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May 14, 2023

Best LED face masks to buy 2023 UK

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Everything you need to know about their skincare benefits, plus the GHI's top picks for 2023.

Investing in skincare – be that anti-ageing eye creams, night creams, or resurfacing retinol serums – is one thing, but if you’re looking for an advanced tool to add to your regimen, it may be worth investing in an LED face mask.

There's no denying that these salon-grade machines are expensive – our expert-approved picks start at £135 and soar up to £1,948 – but they do offer a number of excellent skincare benefits, including preventing premature ageing, which may reduce your need for frequent dermatologist trips. If you're lucky, you may also spot a few reductions on some of our top picks...

To find out whether the results justified the investment, the Good Housekeeping Institute put the leading LED face masks to the test. Here are their top picks for 2023 in one quick list, but read on for the full reviews:

The GHI asked over 100 testers to trial 15 brands of LED face masks for a period of four weeks, to find the ones that actually delivered results.

They assessed each mask on how comfortable it felt to wear, the brightness of its LED lights, and whether the length of each treatment. They also noted any differences they saw to their skin, including improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, brightness and redness.

In the lab, our experts used our VISIA image analysis machine to assess improvements in lines, texture, brown spots and red spots.

Score: 80/100

Our winning LED face mask impressed across the board, with effective results in reducing the appearance of scars and brown spots, as well as fine lines and wrinkles, over a four-week period. It scored highly for functionality, too, with testers praising the "ease of use," "comfort while using" and "long-lasting battery life".

Our panel reported that their skin looked brighter and more radiant after using the gadget, and felt it helped with rosacea and redness. The quick treatment time made it easy to incorporate into their existing skincare routines, and it proved quick to charge and clean. Overall, it's a worthy winner for 2023.

Score: 77/100

The most expensive mask on our list, this one is certainly a hefty investment. But if your main concern is fine lines and wrinkles, our testers found that it did make a difference, with just over half seeing a visible reduction in their appearance by the end of the month trial.

It didn't skimp on radiance either, as our testers reported having a brighter, firmer complexion, while over half saw a reduction in redness and inflammation. Its space age aesthetic may look intimidating (and uncomfortable!), but rest assured as nobody on our panel experienced any issues. Some testers did struggle with how bright the LED lights were, though, so those with sensitive eyes may wish to look elsewhere.

Score: 76/100

Don't let your skincare take a back seat when travelling; this nifty skincare wand by Solawave is small enough to slip into your suitcase (yes, even carry-on). Despite its size, there's no compromise on performance, with testers claiming they enjoyed two weeks of daily use out of just one charge.

The model itself is intuitive and easy to use, with most participants praising how the wand felt on their skin. As for the results, our testers noticed an improvement in skin texture, and reported a reduction in acne and blemishes. Need more convincing? The panel also felt satisfied with the product and, given the choice, would continue to use it post-trial.

Score: 76/100

If you’re not a fan of more rigid face masks like some on the market, this flexible design may be more appealing. Impressively, our testers said it boosted their skin's natural radiance, with half loving the overall condition of their skin after the trial.

When it came to wrinkles, the panel saw a slight improvement and positively said they’d continue to use this treatment after the trial was over. It didn't improve redness or rosacea, but testers said it was a breeze to use and found it comfortable to wear. The LED lights weren't too strong either, with most finding they could cope with the brightness.

Score: 74/100

Made from soft medical grade silicone, this flexible LED mask prioritises comfort — and it shows. Our panel praised the "relaxing, lightweight feel" of the mask and liked its Velcro straps for keeping it in place, with one tester saying: "I liked that I was able to get on with other tasks while using it." Salon-quality results while ticking off the to-do list? Sounds good to us.

Following the four-week trial, participants reported an improvement in skin firmness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and also found their skin to be brighter and more radiant. It's worth noting, however, that some found the mask hard to fit close to their jawline, which they felt minimised the results in that area.

Score: 72/100

Our best budget buy offers much of the functionality of high-end models, at a fraction of the price. Our panel were particularly impressed by the sheer range of LED light therapies, allowing users to seamlessly switch between modes according to their unique skin concerns. Considering its versatility, they reported that the device was "simple" and "straightforward to use" — even for beginners.

Despite regular treatments, participants noticed onl small improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. That said, Sensse do suggest a minimum of four months before long-term, visible results will show.

Overall, most testers were impressed with the model (especially at that affordable price), and reported textural improvements while adding that their skin looks brighter and more radiant.

Score: 72/100

Coming with a spectrum of light options, this compact device only takes two minutes to work its magic – making it a great choice for those short on time. It doesn't cover the entire face though, which testers actually liked and were content with the brightness of its LED lights, and felt it was a comfortable experience.

But what benefits did it have on the skin? It provided some serious glow for the panel, who found their skin had a lit-from-within appearance after use. Our tester also said their skin looked healthier overall too, but it didn't do much for age spots and only or wrinkles either.

You also need to connect it to a smartphone app in order for it to work, which some testers struggled with. Despite this, testers did like the device and would continue to use it after the trial. It's a great option if you're looking to experiment with LED masks before investing in a top-of-the-range device.

Score: 72/100

You might resemble a BAFTA award for the brief 20-minute treatment time, but trust us, your skin will thank you. This cutting-edge device is the brainchild of Dr Maryam Zamani (plastic surgeon to the stars) and is the first of its kind to offer five LED lights to use individually or in combination, depending on your skin concerns.

After four weeks of use, our lab findings showed an improvement of age spots and pigmentation in participants, while our testers enjoyed brighter and more radiant skin. If you’re looking for an LED device that can target individual skin concerns with ease, make it this.

Score: 71/100

If the prospect of multiple modes puts you off buying an LED face mask, then this stripped-back model by LightStim is the way to go. Our testers loved the comfortable, lightweight body and built-in timer which lets you know when to move on to the next target area.

However, some felt three minutes per area was too time consuming, especially as the handheld model means you can't get on with other tasks during the treatment (bar catching up on TV, of course).

Compact to store and easy to clean, this is another great tool for frequent travellers. Our panel of testers noticed an improvement in skin texture, and agreed their skin looked brighter and more radiant.

Light therapy has been used in dermatology clinics for decades but the new wave of portable at-home LED masks are a relatively new development – and one we’re very excited about.

Depending on the light involved (more on that below), they can help treat an array of skincare concerns, ranging from fine lines to redness to pigmentation.

Consultant dermatologist, Dr Sharon Wong, explains: "LED can potentially have some beneficial results for certain issues, such as reducing sebum in skin that is oilier, and the amount of acne-inducing bacteria, or provide anti-inflammatory support."

And how exactly does light therapy work? Dr Kemi Fabusiwa, medical doctor and founder of the Joyful Skin Clinic, explains: "Plants directly absorb light from the sun in order to grow. In the same way, certain wavelengths of light (red, infrared and blue lights in particular) can be absorbed into our skin cells, improving the health of our cells and helping to reduce wrinkles, inflammation, acne, scarring and premature signs of ageing."

Overall, the LED masks you can buy for home use are not as powerful as the treatments offered in clinics but they are an easy and quick way to keep your skin in tip-top shape.

Not just an aesthetically pleasing light show, understanding what the different colours do for your skin is key to working out which LED face mask is right for you. Here's a quick guide:

Red: "Acts directly on the cells that help to support collagen production, which helps to provide support and structure to the skin. Red light is therefore used to help reverse some of the signs of ageing," explains Dr Fabusiwa.

Amber: It's rare to find this light option for at-home devices (although not impossible, as you’ll see below) but it's a great option for those suffering from sensitivity, rosacea or redness. It works to increase cellular growth (which promotes skin healing) to calm and soothe any irritation.

Blue: "Is often used in home LED masks as a treatment for acne due to its potential effects on reducing sebum (grease production) and the amount of the acne-inducing bacteria on the skin," says Dr Wong.

Green: It's not the most common but it's a good one to look out for if age spots and hyperpigmentation are concerning you. It helps to brighten the skin and dark under-eyes, and is often used to treat broken capillaries.

Infrared: Perhaps the most popular form of light therapy, this is known for treating fine lines and wrinkles and increasing collagen density.

Each mask will come with their own recommended treatment plan but as a general rule you shouldn't be popping on your mask more than three or so times a week to see the benefits.

The good news is you shouldn't have to wait long before seeing pleasing results, though. Dr Fabusiwa explains: "Hopefully you should notice results quite early on in your treatment. However, as with many areas of skin health, consistency is key. Don't give up if you haven't seen any improvements in weeks. Unless it's irritating your skin, keep going with it."

You may find skin seems drier at first but Dr Fabusiwa says to "hydrate your skin barrier by using nourishing creams and always use SPF". If you experience any irritation, stop using the mask and consult your GP if you’re concerned.

Experts on the whole have said they are safe to use but there are a few things to be aware of beforehand.

Dr Wong explains: "Whilst short term use of these devices is generally considered safe, there is a concern relating to eye damage, especially with prolonged exposure of the eyes to red and blue light. It is imperative that appropriate protective eyewear is worn, even if the intention is only short-term use."

Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She's committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy.

Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.

With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women's Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.

When she isn't packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits.

Florence's photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites

Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for over 20 categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master's degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry.

Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality.

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