Want to know if LED masks work? We trialled them with 160 testers... (2024)

The GHI asked over 160 testers to trial 17 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.

Score: 80/100

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 during wear and long-lasting battery life.

Our panel said their skin looked brighter and more radiant after using the gadget, and felt it helped soothe rosacea and redness. The quick treatment time (three minutes) also made it easy to fit into their existing skincare routines, and it proved quick to charge and clean. Overall, it's a worthy winner.

Key specifications

Score: 78/100

If the reason you’ve found yourself on this feature is because you’re searching for a solution to a problem over a third of the UK population experience at some point in their lives – acne – then look no further than this blue mask.

It uses blue and red light to help control oil production and eliminate blemish-causing bacteria. We’re not suggesting it’s an overnight solution; as you’ve probably realised by now, nothing is instant with skin conditions, unfortunately. But with consistency and patience, this gadget claims to banish breakouts in the space of six weeks.

What did our panel think? “My blemishes have reduced significantly,” said one tester, while another told us: “I noticed my acne scarring had reduced, as well as breakouts, by week four.” Every single person who tried this device said they noticed an improvement in their acne, spots and blemishes, with all saying their skin texture and complexion in general were significantly better after the trial.

Some found the mask a little uncomfortable to wear for the allotted 10-minute treatment time, but it’s hopefully a relatively small price to pay for clearer skin.

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Score: 77/100

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.

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Score: 77/100

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.

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Score: 77/100

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 10), 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.

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Score: 76/100

Don’t let your routine take a back seat when travelling; this smart 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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Score: 76/100

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.

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Score: 74/100

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.

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Score: 72/100

This targeted red-light device is great for people looking to give certain areas of their skin a little more TLC. It works to smooth rough and bumpy skin, reduce inflammation and stop spots in their tracks, before they come to the surface. You wear it for just three minutes at a time, so it’s easy to incorporate into any existing routine.

Testers told us it was great for skin that’s generally clear except for the T-zone or persistent oil-prone patches, and many noticed reduced redness with any new breakouts. This wouldn’t suit those with acne all over their face, though, as it would take too long to treat each area, so you may be better off with the CurrentBody Device above.

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Score: 72/100

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.

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Score: 72/100

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.

Key specifications

Score: 72/100

You may 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.

Key specifications

Score: 70/100

Key specifications

Score: 70/100

This LED face mask has two light modes to target different skin concerns, from acne to premature ageing. The red and infrared LED lights work to slow 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.

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What are the different lights in LED masks for?

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.

The verdict: Do LED face masks actually work?

In short, yes! Our testers loved these LED devices, but the snag is that many of the most effective ones don't come cheap.

The best of the best in our testing was the Dr Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro mask. Testers found it easy to use and it worked, improving the appearance of our panellists' skin in four weeks.

If you've got money to spend and are after a premium device, the Cellreturn Platinum LED Mask made a difference to the appearance of fine lines and wirnkles for over half our panel.

The Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand is a more affordable and portable option that targeted skin texture, while this Currentbody LED Light Therapy Mask device is comfortable to wear and easy to use for beginners.

Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?

The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing products for over 100 years, from mops and vacuums to bedding and the best hair-growth tech.

Our testers are experts in their fields, whether that's home appliances or skincare science. They develop rigorous protocols and use specialist machines to analyse skincare gadgets in the lab. We also use our extensive at-home panel to try them in real world situations, to ensure they perform as you'd expect for the price tag.

Senior Beauty Writer, Florence Reeves-White, has written about thousands of beauty products, often trying them herself at home to find out which claims stand up to scrutiny, and which are just too good to be true.