4 Best Red-Light Therapy Masks and LED Devices of 2025, Reviewed

Yes, the right types of light can have a positive effect on the skin. WIRED editor Verity Burns tested Shark CryoGlow’s red-light therapy with the help of a clinician who scanned the surface of her face using Observ 520x’s analysis machine before and after her eight weeks of testing. The before-and-after scans showed that her skin—particularly on her cheeks—was smoother, plumper, and brighter, and showed improvement in inflammation on her forehead, chin, and under her eyes.

Unfortunately, not everyone will see results from red- or blue-light therapy, and this might contribute to the suspicion around these skin care devices and whether they work. (Make sure to also correctly implement it into your routine.) You won’t know until you try, though you should talk to your dermatologist to see what they recommend based on your skin type. Waldman says there’s no reason to believe red light could be harmful if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, but as there isn’t much research involving pregnant women, you should consult your physician first.

We also recommend making sure the device you’re considering is FDA-cleared. FDA clearance means the FDA has cleared the device for marketing and that it’s safe to use. There’s a 510(k) or Premarket Notification process they go through to get it. You can check the database to see what’s FDA-cleared. It’s not the same as FDA-approved, which is a higher standard that takes more testing and research. We haven’t seen FDA approval for LED masks yet, but we have seen clearance.

Topical retinoids, like over-the-counter retinol and prescription tretinoin, can also treat wrinkles and texture by slowing the breakdown of collagen and increasing skin cell turnover. Both retinol and LEDs typically take several months to show results, but retinoids come with more side effects, such as increased breakouts and sometimes flaky, burning skin.

These are the typical wavelengths, measured in nanometers, to look for:

• Red-light therapy commonly uses wavelengths in the 630- to 660-nm range, with the lowest effective wavelength around 600 nm.
• Near-infrared red lights are commonly 800 to 1,400 nm. These penetrate deeper into the skin and are used mostly for healing and reducing inflammation.
• Blue light is typically 405 to 420 nm to kill acne-causing bacteria.

Research shows that certain light can have benefits for your skin. Medical-grade red-light LEDs penetrate the dermis and can boost collagen production, according to Abigail Waldman, clinical director of the Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. (Collagen and elastin are proteins produced by fibroblast cells in the middle layer, under your epidermis.)

Research funded by NASA has revealed that red light can also speed up the healing process in some injuries. “High-intensity red and near-infrared LEDs significantly accelerated the healing of oxygen-deprived wounds in rats and also sped the growth and proliferation of skin, bone, and muscle cell cultures from mice and rats,” it was reported. NASA supplied LED devices to the US Navy to treat training injuries. Those who used the LEDs had a 40 percent improvement in musculoskeletal injuries and 50 percent faster healing for lacerations over the control group.

Blue light, on the other hand, penetrates the epidermis, the top layer of skin, killing acne-causing bacteria. “It also reportedly helps to regulate oil production and reduce inflammation, leading to clearer skin,” says Shoshana Marmon, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at New York Medical College.

There are other lesser-known LED lights, such as green, yellow, and purple; red and blue LEDs are backed up by clinical studies.

Follow the directions for the specific device you’re using, but in general, you’ll want to wash and dry your face and use the mask before applying any skin care products. Light therapy devices should have a set session time, usually between three and 10 minutes. Use it for the full time unless it feels uncomfortable. After, apply your skin care products as normal, focusing on hydration (serums and moisturizers), especially if you’re prone to dryness. Do not use these masks longer than indicated in their directions.

While you can use red-light therapy and retinoids in your routine, Waldman doesn’t recommend using them simultaneously, as it can increase the chance of irritation.

LED light therapy doesn’t work for everyone, but consistency is crucial if you want to try it. Follow manufacturer guidelines for best use, but most dermatologists recommend using an LED face mask three to five times per week for up to 12 weeks to see results.

So far, we’ve tested 11 devices, each for a period of six to 12 weeks. Once we log our findings, we pass each device along to three additional testers with different skin types and signs of aging to see how results vary.

We monitored changes in skin texture and tone, but effectiveness is only one of the factors we consider. We also judged ease of setup, fit, and comfort. We noted the number of LEDs and whether the brightness felt tolerable or irritating. For cordless devices, we tracked how long they lasted on a single charge; for wired models, we judged how practical it was.

We also prioritized safety, checking for FDA clearance, automatic shut-off features, and overall durability of the design. To make sure we weren’t just spending money willy-nilly, we consulted dermatologists and experts about which wavelengths of light have clinical backing, and what features to look for when shopping for a device.

We’re testing the Flikeze PhotonMask Quint for $300 and the Omnilux Clear for $395. We’re also reevaluating the Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro and the CurrentBody Series 2.