Spoiler Alert: LED Light Therapy Devices Are the Secret to Eliminating Wrinkles and Acne

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Do you ever wonder how celebrities like Halle Berry, Vanessa Hudgens, and Pedro Pascal get their skin to remain youthful and acne-free? While substantial cash and access to leading skincare experts undoubtedly help, there’s a non-invasive, pain-free way to turn back the clock and zap pimples away for good: LED light therapy devices.

In the 80s, NASA initially studied how red light could help heal astronaut wounds and promote plant growth while in space, but soon discovered it has cosmetic benefits — and as our skincare-obsessed beauty editor, I’m grateful.

I’ve been enjoying LED light therapy treatments, like deep cleansing facials and Hydrafacials, for years and have seen how they improved my complexion with regular use. So keep scrolling for the 411 on all things LED light therapy, including expert-loved, highly-rated devices, including face masks, gloves, and more.

Best LED Light Therapy Tools and Devices

• Best Overall: solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand

• Most LED Colors: Beauty ORA LED Light Energy Mask

• For Banishing Crows Feet: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite LED EyeCare Max Pro

• For Acne and Anti-Aging: Omnilux Clear

• For Line-Free Lips: CurrentBody Skin LED Lip Perfector

• For Youthful, Wrinkle-Free Hands: PRIORI Skincare UNVEILED LED Glove Device

What is LED Light Therapy?

LED light therapy is when colorful light-emitting diodes penetrate the multiple skin layers and promote different benefits, like wound healing, anti-aging, minimizing pimples, and even hair regrowth.

I’ll highlight more of these benefits in the following section, but in the meantime, know that LED light therapy is harmless and safe for everyone. “It is believed to work by activating signaling pathways between cells. It has not been shown to damage the DNA of cells the way UV light does,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Erum Ilyas, M.D., previously told me in our guide to red light therapy devices.

Benefits of LED Light Therapy

Many of these winning LED light therapy devices boast multiple lights. Still, each color offers different benefits, so it’s crucial to ID your skin concerns before purchasing to avoid accidentally ordering a product that won’t do much to alleviate your cosmetic concerns.

In our guide to the best LED face masks, I chatted with board-certified doctors and a dermatological nurse about how each color of LED light targets unique skin issues, and here is a quick recap:

• Red LED light produces collagen and elastin to minimize fine lines and wrinkles. It’s the most common red light therapy color in all of these final product selections.

• Blue LED light is a dream for acne-prone skin because it helps destroy acne-causing P. bacteria and helps minimize oil production in oily skin. The pros say it also helps soothe inflammation and irritation.

• Green LED light treats hyperpigmentation and sunspots.

• Amber LED light boosts oxygen circulation for radiant and hydrated skin.

To tackle multiple skin concerns simultaneously, look for an LED light therapy device with the correct color combination. For example, when a hormonal breakout is rearing its ugly head, I’ll use the OmniLux Clear, which uses blue light to zap the pimple, while red light helps with anti-aging.

How to Use

After interviewing experts for our guides on red light therapy devices, LED face masks, and even microcurrent tools, the pros' biggest (and most anti-climactic) tip is following your new device's directions.

While using an LED light therapy tool several times a day is super tempting, it’s unnecessary. Typically, you'll use these devices on freshly cleansed and toned skin; then, you can apply your moisturizers and creams.

How We Chose

Ready for clear AF, wrinkle-free skin? Duh! Of course you are. I hit up our beauty closet and carefully evaluated each LED light therapy device. I considered everything from the LED shade variety and the number of lights it’s equipped with to the fit and feel of each product. For example, I wanted to include a face mask made from silicone to easily flex and fit a diverse range of facial features versus hard and clunky face masks.

Price was also important when shopping out LED light therapy devices and tools. As a beauty editor, I can access high-end, truly luxe products to continue bringing you the best products in the game. However, I know what it’s like to ball on a budget, and it is genuinely important for me to find more relatively affordable options, like the Solawave, so everyone can enjoy the benefits of LED light therapy devices.

4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand

Given its capabilities and price, I named this LED light therapy device our best overall pick. It is best suited for someone who wants to promote anti-aging without a long commitment.

Solawave’s 3-minute skin wonder is compact, like a razor, but it packs a powerful punch to perk up a tired complexion. The multi-use product features four modalities — red light therapy, microcurrent for lifting, therapeutic warmth, and facial massage for spa day vibes without the princely price tag of other models.

Our senior art director, Bridget Clegg, recently tested the second-gen Solawave and loved the automatic 3-minute timer because it pulses on and off, indicating it’s time to move onto a new section of your face. “The updated wand has a subtle ticking noise that makes the current feel slightly more powerful than the first version of the wand,” she says.

Clegg highlights this skincare tech tool comes with a protective case that keeps your new beauty investment clean and prevents it from turning on in her luggage — a major win for anyone with upcoming long-haul flights.

LED Light Energy Mask

My most affordable pick makes the case for saving on an LED light therapy device. Regularly using this low-commitment tool visibly improves your skin texture and firmness.

Its secret is the impressive array of 7 shades to utilize, including blue, red, green, and amber. There's also yellow light that improves the flow of oxygen; purple light combines the benefits of red and blue light into one mode; and white light firms sagging skin and improves skin tone.

This clinically-proven LED light therapy device is comfy and features a powerful charge lasting up to 180 minutes or six 30-minute treatments.

Online reviewers are also keen on using this LED light therapy tool. One 40-something Ulta reviewer says people assume they're a decade younger than their true age — and the reviewer credits this tool with their youthful appearance. "My skin has a nice glow and looks smooth. It helps minimize my breakouts, I only have blemish issues when I'm close to my period, and my heal time for blemishes is a lot quicker than before," says their 5-star review.

DRx SpectraLite LED EyeCare Max Pro

They say our eyes are the first place we show signs of aging, so treat and prevent dreaded crows feet with this impressive LED light therapy device.

The pretty white and rose gold tool was created by one of my most trusted experts: board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross, M.D. Pop on the FDA-cleared LED goggles, press a button, and let 96 red LED lights provide a full 360-degree anti-aging coverage.

Dark circles? Bye! Puffiness and uneven skin tone? Peace out! This nifty beauty tool also helps firm up the skin.

Plus, this updated version has 30% more LED red lights than its predecessor. All that for just $200 is a well-priced deal. So go ahead and treat yourself or your loved one to a daily 3-minute LED session for a youthful look.

Clear Light Therapy Mask

Adult acne is a thing and totally normal. However, if you want to eliminate zits and enjoy anti-aging benefits, you’ll need this LED light therapy device that combines blue and red lights.

The Omnilux Clear is a favorite of Bella Hadid’s facialist, Kristyn Smith, and it takes things even further by combining red and blue light with infrared light to boost the cellular healing process and further minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

It’s an FDA-cleared face mask made of sanitary silicone that accommodates a diverse range of facial features. Notably, it’s equipped with built-in protective eye shields, allowing users to safely keep their eyes open while watching Succession or Ted Lasso.

LED Lip Perfector

The LED Lip Perfector is an excellent entry-level way to make a foray into the wonderful suite of Currentbody Skin LED light therapy tools. This is the first FDA-approved at-home LED treatment for the mouth area, which is typically exposed with a traditional LED face mask.

Using this unique beauty gift is simple and only a 3-minute commitment. After washing your face and mouth, use your teeth to hold the device in place for a few minutes, and follow up with a lip mask for extra hydration.

The red, deep red, infrared, and amber lights penetrate multiple skin layers to boost collagen production, resulting in a plumper-looking lip free of fine lines. It also minimizes lines around your mouth caused by smiling, laughing, and smoking.

UNVEILED LED Glove Device

If hand cream is just an occasional thing you wear during the winter season, then you'll definitely need this LED light therapy glove. Treat and prevent wrinkles and sun spots that give away your true age with this unique device that combines red and near-infrared red lights. Sporting an illustrated hand and wrist covered in gorgeous gold ring stacks and a timepiece, Priori definitely earns snaps for creating the most glamorous red light therapy device.

Looks aside, it's a functional tool that helps ensure the hands also look youthful. Cover your hand with the glove and wrap the velcro strap for a snug fit. Each hand treatment is a minimal 10-minute commitment or 20 minutes total for both hands.

While longer than other LED light treatments, using this glove has taught me some patience, at least when it comes to not tinkering with my phone 24/7. You'll see most results from the silicone LED light therapy device if you use it 3-5 times weekly for at least 1 month.

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