Looking to invest in an LED face mask or panel? These are the ones the CF team love.
LED face masks and devices are everywhere right now, and for good reason. The buzz‑worthy skincare gadgets claim to target all our main skin concerns and goals – and from the comfort of our own homes no less. No wonder dermatologists and beauty editors alike are singling them out for their ability to tackle acne, smooth fine lines, boost radiance and even out skin tone, all with simple daily sessions.
But, how does LED light therapy work? And is an LED mask actually worth introducing to your beauty routine?
Whether you’re curious about LED therapy or ready to invest in your first (or next-generation) LED mask, here’s everything you need to know. Plus, our round‑up of the most talked‑about devices worth adding to your routine.
What is an LED face mask or panel?
LED face masks and panels are skincare devices that use light-emitting diode (LED) technology to treat different skin concerns.
“LED light therapy – or light emitting diode – is an effective, non-invasive, pain-free treatment that involves exposing your skin to an array of coloured wavelengths,” explains the aesthetic practitioner Dr Ayah Siddiqi. “These wavelengths of light are visible to the human eye, and are not the same as the sun’s potentially damaging UV rays, which also means you won’t get a ‘tanning’ effect from them.”
The technology was originally used in clinics for its skin-boosting benefits, including for signs of premature ageing, mild-to-moderate acne, and skin dullness. Now, the technology has been harnessed for at home use, in the form of LED face masks and panels, which bring the glow of professional light therapy right to your bathroom (without the downtime of in-clinic lasers… or the hefty price tags).
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What do the different LED light colours do?
We see different colours of visible light (for example red or blue) because they have different wavelengths. Light therapy treatments then use these different wavelengths for specific skin benefits; the longer the wave length of light, the deeper it can penetrate into the skin to have an effect.
Blue light
Blue light works predominately on the skin surface, meaning it can help target the acne-causing bacteria that lives there, calming breakouts with its antibacterial effect. Blue light is “the most clinically proven wavelength” according to Georgina Mackley, the training specialist at Déesse.
Red light
Red light is also clinically proven for skin benefits, but it can penetrate deeper to stimulate collagen production. This means it can help reduce signs of fine lines and uneven texture.
Near-Infrared Light
Often found in combination with red light, near-infrared is the wavelength that can penetrate most deeply into your skin, leading to boosted circulation and the support of deeper skin healing.
Yellow and Green Light
Yellow and green lights are sometimes used to even skin tone and radiance within LED therapy device, with some reported benefits for helping reduce the appearance of pigmentation too.
– Most at‑home masks combine multiple wavelengths so you can target different concerns with the same device.
How do at-home LED face masks and panels work?
An at-home mask physically sits over your face (normally secured by straps at the back) powered by batteries or the mains, while a panel is designed to be sat in front of, a bit like a SAD lamp. Whichever LED device you choose, it is likely to be made up of lots of diodes (or bulbs) that emit the tailored wavelengths of light to treat the skin. Importantly, these aren’t as strong (and therefore also not as quickly effective) as their in-salon counterparts, but they are safe to use at-home. Depending on the mask’s design, the overall material can vary, although it’s often either sturdy plastic or softer silicone. Most treatments take between 10 and 20 minutes, making them an easy addition to your weekly skincare routine.
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Who are LED face masks suitable for?
Broadly speaking, LED face masks are suitable for all skin types and colours, as their non-invasive nature means they don’t cause irritation or redness. When used according to the safety guidelines and purchased from a reputable supplier, there are minimal health risks associated with them. However, to avoid any risk of eye irritation – especially if you have sensitive eyes or are prone to headaches – you may wish to wear eye protection. Or, at the very least, we recommend you close your eyes to ensure maximum comfort and safety throughout treatment.
How quickly can you see results?
It’s obvious to say, but your LED mask or panel won’t work for you if it is left to gather dust! Regular sessions (usually 10–20 minutes, a few times per week) are key – it’s a routine investment, not a quick fix.
That’s particularly true because at-home LED face masks aren’t as powerful as the light therapy techniques used in-clinic, so you will need to wait a little longer to see results. Consistency is also really important because light therapy has a cumulative effect on the skin.
“At-home LED masks tend to deliver about 50 per cent of the power of the machines I use in my clinic, but with at-home convenience you can enjoy light therapy more frequently”, explains the leading aesthetics doctor Dr. Maryam Zamani. While slow and steady may win the skincare race, most LED masks deliver visible improvements in skin appearance within eight to 12 weeks. Some even claim initial results in as little as five weeks with regular use. That’s not dissimilar to starting a solid skincare routine from scratch.
If you’re inspired to invest in a LED face mask for your at-home beauty routine, we’ve reviewed the very best LED face masks on the at-home market – for all skin types and concerns.
Tried and tested: the best LED face masks and panels
CurrentBody's LED face mask (already a best seller) was just made even better, and this time the Series 2 mask is backed by the Veritace® guarantee, which ensures each device delivers the clinical-grade wavelengths proven to work. That means you can trust that the three wavelengths (red, near-infrared and deep near-infrared) really can get to work reducing wrinkle apearance and skin plumpness in just eight weeks – as the impressive before-and-afters on the website show. Plus, the flexible silicone shape provides an effective – and comfortable – fit on all faces too.
The Shark CryoGlow Under-Eye Cooling LED Face Mask is the only LED face mask with built-in under-eye cooling, making it brilliant for frequent flyers and for before events; while your skin gets treated with blue, red, and deep-infrared light, your eyes get an instant chill to de-puff and soothe. That's skincare multitasking done right (while saving you money in the process)! The presets, 'better ageing', 'blemish repair', and 'skin sustain' allow you to tailor your results without feeling you need a science degree – which is a nice touch, making it feel like an achieveable high-tech, spa treatment at-home.
Dermalux is said to be the most powerful (and still pain-free) at-home LED light therapy treatment available. It utilises three key LED wavelengths – blue, red, and near-infrared – with seven targeted treatments to treat the full range of skin concerns, including acne scara, eczema, and fine lines. The highlight though, is that the device can be easily used on the full body – the face, neck, stomach and legs – where required, due to the domed, free-standing design. It's the epitome of a head-to-toe treatment.
If you want to try LED light therapy without breaking the bank, the Silk’n LED Face Mask 100 is a solid first purchase at under £100. With 100 LEDs covering the flexible silicone mask, it’s comfy to wear and gives a decent range of coloured wavelengths – red for collagen, blue for breakouts, purple for a mix, and yellow for hydration. It doesn't contain the near-infrared of pricier masks, so it’s less 'anti-ageing' than some others, but if overall skin quality improvements and breakouts are your core concern, it's easy and quick-to-use. Plus, it's a great option for travelling.
A beauty editor favourite, this sturdy, rather futuristic-looking mask is a multi-award winner for a reason. Not least because Dr. Dennis Gross was one of the first dermatologist-founded brands to recognise the power that LED devices could have for at-home use. Containing 100 red light emitting diodes and 62 blue light LEDs to improve overall skin quality, there's three modes to choose from: the 'anti-ageing' red light, the 'acne-fighting' blue light, and a combination setting. Sessions only need to last three minutes for visible results within 10 weeks.
If you want an LED glow fix that’s not a bulky mask, Lustre's GoGlow patches are a great middle ground. There are gadgets specifically for breakouts too, but we particularly like these little LED patches which are all about under‑eye brightening, de‑puffing and refreshing tired skin — all in quick, wireless 3‑minute bursts. They use blue and red light to target breakouts and fine lines, and lots of users say they see noticeable results (brighter, smoother under‑eyes and less puffiness) within a week of regular use, which is seriously impressive. Plus, they’re easy to slip into a routine, portable if you travel, and feel like a little spa moment for your face.
The FOREO UFO Advanced LED Lighthouse Panel is a pretty futuristic take on at-home light therapy – and we're impressed! Instead of wearing a mask, you sit two metres away from this mirror-like panel, while it shines different LED wavelengths (blue, amber, red and near-infrared) to target your blemishes, redness and signs of ageing. It has the benefits of a SAD lamp too, with technology that gradually brightens in the morning to mimic a natural sunrise, and a 'go to sleep' mode too. The hands-free idea is perfect if you want to multitask while doing your skincare, making it easy to slot into your routine.
Boncharge are red light therapy experts, so you can trust the brand's red light therapy mask is an award-winner for a reason. Specifically focused on restoring glow, calming your complexion and softening the visible signs of ageing, including wrinkles, all in just 10 minutes of use a day, it uses scientifically backed wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to boost your skin from within. Super soft and simple to use, don't be surprised if your friends and family (of all genders) try to steal it off you!
If you're new to the concept of LED light therapy, this Magnitone mask is a brilliant gift for yourself (as well as making a lovely present to others in your life who are intrigued by the treatment). It's easy-to-use and simple-to-wear due to the glasses-like arms. Plus, it isn't a massive investment despite utilising three light settings – red, blue and yellow, the latter of which is said to help boost your skin's overall radiance.
Another affordable LED mask option that’s great for taking on your travels, right now Stylpro’s mask is under £70! It’s particularly impressive for not costing the world while still offering four treatment modes (using a combination of red, blue, and near-infrared LEDs), each designed to target different concerns: firming, smoothing skin texture, and boosting overall radiance. The near-infrared light is a nice bonus for a deeper glow, while the red and blue tackle fine lines and breakouts. Lightweight and easy to wear, it’s perfect for quick 'perk-up' sessions when your complexion is feeling tired or lacklustre. As a nice bonus, the controls are intuitive too, so you don’t have to be an LED pro to get results.
Offering the 'complete works' option for at-home LED light therapy, Déesse's Pro LED Mask utilises not only red and blue light, but green and near infrared light too. It aims to tackle almost all common skin concerns across all skin types, from fine lines to uneven tone. It also has six treatment modes to help you personalise your light therapy routine, it's hands-free, and is super lightweight – making it perfect for pre, post, and during your holiday travels. No wonder it's rumoured to be a firm fixture in A-lister luggage.
Forget harsh scrubs and spot treatments that merely dry out the skin, Omnilux's LED face mask aims to take the pain out of calming mild-to-moderate acne. One of the latest exciting additions to the LED face mask market, this mask uses a combination of blue and red light diodes to decrease pore size, tame inflammation, and reduce acne-causing bacteria on the skin. The best results come after four 10-minute treatments per week for six weeks, but, it is also designed to keep breakouts at bay. Simply use as soon as tell-tale redness starts to form.
This rechargeable LED mask has amassed great reviews for its relatively fast ability to improve the appearance of fine lines and breakouts – specifically within a four-to-six week time frame. It benefits from four colour treatment modes: red light to tackle fine lines, blue and purple lights for blemishes, and yellow light for overall skin appearance. Plus, it has a comfortable and flexible silicone/fabric design, meaning committing to regular treatments feels like less of a chore.
The Light Salon put in-clinic light therapy treatment on the facial map, and this mask is specifically designed to deliver the next best thing to booking in for their Signature facial treatment. Focusing on the clinically-proven combination of red and near-infrared light diodes, the mask works to improve the appearance of wrinkles and skin firmness. If you need a little more convincing, you'll see lots of before and afters on the website. We love how proud the brand is of its results.
MZ Skin has not one but two LED face masks to choose from, both of which aim to treat a full scope of skin concerns using LED light therapy technology. The firmer, more traditional, full-face mask is a favourite on social media, perhaps because it turns you into a gold Academy Awards statue. Our preference, though, is the more flexible silicone version. It's designed to fit comfortably and closely on the skin, even around the tricky nose area, due to patented silicone wraps. That ensures the duo of light options – red and infrared or blue and red – are put to use most effectively for plumping, soothing, and smoothing.
Becki Murray is Citizen Femme’s Beauty and Wellness Director. As one of the only UK journalists to hold a Distinction-grade diploma in cosmetic science, she combines her unique knowledge with an editor’s eye to help you make smarter choices about beauty, wellbeing, and aesthetics. Becki also heads up CF’s spa guide so you could say she’s an expert in the science of relaxation too…
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Image credit: Magnitone
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