Tested and Reviewed: The 3 Best LED Light

Brides / Kristin Kempa

When it comes to pre-wedding beauty routines and treatments, some things like eyelash extensions or spray tans will take a backseat until right before the big day. However, one exception to the rule should be your skin, and LED light therapy masks could be an investment worth your time (and money). The safe and handy treatment uses infrared light at different frequencies to combat stubborn skin issues, like fine lines, acne, dullness, and inflammation that you’d like to alleviate ahead of your wedding ceremony.

Over the course of six weeks, the team at Brides tested 12 at-home LED light therapy masks, and we evaluated the performance of each one, taking into account how easy it was to use, how many settings and modes each one offered, whether using it was uncomfortable to wear, and if we found the treatment to make a noticeable difference to our biggest skin woes. In the end, our research led us to uncover three of the best-LED light therapy masks that improved the overall look, texture, and feel of our complexions.

Foreo

Aside from being adorable enough to double as a decorative addition to our nightstands, the Foreo UFO 2 did an exceptional job at improving the overall texture and appearance of our skin. In fact, the results from its triple-light therapy were so noticeable we received several unsolicited comments from friends and strangers alike who complimented on our radiant complexions.

Here’s how we got there: Twice a day we layered Foreo’s Make My Day Activated Mask over the device, pressed its solo button, or activated which of the eight treatments we wanted from the corresponding app, and relaxed for 90 seconds. As the T-Sonic pulsations gave us a quick facial and boosted circulation, the mask drenched our skin in hydration, and red, blue, and green lights took care of fine lines, inflammation, and blemishes.

Unlike a full-face mask, the handheld LED light mask allowed us to pinpoint the areas we wanted to see improvement most, like our crow’s feet and the redness around our cheeks, instead of just zapping our entire skin with light. Plus, this meant we never had to worry about bright lights hurting our sensitive eyes since we could control exactly where we placed the mask on our faces.

While the cool and heated technology instantly soothed our puffy, inflamed skin, the longer-term results were even better. At only four weeks into treatment, we could see a our wrinkles started to diminish, and our combination skin became less textured

Between its cordless design and universal button it was so convenient to use, and small enough to stash in our bags, that we could easily see keeping up with treatments throughout bachelorette trips to ensure we looked fresh-faced for our weddings. We didn’t even worry about bringing the charging cord along, as this held enough juice for almost the entire six weeks we tested it

Price at time of publish: $300

LED Lights: Red, blue, green | Skin Concerns: Dryness, inflammation, fine lines | Duration: 90 seconds

Ulta

Because it’s simply inevitable that a pimple always appears at the absolute worst times like, say, when you’re posing for wedding photos, we took precautionary measures to prevent this and tried out this more affordable spot treatment from our editor-beloved brand SolaWave. Sure, the handheld device requires a little more effort than popping a pimple patch on your face, but, trust us, the work is working the reward. In this case, our winnings came in the form of fewer blemishes and smoother texture in under a month, especially around our cheeks.

Using the lightweight device required practically no learning curve—we charged it, pressed the button, and moved the triangular treatment window over any problem areas throughout the three-minute treatment. Meanwhile, the device applied blue light to curb the growth of acne-causing bacteria and red light to calm inflammation. And, other than feeling a very subtle tingling sensation, the entire process was painless.

Price at time of publish: $99

LED Lights: Red, blue | Skin Concerns: Acne, texture | Duration: 3 minutes

Therashield

The Therashield 3-in-1 mask allowed us to sit back, kick our feet up, and let its red, blue, and amber light therapy clear away breakouts and stubborn blemishes. Instead of cumbersome straps that require third-party assistance to velcro on, the mask has built-in arms, similar to those on sunglasses, so we could simply slide it on while we cooked, watched TV, and even worked out.

Suffice it to say, using the device every day for 10 to 20 minutes was a breeze—actually, with its cushioned nose pads, slim silhouette, and lightweight feel, it was so comfortable we frequently left it on much longer. At three weeks into testing, we used it up to three times a day and our diligence definitely paid off: Our fine lines and dark spots began to lessen and our acne was almost completely gone.

The one paint point we experienced is that the device automatically shut off after 15 minutes (before the treatment was completed) but we did like how this kept it from running out of charge if we ever forgot to hit the off switch.

Price at time of publish: $120

LED Lights: Red, blue, amber | Skin Concerns: Acne, fine lines, wrinkles | Duration: 10-20 minutes

LED light therapy masks mainly use either blue or red light. “Red light can penetrate deeper than blue light and is more anti-inflammatory,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anthony Rossi, whereas blue light is superficial, but may be better at treating things like acne since it’s more antibacterial.

Some masks may also use amber light to stimulate collagen and elastin, and white light, which also reduces inflammation and helps tighten the skin. Additionally, every mask varies in its irradiance, which is the amount of energy a particular surface area of your body is receiving from the light emitted by the mask.

The key to getting your best results with LED light therapy masks is consistency. How easy the mask is to apply, whether or not it’s comfortable, and its different settings are all factors to consider to ensure using it every day is more enjoyable. Handheld options, like the Foreo UFO 2, are handy for portability and targeting specific problem areas, but they also mean you have to actively hold the device while you use it. A hands-free mask allows you to multitask while the treatment takes place. Though keep in mind these tend to be a bit bulkier (read: less travel-friendly) and treatments are typically longer, which is why we love the slim and lightweight design of the Therashield 3-in-1 Light Therapy Mask.

Though these masks may not have the infrared strength of in-office treatments it’s still important to never use a mask that doesn’t have FDA clearance. Dr. Rossi also suggests looking for any clinical trials featuring the devices. These not only show they’ve been through a series of precautionary measures, but they often display proof in before and after photos so you can see for yourself the efficacy of the LED light therapy mask before making the purchase.

LED, which stands for light-emitting diode, uses infrared light in different wavelengths to penetrate the skin in a safe, non-invasive way. Importantly, it does not contain UV radiation and instead uses red or blue lights to trigger cell reactions that can ease inflammation, lessen the appearance of acne scars, fine lines, and wrinkles, and stimulate collagen production which could lead to brighter, younger-looking skin.

Dr. Anthony Rossi Jr., MD, founder of Dr. Rossi Derm explains that “red light has been shown in clinical trials to be anti-inflammatory, improve hair loss on the scalp and help with healing after wounding,” and that “blue light has been shown to improve acne lesions.”

Since LED light therapy masks are usually weaker in the intensity of the light they emit than the larger ones applied in a professional setting, they’re typically safe for at-home use. However, there are still a couple of precautions you should take like wearing protective goggles and not staring into the lights for too long, says Dr. Rossi.

Moreover, “if you have a photosensitive disorder such as lupus blue light may exacerbate this as it is part of the visible light spectrum,” he says, adding that this also applies to anyone on medications that cause photosensitivity to visible light. Similarly, blue light may exacerbate the symptoms of melasma, so proceed with caution if you fall into this category.

In addition to consistent, everyday use of your LED light therapy mask, pre- and post-care are equally important. Dr. Rossi recommends starting with a clean face free of any makeup, dirt, or oil that could block the light emitted. Once you’ve completed your session, moisturize with a hydrating face lotion, and definitely don’t skip the SPF . He tells us to look for a sunscreen with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide SPF 30 or above, and “if you are prone to melasma that is exacerbated by visible light using a sunblock that has iron oxides is helpful,” he says.

Additionally, Dr. Rossi says that “It's ideal to use a light mask in conjunction with medical-grade skincare and prescription-strength retinoids or acne prescriptions.” A regime like this one will take around four to six weeks before it starts to show positive changes to your skin as “it allows time for the epidermal layer to turn over,” he explains. However, he cautions to always speak to your doctor before starting one because some topical and oral medications can make your skin more sensitive to the treatment.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Anthony Rossi Jr., MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Dr. Rossi Derm.

Irene Richardson is a writer covering fashion and beauty trends for Brides, Byrdie, InStyle, and others. For this article, she drew on research from the Brides testing team who scoured the market for the most effective at-home LED light therapy masks. She also tapped insights from Dr. Anthony Rossi about what you should expect from a safe and effective LED Light therapy mask.

Ablon G. Phototherapy with Light Emitting Diodes: Treating a Broad Range of Medical and Aesthetic Conditions in Dermatology. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(2):21-27.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5843358/