The 15 Best LED Face Masks for Light Therapy At Home, According to Beauty Editors and Experts

Masking at home: So hot rn.

best led face masks
(Image credit: Future)

I try beauty products for a living—the good, the bad, the life-changing. Naturally, I have a heck of a lot of favorites. But the most transformative of them all? The best at-home LED face masks, a.k.a light therapy masks. These anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, acne-fighting light therapy treatments—which were once only available under the practiced hand of a dermatologist—leverage blue light, red light, yellow light, green light, and on occasion, white light to target skin concerns in the short-term (an at-home session takes about 10 minutes) and the long-term. 

The masks are an investment, sure. But if you plan on using one regularly, it's well worth it. We've talked to the experts, tested our favorites, and combed through the big wide web to gather all the information you need to know. Ahead, find the best at-home LED face masks available for purchase. 

Overview

Deals on LED Light Therapy Masks

Currentbody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask, Black Friday Special LED Kit $490

Currentbody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask, Black Friday Special LED Kit $490 $399 at Currentbody

This Black Friday special set is a great value for anyone looking to dip their toes in LED light therapy. The mask helps to decrease the look of fine lines and wrinkles while giving the skin a brighter appearance.  

FOREO UFO™ 2, $299

FOREO UFO™ 2, $299 $150 at BlueMercury

Half off at Bluemercury right now, this pocket-sized LED device is small but mighty. It has healing, cooling, and vibrational settings to suit your mood—and your skin's needs.

What to Look For in an LED Mask

  • Efficacy

It shouldn't come as a surprise that the big LED machines in spas and dermatologists' offices are going to be a lot more powerful than little at-home masks. But you're still going to need a certain level of LED light exposure to see results. "For an LED mask to be effective, it must be at a clinically relevant wavelength, and have a reasonable amount of irradiance or power," explains Dr. Tanuj Nakra, MD, FACS and co-founder of AVYA Skincare. These numbers should be available through the manufacturer or on the product page—below, we dive into what to look for for each color.

  • Colors

"Every color corresponds to specific wavelengths. These ranges are great to reference because if the device you’re looking at lists a different nanometer that’s not in range, or mentions a different color, it’s not going to help you achieve your skin goals," explains board-certified esthetician Erica Marie. She explains that blue light should fall within 445 to 490 nm, green light should fall within 490 to 570 nm, yellow light should fall within 570 to 590 nm, red light should fall within 620 to 780 nm, and white light should fall within 700 to 1000 nm.

  • FDA Approval

While there are dozens and dozens of LED face masks on the market, only a handful have FDA approval. "The search for a safe and effective device begins with making sure the device is FDA approved," says Dr. Nakra. "You can check this for yourself."

  • Design

While you might prefer an LED mask that goes on like a pair of sunglasses, others might want something that straps them in—it's really personal preference. That said, some features are non-negotiable, like the number of LED lights and their distribution. "When it comes to the number of LED lights in the device, the more the better. In order for the lights to penetrate directly into the cells, they need to be close together and there needs to be a lot of lights, at least 100 or more," explains Dr. Marie. "You also want the lights as close together as possible to get the best results." 

Best At-Home LED Face Masks

Every at-home LED mask on this list has been specifically chosen by Marie Claire's Beauty Editor, Samantha Holender (hi, hello, yes it’s me) and Marie Claire's Beauty Director, Deena Campbell; or has been hand-selected by a board-certified dermatologist. Each and every one leverages LED technology that is clinically proven to deliver results, feels comfortable when being worn, and is highly rated by reviewers. While the *best* at-home LED mask for you will depend on your specific skin concerns, personal preference, budget, and skin goals, you’ll be able to find an option that delivers, ahead. For a more personalized recommendation or if you have any concerns, check with your board-certified dermatologist.