The 7 Best Red Light Therapy Devices for Smooth, Even Skin Are at the Top of My Holiday Wishlist
I’m calling it the gift of glow.
I didn’t expect it, yet here I am: obsessed with all things red light therapy, and always searching for the best red light devices on the market. To be honest, I wasn’t a believer for a long time, and I’m not a big delayed-gratification gal, so not seeing a practically brand-new face right after use made the process feel like a waste to me. Well, not only is that not how red light therapy works (go figure), but over the years, I’ve learned that the types of devices used for the treatment matter as much as how often you use them.
“LED light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that works by penetrating the dermis with low-level wavelengths of light in order to stimulate cells to function more efficiently,” board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, previously told Marie Claire. This means that while you won’t see drastic changes immediately, rest assured that cumulative changes are happening beneath the skin's surface (and that angelic glow you get with every session is a fabulous plus).
“Boosting cellular activity with safe wavelengths of light activates the body’s own repair system,” Dr. Engelman adds. “This helps it heal more quickly, produce more collagen, and reduce the appearance of unwanted aging signs like fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.” According to the Sleep Foundation, red light therapy can also help to support sleep quality and improve sleep inertia, or grogginess, but more research is needed to truly pinpoint its cumulative effects over time.
That said, I've tested quite a few red light devices and have a solid list of recommendations to share ahead of the holiday season. Whether you have a wellness-obsessed best friend or you are the beauty and wellness aficionado of the group, you can’t go wrong with adding one of these devices to your shopping list.
The Best Red Light Therapy Devices
- Best Red Light Therapy Device Overall: CurrentBody Series 3 Mask
- Best Red Light Therapy Device for Sleep: Hatch Restore 3 Smart Sunrise Alarm Clock
- Best Portable Red Light Therapy Device: Bon Charge Mini Red Light Device
- Best Handheld Red Light Therapy Device: HigherDose Pro Laser Renewal Wand
- Best Red Light Therapy Mat: JOVS JQ3P Red Light Therapy Sleeping Mat
- Best Red Light Therapy Shower Head: HigherDose Red Light Shower Filter
- Best Red Light Therapy Panel: Celluma Pro
Best Red Light Therapy Device Overall
Only one product is better than my CurrentBody Series 2 Mask: the CurrentBody Series 3. The latest version of the mask keeps all my favorite qualities from the second generation—full face coverage, easy 10-minute sessions, and hands-free use —but it takes personalization to a whole new level. It not only offers more light options, like green and yellow, but you can also use the app to target specific areas of the skin with certain lights. You can even be prescribed a treatment session by a dermatologist using a special code that is created just for you. It’s personalized red light therapy at its best.
Review: “I bought the face and neck kit at the end of February this year. Started using it Feb 27; I have been very consistent and dedicated to it. I wish I had taken more photos the past few months, but it works! I definitely see noticeable results in the fine wrinkles and the tone of my skin. My sister saw me the other day and said my skin looked like a porcelain doll. I’ll take that compliment any day :)” — CurrentBody
Ariel Baker wearing the Current Body Series 3 Mask.
Best Red Light Therapy Device for Sleep
I love my Hatch alarm clock, and one of the main reasons is my red light wind-down routine. Not only can I choose the perfect meditation audio, but I can change the light during different parts of my night routine. Though more research is needed to see whether red light actually affects sleep cycles, I can say it starts making me drowsy as soon as I turn on the routine on my Hatch. The fact that I’ve also curated the perfect environment to encourage cozy time likely helps, but placebo effect or not, this alarm clock is my favorite part of my nighttime wellness routine.
Review: “A very peaceful way to wake up and go to sleep. The sunrise light is helpful in my otherwise very dark room and a great transition to the day.” — Ulta
Best Portable Red Light Therapy Device
I am simply obsessed with this mini red light device from Bon Charge, and it's been on my wishlist for a while now. I’ve tried a few other products from the brand, but with the holiday travel season already here, I love how little space this version of the panel takes up while still providing fantastic coverage with the red light.
Review: “I bought this just a month ago, and it has shown me benefits already over my target issue (sleep) but also over muscle recovery, skin health, and general wellbeing! Love it! All for ten minutes per day. I am going to recommend it for sure to friends and family.” — Bon Charge
Best Handheld Red Light Therapy Device
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but more brands are starting to incorporate lasers into their red light devices, and I’m living for it. HigerDose is the latest to join the charge with its Pro Laser Renewal Wand, which combines red light, cryotherapy, and an 808nm precision laser said to help boost collagen and elastin, in turn tightening the skin and softening fine lines and wrinkles. Since this is more than just your standard LED light, make sure to patch test before using.
Review: “I’ve been playing around with this wand for the past few weeks and have been loving the additional lifting and firming effects combined with the usual glow that red light therapy gives. This wand also works as a form of cryotherapy, so whenever I want to seal in all of my skincare, I just swap the head and glide it across my face. It’s incredibly satisfying and that 3-for-1 moment feels unbeatable in terms of value.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Best Red Light Therapy Mat
I’ve long been a fan of sauna blankets, but did you know that red light blankets were a thing? This one from JOVS is on its way to me as I type this, and I can’t wait to dive headfirst into it. It offers full-body coverage (including the face), so you don’t have to keep moving the tool to different areas like you would with a smaller panel, and you can get your full body treated in the same short 10-minute session as your face.
Review: “The sleeping bag design is actually what sold me. I can get full-body coverage without having to constantly reposition myself. After a few weeks, my skin tone looks more even, and my body feels less stiff.” — JOVS
Best Red Light Therapy Shower Head
My husband and I have been obsessed with this shower filter since we got it, and I’m not kidding when I say we have full-on dance parties in the bathroom when we use it. I make sure the filter is the only light in the bathroom, then go to town scrubbing my body, and I swear it’s helped with the acne marks on my shoulders and with preventing new ones. I haven't had a body breakout since I’ve started using it!
Review: “I am absolutely obsessed with my red light shower. I had wanted to get a filter showerhead for ages, cos the water in LA dries out my skin and hair so much, but the red light therapy is SUCH a bonus and makes me feel like I’m at a spa every morning after the gym. Highly recommend.” — HigherDOSE
Best Red Light Therapy Panel
I’ve raved about Celluma products before, and I’ll never stop. The Pro panel is one of the many products I enjoy from the brand because it helps with anti-aging and acne, as well as pain management. I’ve been using it as a part of my chronic pain management routine, and though it’s a newer addition, I’ve really been noticing a difference in how long I've been going without a flare. Chronic pain gals, you may want to put this on your holiday wishlist.
Review: “This company and this machine have only changed my life. I’ve been using it for two years, and I could barely move when I started using it. I use it every day, and it is truly amazing. I can see my face is looking way younger.” — Celluma
How Does Red Light Therapy Help the Skin?
Red light has long been lauded in the skincare space (and personally, I am religious about using my red light masks). But what exactly does it do for the skin? "Red light helps with collagen production, as well as improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, previously told Marie Claire. "Simultaneously, it also supports smoother, firmer, and more radiant-looking skin."
How Does Red Light Help With Sleep?
So, the research on red light and sleep is thin, and it's benefits likely has to do with the ritual of you winding down. Still, it's a ritual that has worked for me. Here's how sleep doctor Michael J. Breus, PhD, explains it: "Use red light to replace bright light at night, not as a sleep treatment," he says. Your optimized red light sleep routine can look like the following, according to Breus:
- Start your Power Down Hour: Set an alarm 60 minutes before bed. That's your cue to switch off the overhead lights.
- Go dim and warm: Switch to a dim red or amber bulb or lamp in the room where you wind down and in your bedroom. Low and below eye level is best. Think candlelight, not stadium lights.
- Swap your nightlights: Put a red or amber nightlight in the bathroom and hallway. When you get up at 3 am, flipping on a bright white light is one of the worst things you can do. You'll only prolong the agony.
- Screens still count: A red lamp won't help much if you're holding a bright phone 12 inches from your face. Screens off 60 to 90 minutes before bed, or wear blue-blocking glasses.
- Don't forget the morning: The light that really sets your body clock comes in the morning: 15 minutes of direct sunlight within about 30 minutes of waking. If you only do one light habit, do that one. Light is medicine, but timing is everything.
- If you want to try a red light therapy device, use it during your wind-down hour, and follow the maker's time limits. Check with your doctor first if you have an eye condition or take medications that make you sensitive to light.
- Breus's sleep tip: Your bedroom should be cool, dark, and quiet when the lights go out. A red light is for winding down. Turn it off when you go to sleep.
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Meet the Experts
Dr. Michael J. Breus, PhD is a double board-certified Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Sleep Specialist. He has the distinction of being a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Dr. Breus is one of only 168 people in the world to have passed the Sleep Medical Speciality board without going to Medical School. World-renowned as The Sleep Doctor™, he is a bestselling author, media personality, keynote speaker, and brand advisor, bringing science-backed sleep expertise to the public for nearly three decades. Dr. Breus also hosts the Better In Bed With The Sleep Doctor podcast.
