The Very Best LED Face Masks, Tested Over Time By Our Editors (2024)

While at-home LED devices can’t compete with the power of a professional light therapy treatment administered by a dermatologist, they can complement a well-rounded skincare routine when used properly and consistently. The best LED face masks fit comfortably, are FDA-cleared for safety and feature an effective number of LED bulbs to penetrate the skin and provide various skincare benefits. Our top picks include the Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro, a contoured mask offering multiple light modes, and the Omnilux Contour Face, a flexible silicone design that’s easy to secure in place.

Though there are many options at your disposal, the steep prices and differing features can make it tough to narrow down which one is worth trying. I, along with a panel of testers over the age of 30, evaluated multiple red light therapy devices over the course of months for factors such as ease of use, comfort, recommended usage, efficacy, safety and more. (I also wrote an in-depth comparison of the Omnilux vs CurrentBody treatments.) Here are the very best LED face masks for treating a range of skincare concerns.

Using both red and blue light therapy, this sturdy, dermatologist-developed device targets both signs of aging and acne breakouts, making it easier to justify its $450-plus price tag. Unlike many other versions that use a flexible silicone material, the SpectraLite FaceWare Pro has a rigid and pre-contoured design made of a glossy white and metallic rose-gold plastic. It’s also one of the rare masks that’s completely wireless, powering on via a small button on the top.

The multitasking device offers three different preprogrammed treatment settings: a red light treatment to address signs of aging like fine lines and discoloration, a blue light treatment to help clear acne and a combination treatment that uses both red and blue lights to target a variety of concerns. Treatments take only three minutes to complete, as opposed to many other LED face masks that work in 10-minute installments.

While it’s heavier than a silicone mask, I found it to be more comfortable because its pre-molded shape hugged my facial features better. The silicone head strap was also effective at keeping the mask in place when stationary, though the mask was prone to slippage when I moved around. According to the brand, the mask is safe to be used with your eyes open or closed and without safety goggles. I did not find the brightness of the LED lights to be overwhelming or irritating to my eyes, but I did feel more comfortable with my eyes shut.

The mask was super easy to set up, thanks to clear and straightforward directions, and it comes with a kit that includes a USB charging cord in its drawstring storage bag (minus a power adapter). It needs to be fully charged before its first use, which took about four hours (one full charge lasts for eight to 10 uses). The mask automatically shuts off after each treatment, and the brand recommends using it once a day, which feels doable given the speedy sessions. Overall, I found the SpectraLite FaceWare Pro to be well designed, straightforward and easy to add into my daily skincare routine.

My 3-month update: The fact that this mask only take three minutes to complete a treatment is the biggest reason it’s become a mainstay in my routine and my favorite LED face mask by far. As a working mom with a toddler, I don’t have a ton of time to spend on an extensive beauty routine in this phase of my life, so I appreciate the condensed treatment times. I definitely got used to the weight on my face, and realized that if I pulled my hair up it didn’t slip around quite as much. My biggest qualm is that it doesn’t come with a power adaptor.

Many of the at-home LED masks on the market use a flexible silicone design that lays snugly against your facial features, with cutouts for the areas around your eyes, nostrils and lips. If you’re set on one, I highly recommend the Omnilux Contour Face mask, which I found to be lightweight, comfortable and very easy to set up and use.

The mask offers a combo of red light and near-infrared light therapy in a preprogrammed 10-minute treatment to address multiple signs of aging, discoloration and redness. It took a few minutes to properly place and secure the mask on my face, but it felt pretty comfortable once on. The device features two adjustable head straps that keep the mask in place so long as I stay still, though I wish there were eye inserts or safety goggles included to protect my eyes against the bright lights.

This mask is powered by an oval handheld controller, which needs to be fully charged before plugging it into the mask (a process that took me two hours, but can take up to six). It comes with a storage bag, a USB cable and multiple power adapters. Once the controller is charged, you plug it into the mask, secure the mask on your face and press the on/off button on the controller to start your treatment.

My 3-month update: The Omnilux Contour Face mask is still my favorite silicone LED mask I’ve tested. I really appreciate how flexible the design is, and as I continue to use it, I’ve become more efficient in securing it to my face properly. I don’t deal with a lot of acne, so I don’t mind that this mask doesn’t have a blue light treatment. However, someone who wants to use an LED face mask to address breakouts may want to opt for a product with more treatment settings or light modes.

The CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask, made famous on TikTok, uses a patented silicone material that flexes over your facial contours to ensure the light makes contact with your entire face. Like other silicone masks on this list, it features openings for the eyes, nostrils and lips, as well as one adjustable head strap. One unique feature is the inclusion of openings for the ears, which helps further improve the fit.

Setting up this mask was a breeze. The controller took only about two hours to fully charge with the included USB-C charging cable out of the box, though the brand notes that this process can take up to 4.5 hours. The most difficult part of the setup was fitting the mask to my face, as the head strap was hard to secure so that the mask fit comfortably. I also found the mask’s LEDs to be almost overwhelmingly bright, though it comes with rubber eye inserts to help block light.

Because I preferred to do my treatments with my eyes closed, I couldn’t move around or multitask while wearing the device. However, I particularly enjoyed that the mask automatically shuts off and alerts you when the treatment is over.

The Therabody TheraFace Mask has the most LED lights out of all the devices our testers tried: 648, broken up into three light modes (red light, red and infrared light, and blue light). The device defaults to a nine-minute treatment session that cycles through all three of the light modes, but you also have the ability to choose just one light mode for a faster and more targeted three-minute session. The mask also features 17 motors that deliver massaging vibration therapy with or without the use of the LED light therapy.

Our tester says the Therabody mask is pretty heavy, at 1.3 pounds, and found that it was most comfortable to wear while leaning back or lying down. The mask features a vertical and horizontal head strap to secure it to the face as well as removable eye shields, which allow you to keep your eyes open during treatments. Because the device is so heavy (due to the technology involved for its dual LED and massage therapy functions), our tester said the eye shields ended up leaving pressure marks on her upper cheekbones, though you could also keep your eyes closed throughout light therapy treatments instead.

Still, setting up the cordless mask was extremely simple, and 1.5 hours on the charger yielded our tester 108 minutes of use (i.e., 12 separate nine-minute sessions) before it needed to be recharged again.

Our 3-month update: Our tester found that this LED face mask’s simple directions and straightforward design made it easy to consistently use. While the mask is slightly bulkier than others on the list, it’s easily justified due to its multiple treatment settings and advanced technology. Since using it, our tester reported only the occasional blemish (though she doesn’t typically experience many breakouts), and was overall pleased with her skin’s texture and tone.

This midrange bubblegum-pink mask has 132 LEDs that emit a combination of red light and near-infrared light. Made from soft, medical-grade silicone, it features one preprogrammed 10-minute treatment that automatically shuts off once it’s done.

We found this mask to be very simple to set up, lightweight, secure and comfortable, great for both lying down and moving around. Though it came with protective eye inserts, our tester found that closing her eyes was the most effective way to block out light. Unfortunately, that also meant she could not multitask while wearing it, so if you want a hands-free mask, you may want to look elsewhere.

You can get 10 treatments out of the mask before needing to charge it again, which is comparable to similar options on this list. The biggest difference is its aesthetically pleasing design, which comes in a matching mask for the neck and chest that can be used separately or worn at the same time.

Our 3-month update: Our tester continued to find this mask to be easy to use but felt it became uncomfortable in areas where it would press harder into her skin, like around her nose; loosening the straps helped remedy this issue. At first, our tester didn’t notice any major differences to her skin and stopped using the mask. However, after a few weeks, she felt her skin was slightly less glowy and smooth, so she picked it back up again.

The HigherDose Red Light Face Mask offers the longest treatment option out of any of the LED masks on this list—10- and 20-minute red light and near-infrared sessions—though you don’t have to wear it for a full 20 minutes each time you use it to yield results. One tester, who has been using the mask consistently for over six months, says, “The biggest benefit I notice is a post-mask glow. I feel like it rejuvenates my skin and makes it look more vibrant and healthy.” She notes that she’s also diligent about taking care of her skin and gets monthly facials.

The HigherDose Red Light Face Mask offers the longest treatment option out of any of the LED masks on this list—10- and 20-minute red light and near-infrared sessions—though you don’t have to wear it for a full 20 minutes each time you use it to yield results.

This lightweight device is easy to set up and comes with convenient accessories like multiple adapters, protective eye goggles and a charging cord for the controller—all wrapped up in a storage bag. According to our testing, you get about five 20-minute sessions out of a full charge. The biggest complaint is the fit, as testers say the mask didn’t fit the lower portion of their faces despite having three head straps to customize the fit. Another downside is the brightness of the LED lights, which even the included goggles weren’t much help at blocking.

Our 3-month update: Our testers continue to vouch for the glow that this LED face mask provides but have yet to experience other changes to their skin. One tester felt that the mask became slightly looser over time.

The CurrentBody Skin LED Neck and Décolletage Perfector is an excellent pick if you’re in the market for an LED device that targets crepiness and discoloration on the neck, chest and décolletage areas. Featuring 50 LED lights and a preprogrammed 10-minute treatment, the device uses the same red and near-infrared light therapy technology as the CurrentBody face mask above to stimulate collagen production and even out skin tone. However, this one is specifically shaped to fit the neck and chest area, resembling a thick choker necklace with a wide panel that lays across the décolletage.

Our tester found the Neck and Décolletage Perfector very comfortable and stable, even when moving around. Setting up this device is simple and straightforward once the controller is fully charged and plugged into the device. The Neck and Décolletage Perfector secures to the body with a Velcro strap, and from there you press a button on the controller to kick off a 10-minute session.

Our 3-month update: Our tester appreciates the ability to multitask while wearing this LED mask, noting it’s easy for her to read, brush her teeth and even do the dishes while wearing it. After using the mask over the course of months, she’s noticed subtle changes in the horizontal lines on her neck, saying they appear a bit softer.

Other LED Face Masks We Tested

Solaris Laboratories How To Glow 4 Color LED Light Therapy (6.5/10): While this mask is relatively simple to use, it lacks some helpful features like preprogrammed treatment times and an automatic shut-off. It also has a face shield design that hovers over the face, so the light isn’t making direct contact with skin, and the hard plastic on the nose piece was uncomfortable to wear.

Nutriskin Wrinkle Clearing Light Therapy Face And Neck Mask (6/10): Our tester found this face and neck duo mask to be a little clunky because it has multiple cords that need to be plugged into a charging port. Made from a hard plastic material, it was also one of the heavier and more uncomfortable face masks our testers tried.

How We Tested The Best LED Face Masks

To curate this list of LED face masks, I carefully evaluated popular and well-reviewed devices from top brands, considering only products that have FDA clearance or approval. All the LED face masks on this list are mainly marketed and designed to address signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines, in addition to other concerns like acne and discoloration. Since many people don’t tend to experience noticeable signs of aging until they’re past their late 20s, I bolstered my reporting with data gathered from a panel of testers aged 30 and up.

Our testers relied on each mask’s individual instructions to evaluate setup and ease of use. We used each device at the maximum frequency and duration recommended by the brand to assess comfort and battery life. Since even the best red light therapy devices require consistent usage over a matter of weeks to see visible results, our testing panel continued to test the masks over the course of months in order to speak to each mask’s efficacy, and this article will be continue to be updated with those results.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched and written dozens of skincare stories. These include topics such as the best retinol creams, vitamin C serums, face washes for oily skin and more.

• The author of this piece, Victoria Moorhouse, is a beauty reporter with over a decade of experience covering beauty and lifestyle topics.
• This story was assigned, edited and produced by deputy editor Jane Sung, who leads the beauty and grooming category and has 15-plus years of experience covering lifestyle topics.
• Moorhouse also gathered key insight and guidance from several industry professionals: Dr. Joshua Zeichner, an NYC-based dermatologist; Dr. Margarita Lolis, a New Jersey-based board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon; Dr. Mary L. Stevenson, a cosmetic dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at NYU Grossman School of Medicine; and NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College.

What To Consider In An LED Face Mask

There are several factors to consider when shopping for the best LED face masks. Here’s what to look for.

Design

While relaxing in place during a short LED mask session is nice, it’s also helpful to have the option to move around in one. If this is important to you, opt for a cordless, rechargeable design with straps to keep the mask in place. Some devices look more like shields and hover over your face, while others have a silicone design that hugs your facial contours.

Usage

Depending on the mask, treatment times can range from as little as three minutes to 20 minutes, though on average they last around 10 minutes. In order to yield the promised benefits, these devices need to be worn several times a week for the recommended period of time, no shorter or longer.

Light Modes

The most common light modes in LED face masks are red light and blue light. “Red light is thought to encourage the production of collagen, so it is primarily used as part of an antiaging routine,” says Zeichner. “Blue light is antimicrobial and is commonly used on individuals with acne-prone skin.” There are also masks that offer yellow/amber and green light, though there’s less clinical data on the benefits and efficacy of these types of light modes. These can be calming, brightening your complexion and reducing redness, says Zeichner.

Some masks feature just one light color, while others allow users to toggle between modes or feature combination treatments that encompass various light modes at once to target multiple skin concerns.

FDA Clearance Or Approval

While some may use the terms “FDA cleared” or “FDA approved” interchangeably when speaking about LED face masks, there is a significant difference between these certifications. FDA-approved products have undergone rigorous testing and have been deemed safe and effective for their intended use, says Garshick. FDA-cleared products have been reviewed by the FDA and found to be substantially equivalent to a legally marketed device.

If an LED face mask isn’t cleared by the FDA, it would be wise to consider an option that is. “FDA approval or clearance is important because it indicates that the mask has been evaluated for safety and efficacy for a particular use,” says Lolis.