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Mar 30, 2024

Best LED face masks 2023: at

By Tracy Achonwa and Adrian Clark There's a big trend right now for LED face masks, which promise to plump, rejuvenate and hydrate by using intensive light rays. But do they actually work? LED masks

By Tracy Achonwa and Adrian Clark

There's a big trend right now for LED face masks, which promise to plump, rejuvenate and hydrate by using intensive light rays. But do they actually work?

LED masks are having a moment. While there are no shortage of trending skincare treatments promising younger, clearer-looking skin, few wield NASA-developed tech to effectively solve skin woes. First used by scientists at the eminent space agency’s labs for their impressive effects on plant growth, it turns out LED (Light Emitting Diode) wavelengths also stimulate human skin cells to boost collagen, reduce blemishes and ameliorate all kinds of complexion concerns.

From wrinkles and rosacea to acne treatment and melasma, LED has fast become the non-invasive therapy of choice for clinically proven results. And once the reserve of the A-list with access to high-end clinical treatments, a new wave of at-home devices means you too can achieve Hollywood-handsome skin. But how do the best LED face masks work? What colour LED should you use? And how long does it take to see results from LED? To separate fad from fact, we consulted the experts, then tested the best LED masks worth buying for your smoothest skin yet.

As a pound-for-pound proposition, it's hard to look past CurrentBody's LED mask. Using a dual-light therapy, its quickfire sessions are primed to reduce the signs of aging while soothing other irritations. Suitable for all skin types, using this silicon mask is as simple as straping it on and relaxing for 10 minutes in its company.

This mask doesn't just look terrifying, it's got formidable power to match. With over 700 professional-grade bulbs that bathe your skin in therapeutic light, multiple LED colours and 6 treatment modes to quell concerns from acne to ageing, it's a spenny but sound investment for a lifetime of great-looking skin.

At under £100, you'll be hard-pressed to find a full-face LED mask for less than Magnitone's. It boasts three LED wavelengths of red, blue and yellow to tackle wrinkles, acne and dullness alike – a multi-use mask that gets you a lot of bang for your buck.

LEDs emit wavelengths of light that penetrate the skin to tackle concerns at the cellular level. As Dr Glyn Estebanez of Prima Aesthetics tells us, “It's like plants absorbing sunlight to power photosynthesis and boost tissue growth – human cells can absorb light wavelengths to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.”

Increased collagen and elastin rejuvenate the skin for a plumper, clearer and brighter complexion, as we find out from LED experts and The Light Salon founders Hannah Measures & Laura Ferguson. “LED is suitable for every skin type, and we’ve found men are particularly drawn to our treatments and devices because the only prep needed is clean skin and there’s no downtime.”

For the most effective treatment, consistent use of devices that emit wavelengths clinically proven to penetrate the skin (that’s at least 630nm for red light and 830nm for near infrared) is essential. You’ll also want to look out for the number of bulbs on your prospective device – a higher bulb number indicates a higher-powered, more effective mask.

“The spectrum of light incorporates different colours which are able to target different skin concerns, from stimulating collagen which can reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, to targeting bacteria to reduce breakouts,” says Dr Glyn. Red is the most popular colour used on at-home LED masks for its efficacy in treating a wide range of issues, but look out for masks with the below colour settings if there are specific conditions you want to address…

Whilst LED treats concerns including fine lines, texture and pigmentation irrespective of gender, they’re particularly handy for tackling ingrown hairs, nicks and bumps that arise from shaving. As well as speeding up wound healing, “Red light targets and restores the skin’s surface, reducing inflammation and redness,” explain The Light Salon founders. “If you suffer from acne, rosacea or post-shaving irritation, this will really help to calm the skin. It’s also helpful in smoothing razor bumps and improving your overall texture.”

LED masks are non-toxic, non-invasive and easy to use, but to reap long-term results they do require diligent consistent use. Blue light can kill bacteria to reduce mild pimples in as little as one session, but for a reduction of deeper set concerns like fine lines and wrinkles, Dr Glyn says treatment is required at least 2 to 3 times a week for a minimum of 4 weeks to see results.

Armed with the facts, we set about testing the best LED devices on the market right now. Read on for the ones we found gave us the best results…

Pros: Flexible comfortable fit | Short auto timed 10min sessions | Easy to wipe cleanCons: Has only one strap, so bottom of the mask doesn't fully mould to the chin

This multi-award-winning LED light therapy-powered mask has been clinically proven to reduce wrinkles by 35 per cent in just four weeks. Designed to promote visibly firmer-looking skin and tackle the onset of premature ageing, it's favoured by a raft of A-listers looking to get red-carpet ready. Combining anti-ageing red and near-infrared dual-light therapy, it stimulates the production of collagen, calms redness and helps to even out skin tone, while also working deeper beneath the skin's surface to boost circulation, improve blood flow and supply a rush of oxygen to the skin cells. Made from a patented flexible silicone material that enables a more even “spread” of light to penetrate every area of the face, the device is suitable for all skin types and delivers both instant and long-term results – after a month, we saw visibly smoother skin with a healthy glow. £279. At currentbody.com

Pros: Designed specifically for men | Short treatments | Flexible silicone design | Two adjustable strapsCons: Expensive

Brace yourself, but you may be shocked to discover that men and women have different skin. Since most LED face masks are marketed to and bought by the fairer sex, that means they tend to be designed with that portion of the world’s populace in mind. That’s not the case for the Omnilux Men, which uses a lot of the same tech as the brand’s other bestselling creations while being engineered for thicker skin. Mercifully for first-timers, this mask is an absolute breeze to use with a flexible silicone design that moulds to your face while a mix of red and near-infrared lights go about their work in 10-minute increments. Although the Omnilux Men’s design is different, the anti-ageing effects it delivers are par for the LED face mask course once you’ve stuck with the treatment for four to six weeks. It’s a particularly good shout for anyone who prefers to fix up their facial hair with an electric shaver or razor, as it should provide some added protection against irritation and inflammation. For these reasons and the healthier-looking skin we ended up with, the Omnilux Men turned out to be our new favourite working from home companion, sitting on the office desk just waiting to be deployed in a spare moment between Zoom calls. £289. At omniluxled.com

Pros: Handsfree use | Adjustable straps | Auto-timed treatment | International power convertersCons: Discomfort from slight rigidity of mask

The Light Salon’s Boost is the Ferrari of LED masks. It’s slick, über powerful, and has all the bells and whistles. Sensitive eyes? Whack on some eyeshields. Travelling? There are EU and US converters. Doing laundry while you glow? Adjustable velcro straps hold your LED headgear in place. The mask is strong, but completely painless. Its red and near-infrared wavelengths have been clinically proven to renew skin at the cellular level when used consistently (if you’re going to commit to a purchase, you should be ready to commit to five nights a week of masking to enjoy the collagen-plumping and fine line-reducing effects). After a few days of use, it looked as if we’d had a nap in the sunshine — though LED masks have no danger of UV light damage. While the eyeshields are useful, our eyes did feel slightly strained if we read or watched TV while masking. We'd recommend using the automatic 10-minute timer as an opportunity for much-need closed-eye meditation (or power nap, if you’re speedy). £395.00. At netaporter.com

Pros: Very effective | Express treatment modes available | Secure straps | Easy to operateCons: Uses a wall plug-in power supply | Pricier model

We get it, this is no small sum to invest in a LED mask, but can you really put a price on feeling confident in your skin? Easily the highest-powered device on this list, Déesse Pro’s 770 bulb face mask is as close as you’ll get to a clinical treatment at home and effectively alleviates concerns from acne to eczema and ageing skin. With six modes spanning everything from ‘brightening’ and ‘calming’ to ‘anti-ageing’ and ‘purifying’ this mask leaves no condition untouched, and with the option to edit treatment time in 5-minute increments, it’s easily tailored to busier schedules. As for the results, they’re as impressive as you’d expect – the mask easily flattens razor bumps and pimples within days of use, and has shown promising improvements to stubborn dark marks in just two weeks of testing. We'll be putting it through its paces for the full course, but so far, it's worth every precious penny. £1,440 at cultbeauty.com, niche-beauty.com & dessepro.com

By Lucy Ford

By Zak Maoui

By Lucy Ford

Pros: Fully wireless for handsfree use | AffordableCons: Visor design can fog up

Coming in as one of the more affordable LED masks on the market, the Magnitone visor functions much the same as its more expensive cousins — by using varying wavelengths to target different epidermal layers and remedy skincare worries. This choice is an inflexible one, and while its design smacks more of a futuristic dentist and less of a Hannibal Lector mask like other models, the visor design does have the tendency to fog up. Despite that, it’s an eminently affordable way to delve into the previously closed-off world of light therapy, showing glowy results within weeks. £69. At sephora.co.uk, lookfantastic.com & magnitone.co.uk

Pros: Targeted eye treatment | Four LED wavelengths | Comfort goggles includedCons: Only treats your eyes, obviously

We're all for specialism in grooming. You wouldn't use a hand cream as a substitute for lip balm or a nose hair trimmer to fine-tune your beard, hence Current Body's Eye Perfector is a precision-tooled means to lessen the effects of crow's feet and eye bags. Since the eyes are one of the first areas of your body to show signs of ageing, you could consider this your first line of defence in an ongoing battle to achieve George Clooney's middle-age charm. While the Eye Perfector won't do much to give you a Hollywood-worthy smile, it's well-specced in terms of its LED capabilities with four wavelengths supported. To wear the thing, just strap it on like a pair of turbo-charged swimming goggles and sit in place for a refreshingly short three minutes, which will be enough to stimulate your skin's production of collagen. For an even more effective treatment, consider using the Eye Perfector in conjunction with a serum or eye mask. £199. At currentbody.com

Pros: Secure straps | Automatic and manual treatment settings | flexible for a comfortable fitCons: Difficult to wipe clean

Giving the standard LED face mask a more comfortable refresh, Silk’n’s LED mask is closer to the feeling of a second skin, rather than being a more rigid, structured mask that can feel uncomfortable to wear. Incorporating four different colours of LED light – red for anti-ageing, blue for acne, yellow for smoothing and softening and purple for reducing inflammation – it also gives you the option of manually focusing on one style of treatment, or using an automatic setting that gives you a timed dose of each colour. Conveniently incorporating straps on both the top and middle of the mask, you can also move around freely in it while it works, meaning you needn’t worry about setting too much time aside for it. But set the time aside you absolutely should – when we tried it, we saw an impressive reduction in hormonal cystic acne that's notoriously difficult to treat. Coming in at under £200, it's an affordable option for happier, healthier skin. £156. At notino.co.uk

By Lucy Ford

By Zak Maoui

By Lucy Ford

Pros: Targeted LED application | Shrinks inflammation and bumps | Quick treatment timeCons: only treats small areas compared to full face masks

Easy-to-use, portable and battery-operated, Dr Dennis Gross’ SpotLite Blemish Remover is an on-the-spot acne-fighting treatment device designed (unlike a full-face mask) to specifically target localised flare-ups. Using clinically proven blue and red LED technology to help clear and prevent future breakouts, blue light penetrates just below the skin’s surface to combat acne-causing bacteria, while red light goes deeper into the skin to help cool down inflammation, sensitivity and redness. When combined, this LED duo also help flatten blemishes and treat post-acne dark spots and scarring. Use daily for three minutes and expect to see results within a week. Also works wonders for anyone who suffers from congested pores. £82. At amazon.co.uk

Pros: Affordable | Uncomplicated | Provides a deep clean of poresCons: Battery needs charging often

Easy to add to your existing grooming regimen, this LED-powered facial cleanser is the device of choice for the man after a convenient upgrade to his skincare routine. Assisted by high-frequency vibrations, it takes all the hard work out of your daily ablutions – simply apply face wash and let the silicone hairs thoroughly cleanse your pores. Whilst it doesn’t have as many bulbs as high-powered LED masks, its precise strip of light allows for targeted treatment of spots, fine lines and blemishes. A solid introduction to LED light therapy, our skin felt refreshed and revived after the first use, plus palpably firmer after using the bioelectric current-powered chrome tip. £49.99. At sephora.co.uk & lookfantastic.com

Pros: Multiple LED colours available to treat several skin issuesCons: Takes a while to see results

Better known in Hollywood as “The Eye Doctor”, London-based aesthetician Dr Maryam Zamani is the driving force behind the celebrated MZ Skin brand and its game-changing multifunctional LED mask designed for at-home use, promoting optimised skin transformation. It offers five different coloured light therapy treatments: red to refine, plump and strengthen the skin; blue to balance and purify; green to brighten the complexion; yellow to soothe, reduce redness and inflammation; and white to repair the skin and reduce sensitivity. Start with ten minute sessions, building to 30 minutes at a time, and by using the device two to three times per week, optimum results will be seen after one month. £390. At net-a-porter.com & currentbody.com

By Lucy Ford

By Zak Maoui

By Lucy Ford

Pros: Fully wireless | Relatively affordable | 3 LED colours in oneCons: Inflexible design

Skin Gym, the LA-based wellness brand celebrated for its use of ancient beauty techniques and materials to inspire contemporary holistic beauty tools, has gone all techy on us. Introducing, the brand’s first LED light therapy mask. In fact, it's the brand's first product to really embrace advanced technology. A wireless powered mask you can use anywhere (although whipping it out for a quick session in Starbucks might raise a few eyebrows), it uses three forms of light therapy, blue, which is great for acne prone skin, red to combat redness and ageing concerns and orange for dull, lacklustre skin that just needs a bit of a pick-me-up. Also proven to stimulate elastin and help regulate oil production, it's very easy to use; choose your desired light setting and power on for 15 to 30 minutes. £90 at beautybay.com

Pros: Portable | Precise treatment | Includes heat, cryotherapy and sonic massage modesCons: Requires moving around if you want to treat the entire face

Foreo’s UFO 2 is probably the most versatile at-home treatment mask to incorporate LED technology. Like having a professional facial from the comfort of your sofa, it incorporates the use of Korean-inspired microfibre sheet masks (infused with botanical oils and fruit extracts) as part of the treatment, thus supercharging the benefits of the device that is powered by hyper-infusion technology to encourage the absorption of nutrients and active ingredients deep into the dermis. Thermotherapy (heats the skin up), cryotherapy (cools it down) has a lifting and firming action, while T-Sonic pulsations promote blood circulation. But it is the “light show” that is the star of this performance, offering an unprecedented eight different coloured light settings from detoxifying purple light to skin-brightening green light – the tailored combinations are endless. USB rechargeable, waterproof and made with medical-grade silicone, it is also one of the quickest devices on the market, as each treatment takes only 90 seconds. £139. At currentbody.com & johnlewis.com

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