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A futuristic-looking face mask that's supposed to kill bacteria, prevent breakouts, and reduce the appearance of aging skin? It seems too good to be true, but LED masks are essential to transforming the skin in ways topical products cannot. You've probably seen your favorite celebrities don this type of tool before a big night of red carpets, but what do they actually do? And do you actually need one? To get all the ins and outs before splurging, we turned to Dr. Ife J Rodney, for all the information.
What Are LED Face Masks?
"LED masks work by shining different colors and wavelengths of light rays onto the skin. The blue LED rays target the bacteria that live within the hair follicles and contribute to acne pimples and cysts," Dr. Rodney, MD, FAAD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetic. "The red rays suppress redness and inflammation of the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, by stimulating collagen production." Now, you can get masks that come with a wide range of lights, including green, white, and amber for even more specific needs.
Do LED Face Masks Work?
While they're mainly used as an add-on treatment when you visit your dermatologist or esthetician, the at-home versions can help to keep your skin in tip-top shape—as long as your consistent. Where in-office treatments use more powerful LED bulbs for an extended amount of time (no more than 20 to 30, Dr. Rodney says), "at-home LED masks are not monitored, so there may be a lack of consistency in the treatments." When used consistently, however, you'll find that the right tool can give amazing results–without the in-office costs.
Ahead, the 16 best LED masks to try, from Dr. Rodney's splurge-worthy fave to handheld light therapy devices that target your most stubborn impurities.
Oh, didn't you hear? Devouring a plate of carbohydrates while masking isthething right now. Here's a fancier version that not only looks luxurious but transforms the skin using five different lights to reverse signs of aging and reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
This nifty gadget combines four powerful skin-loving benefits into one sleek tool. It has red light therapy to rejuvenate skin, micro-currents to lift, facial massage, and therapeutic warmth to allow skincare to absorb into the skin better. Plus, it's small enough to take on the go.
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Beloved by celebrities getting ready for the red carpet, this face and chest mask will improve the skin's texture and tone. Over time with continual use, fine lines and wrinkles can be kept at bay with this mask's powerful red light therapy.
No need to make an appointment with your friendly derm, this LED face mask will do everything you need it to with no down time. Not only does it work against time, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, but it also reduces redness and hyperpigmentation.
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While most masks used red and blue lights separately, this masksuses100 LED red lights and 62 LED blue lights at the same time to target all your skin concerns.I also loveDRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro. Plus, it's FDA-cleared and finishes the treatment in three minutes, which makes it a must-have inDr. Rodney's book.
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If you're unsure of what your skin needs, Qure offers a skin consultation so you can get the right treatment out of your LED face mask. That way, you can mask in total confidence.
This mask offers red, orange, and blue LED light therapy to conquer your skin's woes. It's completely wireless, which means you can use it on the go, or at home when you want to complete your chores without worrying about the closest outlet.
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With this mask, you can use blue light therapy, amber light therapy, and red light therapy in one easy tool. This can do everything from calming down inflamed skin, treating fine lines, and healing damaged skin–for just 10minutes a day.
This mask offers seven different light therapies that can all help you get to the skin of your dreams. It even offers white light therapy that can treat sagging skin and fine lines.
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You might look like a Spartan with this on, but they probably didn't have skin this good. With fine-line reducing red light therapy, you'll start to notice a difference in just two weeks of using this product.
So it's that time of the month, and a cluster of breakouts appeared on your face. The LightStim handheld LED treatment can directly target your problem areas. "This handheld device is FDA cleared, comes with its own eye protection, and can be used to treat specific problem areas, like your cheeks or forehead," Dr. Rodney says.The process is simple: hold the device to the area you want to correct for three minutes, then repeat until you've covered all areas.
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If you want to experiment with LED masks without breaking the bank, this offering features lights that kill bacteria under the surface, calms skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, all for just over $100.
Not your typical LED mask but it functions just the same. The Foreo UFO using hot and cold temperature settings to improve the skin in just 90 seconds. Plus, the pulsating section of the treatment feels like a spa-quality face massage. You're welcome.
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The beauty about the Quasar MD Blue is that itcan be used all over your body and emits blue light to kill bacteria and stop breakouts dead in its tracks.
Nerisha Penrose
Beauty Commerce Editor
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration of—and destination for—beauty at the intersection of Black culture.
Tatjana Freund
Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor
Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.