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By Hannah Coates and Tracy Achonwa
Over the past few years, LED face masks have become a permanent fixture in the nation’s beauty regimes. Once reserved for celebrity treatments and salon-visits, with the rise of the DIY-wellness movement, professional equipment has found its way into our bathroom cabinets, and rightfully so. With a number of positive benefits for the skin, light therapy is a non-invasive treatment to improve the overall look of your skin. Tech-geeks assemble, here, British Vogue rounds up the best LED face masks and shows you how to use and where to buy them.
Skip to: What to look for in an LED face mask | Which colour LED do I need? | Which is the best LED face mask? | Vogue’s top LED devices, reviewed
There’s a reason LED light therapy has become super popular in recent years – it really does work. A quick glimpse at celebrity Instagram accounts – from Victoria Beckham and Julia Roberts to Jessica Alba and the Kardashians – and you’ll note that these masks are mainstays in every luminous face’s home skincare routine.
So what exactly is it? LED light therapy is where the skin is exposed to different wavelengths of light (including red, near-infrared and blue) that penetrate deep beneath its surface. Unlike UV light, these rays are actually good for the skin, but their benefits depend on the shade of light emitted by the device, which should be chosen based on skin concern.
It was in the ’90s that it was first (accidentally) discovered for use on the skin, after NASA studied the use of LED light on plant growth in space, and quickly found that it also showed great promise for healing and treating wounds. Soon, it began being more widely used, and the rest – they say – is history.
From reducing acne and inflammation to slowing down the signs of ageing, stimulating collagen production, smoothing and generally boosting glow, utilising light therapy in your routine is a golden ticket to better skin health.
Shopping the January sales? These seasonal LED offers are not to be missed. From trusted Vogue favourites like the MZ Skin Golden treatment mask to limited edition gift sets from Current Body, these are the very best LED face masks you can buy for less this month.
SENSSE Pro LED Light Therapy Mask
CurrentBody Skin Limited Edition LED Mask Gift Set
Yes. Depending on the light emitted by the mask, they can offer a multitude of benefits. For example, while red light increases collagen and elastin production, blue light targets acne-causing bacteria, green light helps with pigmentation, and yellow is brilliant for healing. When combined with a good daily skincare routine, they can help improve skin health from the inside out, boost radiance, tackle acne and other skin conditions, and leave the skin clearer, smoother and plumper.
Yellow: A preconditioning light that creates movement in the top layers of the skin’s cells, making it more receptive to the near-infrared light that follows, like red and blue. Yellow light can help boost glow post-use.
Blue: Used to treat acne, scarring and excess oil. It works by targeting the skin’s oil glands to reduce their activity, and subsequently lead to fewer acne breakouts, plus it also kills the bacteria (or p.acnes) inside pores. Combined with red light, it has an anti-inflammatory effect upon the skin too.
Red: A great light to try for its rejuvenating effects. Can also help to reduce inflammation, plus it is great for stimulating collagen production and blood circulation for plumper, healthier skin that glows with health.
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LED face masks are very easy to use and the more consistent you can be about using them, the better their effect will be upon the skin. Using them every day – for about 10 minutes – is ideal. Since they don’t emit UV light and are non-invasive, they are also very safe to use, so overdoing it isn’t easy. For best results always follow the instructions, and if you do notice irregular signs of damage, stop the use of the mask immediately and consult your doctor or dermatologist.
CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask
Dr Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro Mask
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For the best results, it’s recommended to use any sort of LED device on clean skin. Gently wash your face prior to therapy with a non-drying cleanser to remove any skincare and make-up residue. Also try to avoid any aggressive exfoliation and sunlight exposure before starting LED treatment. Post-treatment, follow up with serums, creams and other soothing moisturisers.
Choosing the best comes down to your needs, price bracket and preference. If you’re an LED beginner looking to test the waters then the No7 Laboratories Age-Defying LED Mask is a great place to start. Ready to commit? You need to try Déesee’s Pro LED Next Generation Mask, which is Kim Kardashian’s favourite. Whichever you go for, if you have deep pockets and can afford to invest, don’t cheap out on a low-powered mask. Look for key specs like the number of LED bulbs. The Light Salon experts tell us that a higher number – think: the numerous bulbs on in-clinic LED treatment devices – indicates a more powerful device.
Luckily for us, Kourtney Kardashian posted a picture of herself wearing her LED mask at home, sending fans into a frenzy to get their hands on the LED shield in the post. The DMH Aesthetics Light Shield is £190, features red, blue and amber LED light and is great for treating post-treatment redness.
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Victoria Beckham has spoken about using one of Vogue’s LED mask top picks, The Light Salon Boost Light Therapy Mask, when she’s at home. The idea is that the at-home mask mimics the in-salon treatment on The Light Salon menu, the “Skin Health and Rejuvenation” facial.
The Light Salon BOOST LED Mask
As the trend for LED treatments continues, there are a slew of buzzy new devices being released, but choosing well is key: not all LED face masks are created equal. It can be hard to know what to look for in a good LED device, which is why we’ve consulted experts from the best clinics in the business to discover the wavelengths that actually work (according to The Light Salon co-founder Hannah Measures, that’s 630nm for red light and 830nm for near infrared) shortlisted the masks that are worth your money, and tried them on for size. Each device in our edit has been put to the test by our editors for at least one full skin cycle, so we can properly report on how well they work to improve the complexion. Taking into account comfort, convenience and ease of use, scroll on for our compilation of the best LED masks on the market right now.
Why it’s Vogue approved: Combining the manifold benefits of red light therapy and laser, Kineon’s device is not your typical LED mask, but it’s certainly worth investing in. Strapped around the head, shoulders, back or joints, it emits powerful beams of light that effectively target pain and inflammation. What’s more, the infrared technology it uses is scientifically proven to help regenerate damaged tissue deep within the body, making it a sound choice for everything from post-workout recovery to chronic pain and wear and tear on the joints.
Pros: uses a high class laser to deeply penetrate cells and stimulate regeneration | quick treatment time | travel-friendly
Cons: can only focus on one area of the body at a time
“I tried this on a persistent ache in my knees after one too many burpees, and was shocked at how quickly a single session was able to reduce swelling and pain. It’s easy to use, incredibly effective and ideal for anyone committed to training hard this new year. The brand is so confident in the efficacy of the device that if you don’t see results within thirty days, you can have your money back – though given how well it works, I’d be very surprised if there were any customer returns.” - Tracy Achonwa, contributing beauty writer
Why it’s Vogue approved: Clinically proven to reduce wrinkles by an impressive 35 percent in just four weeks, CurrentBody’s LED Mask is also a hit with a number of celebrities. With red and near-infrared, it won’t target acne-prone skin (as it doesn’t offer blue light), but it is brilliant for general luminosity, collagen boosting and skin smoothing. And to add to that? It’s made from patented flexible silicone, which isn’t just comfortable, but it ensures light covers every area of the face. It’s a yes from us.
Pros: boosts collagen with red LEDs and Near Infrared | silicone comfortably flexes to the contours of your face | great for brightening skin
Cons: does not include blue LED light
Why it’s Vogue approved: Few LED masks are designed with the décolletage in mind, but Nourished’s device has got you covered. Its neck collar and bib work wonders on acne and signs of ageing beyond the face, and it boasts seven light modes to target a whole range of skin issues. With the thin skin of the neck being among the first places on the body to show signs of ageing, this LED mask set makes a great preventative tool.
Pros: even distribution of LED lights | multiple light modes | full coverage of the face and neck
Cons: some users report a poor fit depending on your face shape | does not include Near Infrared light
Why it’s Vogue approved: Backed by scientific research and third-party clinical studies, TheraBody’s latest LED device has been proven to deliver firmer, brighter skin in just nine minutes a day. Lined with a massive 648 bulbs, it administers 3-minute cycles of red, near-infrared and blue light in each session, and is the only LED mask to feature cranial massage for enhanced relaxation. We also love the anti-glare shield that slots into the eye holes on this mask. Where most have blackout goggles that limit your movement, this is a mask that lets you multitask – perfect for busy professionals.
Pros: brief, convenient treatment time | flex design ensures full coverage of LED light on all the facial contours | eye shields allow you to see while you wear it | hands-free | toggle button to opt in or out of massage
Cons: no nasal opening – can be slightly uncomfortable if positioned incorrectly
Why it’s Vogue approved: Many LED devices are marketed as “bringing the clinic home”, but this is one that lives up to those claims. A powerful, medical-grade brand favoured by top phototherapy facialists, the Dermalux Flex has been attenuated for safe home use by non-trained professionals. It still delivers salon results, though, with a whopping 360 lights configured to clinically proven wavelengths for targeting acne, ageing and even muscle aches. We love that it can be placed above face and body for all over rejuvenation, as does Kate Moss, who’s also a fan of this device.
Pros: powerful with a high number of clinical strength bulbs | can be used all over the body
Cons: it’s an investment, but if you use it enough, it’s worth it
Why it’s Vogue approved: Hailed as a non-invasive alternative to lip filler, Current Body’s lip perfector promises a deeply rejuvenated pout. From marionette and smile lines to lost volume and smokers' lips, its focused strip of LEDs increase cell renewal to improve the appearance of them all. And if you do have injectables, the deep-reaching red wavelengths will only enhance their effect, stimulating collagen and circulation of nutrients for a smile that’s plump and smooth.
Pros: focused treatment of the lip contour | short treatment times
Cons: cannot be used to treat the entire face, but it targets the lips – which most LED masks miss
Why it’s Vogue approved: All the pros love this mask, which has become something of a cult buy within the industry. It offers four different wavelengths – red, blue, green and near infrared – and six different treatment modes (including anti-ageing, calming and purifying modes), plus it’s home to a huge 770 medical-grade LED lights to help reduce dark spots, scars, breakouts and boost collagen production. Well worth the money if you’re going to use it regularly.
Pros: treats every conceivable skin concern with four LED colours and six treatment modes | highly effective with 770 medical grade bulbs
Cons: powerful mask which needs to be plugged in to a wall socket, so you'll have to stay put during sessions
Why it’s Vogue approved: If you’re after a tool that does it all, the TheraFace Pro is a great option. We are big fans of the red, blue and infrared light it delivers directly to the skin, as well as its other attachments such as percussive and cryo-therapy. All you have to do is glide the head over the skin post-cleanse. A lightweight, multifaceted tool that is an easy way to incorporate LED into your routine.
Pros: easy to use | multiple functions including massage, cryo and LED therapy
Laser Massage Comb Cons: not a handsfree LED device