The 13 Best Red Light Therapy Masks, Vetted by PureWow Editors

“I have fine lines and crow’s feet around my eyes, deep lines in my lower forehead, laugh lines and age spots on my cheeks. My skin is beginning to sag in the jaw area. I was hoping that the Omnilux Contour Face would improve these issues,” says our tester, Denise Meraz.

Her biggest concern was discoloration and hyperpigmentation. Meraz tells me the mask was easy to set up and automatically shuts off after each ten-minute treatment. (One thing to note: There device doesn't come with eye protection.) “The mask is comfortable to wear. I definitely see fewer wrinkles and am very impressed with the improvement in my jawline area,” she reports. “I noticed that the skin there is less saggy! I don’t think it helped with any spots or pigmentation issues, but it definitely helped with wrinkles and texture. For someone who [doesn’t want to] see a plastic surgeon, this mask is helpful.”

Fast Facts

• Light modes: 1
• Type: flexible
• FDA cleared: yes
• Wireless: yes
• Accessories: n/a
• Eye protection: n/a

PureWow senior commerce editor Stephanie Maida has been raving about iRestore's Illumina LED mask, scoring it 95/100 on the PureWow100 scale.

"What really intrigued me about the iRestore Illumina was its inclusion of two other wavelengths—blue and infrared—as well as its setting that combines all three to address multiple skincare concerns at once," she writes.

"First things first, this mask gets seriously high marks for its thoughtful design, which makes it both durable and comfortable. I’ve tried multiple types of masks through the years, including a visor-style version that dug into my ears and a soft silicone one that made me feel sweaty and claustrophobic. The iRestore is by far the most comfortable. It has a hard—but lightweight—construction with a smooth silicone shield around the eyes and nose, which allows it to sit comfortably on the face."

After weeks of consistent use, Maida reported that her complexion appeared brighter and more even.

"The red blotches plaguing my cheeks at the start of the summer have all but disappeared, as have the under-eye bags that would greet me in the mornings, even after getting a full night’s sleep," she said. "The jowl area around my mouth and jawline also appears less droopy and puffy—something I’m crediting to the red/infrared light’s anti-inflammatory effects."

Fast Facts

• Light modes: 3
• Type: rigid
• FDA cleared: yes
• Wireless: no
• Accessories: remote control
• Eye protection: yes

“I was hoping the mask would brighten my complexion, reduce inflammation and maybe even diminish some of the hyperpigmentation and lines that are starting to show,” says PureWow executive managing editor Catrina Yohay.

“It’s an easy setup, the mask plugs into a handheld device and that’s how you turn it on—and you get at least five 20-minute sessions before having to charge. I wouldn’t say the mask is uncomfortable, but it’s not exactly comfortable either. It’s flexible and presses against your face in order to stay up so you just have to find a comfortable position and let it do its thing. It did come with the little eye protection goggles you’d wear in an old-school tanning bed, but they’re essentially useless (IMO) because there’s no good way to wear them under the red light mask since it’s flush against your face.

In my eyes, the mask delivered on a number of its claims including reduced redness, added glow and reduced fine lines and wrinkles. It also claims to enhance collagen and elastin production. I have no clue if it actually did, but my face did feel tighter (in a good, snatched way) directly after each use. Overall, I think it added brightness, reduced inflammation (specifically on my cheeks that tend to get red) and appeared to smooth the small lines starting to form on my forehead. Simply put, I felt like it brought my skin back to life. I think I started to consistently notice a change around the three-to-four week mark, though the best/most noticeable results were directly after each session. The mask also claims to ‘boost mood,’ which I was skeptical of at first. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I did feel calmer/happier after each session. Maybe it’s the red light, maybe it’s the fact that I had to sit still and close my eyes and meditate for ten to 20 minutes. Either way, it was a lovely side effect.”

Fast Facts

• Light modes: 2
• Type: flexible
• FDA cleared: yes
• Wireless: yes
• Accessories: remote control
• Eye protection: yes

“I must admit I did not have high hopes. Although the Dr. Dennis EyeCare Max Pro promises to treat the entire eye area, so I could say bye-bye to dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, all while helping to improve my overall complexion and texture, it sounded too good to be true,” writes PureWow freelance editor Destinee Scott in her in-depth review.

However, after ten weeks and 70 treatments, she reported: “I can confirm that it delivered on what really matters to me—banishing these under-eye bags. When I tried it for the first time, I had an idea of how to use it, but it’s such a no-brainer that even a total newbie should get it on their first try. It’s easy to adjust and fit around your head comfortably, which is necessary since you’ll have to keep it on for three minutes. You will have to get used to the red LED lights, however, because they may be brighter than you think. Usually, by the time my eyes adjust to them, the treatment is over, and it takes a minute or two after [to] readjust.

Within a week, I didn’t see much of a difference, but by week three, my under-eye area looked tighter and more lifted—my bags were finally starting to minimize. At week six, I could see my complexion improving—my glow was hitting just a bit differently. And finally, at week ten, my dark circles are basically nonexistent, and my skin tone looks more even than it ever has, so I’ve been reaching for my concealer *a lot* less.”

Fast Facts

• Light modes: 1
• Type: rigid
• FDA cleared: yes
• Wireless: yes
• Accessories: n/a
• Eye protection: no

“I get breakouts from time to time, have melasma from pregnancy, hyperpigmentation, redness and forehead fine lines. I was hoping that the Therabody TheraFace Mask would brighten my hyperpigmentation and prevent future breakouts,” former PureWow commerce editor Olivia Dubyak tells me.

“I’ve definitely worn more comfortable light masks—this one is pretty heavy and kind of pulls my head forward because it’s very front-weighted.” There are silicone eye cutouts to protect your eyes, though Dubyak says light still seeps in, but it’s not incredibly bothersome. She reported seeing results around the five-week mark after consistent use. “You can’t use it three times and expect your hyperpigmentation or acne to suddenly disappear. I use the red and blue light combo along with the vibration and I noticed [some] brightening of my skin after about five weeks of constant use and way fewer breakouts, too. The biggest feature this mask has that most others don’t is vibration therapy. It vibrates around your eyes, along the inside straps [that sit against] your head and along your temples. It’s supposed to help release tension. Personally, I find it to be a little overstimulating, likely because I am usually multitasking while wearing the mask and not actively trying to relax.”

Fast Facts

• Light modes: 2
• Type: rigid
• FDA cleared: yes
• Wireless: yes
• Accessories: display stand
• Eye protection: yes

“I have acne-prone skin with some redness and dark spots. I wanted the spot treatment to help soothe any breakouts, while reducing redness and inflammation,” notes former PureWow beauty and cultures editor Chelsea Candelario. “I’m very simple when it comes to my skincare routine, so thankfully, there was no setup process for the SolaWave spot treatment. I just pressed the button and used the tool on a specific blemish. It’s very comfortable, as the light is directed at a concentrated area. I had a few breakouts over the last couple of months and I believe the tool helped soothe them. I wouldn’t say it completely vanished my breakouts, redness or dark spots, but it minimized any inflammation and irritation. The device has one standard mode—a blend of blue and red light—and is wireless, so I can walk around without being restricted by a cord. It’s also small, making it travel-friendly and not bulky. (Seriously, it fits in the palm of my hand.)”

Fast Facts

• Light modes: 2
• Type: hand held
• FDA cleared: yes
• Wireless: yes
• Accessories: n/a
• Eye protection: n/a

“I have dry patches, some fine lines, dark spots and occasional blemishes. I wanted red light therapy to help [with these things] and give my skin an overall glow,” Maida says. “My skincare [routine] consists of a hyaluronic acid, peptide and lactic acid serum, or a retinol (not on days I use the red light mask), a moisturizer and a vitamin C oil.

Setup and user experience for the Skin Gym mask is super easy. There’s only one button on the side that you click to power on, then click through to access the different light colors. Wearing the mask is relaxing, and I also love that it’s very easy to keep my eyes open and see through the eye shield compared to other LED masks I’ve tried (part of this has to do with the light being less intense, but the eye openings are also wider). This makes integrating it into my routine even easier, since I can watch TV or scroll on my phone while I get a session in. The mask is also lightweight and comfortable, with nose pads and a bridge to keep it in place, which means I can easily walk around my house while wearing it.

One thing I’ll note is that the nose bridge is made of hard plastic, which sometimes leave a mark on my nose, though that goes away quickly. I’ve been using the mask four to five times a week for about 30 minutes. The first 15 minutes I use the red light, and the next 15 minutes I alternate between the orange light for brightening or the blue light if I have a blemish. I started seeing results within the first few weeks. I’ve noticed improvements in fine lines around my eyes and forehead, and my skin has been way less dry. It would flake quite often and I never experience that anymore. I also have fewer blemishes (even during that time of the month, when a few would typically pop up), and when a spot does appear, they don’t get as big, red and inflamed as usual. After a day or two of using the mask with red and blue light, they disappear. Overall, my complexion looks more even-toned and brighter. While I have used other masks with more LED functions, I think this is a great value given the price tag.”

Fast Facts

• Light modes: 3
• Type: rigid
• FDA cleared: n/a
• Wireless: yes
• Accessories: n/a
• Eye protection: no

“As I ease into my late 30s, I’m starting to notice more sunspots, fine lines and looser skin overall. I finally see what Nora Ephron was talking about, particularly when it comes to my neck and chest,” says PureWow vice president of editorial Candace Davison. “I was hoping it’d minimize some of the deeper lines on my neck, as well as the discoloration and spots I’ve been noticing on my chest. My skincare routine, admittedly, isn’t great. I put on moisturizer almost every day—and sunscreen just a few times a week, usually when I’m planning to be out for more than an hour. When I do, I always cover my neck and chest, though I’ll be honest: In my teens and early 20s, I was terrible about this (despite the warnings from every adult I knew!). I’m trying to test new things and develop a routine I can stick to that isn’t too time-intensive.

Even though I’d never used a red light device in my life, this was so intuitive I hardly needed the instructions. You simply plug in the device to charge it for two hours, then, when you’re ready to use it, strap it around your neck, hit the ‘on’ button, and let the device do its thing. It automatically turns off after ten minutes, when your session is up. The mask was very comfortable. A Velcro strap let me adjust it to my preferences, and it was basically like a snug statement necklace—a very big, very statement-making necklace. There was just one light mode, making the process simple and straightforward.

Immediately after use, my skin seems a bit tighter and glowier, but it took a few weeks to notice more lasting results. Even then, it seemed like my skin looked better some days than others, but by the end of six weeks, my fine lines seemed a bit diminished. The deeper lines, however, remained. Considering I have friends who shell out $1,200 a couple times a year to make their necks and faces look “better,” a one-time payment of $299 feels like a steal. However, that depends on what kind of results you’re expecting.”

Fast Facts

• Light modes: 1
• Type: flexible
• FDA cleared: n/a
• Wireless: no
• Accessories: n/a
• Eye protection: n/a

One of my biggest thoughts while researching this guide has been, "What about the neck?" Sure, you could spring for a red light mask for the décollatage, like the Solawave above, but if you're not ready to effectively pay double, the MitoGLOW mask is a great compromise, with two slim drop-down panels that provide red light to your neck should you so desire. The mask also has a high density of 1,064 LEDs at four wavelengths and five treatment modes, which our tester, Clar Wong, found incredibly effective.

"I struggled with breakouts around my cheeks, lips and eyebrows. Acne scars were also present around my face, [and my] overall texture was not the best," she reported before beginning the treatment. Her hope was that the MitoGLOW would calm her breakouts.

"Upon doing some research, I learned how to match my use of the mask with my menstrual cycle. Red, blue and purple were the lights I used most frequently," she says. "My acne did calm down since I've started using the light! It took about two months to start seeing significant results."

Wong added that the battery was long-lasting; over the course of 12 weeks she charged it just three times. However, learning to navigate the different modes was a little tricky. "Figuring out when to use the different light modes could have been more clear. I had to look online for those details," she says. Additionally, Wong found the mask to be on the heavier side, noting, "It was hard to use this every day due to how heavy the mask was. I was worried the imprints it left on my face would cause unnecessary wrinkles. I found that the mask was most comfortable if I held it up with my hands which prevented me from doing other activities while using it."

Fast Facts

• Eye protection: yes
• Light modes: 5
• Type: rigid
• FDA cleared: yes
• Wireless: no
• Accessories: n/a

While there are many combo masks to choose from, I ended up gravitating to Project E when looking for a treatment that would cover my face and neck. There are eight light modes that incorporate five clinically proven wavelengths, including anti-aging red, infrared and deep infrared. Blue light offers acne treatment, while you can also choose from green (hyperpigmentation), cyan and yellow, both of which address redness, irritation and skin repair. There are a total of 1,600 LED lights embedded in the mask, which the brand says is four times the industry average. It also automatically concentrates treatment on key aging zones with "Peak Power Zones," giving an extra boost your forehead, crow's feet, frown lines and marionette lines.

My skin is slow to clear scars; I've noticed that using the yellow and green light treatments have sped up the dissipation of blemishes. It's also really soothing after I've done an at-home laser treatment, taking the edge off the sting. Other features I've appreciated are the customizable treatment times (choose between three or six minutes) and the removable, adjustable strap that allows you to hand the neck panel on other parts of your body, if desired. The battery is also pretty robust; I can get about a week of use doing multiple light treatments per day and charge it just once a week.

The masks are made of soft silicone with adjustable velcro straps. I find them reasonably comfortable, but when I secure the face mask tightly enough, I am sometimes left with indentations on my face from the eye protection. Speaking of which, the eye protection isn't airtight, and I found the mask quite bright initially. I would do this laying down, eyes closed. The other thing to keep in mind is that it is not cordless; while it hasn't impeded me from doing things while the mask is on, it is cumbersome.

Fast Facts

• Light modes: 8
• Type: flexible
• FDA cleared: yes
• Wireless: yes
• Accessories: removable strap, storage pouch
• Eye protection: yes

“I can’t escape under-eye bags. I also have hyperpigmentation (it’s not major, and mostly due to tanning, but it does take a long time for my skin to return to normal). Additionally, I experience a bit of hormonal acne (about once a month). I had high hopes that the mask would even out my complexion overall and help prevent future breakouts,” Scotts says.

“I have a basic skincare routine. I wash my face with a Neutrogena transparent facial bar every morning and night. In the morning, I follow up with my moisturizer (Augustinus Bader Rich Cream or Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker). There’s no set up involved with this mask, and there’s only one button. It is extremely easy to use—even a kindergartener could figure it out in no time. You do need to read the directions, though, so you can become familiar with the treatments. Other than that, all you have to do is put it on, adjust it to your face, click the button until it’s on the treatment you want (each one is indicated by a different color), and it’ll automatically turn off after three minutes. [The] mask is one-size-fits-all, [so] you have to get used to how it feels (it’s slightly rubbery on the inside, but you won’t really notice when you put it on). The light is pretty [aggressive] at first, but once your eyes adjust, you won’t notice that you have it on. I used the red and blue light therapy treatment, which basically targets fine lines and wrinkles, as well as acne-causing bacteria.

I’m not currently dealing with fines and wrinkles, so I was hoping it would help prevent future breakouts and make my skin smoother and more even all over. While using the mask when I had breakouts, I noticed that my skin would clear [up faster] than usual (which was around week four). Then by week eight, my skin looked even more clear and even. I was glowing. And it’s stayed that way ever since. I’ve had this red light therapy mask for almost two years [now].”

Fast Facts

• Light modes: 3
• Type: rigid
• FDA cleared: yes
• Wireless: yes
• Accessories: n/a
• Eye protection: no

Legendary esthetician Shani Darden's LED mask retails for nearly $2,000—but former PureWow senior editor Dana Dickey says the results make it worth the splurge. Plus, it's a good excuse to lie around doing nothing for a few minutes.

“At first, I was intimidated by the many cords, controller and neck and face elements, but I plugged them into the configuration [as shown] in the manual and it was a go," she reports. "Initially, I didn’t understand that you have to hold the on button for a few beats to get the system to start, so I thought it was broken—but I eventually figured it out. I decided that eliminating fine lines around my eye area and cheeks, along with my neck wrinkles, were my top priority, so I used the setting that would address fine lines. The mask doesn’t come with eye protection, so I lay back and close my eyes when I have it on. The net result is that it actually gives me a nice beginning or end of day pause to listen to a podcast or just relax. When I tried using it just three times a week, it didn’t produce results, but after my first week of using it five times a week, I saw the fine lines around my eyes and forehead start to smooth out. As a rosacea sufferer, I am happy to report this device is not inflaming that condition. The neck piece is something that I enjoyed and while it didn’t smooth out some of the deeper wrinkles, I could see it plumping up some of the fine lines after a month of using it.”

Since we first tested the mask, Darden has released an updated version. It now features dual-diode LEDs, which the brand claims deliver higher doses of red, blue and near infrared light.

Fast Facts

• Light modes: 2
• Type: rigid
• FDA cleared: yes
• Wireless: no
• Accessories: neck piece, remote control
• Eye protection: no

Omnilux recently launched a men’s red light therapy mask with a longer max wavelength of 1072nm versus the original mask’s 830nm. Per several sources, men’s skin is about 20 to 25 percent thicker than women’s, thus necessitating a longer wavelength.

I asked Gallery Media Group’s Senior Ad Operations Associate Vince Gervasi to test the mask. Gervasi experiences dryness and redness, in addition to acne when stressed. He told me he hoped the Omnilux Men mask would clear his skin and help prevent future breakouts.

“[The mask is] very simple to set up, literally just plug and play. I loved that it turned off automatically,” he says. “The mask did more than I was expecting. I was skeptical at first, but I noticed real results after the first month and a half. My skin definitely looks more clear and I even feel like I look younger.”

Gervasi did note that the mask wasn’t the most comfortable—a refrain I’ve heard from others who use Omnilux, too. “I have a big nose and the nose flap always hurt, since the pressure of the flap felt like it was digging into my nose when I lay down or stood up.”

Otherwise, Gervasi appreciated the included storage bag and global travel kit, which comes with adapters that allow you to charge the mask while traveling internationally.

Fast Facts

• Light modes: 1
• Type: flexible
• FDA cleared: yes
• Wireless: yes
• Accessories: battery controller, charging cables, storage bag
• Eye protection: n/a