What is LED?
Buckwell says light-emitting diode (LED) was first used as a light therapy by NASA to engender plant growth. Since it has been adapted as “a skincare tool used in both salons and at home.”
How does LED work?
“LED Light Therapy is a skincare treatment that uses different wavelengths of light to stimulate the skin's natural healing process. As the light is absorbed into the skin’s different layers, it triggers various reactions,” Buckwell says.
“Red and near infra-red light wavelengths kickstart the skin’s collagen production and natural healing mechanisms, helping reduce inflammation and wrinkles and leaving your skin looking smooth, fresh and glowing.”
Buckwell also adds that LED treatments can “increase blood circulation,” which can help reduce the appearance of blemishes and scars by delivering “essential nutrients to the skin’s surface.”
What skin concerns can LED target?
LED can target a range of skin problems whether it be the skin texture, hyperpigmentation and the signs of ageing to bigger issues like psoriasis and acne.
In fact these handy tools have even been known to help heal skin wounds and repair sun damaged skin! Say no more...
If you're looking to try out the tool for yourself it's helpful to know which brands and products to turn to as they can be an investment. Below we're taking a look at some of the best on the market to help you in the search.
2024's Top 3 LED Face Masks
- Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask, $585 at CurrentBody
- Kahlia Skin LED Light Therapy Mask, $109 at Adore Beauty
- Contour Face Mask, $605 at Omnilux
The best LED face masks to invest in in 2024
Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask
$585 at CurrentBody
Specialising in beauty tech and LED specifically, CurrentBody offers its own at-home LED Light Therapy Mask. FDA-cleared and TGA-certified you know that when you purchase this you're getting a quality product.
As spotted on celebrities like Trinny Woodall Kim Kardashian and Cillian Murphy and even in the hit TV show Emily in Paris, Buckwell says the easy-to-use device has been “clinically proven to reduce wrinkles by 35% in just 4 weeks with daily use.”
Key features:
- Over 1000 5-star reviews
- Flexible silicone ensures LED reaches across the face
- Available to purchase in bundles with additional accessories
- Pillow technology diffuses the LED to ensure coverage
- Clinically proven LED wavelengths
Kahlia Skin LED Light Therapy Mask
$109 at Adore Beauty
If you're after something less pricey, this innovative face mask is easy to use and is a great option for those testing the treatment out. Using three UV wavelengths, red, blue and yellow, the Light Therapy Mask works to improve the appearance of spots, fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture and tone.
It's lightweight for your comfort and you can even wear it as you go about your business at home as it is wireless and USB-charged.
Key features:
- TGA-registered
- Wireless design
- Can choose which light therapy to use
- Suitable for all skin types
Also available at:
- $109 at Kahlia Skin
- $129 at Myer
Contour Face Mask
$605 at Omnilux
Ultra-flexible this powerful face mask conforms to the unique contours of your face to ensure every last cm is getting those UV wavelengths and improving your skin. The lights will help to promote your skin to produce collagen, ensuring it remains full and plump without looking dull as well as fighting against the signs of ageing.
Taking only 10 minutes, this is a convenient skin treatment that can be done at home non-invasively. The Contour Face Mask has also been built for global use so you can take it with you while you travel!
Key features:
- FDA-cleared
- Dermatologist approved
- Natural skin treatment
- Suitable for all skin types
- 132 medical-grade LEDs
- Wavelengths of red and near-infrared light
- Two-year warranty
Also available at:
- $490 at Endota
Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro
$761.91 at Revolve
If you've been doing your research and looking into LED face masks you will have come across this viral product from the experts at Dr. Dennis Gross. The SpectraLite FaceWare Pro is one of the leading LED face masks on the market and is said to effectively reduce the appearance of fine lines in just two weeks.
Not only that but it will improve your skin's elasticity, promote healthy glowing skin, treat the signs of sun damage and rid you of hyperpigmentation and texture.
Key features:
- FDA-cleared
- Comes with a travel-friendly charging cord
- Suitable for all skin types
- Hands-free design for convenience
- 100 LED red lights and 60 blue
Also available at:
- $665 at Net-A-Porter
Project E LightAura Skin Rejuvenation Photon Mask
$214.99 at Amazon
Using seven, yes seven, powerful LED colours the LightAura face mask from Project E works to target all of your skin's most pressing issues quickly and non-invasively.
Whether it's wrinkles and fine lines you're looking to target or perhaps things like hyperpigmentation and cell renewal, the LightAura works to do it all. The various colours mean it can do it all with just one mask.
Key features:
- Soothes sensitive skin
- Comes with a travel-friendly charging cord
- Lights include red, blue, green, purple, cyan and yellow
- 150 powerful non-heating bulbs with 3 LED's per bulb
- Auto-shut off features
- FDA-approved
Also available at:
- $220 at Project E Beauty
TherFace Mask
$899 at Theragun
Sitting at $899, Theragun's TheraFace mask is certainly the most pricey on our list, but the quality is undeniable. Clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as skin tone, radiance, texture and even firmness - TheraFace is a heavy-hitting face mask.
It's FDA-cleared and uses full-face red, red + infrared and blue lights, as well as added tension-relieving vibration therapy to renew your skin and leave it feeling refreshed.
Key features:
- FDA-cleared
- Can personalise treatments to fit your skin needs
- Works in just nine minutes
- 17 proprietary QX-Micro motors
- Cordless design for convenience
Also available at:
- $899 at The Iconic
- $899 at David Jones
- $899 at Adore Beauty
What’s the difference between red light and blue light?
“Red light helps treat fine lines, wrinkles and inflammation and blue light is best suited for acne-prone skin, helps eliminate bacteria, and reduces oil production.”
As for the lesser-known light settings, near infra-red light, “is absorbed by the deepest layers of the skin and is great for reversing signs of ageing, improving elasticity, stimulating cell regeneration to help with healing wounds and reducing inflammation,” and green light is “used to treat pigmentation, dark circles, and sunspots and helps calm down irritated or overstimulated skin,” Buckwell says.
How can people use LED? Is it cheaper to do from home?
While at-home masks and in-clinic treatments “use the same technology”, Buckwell says the two treatment types have similar results.
While in-clinic treatment is often administered at a higher wavelength, the capability to use at-home devices more frequently can result in the cumulation of similar results.
Given that at-home LED face masks are a one-time purchase, they are also a cost-effective option for those interested in the technology.
How can people use LED at home?
“An at-home mask offers the convenience of being able to use the mask when and where you please with the same salon-quality technology.”
How often can people use LED?
“LED treatments are safe to be used daily and have no downtime.”
“All CurrentBody LED devices are preset with timers and will automatically switch off after the preset time is up.”
The LED Light Therapy Mask is set to a ten-minute timer, whilst CurrentBody’s other targeted LED offerings are set to three minutes.