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Soften fine lines and firm skin with these GHI Approved devices Laser Removal Tattoo Machine
This article was updated in March to reflect the latest deals, discounts and stock levels.
Stocking up on the best skincare – be that anti-ageing eye creams, night creams, or resurfacing retinol serums – is one thing, but if you’re looking for a tool that will take your routine to the next level, it could be worth investing in an LED face mask.
There’s no denying these salon-grade machines are expensive – our expert-approved picks start at just over £120 and soar up to £1,948 – but they do offer a number of excellent skincare benefits, including preventing premature ageing, which may reduce your need for frequent dermatologist trips. If you're lucky, you may also spot a few reductions on some of our top picks below...
To find out whether the results justify the investment, the Good Housekeeping Institute put the leading LED face masks to the test. Here are our experts' top picks for 2024 in one quick list, but read on for the full reviews.
Light therapy has been used in dermatology clinics for decades but portable at-home LED masks are a relatively new development – and one we’re very excited about. Depending on the light involved (more on that below), they can help treat an array of skincare concerns, ranging from fine lines to redness and pigmentation.
“LED can potentially have some beneficial results for certain issues, such as reducing sebum in oily skin, reducing the amount of acne-inducing bacteria, or providing anti-inflammatory support," says consultant dermatologist, Dr Sharon Wong.
And how exactly does light therapy work? Dr Kemi Fabusiwa, medical doctor and founder of the Joyful Skin Clinic, explains: “Plants directly absorb light from the sun in order to grow. In the same way, certain wavelengths of light (red, infrared and blue lights in particular) can be absorbed into our skin cells, improving the health of those cells and helping to reduce wrinkles, inflammation, acne, scarring and premature signs of ageing.”
Overall, the LED masks you can buy for home use are not as powerful as the treatments offered in clinics, but they are an easier way to keep your skin in tip-top shape.
Each mask will come with its own recommended treatment plan but as a general rule you shouldn’t be popping your mask on more than three times a week. You shouldn’t have to wait long before seeing results, though.
“Hopefully, you should notice results quite early on in your treatment,” says Dr Fabusiwa. “However, as with many areas of skin health, consistency is key. Don't give up if you haven't seen any improvements in weeks. Unless it’s irritating your skin, keep going with it.”
You may find skin seems drier at first but Dr Fabusiwa's advice is to “hydrate your skin barrier by using nourishing creams and always use SPF.” If you experience any irritation, stop using the mask and consult your GP if you're concerned.
Experts have said they are safe to use on the whole, but there are a few things to be aware of before using.
“While short term use of these devices is generally considered safe, there is a concern relating to eye damage, especially with prolonged exposure of the eyes to red and blue light,” says Dr Wong. “It is imperative that appropriate protective eyewear is worn, even if the intention is only short-term use.”
The GHI asked over 130 testers to trial 15 market-leading LED face masks for a period of four weeks, to find the ones that actually deliver results.
They assessed each mask on how comfortable it felt to wear, the brightness of its LED lights, and the length of each treatment. They also noted any differences they saw to their skin, including any improvements in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, brightness and redness.
In the lab, our experts used a VISIA image analysis machine to assess improvements in lines, texture, brown spots and red spots.
Our winning LED face mask impressed across the board, effectively reducing the appearance of scars, brown spots, lines and wrinkles over a four-week period. It scored highly for functionality, too, with testers praising the ease of use, comfort while wearing and long-lasting battery life.
Our panel said their skin looked brighter and more radiant after using the gadget, and felt it helped with rosacea and redness. The quick treatment time made it easy to fit into their existing skincare routines, and it proved quick to charge and clean. Overall, it's a worthy winner.
The most expensive mask on our list, this one is certainly a hefty investment. But if you're concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, our testers found it did make a difference, with just over half seeing a visible reduction in their appearance by the end of the month-long trial.
It didn’t skimp on radiance either, with our testers reporting a brighter, firmer complexion, while over half saw a reduction in redness and inflammation. Its space-age aesthetic may look intimidating (and uncomfortable!), but rest assured nobody on our panel experienced any issues. Some testers did struggle with how bright the LED lights were, though, so those with sensitive eyes may wish to look elsewhere.
This device can be used on any part of the body (well… face, neck, arms, legs) due to its ergonomic design, with various settings that allow you to target different areas of skin according to their needs. The instructions were clear and detailed, and people loved the built-in timer, which turned the mask off after the recommended time.
The design of the Dermalux was slightly Marmite — while some testers enjoyed the chance to sit still, close their eyes and relax, others would have preferred eye holes – like other masks on our list – so they could multi-task while using it. However, a few minutes of shut-eye sounds like a welcome break to us.
Testers told us the device helped clear up rosacea, while they also noticed a reduction in the appearance of scars and smoother skin after use.
Although it may look like the perfect Halloween costume, this mask is a long-term investment in your skin that you’ll want to keep year-round. According to our panel, it was comfortable to wear and the blue light setting helped to calm inflammation and clear breakouts.
All testers said the machine felt high quality and, despite a shorter treatment time than is typical of these devices (five minutes a day is advised rather than the usual ten), it still delivered improved skin texture and reduced pigmentation — in fact, every single panellist said their skin looked healthier after the trial period.
There were some grumbles about not having a pouch or drawstring bag to store the mask in, and some didn’t like that you couldn’t move about with it on as it was plugged into the wall. But, in all honesty, it’s pretty hard to see when you’re wearing an LED mask, so we wouldn’t advise wandering around with it on anyway.
Don’t let your routine take a back seat when travelling; this nifty skincare wand by Solawave is small enough to slip into your suitcase (yes, even carry-on). Despite its size, there’s no compromise on performance, with testers claiming they enjoyed two weeks of daily use out of just one charge.
It's intuitive and easy to use, with most participants praising how it felt on their skin. As for the results, our testers noticed an improvement in skin texture, and reported a reduction in acne and blemishes. Need more convincing? Our panel all said they'd continue to use it post-trial.
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If you’re not a fan of more rigid face masks, this flexible design may be more appealing. Impressively, our testers said it boosted their skin's natural radiance, with half of them praising the overall condition of their skin after the trial.
When it came to wrinkles, the panel saw a slight improvement and said they’d continue to use this treatment after the trial period. It didn’t improve redness or rosacea, but testers said it was a breeze to use and found it comfortable to wear. The LED lights weren’t too strong either, with most finding they could cope with the brightness.
Made from soft medical grade silicone, this flexible LED mask prioritises comfort — and it shows. Our panel praised its “relaxing, lightweight feel” and liked the Velcro straps for holding it in place, with one tester saying: “I liked that I was able to get on with other tasks while using it.” Salon-quality results while ticking off the to-do list? Sounds good to us.
Following the four-week trial, participants reported an improvement in skin firmness and in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They also said their skin looked brighter and more radiant. It's worth noting, however, that some found the mask hard to fit close to their jawline, which they felt minimised the results in that area.
Our best budget buy offers much of the functionality of higher end models at a fraction of the price. Our panel was particularly impressed by the sheer range of LED light therapies, allowing users to seamlessly switch between modes according to their unique skin concerns. Considering its versatility, they also said it was simple and straightforward to use — even for beginners.
Despite regular treatments, participants noticed only a small improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. That said, Sensse does suggest a minimum of four months before long-term, visible results will show.
Overall, most testers were impressed with this mask (especially given the affordable price), and reported textural improvements, as well as brighter, more radiant skin.
Coming with a wide spectrum of light options, this compact device only takes two minutes to work its magic – making it a great choice for those short on time. It doesn't cover the entire face, which our testers actually liked. They were also happy with the brightness of the LED lights, and found it comfortable to wear.
But what benefits did it have on the skin? Well, it provided some serious glow, with our panel saying they had a lit-from-within appearance after use. Testers also said their skin looked healthier overall, but it didn't do much for age spots or wrinkles.
You need to connect it to an app to use, which some testers struggled with. Despite this, they said they'd continue to use it after the trial. It's a great option if you're looking to experiment with LED masks before investing in a top-of-the-range device.
You might resemble a BAFTA award for the brief 20-minute treatment time, but trust us, your skin will thank you. This cutting-edge device is the brainchild of Dr Maryam Zamani (plastic surgeon to the stars) and is the first of its kind to offer five LED lights to use individually or in combination, depending on your skin concerns.
After four weeks of use, our lab findings showed an improvement in the appearance of age spots and pigmentation, while our testers reported brighter and more radiant skin. If you’re looking for an LED device that can target individual skin concerns with ease, this could be the one.
Omnilux has created an LED face mask with near-infrared lighting, which enables deeper skin penetration. It’s specifically targeted at men, who tend to have thicker, tougher skin, so it would make a good gift for the man in your life who’s after a rejuvenated, healthier-looking complexion (and you can then ‘borrow’ it, of course). It aims to help minimise under-eye bags, age spots and fine lines. And our lab test proved it does just that, with a score of 4/5 for the difference it made to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Redness caused by shaving? This mask also helps to calm inflammation. One tester praised how it was easy to use and said it left his skin “looking better and feeling smoother.” He added: “It is definitely something I would use again as I can see the benefits.” Big statement.
This LED face mask has two different light modes to target different skin concerns, from acne to premature ageing. The red and infrared LED lights work to slow the signs of ageing by helping to stimulate collagen production – which plays a key role in increasing firmness and elasticity in the skin. And, sure enough, all our testers said the mask helped their skin look and feel firmer. What’s more, one tester found it helped decrease puffiness too.
There’s also a blue light, or acne mode that helps to reduce breakouts by eliminating acne-causing bacteria. One downside is that it wasn’t the most comfortable to wear, with one tester saying it was quite heavy on the face. It’s also a significant investment, but if you’re looking for firmer, smoother-looking skin with 10 minutes of wear a day, this is a serious bit of kit.
Not just an aesthetically pleasing light show, understanding what the different colours do for your skin is key to working out which LED face mask is right for you. Here's a quick guide.
Red: “This acts directly on the cells that help to support collagen production, which helps provide structure to the skin. Red light is therefore used to help reverse some of the signs of ageing,” explains Dr Fabusiwa.
Amber: It’s rare to find this light option for at-home devices (although not impossible, as you’ll see in our list above), but it's a great option for those suffering from sensitivity, rosacea or redness. It works to increase cellular growth (which promotes skin healing) to calm and soothe any irritation.
Blue: “This is often used in home LED masks as a treatment for acne, due to its ability to reduce sebum (grease production) and the amount of the acne-inducing bacteria on the skin,” says Dr Wong.
Green: This isn't the most common, but it’s a good one to look out for if age spots and hyperpigmentation are concerning you. It helps to brighten the skin and dark under-eyes, and is often used to treat broken capillaries.
Infrared: Perhaps the most popular form of light therapy, this is known for treating fine lines and wrinkles and increasing collagen density.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for mutiple categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master's degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry. Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality. She has also worked as a formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and takes this evidence based approach into all her product testing.
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