Red light therapy devices are in high demand. Previously only accessible via the dermatologist’s office, LED treatments can now be carried out at home thanks to a new breed of high-tech tools.
Promising a clearer and brighter complexion, many studies support the skin-boosting benefits of red-light therapy skincare devices. “Red light stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to refine and strengthen the skin,” says Dr Maryam Zamani, a leading global facial aesthetics doctor and founder of MZ Skin. “It boosts luminosity through improved circulation, calms redness, evens skin tone, and plumps up the complexion.”
At home, red LED can be combined with other light therapies such as blue and infrared for supercharged effects. Our guide spans a wide range of light options, price points, and skin concerns. We've also consulted with dermatology and skin professionals to answer all your red-light therapy FAQs – namely how to choose the right device for your needs and whether it's possible to overdo it.
How we tested these red light therapy devices
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Many companies now offer red light therapy devices, and we tested dozens for this guide. It's worth noting that even the best at-home red light therapy devices won't be as powerful as professional LED treatments that use light therapy for acne or collagen-boosting. After testing each for a minimum of four weeks, our testers assessed each one on:
- Comfort
- Colors of LED offered
- Variety of treatment options
- Ease of use
- Results on skin tone, texture, and clarity
- Value for money
Our testers then checked our skin after each use for post-treatment reactions, kept an eye out throughout the trial for cumulative results, then compared how our skin changed overall once the testing period finished. Those devices that ranked highly (and are featured below) slotted easily into our daily regime without taking up too much time. They were also comfortable and user-friendly, boasting several functions that really delivered results – coming close to those used in a salon setting.
The best red light therapy devices, tested by our beauty experts
We found this to be the top performer of any red light therapy device we tried – one that very much justifies its price tag. This three-minute-long LED procedure targets a large range of skincare concerns: wrinkles, fine lines, blemishes, and dark circles, to name just a few. Dr Dennis Gross boasts a patented design that contours to the face and specifically targets areas in need. With red light to support natural collagen and elastin production and blue light to help get rid of acne and redness, this mask truly packs a punch.
After testing, we would recommend starting with a dry and freshly cleansed face. Use the adjustable strap to place the mask on your face, which we noticed slipped a little during the treatment. Then let the red light and blue light combination therapy do its thing until the timer goes off. After, we followed up with one of the best vitamin C serums to boost brightness further. Expect an improvement in circulation and brightness within 12 weeks.
See our full Dr. Dennis Gross DrX Skincare SpectraLite FaceWare Pro review
Although this device looks like a razor, it is in fact a four-in-one skincare tool that combines red light therapy with therapeutic warmth, facial massage, and microcurrent to brighten and smooth skin. Intrigued? Us too! Let us break it down for you – the four technologies get to work together to tackle myriad skincare concerns in as little as 5 minutes per day, three times a week.
All we had to do was move the device around our face in upward and outward motions. The microcurrent stimulates the muscles to boost firmness. Red light therapy reduces the appearance of fine lines and sun damage by boosting collagen production. Low vibrations provide a very pleasant, gentle massage to help take down puffiness. We particularly loved the warming head, which helped reduce redness and gave the device the ultimate feel-good factor. It's super lightweight and a total joy to use, and would make a worthy investment for anyone who likes to do a facial at home. As for results, expect brighter, plumper and smoother skin after a few weeks of use.
See our full Solawave review
If you’re after an LED mask that tackles every major skincare concern going, this is the one for you. With seven (yes, seven) different light modes, the device tackles wrinkles, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, melasma, acne, sebum regulation, redness, inflammation, and sagging. So, how does it work? Despite sounding complicated, we found it incredibly easy. Plug the mask in, set your preferred time and intensity (intensity level varies from 1-5), pick your color (choose from red, blue, green, purple, yellow, aqua blue, and white), then sit back and relax.
It does have to be plugged in while wearing so we found it slightly less convenient than some others on the list, but it's comfortable to wear and sometimes it's nice to have an excuse to just kick back and relax. The best thing about this mask is that you can create a bespoke treatment depending on your skincare needs. For instance, if you want to treat pigmentation and acne, try the green light for 15 minutes followed by the blue light for 15 minutes. Clever!
Dr Maryam Zamani is back with a brand-new LED face mask that looks - and feels -the part. Crafted from patented, medical-grade soft silicone in a millennial pink shade, this device molds to the contours of your face, a little like the best face masks, for a comfortable, sleek aesthetic. Looks aside, it’s also portable so we found we could pop it on and get on with our day uninterrupted. As for technology, it boasts two LED light modes: Anti-aging (using infrared and red light therapy) and Acne (combining red light and blue light therapy).
Simply slip the mask on, adjust the strap at the back and select your chosen mode to begin your 10–30 minute treatment. Designed to rival the power of the tools used in-clinic, this mask delivers impressive results. Clinical trials revealed that in just four weeks, wrinkle depth was reduced by 36% and collagen fibers increased in just two weeks. Impressive, huh? We noticed a brighter, healthier-looking complexion almost immediately.
If you haven’t had a chance to visit The Light Salon in real life, we suggest rectifying that pronto. Situated in department stores across the US and UK, the station boasts an impressive menu of LED treatments from The Blue to fight acne to The Full-Body Signature for top-to-toe results. If, however, you can’t book in - invest in their at-home alternative instead.The Boost LED Face Mask delivers 10-minute treatments of near-infrared and red light to soften fine lines, calm inflammation, and plump up the skin.
For best results, the brand recommends wearing the mask three times a week, over the course of four weeks. According to clinical trials, wrinkle depth is reduced by 36% in four weeks. We found that it’s super comfortable to wear with its soft silicone shell and adjustable straps. It’s also portable and boasts an impressive 5000 hours of use. If you’re a frequent flyer, this is a great choice as it can be laid out entirely flat in the protective bag and will rehydrate skin post-flight. Big tick!
Not only is the CurrentBody Skin LED Mask one of the most comfortable red light therapy devices we have tried, but it's also the quickest to use and easiest to store. This comes down to its unique flexible silicone material, which hugs the face so you can sit up and pop it on for the required ten minutes while you watch television. The grippy material also ensures that the red and near-infra-red LED lights can reach and evenly penetrate every contour of your complexion.
A combination of two light types boost collagen production and calms skin for long-term effects, but also revs up circulation so you get instant radiance. You can opt to use a hydrating hydrogel mask underneath for extra glow, or simply apply it after your best cleanser and before your best face moisturizer. Aside from a sizeable initial investment (as all LED masks generally involve), this mask ticks all our boxes. No wonder it won a woman&home Beauty Award and is loved by stars including Carey Mulligan.
This hands-free light therapy device is specifically built to target the eye area - including crow’s feet, eleven lines and general loss of elasticity in the skin around the eye area that comes with age. It is ideal for those with general skin texture and laxity concerns, as well as anyone dealing with dark circles, dullness, or fine lines overall. For those looking to supplement the best eye cream in their arsenal with a bit of tech, commit to daily use of this device and see a noticeable difference in a few weeks.
In a 10-week daily-use clinical study, 97% of subjects showed visible improvement. We can get on board with those odds. The adjustable strap that stretches around the back of the head ensures this device is comfortable for heads of all sizes. And as with all beauty regimens and products, the more consistent you are, the better your results will be. In just two weeks of daily use, we noticed the eye area looked brighter, smoother and somewhat firmer - we're impressed.
Due to hormonal changes and external stressors, acne can be a problem at any stage of life. And it doesn’t ever seem to get any less frustrating, despite our best efforts at following a skincare routine for acne to a T. Instead of investing in another topical acne treatment, consider a red light therapy device specifically designed to target both existing acne and new underlying blemishes threatening to pop up.
The LightStim for Acne is our top red light therapy device pick for acne-prone skin. Utilizing multiple wavelengths of red light, this device uses a mix of blue light to combat acne-causing bacteria and red light to soothe redness and inflammation. The 3-minute built-in timer will let you know when your session is up to ensure you reap all the benefits without going overboard. After testing this device for one week, we saw a marked improvement in the appearance of dark spots and existing blemishes.
Using ultra-fast heating, cooling, pulsations, and full-spectrum LED lights, the famous Foreo UFO 2 Smart Mask is a multi-tasking wonder. It starts by warming and prepping the skin before cooling and lifting to add firmness and reduce puffiness. We found this combination of temperatures felt both relaxing and refreshing and was one of the most enjoyable experiences we had throughout our testing.
Using the FOREO For You app, we synced the mask to our phone using a unique barcode to activate the red light therapy. Talk about futuristic skincare. Oh, and the best part? This device ensures every last drop of essence is well spent on our faces, as opposed to ending up on our hands. Women of all ages have taken the leap and purchased this more expensive red light therapy mask because it actually delivers on its promises. Great for those of us who seek skincare for dry skin, our skin felt plumper after just four weeks of use.
