We Tested LED Face Masks For Two Years. These 6 Are The Best At Smoothing Wrinkles And Clearing Acne. (2025)

It should come as no surprise that the manufacturers of the award-winning Theragun would change the game again when the brand entered the facial device market. This hard mask features three different wavelengths of light—red to stimulate collagen and firm skin, red plus infrared to boost circulation for a more even skin tone, and blue to battle acne-causing bacteria. So yes, this one is a bit on the pricey side, but it's a lifelong purchase—you can use it through years of younger-you breakouts to whenever you first start to see the signs of aging.

Also worth noting is the fact that this mask features 648 medical-grade lights—more than most of the competition—and different modes to tailor the treatment to your unique skin needs (you can select the 9-minute preset option for results in as little as 12 weeks or one of the 3-minute treatments to tackle specific concerns). But one of the standout features is the inclusion of vibrational technology to give your face a relaxing massage around the eyes, brow bones, and scalp during your light therapy treatment. It's a truly unique addition we haven't seen in other options on the market. It's also cordless—a major convenience since you don't have to be stationary during the treatment—and comes with eye protection.

"I used this mask for several weeks and absolutely noticed a difference in my skin during that time," says Women's Health beauty director Brian Underwood. "I used the nine-minute present treatment with the vibration, which leads your through three minutes of each light type. I felt like this was the best bang for your buck, and I noticed a huge brightness boost as well as far fewer breakouts. I usually have an odd spot or two on my face, but really didn't notice anything while I was using this. I even did a few session with the lights off and just the breathing vibrations, which was so relaxing."

Beauty writer Mary Honkus reviewed the TheraFace Mask and agrees that it's worth the splurge: "While the brand recommends wearing this for a minimum of 12 weeks to see results, I started to notice a difference in my complexion about three weeks in," she says. "Any zit that was brewing under the surface of my skin calmed before it reached the surface, my eyes appeared less tired, which I attribute to the vibration function, and my skin looked more luminous than usual. I’m confident that with continued consistent use the results will become more striking."

On the downside, both Underwood and Honkus say this mask is on the heavier side and can be a bit cumbersome to wear. And though Therabody doesn't specify the nanometers of light used, their multiple clinical studies have shown significant results, so you can trust that this one is actually effective.

Read more: Best Red Light Therapy Devices For Hair Growth

The biggest plus of the MZ Skin LED Mask is its simplicity—the mask's two settings are easy to to use even without reading the instructions. Though not equipped with many of the bells and whistles of our top pick, this MZ Skin mask comes highly recommended by plastic and reconstructive surgeon Jaimie DeRosa, MD because it also offers different types of light—red, infrared, and blue— and multiple settings. The anti-aging mode helps firm your skin by stimulating collagen production with red light while the acne mode harnesses blue light's antibacterial properties to clear skin. While it's the priciest option on our list, the device is well-designed with a luxe vibe that will make you feel like you're using a very high-end treatment.

I initially tried the gold MZ Skin Mask in early 2019, and appreciated the five modes, but really only used the blue light to minimize my acne. The only caveat? Committing to six weekly 20-minute treatments was too much of a hassle even for a beauty editor like myself. And because I didn’t want to stick to a strict schedule, my zits eventually popped a few weeks after I stopped using the mask. Fast forward a few years later and MZ Skin debuted this Supercharged version that lives up to its namesake. Requiring just four quick 10-minute weekly sessions, I could easily incorporate this pink mask into my routine. Within my first month using this device, the smile lines around my eyes were less pronounced and my hormonal acne mellowed out.

I appreciate the flexible material is lighter weight than the OG gold face mask, but it’s still relatively heavier than other flexible masks on this list. I found that while the silicone device fits my round face well and feels like my skin is fully basking in LED light, it starts to slip when I’m standing. I wouldn’t recommend using this while working at your standing desk, but you can enjoy it while relaxing on your couch or bed.

Hollywood stars like Halle Berry, Carey Mulligan, and Kaley Cuoco love this LED face mask. It even earned major snaps from Dr. Garshick, who says the combo of red and near infrared light is a great option for minimizing wrinkles, smoothing out texture, and brightening uneven skin tone.

I own a sizable LED face mask collection and often reach for this face mask because it’s truly effective. My uneven skin tone is brighter, my dark spots are less obvious, and my smile lines are more discreet.

I’m also into how weightless it feels while I’m wearing it. Ahem, I’ve nodded off wearing this face mask late at night because it’s truly that lightweight and pleasant to wear. That’s because CurrentBody Skin is made of a flexible silicone that conforms to skin for the most comfortable fit, compared to all the other masks I’ve tested. It also has a remote control that makes it super easy to adjust while you have it on. I own a sizable amount of LED face masks, but I’ve been most loyal to CurrentBody Skin because it improves my dark spots and fine lines. Consistency is key with CurrentBody. The more often I use this mask, the better my skin looks. Whenever I take a break from using it, I notice within a few weeks that my skin looks duller.

We’ve tested a lot of face masks, and this one is ideally suited to tackle lines and acne scars. It's simple, but it gets the job done fast. "I just plug it in while I'm laying in bed and lets it do its thing for 10 minutes—that's all you need to get the job done, which is a shorter time span than other masks on our list that typically require 20 to 30 minutes for use," says associate fashion commerce editor Lily Wohlner.

Dermatologists Shari Sperling, MD, Dr. Parikh, Dr. Camp, and Dr. Garshick all rave about this mask, which improves sun spots, age spots, and discoloration while helping with current acne and future breakouts. "Using a combination of red and blue light, this mask works to support collagen production as well as reduce acne-causing bacteria and inflammation," says Dr. Garshick.

But not only is this mask recommended by dermatologists, it was developed by one too—that'd be Dr. Dennis Gross, founder of his eponymous skincare line. That could be why it's so effective and user-friendly.

"I’ve been using the DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro consistently for about three weeks and I found it was much easier to incorporate into my routine than I'd initially expected," says longtime beauty editor and writer, Lisa DeSantis, who tested the device for a month. "Overall, I’ve noticed less irritation, a more even-toned complexion, and smoother skin. I trust that with continued use, I may even start getting ID’ed at bars again. If you do have acne-prone skin, a mask like this one could yield more visible results as you’ll be able to tell if you’re experiencing fewer breakouts or improved healing time." Read her full review here.

And while this product has the potential of being the best overall pick, the price is on the higher side. Plus, since this is a hardshell mask, it's less likely to fit on different face shapes. For those who prefer a hard mask, the adjustable strap in the back can make for a more comfortable experience.

Ok, $350 isn't exactly cheap, but Qure's mask is the least expensive option on our list by a few bucks, and if you're on the hunt for a mask that checks all of the boxes (who isn't?!), here's your answer. In addition to two types of red light—red and deep red—for anti-aging benefits, the mask also boasts infrared, amber, and blue lights to deal with acne, fine lines, and sun spots. Select your skincare concerns, and a compatible smartphone app will customize a treatment plan just for you. The icing on the cake? Treatment time is only three minutes for all plans—among the fastest of all the devices we tested.

We love that the Qure sits squarely on the face so it won't need to be constantly readjusted (an annoying feature of some of the others we tried). That being said, our testers told us it isn't heavy or cumbersome. "This mask is lightweight, and fit my face perfectly, making me feel like I was reaping the most benefits," says contributing writer Brigitt Earley.

On the downside, the customization component overly complicated things, says beauty writer Erica Metzger, who tested this mask for Women's Health for three weeks. "In theory, the smartphone app is cool and useful—and some people will probably really enjoy this feature—but I found tinkering with it to be too time consuming and defeated my favorite aspects of simplicity and speed," she says. "Also, I want full-face anti-aging, so the regular setting works just fine." Read her full review to get all the deets.

Also, it's a little tricky to get the eye protection into the mask at first (even after reading the directions, Metzger inserted the removable eye protection in the wrong way), but a quick tutorial video solved the problem.

Are LED face masks effective?

Absolutely, experts say. "They work by sending light waves deep into the skin barrier to trigger intracellular reactions, which vary based on the wavelength of light used," says dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD. The benefits depend on the color of the light because each will penetrate the skin at different depths, adds Dr. Camp.

Here's exactly how red light therapy works, for example: "The mitochondria in your cells soak up energy from red light to produce more energy in the skin, healing and repairing damaged cells while promoting tissue and cell repair," says dermatologist Anna Guanche, MD.

Are LED face masks safe?

Yes, they're generally safe for most users, says Dr. Engelman. "LED light therapy is not an invasive treatment, and when done properly, the risks are minimal," she continues. A 2018 study in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology points out that this treatment has an "excellent" safety profile, Dr. Ansell adds. While they're safe to use on the skin, there's some concern about damage to the eyes with these lights. So, it's a good idea to wear goggles to help protect them.

Individuals who are photosensitive or have connective tissue conditions should either skip LED light therapy or approach it with caution, advises Dr. Ansell. For those of you that can use one, Dr. Engelman suggests wearing it for 15 to 30 minutes a few times a week, but it's crucial to refer to your specific mask's instructions for the recommended time.

What are the types of LED light therapy?

Most at-home red light therapy devices come with several waves of light, the most common shades being red and blue. However, all shades have different benefits. DeRosa breaks it down:

• Red light helps smooth out wrinkles and boost collagen production.
• Blue light is great for eliminating acne-causing bacteria and reducing inflammation.
• Yellow light helps with skin repair.
• Green light treats hyperpigmentation.

How do you use an LED face mask?

Start with clean skin, says Dr. Engelman. After washing your face in the morning or at night, set your mask to the proper wavelength, then put on goggles. Comfort is key, so feel free to adjust any straps and align yourself with the cushioning (if your mask has any) before using it. Post-use, finish the rest of your skincare routine, she says. And definitely use it before applying retinol, says Dr. Shirazi.

What are the benefits of using an LED face mask?

Dr. Guanche says that the red-light therapy feature in these devices is especially helpful. "Studies have found that red light therapy helps with photodynamic therapy to treat some skin cancers and conditions, such as psoriasis and acne, as well as provide anti-aging benefits," she says. They're, of course, not as strong or fast as in-office LED light therapy, but they're a more affordable and easy at-home option, especially if people want to extend the results of in-office treatments, Dr. Engelman adds.

Meet the experts

• Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.
• Dendy Engelman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.
• Brendan Camp, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.
• Anna Guanche, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon.
• Sherwin Parikh, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.
• Shari Sperling, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.
• Leah Ansell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.
• Azadeh Shirazi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.
• Jaimie DeRosa, MD, is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

Shop more of our favorite skincare devices

Best High-Frequency Wands | Best Microcurrent Devices | Best Laser Hair Removal Devices | Best Pore Vacuum Cleanser Devices | Best Face Razors | Best Dermaplaning Tools | Best Gua Sha Tools | Best Facial Tools | Best Facial Cleansing Brushes

Additional reporting by Lily Wohlner and Sabrina Talbert.