As part of our tested roundup of the best LED face masks, I put the CurrentBody Skin and the Omnilux masks to a head-to-head test, evaluating each device based on factors such as ease of use, comfort and performance.
LED face masks have taken off over the past several years on social media, in large part thanks to endorsements from celebrities and influencers. More and more beauty tech brands are launching their own versions of these buzzy red light therapy devices, touting them as options for treating signs of aging, acne and discoloration. There is a wide variety of masks on the market, ranging from around $100 to over $1,500. For those looking for an FDA-cleared LED mask that falls somewhere in the middle of that price range, the CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask and the Omnilux Contour Face are two of the best-reviewed devices to choose from. Below, I set out to compare them stat for stat.
While the LED masks look similar, offer many of the same features and cost about the same, they feature small differences in design that may affect how comfortable they are to wear. To find out which one was worth the investment, I put each mask to the test, evaluating how easy each was to set up and use, along with gauging which one had the better comfort level, battery life and overall performance.
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CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask
Our score: 8.5 | Target areas: Face | Light modes: Red and near-infrared | Skin concerns: Fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, dullness | Wireless: Yes | Number of LEDs: 132 (66 red and 66 near-infrared) | Usage: 10 minutes a day
Best for:
- Addressing signs of aging, dullness and uneven skin tone on the face
- Those who prefer a flexible silicone design
- Those who prefer devices with safety goggles that insert into the mask
Skip if:
- You don’t intend to use it consistently
- You’re sensitive to very bright lights
- You want more than one strap to secure it to your head
Omnilux Contour Face
Our score: 9 | Target areas: Face | Light modes: Red and near-infrared | Skin concerns: Fine lines, wrinkles, redness, discoloration | Wireless: Yes | Number of LEDs: 132 (66 red and 66 near-infrared) | Usage: 10 minutes, three to five times a week, for four to six weeks
Best for:
- Addressing fine lines, wrinkles, redness and uneven skin tone on the face
- Flexible silicone design
- A secure fit to the head, with two straps
Skip if:
- You don’t want to have to use it consistently
- You want a mask with eye inserts
- You prefer a controller that alerts you when the treatment session is finished
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CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask Vs. Omnilux Contour Face: How Are They Similar?
Both wireless masks use a combination of red light (633nm) and near-infrared light (830nm) wavelengths emitted from 132 LED lights to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, even out skin tone, improve discoloration and brighten skin. While red light is thought to reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen production below the surface, near-infrared light penetrates even deeper into the skin for further subcutaneous benefits. Both masks are FDA-cleared, offer 10-minute treatment times with auto shut-offs and have performed clinical studies. For instance, the CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask has been clinically proven to reduce wrinkles in four weeks, while participants in Omnilux’s clinical studies reported brighter and plumper skin with less redness. However, consistent use is essential to achieve results from both masks, and these effects typically take a few weeks to become visible.
The masks also share a similar design. Both of them are powered by rechargeable controllers (of roughly the same size) and made from flexible silicone, which allows them to sit snugly against your skin, giving the LED lights the best chances of reach and penetration.
CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask Vs. Omnilux Contour Face Mask: How Do They Compare?
Setup: I found both the Omnilux and CurrentBody to be extremely easy to set up and use, with straightforward directions. Both controllers need to be fully charged via USB cable before use, and the Omnilux directions make it clear that keeping the mask attached to the controller while charging can damage the mask. Both the Omnilux and CurrentBody masks took about two hours to fully charge straight out of the box, though the Omnilux can take up to five hours and the CurrentBody 4.5 hours to reach a full battery when they’re completely drained. After charging, all that was required for setup was plugging the controllers into the masks.
Both brands also recommend performing a sensitization test before using their masks on your face. To do this, you run a treatment on another, less sensitive body part (like your arm or leg) in order to determine if you have any reactions to the treatment that could result in negative side effects like redness or itching. I performed the tests for both masks on my leg without any reactions.
Ease Of Use: The most complicated part of the process was fitting the masks to my head. Ideally, you want them to fit snugly so the light can penetrate your skin properly without feeling overly tight or uncomfortable. It took me about 10 minutes of playing with the CurrentBody’s head strap and removable eye goggles to get the mask to sit securely on my face without slipping. I found the Omnilux mask to be quicker and easier to put on thanks to the two adjustable head straps that keep it in place.
Once I had the masks on, all I had to do to power each of them on was to press a button on each controller that cues a preprogrammed 10-minute treatment to begin. While both masks feature auto shut-offs, I really liked that the CurrentBody mask beeps in addition to going dark when the treatment is over. The Omnilux mask simply goes dark. After use, the directions for both masks recommend wiping down the portion that touched your face with a damp cloth and letting each device completely dry before your next use.
Comfort: Comfort level is fairly subjective when it comes to flexible LED face masks, and a lot depends on a person’s face shape and light tolerance. I found the Omnilux mask to be more comfortable to wear for a few reasons. It has two adjustable Velcro head straps that secure it in place and prevent it from slipping and sliding, as opposed to the CurrentBody mask that only has one. The CurrentBody’s singular strap is still effective—you just have to make sure it’s snug enough and placed in the right position on the back of your head. I had the most luck when the strap was placed on the middle of the back of my head, over a ponytail or bun.
Though both masks offer the same amount of LED lights, I found the CurrentBody mask to be a bit brighter, which may be a little uncomfortable for anyone sensitive to bright light. After testing multiple LED face masks, I can confidently confirm I am one of those people, so I preferred the Omnilux mask for that reason as well. However, my husband gave the CurrentBody mask a test run and mentioned that he didn’t find it to be overly bright.
While the CurrentBody mask can be used safely without goggles, it comes with eye inserts (which sort of look like the individual rubber inserts found on swim goggles) that can be attached to the eye slots to help block out some of the light. The inserts were effective at reducing the brightness, but I felt like the mask was more comfortable without them. I also tried wearing blackout goggles I ordered from Amazon under both of them, but they didn’t fit properly under each mask’s eye cutouts. I actually felt that the blackout goggles made the masks more uncomfortable, so I closed my eyes while wearing both masks instead.
While the CurrentBody and Omnilux masks work wirelessly (meaning they don’t need to be plugged into a wall outlet during use), I wasn’t able to move around while wearing either of them because they would slip out of place. The most comfortable solution I found was performing all my treatments while sitting on the couch or lying in bed with my eyes closed.
Performance: In order to see the wrinkle-smoothing, skin-brightening results that LED face masks promise, you need to use them consistently and at the maximum frequency and duration recommended by each brand. CurrentBody and Omnilux suggest using their individual masks daily and three to five times a week for at least four weeks, respectively. I have tested each mask only four times, so while I can’t comment on physical results just yet, I can vouch for setup instructions, ease of use and comfort.
Battery Life: The Omnilux and CurrentBody masks seem fairly comparable when it comes to battery life. I tested each mask four times for 10 minutes each and never needed to recharge either device. Both brands claim a fully charged controller should provide at least 10 treatments.
Accessories: Beyond USB cables and storage bags, most LED masks don’t come with a ton of add-ons, and these masks are fairly comparable in terms of accessories. The Omnilux mask comes with a drawstring bag for storage, a controller, a USB cable for charging and four different electrical adapters that are helpful for international travel. It also has universal voltage, so you can toss it in your suitcase without worrying that it will get fried on vacation. The CurrentBody mask offers a drawstring storage bag for safekeeping, a controller, the appropriate USB cable for charging and eye inserts.
My Final Verdict
Both masks are great choices for anyone looking to buy an effective red light therapy device in the $400 range. Each one is similar in terms of ease of use, design, price and benefits, though I found that the Omnilux mask was slightly more comfortable. As mentioned above, your preference will depend on your face shape and tolerance for bright lights, but with either of these you can rest assured that you’re making a good investment.
My Expertise
I’ve reported on the beauty and wellness industry for over 12 years. My byline can be found on sites like Byrdie, Harper’s Bazaar, Allure, PS, InStyle, Shape, The Zoe Report and more. On top of product testing to provide informational, helpful and factual reviews, I regularly interview top skincare experts and renowned board-certified dermatologists to learn the facts behind buzzy skincare ingredients, social media trends and at-home treatments. I personally gravitate toward quick and noninvasive skincare treatments with little to no downtime, which is why LED masks are appealing to me.
This story was assigned, edited and produced by deputy editor Jane Sung, who leads the beauty and grooming category and also oversaw our roundup of the best LED face masks. Prior to testing the Omnilux and CurrentBody devices, I also gathered key insights and guidance on LED face masks from several industry professionals: Dr. Joshua Zeichner, an NYC-based dermatologist; Dr. Margarita Lolis, a New Jersey–based board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon; and Dr. Mary L. Stevenson, a cosmetic dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College.