If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably tried every trick in the book to achieve an ageless appearance and glowing, glass skin. Short of turning to injectable fillers like Botox and Restylane, there’s only so much you can do at home to revive and maintain healthy skin. That is, until now. Red light therapy has been available at high-end spas and dermatologists’ offices for years, but thanks to a handful of cutting-edge beauty brands, you can incorporate red light into your beauty routine from the comfort of your own home.
Interested in seeing how some of the most popular LED masks perform in real life, we put them to the test. Six Reviewed staffers spent up to eight weeks testing the latest light therapy masks and found that the best LED mask was the Q-Rejuvalight Pro Mask (available at Qure) from Qure for its customizable features and ability to provide actual results. For a more at-home spa experience, we recommend the TheraFace mask from Therabody.
We collected six testers from across our staff who all had different skin types, skincare routines, and skin textures to try out a collection of red light masks. Our testers included:
The tests
Each tester used the LED masks regularly for a minimum of five weeks, according to each mask’s manufacturer’s instructions. Each tester started by examining the mask straight out of the box, looking for defects, examining the appearance, and looking at included tools and chargers.
From there, testers rated how easy the masks were to set up — did they fit properly? Were the Velcro clasps secure or flimsy? Did the masks feel secure, or were they prone to slipping? Our testers found quite a few masks uncomfortable, which is a real turn-off when you’re wearing them multiple times a week for up to eight weeks. Some included instruction manuals were confusing, so we knocked a few brands for not properly preparing users on how to use their masks — a real bummer considering the masks we tested were as expensive as $950.
We took a deep dive into the red light (and blue light) settings to see how intense the lights became and whether the mask included goggles to protect us from the lights (those that did ranked higher). We examined how easy it was to toggle between settings and whether the mask had pre-set treatment durations we could set and forget.
After examining the masks themselves, we started using them. Our testers used the red light therapy masks multiple times a week for five to eight weeks, depending on the masks. Overall, each tester saw results, some were just more significant than others.
How we chose red light masks to test
There are a lot of red light therapy masks on the market, and while you can find discounted options on Amazon or Temu, we do not recommend using masks that are not FDA-cleared.
To find the best LED masks, we only chose options that are FDA-cleared, which means the manufacturer has to tell the FDA the light intensity, wavelength, and treatment duration it uses. It’s not a guarantee of safety, as the system is mainly self-regulated by the manufacturers, but it’s as close as we’ll get.
We searched the FDA database to ensure all six masks we tested were FDA-cleared. There were several masks on our consideration list that we ultimately couldn’t test because they were not in the database. When researching masks outside of this list, look for terms like “FDA cleared” or “FDA approved.” If a product is “FDA registered,” this means the mask has been registered with the FDA, but not actually vetted — we don’t recommend using masks unless they’ve been evaluated.
Similarly, phrases like “FDA tested,” “FDA certified,” or “FDA recommended” are not official FDA terms, so if you see those, walk away.
For example, our favorite mask — the Qure Light Therapy Mask — notes at the top of its landing page that the mask is FDA-cleared. We confirmed this by finding it in the FDA database. The Nutriskin Wrinkle Clearing Mask, however, is not. It claims to be “dermatologist approved,” but it lacks the FDA clearance we required for our testing. This is not a mask we’d recommend buying until it gets clearance.
Red and near-infrared light therapy uses different wavelengths of red LED lights to penetrate the skin and encourage the production of collagen and elastin, which can improve the look of the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and even speed up the healing process of some injuries.
Although at-home masks typically use weaker wavelengths of light than professional medical-grade light treatments, the key to successful red light therapy is consistency — so these masks are a great way to ensure that you get regular red, infrared, and even sometimes blue light exposure.
How does blue light therapy differ from red light therapy?
Similar to red light therapy, blue light penetrates the topmost layer of skin. But blue light is effective at killing bacteria that can cause acne and inflammation. There’s even evidence to suggest that blue light therapy can also help improve sun spots and acne scars.
Is red light therapy safe?
The overwhelming research around red light therapy is that it is safe for all people, as long as the sessions are carefully controlled. High-intensity exposure can be damaging to the skin, so if your mask is malfunctioning and the light is too bright, it’s best to have it fixed before continuing treatment. Similarly, sticking to the pre-programmed treatment times is a good idea, as they’re carefully calculated to offer the maximum red light exposure that is safe.
How often and when should you use an LED light mask?
Although we recommend starting with one to two sessions per week, you are most likely to see benefits from red light therapy when you use the mask three to five times a week. In our research, we found that some red light mask users find that they get an energy boost from the red light and prefer to use their masks in the mornings rather than at night, though lab tests have been inconclusive on whether it’s more or less effective at night.
How long will it take to see visible effects on the skin from red light therapy?
Although some of our testers saw minor improvements in skin texture and reduction of fine lines after a few weeks of use, it can take three to six months of consistent use to see visible differences in the skin. Most at-home red light masks aren’t as powerful as the light therapy machines available in doctor’s offices and spas, so they can take even longer to have a noticeable effect on the skin. Regardless of where you’re masking — at home or in a controlled environment — what matters most is consistency. Stick with it to see the most benefits.
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