LED Face Masks for Plumping Up Wrinkles, Killing Acne, and Fading Dark Spots

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

As our beauty editor, a huge component of my job is testing treatments like Hydrafacials, and new beauty products like high-frequency wands and the latest rotating curling irons — and one of the most innovative and fast-acting skincare inventions on the market is LED face masks.

Some look futuristic and are beloved by Oscar-winning actors, while others look eerily similar to Michael Myers’ Halloween horror mask. However, LED face masks are incredible for treating several skincare concerns — which I’ll get into with the help of medical experts. But first, let’s start with the basics of LED face masks.

What is an LED Face Mask?

NASA developed light therapy to help plants grow in outer space, but the tech became commercially available once astronauts noticed their skin was improving. LED face masks are equipped with light-emitting diodes (LED) of various wavelengths that treat an abundance of skincare concerns.

“As the light contacts the skin, it gets absorbed by the skin, resulting in the desired changes. Response of the skin will be different with an application of different colors, which is why the different colored LED masks can target various skin conditions,” explains Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, M.D., a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon.

The Best LED Face Masks

• Best Overall: CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask

• Best Budget: Skin Gym Wrinklit LED Mask

• Worth the Social Media Hype: Omnilux Contour Face Mask

• Best FSA/HSA Eligible: HigherDOSE Red Light Face Mask for Fine Lines & Glowing Skin

• The Award Winner: Therabody TheraFace Mask

What Does an LED Face Mask Do to Skin?

LED face masks are only a 10 to 30-minute commitment, and there’s zero downtime, so you can give yourself a quick treatment and immediately head out without any redness or irritation. According to DeRosa, dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban, M.D., and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar, each color of light targets a unique issue, which means making sure your LED face mask emits the shade you need to address your skin concerns is extremely important.

• Red LED light produces collagen and elastin and therefore is known for reducing the look of wrinkles.

• Blue LED light helps soothe inflammation and irritation, destroys acne-causing bacteria, and decreases oil production in oily skin.

• Green LED light treats hyperpigmentation and sunspots, which are dark patches on the skin.

• Amber LED light improves oxygen circulation, leaving skin with a beautiful, radiant glow and more hydration.

Thankfully, a few LED face masks give you the option of multiple shade colors and brightness intensities, but most of them come in either red or blue colors.

Are LED Face Masks Safe?

“LED masks are pretty safe as demonstrated by hundreds of thousands of uses without significant side effects,” says DeRosa. “They’re safe enough to be used on a daily basis, and I use them in combination with other treatments such as a facial or chemical peel every four to six weeks.” Though LED face masks are incredible for the skin, experts say you should avoid using one if you’re on any medication that can cause photosensitivity, have a photosensitive disorder, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

It’s also important to wear black or opaque eye goggles during treatment or, at the very least, keep your eyes closed. “Without appropriate protection of the eyes, lengthy exposure to red or blue light may cause eye damage, especially in people with certain eye conditions or taking medications that can sensitize them to light,” explains DeRosa.

How We Chose

To that end, I researched and tested dozens of LED face masks and settled on standout models worthy of your hard-earned money. I initially considered the number of LED lights, their wavelength, treatment length, and overall value. Then, I evaluated how they improved my skin concerns, like fine lines, dark spots, and acne.

As for the sixth and final option, the Shani Darden by Déesse PRO LED Light Mask was created by Kelly Rowland and Shay Mitchell’s favorite esthetician, who happens to have created one of my favorite skincare tech tools. Her FDA-cleared face mask contains 100 red LED lights alone, which is highly promising. Given my experience with her previous tools, I knew this was a solid contender worth putting on your radar.

LED Light Therapy Mask

Looking for an LED face mask regularly used by celebrities before major red-carpet events such as the Oscars? I got you! CurrentBody Skin counts stars like Halle Berry, Carey Mulligan, and Amal Clooney as fans who have used their face mask before being heavily photographed.

I use this LED face mask because it improves my skin’s tone, texture, and firmness without irritation. I also appreciate that it’s made from body-safe silicone and features an adjustable Velcro strap for the comfiest fit. With regular, prolonged use, fine lines are less noticeable and my skin looks refreshed and glowing.

Oscar winner Cillian Murphy and Oscar nominee Sterling K. Brown are also equally enamored with CurrentBody Skin's high-tech tools because they require minimal effort. "The road to the Oscars is long and arduous and we all can pay the price, especially our skin. So, good skin care and some added help are essential. We relied on Sisley and CurrentBody Skin to help soothe and restore Cillian’s natural complexion,” Murphy's hairstylist and groomer Gareth Bromell recently told me.

More: Skin Care Tech Devices Our Beauty Editor Can’t Live Without

Wrinklit LED Mask

OK, so this mask is just under $100, but every dollar counts, right?

And to be fully transparent, this is probably one of the only masks you’ll find for less than a triple-digit price that won’t put you at risk of vision issues (unlike the notorious drugstore option, which shall not be named here, which was recalled for causing such problems.) The lesson? Don’t be cheap when it comes to these devices!

Beyond price, this mask from Skin Gym also provides three LED light colors to choose from (red, blue, and orange for brightening skin) to treat your skin accordingly.

It’s also wireless, so you can run around your home (or outside if you’re daring) without being limited in movement.

Contour Face Mask

Chances are your social media feed has been overtaken by people raving about Omnilux. And if your commute is anything like mine, you’ve spotted its ads around NYC. So what’s the deal with this buzzy LED face mask worth nearly $400?

The FDA-cleared face mask is made of sanitary silicone and comes with an adjustable head strap to accommodate everyone’s unique facial features and head sizes. It’s comfy to wear because it comes with built-in protective eye shields, allowing users to safely keep their eyes open while watching TV if they choose.

It helps calm my skin by minimizing redness and the appearance of pore sizes. Dark spots caused by sun exposure and post-acne hyperpigmentation, plus dark circles under my eyes are also less visible.

Red Light Face Mask

Not sure what to do with your FSA and HSA money? Well, either program are typically a use or lose it situation, so you might as well treat yourself (or your lucky loved one) to this epic skincare device. I previously named this blue skincare tool as one of the best red light therapy masks in the game, so you can rest easy knowing it's legit.

Created by HigherDOSE, a company adored by Lady Gaga and top models, it utilizes red light therapy to boost collagen production and plump up fine lines and wrinkles.

What I appreciate most is that this LED face mask is made from flexible, medical-grade silicone to accommodate beautiful and diverse facial features without compromising comfort. Its functional attributes, like an adjustable head strap and comfy eye holes, justify the higher cost.

As for the results, I've used this for 10-20 minutes per session, and it helps boost collagen production for an anti-aging effect. It's also simple to charge, easy to use, and effortless to pack, making it a wonderful gift for anyone who loves to travel.

TheraFace Mask

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro LED Light Therapy Device at Nordstrom

I haven’t met a Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare product I didn’t like, and our staff and TikTokers alike can’t get enough of this brand. As its name implies, this brand was created by a board-certified dermatologist, so you can rest assured it's going to deliver some impressive

This TikTok-viral DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro device is an FDA-cleared LED face mask equipped with 100 red and 60 blue LED lights that work in synergy to target common beauty concerns, like boosting collagen production, improving skin density, smoothing wrinkles, treating acne, and minimizing discoloration.

This copper-and-white skincare tool

To quote its 5-star Sephora review, “I have been using my mask for about 2 years and really love it. I use the blue light [to treat] my hormonal breakouts and the red part for overall brightness. I trust the Dennis Gross name and wanted to spend more to have a quality brand since there are so many knockoffs out now that I am seeing around on Sephora.”

Light Therapy Golden Treatment Mask

Skincare LED Mask

I'm a huge fan of Riki Loves Riki products, including their gorgeous mirror for my first apartment. The brand was one of the first to make spot LED treatments, and I was delighted they introduced their first foray into LED face masks.The Barbiecore-pink skincare wonder Skincare LED Mask

PRO LED Light Mask

For the ultimate LED face mask with the princely price tag to match, opt for this version celeb esthetician Shani Darden co-created with Déesse.

The updated Déesse mask is now equipped with dual diode technology that claims to use the highest dose of red, blue, and near-infrared light therapy waves. This FDA-cleared light therapy device is clinically proven to minimize wrinkles, acne, and pigmentation, ensuring you have the clearest and most beautiful skin, all from the comfort of your home.

In addition to a handheld controller, the BPA-free face mask also comes with a custom neckpiece so your décolletage also looks youthful. It also helps make acne-prone skin look less inflamed and fades post-acne hyperpigmentation.

You Might Also Like

• The Paris Hilton Housewares Collection Brings ‘That’s Hot’ Energy to Your Kitchen

• 16 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Perfect for Rocking Out in Quiet Bliss

• Beyoncé Uses This $26 Amazon Product for Her Glossy Blonde Hair