The best LED face masks in the UK, tested: 12 light therapy devices that are worth the hype
They claim to reduce fine lines, blemishes and redness â but which stand up to scrutiny? After consulting dermatologists and putting them to the test, we have crowned a brand new number one
LED face masks are booming in popularity â despite being one of the most expensive at-home beauty products to hit the market. They claim to reduce the appearance of fine lines, stop spots and calm redness, with some even combining different types of light to enhance the benefits.
However, itâÂÂs wise to be sceptical about new treatments that are costly and non-invasive, and to do your research before you buy. With this in mind, I interviewed doctors and dermatologists to find out whether these light therapy devices work.
TheyâÂÂre not a miracle cure for deep-set wrinkles, but experts say the best light therapy masks can promote collagen production, improve elasticity and help smooth skin with sustained use. And while it may seem like a new technology, research from the 1990s shows the efficacy of light therapy in wound healing, acne treatment and skin rejuvenation.
Red and infrared light are safe to use on all skin types, but be warned that blue light can worsen hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones.
IâÂÂve tested some of the most popular devices on the market â including infrared masks â to narrow down my favourite LED face masks for treating a range of skin concerns.
At a glance
Best LED mask overall
ã499.99 at CurrentBody
CurrentBody Series 3Best budget LED face mask
ã99.99 at Lookfantastic
SilkâÂÂn LED face mask 100Best LED mask for full facial coverage
ã299 at Space NK
Therabody TheraFace mask GloBest LED device for acne-prone skin
ã60 at Lustre
Lustre SoloBest LED mask for quick treatments
ã465 at Space NK
Dr Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare ProBest LED mask for travel
ã259 at Lookfantastic
SilkâÂÂn LED face mask Pro
Why you should trust me
IâÂÂve been reviewing health and beauty tech for the past five years. During this time IâÂÂve witnessed many beauty fads come and go. Naturally tight-fisted and a sceptic, I was initially struck by the cost of these masks. How on earth can an elaborate LED light strip set you back more than ã300?
But after testing multiple light therapy masks, IâÂÂve come to understand the technology behind them â and, sadly, you wonâÂÂt be able to engineer your own light therapy system with a costume mask and a set of LED string lights.
I donâÂÂt have many fine lines or wrinkles to test on, but I can comment on how blue-light treatment affects acne because IâÂÂve suffered from it since I was a teenager â despite my mumâÂÂs assurances that it would clear up after puberty. The experts I spoke to agreed on the efficacy of red and infrared light for anti-ageing.
Are LED face masks worth it?
Light therapy masks are fantastic additions to a skincare routine, helping to smooth, firm and reduce blemishes. Since I started using one almost two years ago, my skin is calmer, less prone to redness, and has a more even tone.
However, LED masks can be expensive, and if youâÂÂre not disciplined enough to use one regularly, you wonâÂÂt see results. Before you splash up to ã500, keep in mind that light therapy masks are most effective when paired with a good skincare routine. ItâÂÂs crucial to make sure skin is properly cleansed before treatment and protected from sun damage afterwards.
If you donâÂÂt already have a skincare routine nailed down, donâÂÂt buy a light therapy mask just yet. Consider starting out using a gentle cleanser and moisturiser, with an SPF for daytime. You could also incorporate targeted skincare serums, such as retinol and vitamin C, to help firm and brighten the skin without the need for an expensive light therapy mask.
How I tested
Since LED treatments take a while to show visible results, itâÂÂs difficult to test multiple light therapy masks at once (at least, without spending a few years testing them), so I enlisted the help of dermatologists who were familiar with light therapy treatments long before they were commercially available.
I spoke to Dr Barbara Kubicka, an expert in aesthetic medicine; Dr Derrick Phillips, a consultant dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation; and aesthetic doctor Dr Priya Verma, an authority on the science of skin ageing.
I asked these experts to identify which light therapy mask features â such as bulb quality and quantity, light wavelength and treatment time â matter the most, to inform my choices. They also outlined the suitability of light therapy for different skin types and its associated risks.
Armed with their advice, I tested the fit, comfort levels and usability of 18 of the most popular light therapy masks and other targeted LED devices. Getting hands on with the masks allowed me to pinpoint any of the key features the experts recommended, as well as features I found helpful as a consumer.
IâÂÂve been using a light therapy mask regularly for almost two years, so I can identify a good mask from a bad one. My tests also included monitoring results after four nightly sessions, with the obvious caveat that only very minimal changes could be observed after such a short-term treatment. I then tested my favourite masks over several months, too, helping me to verify any unique treatment claims â as well as giving me plenty of opportunities to scare my boyfriend by sneaking up on him wearing each one.
Only masks that use the brightest, flicker-free bulbs, fit comfortably and are easy to use made the final cut. After testing, I returned the masks sourced for this article to the manufacturers. Where that wasnâÂÂt possible, I cleaned the masks and donated them to the Redbridge Reach Out service, which supports anyone experiencing domestic abuse.
The best LED face masks in 2026
Best LED mask overall:
CurrentBody Series 3
Fully customisable; particularly good for anti-ageing
Its high price and bulky controller
Most LED masks come with a few settings that treat the entire face for one skin concern. But many of us donâÂÂt have uniform faces: a dark spot here, a blemish there, fine lines elsewhere. One flat treatment might help with overall skin condition, but it canâÂÂt pinpoint a specific skin concern exactly where you need it.
The CurrentBody Series 3 is the only mask IâÂÂve found that allows users to completely customise their treatments. ItâÂÂs also the only mask IâÂÂve tested that offers penetrating deep near-infrared lights across the whole face, making it the new LED mask to beat.
Why we love it
The mask has 125 light points spread over the face, each of which can produce six light wavelengths: green for pigmentation, yellow for redness, blue for blemishes, red for wrinkles, near-infrared for firming and near-infrared to support deeper skin renewal. I was able to select exactly which light (or combination of lights) I wanted to shine from each light point on the face using the CurrentBody app. Since I primarily get spots on my chin, I targeted these breakouts while sticking to anti-ageing treatments elsewhere and threw in some yellow light to tackle redness in my cheeks.
I usually hate apps for beauty tech, but I found it refreshingly simple to use, without any ads or pop-ups. Tailoring the light colours I wanted was as easy as using a colouring book, and the app then automatically programmed the light levels to ensure the right dosage within the 10-minute treatment time. It paired seamlessly with the mask to run my custom treatment â the whole process took less than five minutes.
In terms of results, the redness in my cheeks had faded, my chin appeared to clear quickly after a particularly brutal hormonal breakout, and the rest of my skin looked glowier and healthier than usual after my six weeks of testing. And, if you arenâÂÂt fussed about personalising your treatments, the mask has four pre-programmed options for anti-ageing, blemishes, redness and dark spots.
ItâÂÂs a shame that ⦠itâÂÂs so expensive and, to accommodate its wider range of treatment options, its controller has a touchscreen thatâÂÂs frustratingly easy to knock to pause or stop your treatment midway.
Number of LEDs: 750 at 125 light points
Number of settings: four preset, with unlimited customisation
Treatment time: 10mins
Light wavelengths: red (633nm), near-infrared (830nm), deep near-infrared (1,072nm), blue (415nm), green (532nm), yellow (590nm)
Timer countdown: yes
Read our full CurrentBody Series 3 LED mask review for more details
Fully customisable; particularly good for anti-ageing
Its high price and bulky controller
Best budget LED face mask:
SilkâÂÂn LED face mask 100
Comfortable to use; good colour choices; accessible price
Fewer bulbs than higher-end models and no near-infrared
If you want to try light therapy without remortgaging the house, the SilkâÂÂn LED face mask 100 is a good choice. It has 100 LED bulbs with good facial coverage, is comfortable to wear, and offers a good range of light colours. It doesnâÂÂt have near-infrared lights like the pricier options, but it covers the basics at a decent price.
Why we love it
This mask offers four colour modes: red, blue, yellow and purple. Red light helps stimulate collagen to reduce the appearance of fine lines, while blue light helps to soothe breakouts. The purple light comes from mixing the aforementioned blue and red lights, combining the effects of both to boost the skinâÂÂs overall evenness.
Although less widely researched (and with limited clinical evidence to suggest efficacy), the experts I spoke to said the yellow-light treatment could help improve hydration levels in the skin. I didnâÂÂt notice a huge hydration hit when testing this feature, so if your skin is crying out for hydration, I recommend using the other light settings alongside a hydrating serum.
Each colour can be selected individually for a 10-minute targeted session, or you can select automatic mode, which cycles through the colours over 15 minutes to provide all the benefits at once.
I found the SilkâÂÂn light therapy mask simple to use and comfortable to wear. Its flexible silicone build didnâÂÂt feel quite as sturdy as more expensive options, but I didnâÂÂt really notice this when using the mask. The built-in eye shields werenâÂÂt as bulky as others, but they still blocked out the light and protected my eyes well.
The automatic mode left my skin feeling completely comfortable, with a slightly glowier finish than usual â just what IâÂÂd expect from an entry-level mask such as this one.
ItâÂÂs a shame that ⦠thereâÂÂs no timer and it has fewer than a seventh of the bulbs of the CurrentBody, with no near-infrared light treatment for effective collagen stimulation deeper in the skin. This means itâÂÂs better for light-touch anti-ageing, and for soothing, acne-busting blue-light treatments.
Number of LEDs: 100
Number of settings:
five
Treatment time:
10 or 15mins
Light
wavelengths: red (633nm), purple (463nm+633nm), blue (463nm), yellow (592nm)
Timer countdown:
no
Comfortable to use; good colour choices; accessible price
Fewer bulbs than higher-end models and no near-infrared
Best LED device for acne-prone skin:
Lustre Solo
Targeted blemish treatments in a portable package
Leech-like appearance and extraÃÂ running cost
Acne can be a real pain, and many cosmetic treatments that target it leave skin feeling irritated, dry and flaky. These nifty adhesive LED patches from Lustre use blue light, which the company claims reduces breakout-causing bacteria.
Why we love it
Each Solo patch has 15 pure blue LEDs at the proven wavelength for treating acne, 415nm. The patches cover a targeted area of skin about 2.5 x 5cm, which is perfect for treating problem areas such as the chin, cheeks and forehead. Since theyâÂÂre rechargeable and far smaller than a typical LED face mask, theyâÂÂre highly portable, making it easy to stick to a treatment routine.
I found the targeted treatments very effective for minimising breakouts in my chin area â somewhere I often struggle with spots. Continued treatments saw fewer breakouts and faster healing.
The patches come with a supply of double-sided adhesive to fix each one to your skin, allowing you to move around freely during treatment. This also means, unlike typical light therapy masks, they can be safely fixed anywhere on the body.
If youâÂÂre worried that the adhesive will feel uncomfortable or be tricky to remove from breakouts, donâÂÂt be. The patches are so lightweight that the adhesive doesnâÂÂt need to be very strong. I found it easy and comfortable to peel off the patches after the recommended 20-minute treatment time.
ItâÂÂs a shame that ⦠you need to buy the sticky patches when they run out. These cost ã18 for a pack of 60, or 30p each. They also look a bit like leeches â only you can decide if thatâÂÂs more palatable than the Hannibal Lecter look of the full-face LED masks.
Number of LEDs: 15
Number of settings: one
Treatment time: 20mins
Light wavelengths: blue (415nm)
Timer countdown: no
Targeted blemish treatments in a portable package
Leech-like appearance and extraÃÂ running cost
Best LED mask for quick treatments:
Dr Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro
Comfortable fit; wireless controls; fast treatments
Imperfect eye shielding and fiddly straps
Most LED masks recommend 10- to 15-minute daily treatments for best results. If youâÂÂre short on time but still want to invest in a reliable face mask, the SpectraLite FaceWare Pro is my recommendation. It offers anti-ageing, anti-blemish and a combination of both treatments, with daily sessions taking just three minutes. ThatâÂÂs something even the most time-poor can commit to, and consistency is what gets you results.
Why we love it
This is the most comfortable hard-shell LED mask IâÂÂve tested. ItâÂÂs lined with a thick, flexible but sturdy-feeling layer of silicone that provides cushioning on every part of the face. During use, it evenly distributed the maskâÂÂs weight across my nose, forehead and cheekbones, no matter if I was lying flat or sitting up.
I was surprised by this, since the maskâÂÂs battery is built into the forehead rather than in a separate remote â the Lustre Renew Pro Facewear reviewed below has a similar design but is less comfortable to wear. The SpectraLite FaceWare Pro perfects the hands-free design, making it comfortable, breathable and easy to control with one button. Mercifully, thereâÂÂs no useless app.
In the mask, youâÂÂll find 100 red LEDs (including red, near-infrared and amber) and 62 blue LEDs distributed over 80 light points on the face. These have been strategically positioned so that the blue lights cover the nose, forehead, chin and lower cheeks (oily areas where acne-causing bacteria thrive), while the red light is more evenly dispersed. There are separate red anti-ageing and blue acne-fighting modes, but I used the combination mode in my tests and was pleasantly surprised by how well the mask reduced blemishes while easing redness across my face.
The keen-eyed among you may notice that the three-minute treatments are significantly shorter than the 10- to 20-minute treatment times recommended by the experts I spoke with. However, according to the brand, its clinical studies have seen results from red-light treatments within 10 weeks of daily use, and blue light within two weeks. In my weeks testing this mask, my skin did appear smoother, brighter and clearer. If youâÂÂre hunting for a quick, comfortable mask without fancy features, such as app connectivity and additional colour options, this is a strong bet.
ItâÂÂs a shame that ⦠its straps arenâÂÂt the easiest to adjust, and the mask doesnâÂÂt shield the eyes as effectively as others. If you have sensitive eyes, opt for something that has built-in eye guards instead. It also doesnâÂÂt have a remote or a countdown, but the treatments are so quick that this isnâÂÂt much of an issue.
Number of LEDs: 162
Number of settings: three
Treatment time: 3mins
Light wavelengths: red (630nm), amber (605nm), near-infrared (880nm), blue (415nm)
Timer countdown: no
Comfortable fit; wireless controls; fast treatments
Imperfect eye shielding and fiddly straps
Best LED mask for travel:
SilkâÂÂn LED face mask Pro
Deep NIR light at a sensible price, with a handy travel case
Confusing settings and a finicky fit
For a long time, deep near-infrared light was reserved for the most expensive LED masks. So, when the SilkâÂÂn LED face mask Pro launched in October 2025, with 20 deep near-infrared lights included on the forehead and around the eyes and mouth, I was keen to try it. Even more so when I learned of its comparatively reasonable price.
While its treatments arenâÂÂt quite as streamlined as the CurrentBody Series 3 above, it offers a range of treatments and light wavelengths at half the cost. So, if you want a great value mask, or travel often and need a mask that packs down well, this is my recommendation.
Why we love it
This mask packs in seven treatment options, which combine five wavelengths of light. A few of these treatments felt a little surplus to requirements, such as the stand-alone red- or amber-light treatments â I canâÂÂt fathom why you wouldnâÂÂt want to use the setting that includes near-infrared and deep near-infrared as well. But the treatments I used most often were effective. The red-light settings had a good calming effect on my skin, and when I paired this with a few minutes of the blue light, I noticed my blemishes reduced and healed faster.
All the controls for this mask are built into a small battery pack, which magnetically attaches to the front of the mask. While this means you donâÂÂt get to see a countdown or a screen displaying setting time, there are no wires to mess around with. The battery is incredibly lightweight and can last through a whole week of treatments without recharging.
I also liked this maskâÂÂs flexible straps and its adjustable chin strap. The SilkâÂÂn Pro packs down completely flat or folds into its carry case, not much larger than a box of tissues, for travel. This is incredibly useful if youâÂÂre frequently away from home.
ItâÂÂs a shame that ⦠the chin strap hangs away from the chin slightly, and I found the eye guards pressed hard into the bridge of my nose. I also found it confusing to select different treatments because the various configurations of red-toned light were indistinguishable from each other.
Number of LEDs: 480 at 120 light points
Number of settings: seven
Treatment time: 10mins
Light wavelengths: red (633nm), near-infrared (830nm), deep near-infrared (1,072nm), blue (463nm), amber (605nm)
Timer countdown: no
Deep NIR light at a sensible price, with a handy travel case
Confusing settings and a finicky fit
The best of the rest
Shark CryoGlow
Intuitive to use; targeted treatments; undereye cooling
Heavy mask that presses into the undereyes when reclining
Best for: fine lines and blemishes
The Shark CryoGlow is the only LED face mask IâÂÂve tested that offers built-in undereye cooling alongside targeted light therapy. It has three different wavelengths of light: blue, red and near-infrared, arranged into presets for âÂÂbetter ageingâÂÂ, âÂÂblemish repairâ and âÂÂskin sustainâÂÂ. I found the lights incredibly bright during my tests â although for safety, they automatically dim when you remove the mask from your face â but I was happy with how the mask shielded my eyes.
During every treatment, you can choose to switch on the cooling undereye patches, which aim to de-puff and soothe your skin. The cooling can also be used on its own, without the LEDs. There are three levels, the coolest of which felt startlingly cold at first but did a great job of calming down my eyes on a particularly bad hay fever day. Likewise, the blemish mode did a brilliant job of calming spots and redness with sustained use. I also liked using the skin sustain mode for a quick pick-me-up to brighten skin before a night out.
It didnâÂÂt make the final cut because ⦠itâÂÂs noticeably heavier than its silicone competitors, and other plastic masks that donâÂÂt have undereye cooling. The mask fits comfortably when youâÂÂre sitting up, but when lying down, the metal cooling patches pressed into the delicate area under my eyes. Similarly, the location of the cooling patches means the light canâÂÂt access fine lines under the eyes. Another unfortunate side-effect of the cooling is the whirring noise it makes â inaudible from far away, but pretty noisy when pressed on to your face. I think most people would be better off with the TheraFace Mask Glo.
Number of LEDs: 160; number of settings: four; treatment time: 4-8mins light therapy; 5-15mins undereye cooling; light wavelengths: red (630nm), near-infrared (830nm), blue (415nm); timer countdown: yes
Intuitive to use; targeted treatments; undereye cooling
Heavy mask that presses into the undereyes when reclining
Stylpro Wavelength Pro 5-in-1
Adjustable design and versatile settings
Less close contact with the chin area
Best for: treating multiple areas
The neck and decollete are often the first places to show signs of ageing, as the skin is thinner in those areas. Consequently, expensive neck light therapy masks have started to flood the market â but rather than requiring additional expensive kit, this Stylpro mask can be adjusted to treat multiple areas including the back, neck, scalp and face.
ItâÂÂs incredibly versatile. It has red, deep red, near-infrared and blue light, which all combine into 11 programs to target different areas of concern on your body. The remote control has a huge screen, making it easy to select the desired programme and treatment zone. This also displays the maskâÂÂs battery life and treatment time.
In my tests, the straps did a great job of keeping the flexible silicone mask in place. Its eye shields were also brilliant at blocking out light, and the snap fasteners made it easy to adjust the mask between different treatment areas. To treat the back and neck area, I found you needed to lie down or sit up very straight to prevent it from slipping, but it was great to have the versatility.
It didnâÂÂt make the final cut because ⦠when used in face mode, the mask hangs a few inches away from the chin area, which means the light has less direct contact there. Its eye guards also tended to gently pinch the bridge of my nose.
Number of LEDs: 137; number of settings: 11; treatment time: 12-15mins; light wavelengths: red (633nm), deep red (655nm), near-infrared (830nm), blue (415nm); timer countdown: yes
Adjustable design and versatile settings
Less close contact with the chin area
Lustre Renew Pro Facewear
App control for personalised treatments
Less comfortable to wear
Best for: wireless custom treatments
Most light treatment masks have wired controls. That doesnâÂÂt mean you need to remain tethered to a single spot, but it does mean thereâÂÂs a remote that you have to carry around with you. This mask from Lustre, on the other hand, is controlled via a mobile app. The two preset treatments can also be operated using a button on the mask.
It has two programmes, called Energise and Revitalise, and uses blue, red and near-infrared light. Unusually, you can choose which kind of light you want to use in four areas of your face: forehead, eyes, nose, and cheeks and chin. In my tests, I liked being able to treat spots on my chin with blue light while using red light on the rest of my face.
It didnâÂÂt make the final cut because ⦠itâÂÂs not very comfortable. Since the battery is on the mask itself, itâÂÂs a little top heavy, and the eye protectors donâÂÂt do a great job of shielding your eyes.
Also, I hate having lots of apps on my phone â itâÂÂs up to you whether the wireless freedom is worth the app installation.
Number of LEDs: 80; number of settings: two presets, with in-app personalisation options across four facial zones; treatment time: 10mins; light wavelengths: red (630nm), near-infrared (830nm), blue (415nm); timer countdown: yes
App control for personalised treatments
Less comfortable to wear
SilkâÂÂn LumiLips LED lip mask
Deep near-infrared light and concentrated treatment
Less comfortable to wear than a mask
Best for: targeted lip treatments
If your main area of concern is the lip area, you might not need to buy a full mask. The SilkâÂÂn LumiLips has 30 LEDs concentrated in the lip area, covering smile lines and the chin. It has five light wavelengths â amber, red, dark red, near-infrared and deep near-infrared. The only other masks in this roundup offering deep near-infrared light are more than ã250, which gives you a good idea of how much value it offers.
The mask has two modes, both of which use dark red, near-infrared and deep near-infrared light. The red-light mode claims to promote lip volume and firmness, while the second mode adds in amber light to reduce pigmentation and redness. I love that the mask requires only a five-minute daily treatment, making its less-than-comfortable mouthpiece slightly more bearable.
It didnâÂÂt make the final cut because ⦠itâÂÂs built like an adult pacifier and feels like one too. You have to bite down on the mouthpiece to keep it in place, which is far less comfortable than just wearing a mask with a strap around your head.
Number of LEDs: 30; number of settings: two; treatment time: 5mins; light wavelengths: amber (605nm), red (633nm), dark red (660nm), near-infrared (830nm), deep near-infrared (1,072nm); timer countdown: no
Deep near-infrared light and concentrated treatment
Less comfortable to wear than a mask
Peep Club heated eye wand LED+
Dedicated, soothing treatment for eye area
Small LED light coverage
Best for: reviving and soothing the undereyes
LED face masks usually arrive with guards to protect your eyes from the light, which means they neglect to treat the delicate skin around the eyes â an area particularly prone to fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration.
The Peep Club heated eye wand is a nifty little gadget that was designed in collaboration with optometrists, primarily as a hot compress to help with dry, tired eyes. The LED+ model includes a small LED light, which glows red to reduce fine lines and amber to decrease the visible blood vessels that cause dark circles. ThereâÂÂs also green light for soothing inflammation, although the evidence around green light is shaky.
During testing, I found it soothed my irritated eyes after long days staring at a screen. The amber light setting seemed to reduce my dark circles, too, after a few weeks of consistent use. As recommended, I used it with the Peep Club coconut eye balm to give the wand a bit of slip, which avoided irritating the delicate skin under my eyes.
It didnâÂÂt make the final cut because ⦠itâÂÂs not as convenient to use as a dedicated mask, since you have to glide it over the skin. Its LED light is small, so you need to dedicate a lot of time to treatment to get the best results. While I love using the coconut eye balm and a 40ml tub lasts a long time, it leaves an oily slip on the skin after treatment, and the need for this extra running cost may be off-putting.
Number of LEDs: not listed; number of settings: five, three with LED; treatment time: 5mins; light wavelengths: amber (605nm), red (633nm), green (525nm); timer countdown: yes
Dedicated, soothing treatment for eye area
Small LED light coverage
The rest of the test
IâÂÂve tested many more LED devices than can fit on this page, and while I donâÂÂt usually draw attention to bad products, I came across so many poorly designed models that I feel it necessary to shed light on the LED masks that overpromise and underdeliver.
First, we have the Revolution Pro Miracle LED face mask, which costs just ã59.99 at full price. Believe me, I wanted this mask to be a winner, but its solid plastic structure, with no eye shielding or padding, made it so wildly uncomfortable to wear that it was an almost instant write-off. The straps are another problem; they come together around the bottom part of your head, causing the mask to constantly fall. It also seems built for very small faces, so it constantly slipped down my face, pinching my nose and making it difficult to breathe properly â even if I used it without the straps and lay flat during treatment. Throw in fewer LED bulbs than average and dim lights, and this mask is impossible to recommend.
A high price tag doesnâÂÂt guarantee how good the mask is either, as evidenced by the Foreo FAQ 202 LED mask, ã719 at full price. Its light weight and comfort level, along with an array of treatment options via its app-based controls, meant it impressed initially. However, its silicone design felt incredibly flimsy, and after a week of use, it had already started peeling away from the central battery pack.
This might be forgivable if Foreo offered a full warranty and repair service. ThereâÂÂs a two-year warranty covering defects and faulty workmanship, but this does not cover âÂÂcosmetic deterioration caused by fair wear and tear, or damage caused by accident, misuse or neglectâÂÂ. To access accidental damage coverage, you have to pay ForeoâÂÂs ã9.99/month subscription. Even if youâÂÂre happy to risk it, at the time of testing in June 2026, you still had to shell out ã4.99/month to access the maskâÂÂs full suite of preset treatments. Add to this the scale of advertising youâÂÂre bombarded with in the app â some of it unskippable. When you consider its price, this brazen money-grubbing leaves a very bad taste.
Through testing this family of devices, I had also been hoping to find an undereye brightening LED patch to usurp the Peep Club wand, which requires constant movement across the eye area. I had hoped that the Lustre GoGlow brightening and de-puffing patches would fit the bill. They come in a handy headphone-like charging case and have a clever wireless design. However, when positioned under the eyes as advertised, the light was incredibly bright, which made it tricky to see. The sticky pads, although small, were uncomfortable to remove, and my skin was left feeling irritated for a day afterwards. The search for the perfect undereye LED patch continues â¦
What you need to know
What is LED therapy, and how does it work?
âÂÂLED (light-emitting diode) therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate various cellular processes in the skin,â says aesthetic medicine expert Kubicka. âÂÂDepending on the colour or wavelength, LED light can target inflammation, promote collagen production, accelerate healing and even kill bacteria.âÂÂ
Light therapy is a great addition to your skincare routine â for me, itâÂÂs helped reduce breakouts, improve healing and reduce the appearance of my acne scars. LED face masks are quick, gentle and non-invasive, and suitable for most skin types (although as mentioned above, blue light can worsen hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones, according to the experts I spoke with). The masks are effective and foolproof to use, and the daily treatments also force you to take a little time for yourself â perfect for a morning pick-me-up or an evening wind-down.
Does red light help with anti-ageing?
âÂÂRed-light therapy can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles through a process called photobiomodulation,â says consultant dermatologist Phillips. âÂÂIt energises mitochondria, which are the batteries of the cells, powering the production of collagen and elastin by fibroblasts, the factories of the skin.âÂÂ
Elastin and collagen are âÂÂthe building blocks of firm, youthful skinâÂÂ, says Kubicka. Stimulating the production of these molecules can âÂÂimprove skin density, elasticity and overall smoothnessâ as long as you complete treatments regularly.
I donâÂÂt have many fine lines or wrinkles, but IâÂÂm keen to avoid more by using red-light therapy for âÂÂpreventive ageingâÂÂ. However, âÂÂmost of the clinical evidence focuses on treating visible signs of ageing or repairing damaged skin, rather than long-term prevention in younger skinâÂÂ, as aesthetic doctor Verma explains.
Still, Verma reassured me my efforts wouldnâÂÂt be in vain. âÂÂUsing LED light consistently and appropriately may help support overall skin health [â¦] especially when combined with sun protection and a good skincare routine.âÂÂ
For more, read do you really need an LED face mask?
What different colours of light therapy are available?
Several colours are available, with each wavelength said to target a different skin concern. These colours correlate to the visible light spectrum, and each can have a different effect on the skin.
Red light has a wavelength of between 630 and 700nm and is the most widely known form of light therapy, loved for its non-invasive potential anti-ageing benefits. Near-infrared light above 700nm âÂÂpenetrates the skin more deeply to support tissue repair and reduce inflammationâÂÂ, according to Kubicka. Blue-light therapy (415nm), on the other hand, has been proven to target acne-causing bacteria, leading to a reduction in breakouts over time. Kubicka also says blue light can help regulate oil production â another common problem for those with acne.
The effects of some types of light on the skin are better researched than others. Near-infrared, red light and blue light are backed by scientific studies that identify the biological processes that each type of light triggers in the body.
Meanwhile, research into green and yellow light is more limited. One study questions the efficacy of yellow-light therapy and claims that a previous study may have been influenced by the placebo effect. Similarly, a study on green light therapy suggests that more research is needed to provide a solid recommendation for use as an anti-ageing treatment.
How and when would you recommend using light therapy?
The âÂÂhowâ is simple: always use light therapy masks on freshly washed, dry skin, before applying serums and creams. This will give the light the most direct access to the skin.
Despite what some instruction manuals advise, donâÂÂt jump into daily treatments straight away â you may end up with slightly irritated skin. Start by introducing treatments two to three times a week, and monitoring the impact on your skin. If you donâÂÂt notice any sensitivity, you can incorporate more treatments, if permitted by the manufacturerâÂÂs guidelines.
Once your skin is used to the treatment, âÂÂhome devices should be used three to five times a week, for 10-20 minutes a session,â says Phillips. But treatment times vary between devices, so always follow the manufacturerâÂÂs instructions, and donâÂÂt expect instant results. If youâÂÂre hoping to reduce breakouts, you should âÂÂsee a reduction in redness and the frequency of acne breakouts within two to four weeksâÂÂ. Those using red light for anti-ageing benefits will need to wait a little longer: âÂÂIt typically takes six to eight weeks to see visible changes.âÂÂ
Is light therapy safe for all skin tones?
âÂÂLED light therapy is generally very safe when used correctly,â says Verma. This is because, unlike laser hair removal, it only uses low-level, non-thermal light. âÂÂThe most common side effects are mild and temporary, such as slight redness, dryness or irritation.âÂÂ
âÂÂPeople with known photosensitive disorders or taking medications that make them more sensitive to light (eg certain antibiotics) should consult their doctor,â says Phillips. He also warns that those with darker skin tones should exercise caution when using blue light, since âÂÂsome blue wavelengths have been associated with hyperpigmentationâÂÂ. The Lustre Solo patches recommended above offer exclusively blue light, but the other masks in this roundup have blue-light-free settings if you do find that it causes sensitivity.
How much should I spend on an LED therapy mask?
There are hundreds of light therapy masks available at different prices, but the quality varies wildly. You may see results from a budget-friendly mask, such as the SilkâÂÂn LED face mask 100 reviewed above, but spending more will generally get you a larger quantity of bulbs that offer a greater range of wavelengths. YouâÂÂre also more likely to get a mask with a better fit and coverage.
The best mask for you will depend on your skin concerns and budget. Those hoping to invest in a mask with anti-acne properties will be able to spend less, since blue light is more widely available, but if youâÂÂre looking for the best anti-ageing deep near-infrared light therapy, you will need to part with more cash.
High-end red-light therapy masks can cost upwards of ã500; if you spend that much, just make sure you use it regularly, or you wonâÂÂt see results.
How to clean an LED face mask
Cleaning instructions for LED masks will differ slightly from brand to brand, based on the different materials used. As a general rule, you want to steer clear of using chemical or alcohol-based cleansers since these can damage a maskâÂÂs delicate silicone and padded components. Always check the instructions for your specific mask before jumping into cleaning.
The usual best practice is to use a non-abrasive cloth, such as microfibre, dampened with water to wipe down your mask after every use. Try not to use too much water and never submerge the mask, as doing so will damage the electrical components. Always make sure your mask is unplugged and switched off before cleaning, and wait for the mask to dry completely before storing, charging or switching it on.
For more:
The best concealers for camouflaging blemishes
The best retinol and retinal serums for smoother, firmer skin
The best eye creams for banishing bags, puffiness and fine lines
Shark FacialPro Glow + DePuffi review
Sarah Matthews is a consumer journalist who specialises in health and beauty reviews. In her four years of product testing, sheâÂÂs worked her way through countless hair styling tools, hair removal, light therapy and skincare innovations. SheâÂÂs seen beauty trends come and go, and can sniff out a fad from a gamechanger (that doesnâÂÂt mean sheâÂÂs disciplined enough to always follow her own advice, though)