging and skin-brightening effects, you’ll want to choose a mask that has red and near-infrared light. If you want to target acne, look for a mask that has a blue light setting.
Irradiance or power: Generally speaking, the higher the irradiance of the LED mask, the more powerful it may be. However, higher irradiance can mean more heat and warmth on your face, which may be uncomfortable to some.
Whether you’ll use your LED mask regularly: A quality LED face mask will run you at least a few hundred dollars, so it’s an investment to say the least. Before you hit the buy button, make sure you’re interested enough in revamping your skincare routine to stick to the mask’s recommended use cadence — in most cases, this is a few times a week.
Don’t neglect your overall skincare regimen: Just because you’ve added a fancy new LED mask to your routine doesn’t mean you can skip out on other skincare measures that have quality research behind them. This includes wearing a daily facial sunscreen, washing your face according to your skin type and using other products with anti-aging or skin-brightening properties, such as retinoids.
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