Should You Really Buy A Red Light Mask For Fine Lines & Acne? Our Investigation

I remember the first time I saw an LED red light therapy mask: I was a very junior editor at a magazine, and a more senior beauty editor had just got sent a plastic face mask that glowed a pinky-purple hue.

She popped it on in the office, turned it on, and the staffers collectively cooed ooohh. "That's supposed to help your skin?" someone questioned; "How does it work?" chimed in another. The beauty editor said she didn't know much about the technology yet, but she was eager to learn more and do some reporting. I remember her saying, this is going to be the next big thing.

Fast-forward several years and here we are. LED light therapy masks are the most in-demand at-home skin care tools on the market (well, right up there with microcurrent devices). And with that popularity comes a lot of questions from the beauty community—both from users and potential buyers. 

And if you count yourself in the latter camp, you're in the right place. Because this article is all about the benefits of LED light therapy masks, how to pick one that will work for you, and the absolute best LED face masks to pick from.

How we picked the best LED face masks

The mindbodygreen beauty team rigorously tested the LED red light masks on this list and judged them on the following criteria:

Bon Charge specializes in biohacking products—and the brand's red light mask was one of its first forays into skin longevity. This powerful red light mask emits both red (630nm) and infrared (850nm) light to promote firmer, younger-looking skin. We love that the design is EMF-free but still has a powerful irradiance of 100mw/cm2 at zero inches. And yes, our deputy commerce editor saw firsthand the difference regularly using this mask could have on her skin. Just swipe for those before and afters!

The feedback from our two testers was clear: This is the most impressive LED face mask they’ve ever tried. One of our testers loved it so much she wrote an entire review dedicated to it (read here). Shopping editor Carliegh Ferrante told me about the mask: “This mask truly sets itself apart from the others I’ve tried—even those that I’ve loved. It has three light settings, built-in percussive therapy, and a wireless design. The message settings melt away tension, while the red, infrared, and blue light have seriously improved my skin tone and brightened my complexion.”

The woman behind this mask is the legendary Shani Darden, facialist to the stars (she counts Jessica Alba and Emily Ratajkowski as clients). Darden has been using professional-grade LED panels in her spa for years, so you know when she came out with an at-home device it was going to be top-notch. And this one does not disappoint: It uses a dual-diode technology which increases the mask’s efficacy, comes with 238 medical-grade LED lights, and has a neck attachment, which was my favorite feature. I’d highly recommend this to anyone with aging skin concerns, especially if you want to target the full face and neck.

This Instagram-famous mask is a favorite among celebrities, influencers, and media folk. I own this and can account for its efficacy, too—I love putting it on when my skin needs a very quick brightening boost or tame down some rosacea-induced inflammation. It’s a great middle-of the road option that’s a medium price point, contains an efficacious number of bulbs, dependable, comes from a very reputable brand, and very easy to use. It uses 630-700 nm red light, and 400-470 blue light, which are the tested wavelengths to see clinical results1.

This silicone mask has the lowest amount of bulbs on this list—but it is the least expensive, and best one to take with you on the go. These types of silicone LED masks are popular for a reason, as they’re portable, have a (somewhat) more affordable price point, and are very beginner friendly. Our tester Ferrante noted, “there are a few features that make it stand out. The biggest differentiator: It has red light (anti-aging) and blue light (anti-acne) settings, which not all silicone masks have.”

Comparing the best LED face masks

How to choose the right LED face mask for you

Since you're here, I'll assume you're in the market for your own. Here are some things to consider prior to making a purchase.

Reputable brand

Esthetician Natalie Aguilar once told me that, "Unless the LED light is the correct wavelength, it's not going to do anything; you might as well be using Christmas lights." And she’s right. That’s why you have to buy a high-quality mask from a reputable company. How can you tell that the brand is quality? Some signs:

But be warned: These pro-worthy tools come with a price tag to match. That’s why LED masks are so expensive, because you’re paying for the vetted technology.

Price point

The most obvious place to start is with your budget. And the truth is that LED therapy masks and devices are expensive, with a majority of the options in the hundreds (and some in the thousands!). However, there is a big range of options within this context. 

If you're just starting out in your skin care journey, you'll likely want to opt for something cheaper. And for those who are already dedicated to collecting all the tools and gadgets, you may consider something on the higher end of the spectrum. 

But ultimately, your budget is a personal choice: So just know going into it what you're willing to spend.

Color

At this time, the two most common LED light colors are red and blue. You can find options with other colors—yellow/orange, green, purple, amber, for example—but they are less common. (However, I suspect as the body of research around other colors grows, we'll start to see devices incorporate other hues.) In the meantime here’s what you should know about the unique benefits:

Know that there are LED light therapy tools that aren't just masks

While this article focuses on masks, there are many types of LED therapy tools available—from wands and handhelds to face spheres and full-body plates. You may only be interested in the mask variety, but if you're open to other shapes and tools, variety abounds.

Is it worth buying an LED face mask?

Whether or not something is "worth buying" is relative. It depends on your budget, how much you're willing to commit to a skin care habit, and what your expectations are.

Given that LED light therapy masks tend to be on the more expensive side, you need to be willing to commit to regular use in order to make it worth the price tag. Also, LED light masks are for long-term care, not overnight results. 

If a few hundred dollars is within your budget, you can commit to diligent use, and you understand that the best results take time, then—yes, LED light therapy is a worthy investment. If not, this might not be the right modality for you.

Usage tips

Here’s how to use LED face masks to get the best results:

The takeaway

LED light therapy masks can be a worthy investment for your skin health—however, you need to make sure you've selected the right option for you, one made of high-quality LEDs, and use it consistently.

If you're not ready to take the plunge and buy an at-home tool but want to try the technology out, you should consider getting an LED facial.