While plenty of skincare trends have their time in the spotlight, light-emitting devices are well on their way to becoming red carpet staples.
The at-home treatments — which employ various light wavelengths to target skincare concerns — have gained traction among the A-list set in recent years, with stars like Kourtney Kardashian, Kate Hudson and Chrissy Teigen all adding the glowing gadgets to their prep processes (and behind-the-scenes selfies).
“LED is an incredibly effective treatment option for our patients and the at-home masks have improved over the years,” Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology, told Page Six Style of the trend, noting the devices are “[penetrating] the market at higher numbers” these days.
- Best overall: CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask
- Best FDA-Approved: Omnilux Contour Face Mask
- Best wand: Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand
What’s more, unlike many of stars’ skincare standbys, you won’t need a glam squad on payroll to get these tools for yourself.
To shed some light on what the treatments actually do — and which star-loved options are expert favorites, too — jump to our FAQ for dermatologists’ insights on the buzzy beauty tech. The experts tell us that above all, safety is important for our skin, but it’s also good to consider the desired treatment and wavelength, number of LED lights and their grades and, of course, mask fit.
Below, shop a range of celebrity-loved masks that experts have also name-checked in interviews with Page Six Style.
Best LED face masks and devices
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Best Overall: CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask
Current Body Pros:
- FDA-cleared
- Flexible design for full face coverage
- Bestseller
- Targets wrinkles and uneven texture
Cons:
- Only offers red and infrared light
CurrentBody is a hit with “It” girls both on-screen and off; Lily Collins’ Emily squeezes in some self-care in “Emily in Paris” using this mask, while Kate Hudson, Carey Mulligan, Serena Williams and Halle Berry have all used the tool to get red carpet-ready.
Meanwhile Kim Kardashian’s such a fan she’s giving them out to loved ones. She shared a mask-clad selfie in December 2023, writing, “I’m obsessed with these I gave them as gifts this year.”
Both Levin and board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick mentioned the brand’s devices to Page Six Style, with the latter saying they come from a “reputable, proven team with [a] track record of creating safe and effective devices” and feature a “higher power than most LED devices with red and near-infrared wavelengths.”
“It can be used for 10 minutes 5 times per week and is considered safe for all skin tones,” Garshick adds of the device, which also comes in a version targeting the neck and décolletage — the LED Neck & Dec Perfector — as well as a smaller version for the area surrounding the eyes, the LED Eye Perfector.
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Best FDA-Approved: Omnilux Contour Face Mask
Omnilux Pros:
- Addresses hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles
- Wraps around the entire face
Cons:
- No lights directly above the lip area
Celebrity aesthetician Lord Gavin McLeod-Valentine previously told us he uses this mask on his A-list clients for a pre-red carpet “guided meditation,” while Paris Hilton said she was considering gifting the men’s version, the Omnilux Men, to husband Carter Reum.
“We love our wellness routine,” she told us of the luxe present pick.
She’s not the only stylish star who’s a fan; Jenna Lyons also shared a selfie wearing an Omnilux mask on her Instagram story in August 2024.
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Best Dermatologist-Approved: Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro
Dennis Gross Pros:
- Offers anti-aging red light treatment, as well as blue light therapy for acne and redness
- Mask is adjustable and can be flipped to be used on neck
- Treatments only take three minutes
Cons:
- More expensive than other LED masks on our list
Dr. Dennis Gross’s skincare products have racked up as much of a celebrity following as the dermatologist himself — and his LED mask is no exception. Kris Jenner reportedly shared a snap of one on her Instagram Stories, while Lucy Hale and Rita Ora are also fans.
“Using a combination of red and blue light, this mask works to support collagen production as well as reduce acne-causing bacteria and inflammation,” Garshick says. “For best results, it is important to use [it] for at least 10 weeks.”
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Best for Overall Skin Tone: Foreo UFO 2 Power Mask & Light Therapy Device
Foreo Pros:
- 90 uses on a single charge
- Offers multiple light therapies, and also massages to depuff
- Includes sheet hydrating sheet mask
Cons:
- The best results come from using the Make My Day UFO Mask with the UFO 2
If you’re after a handheld tool rather than a full-face mask, Garshick also name-checked Foreo’s UFO. (The company has a long history in Hollywood, as celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Chrissy Teigen have praised versions of its Foreo Luna cleansing devices — which most recently appeared in “Emily in Paris.”)
As for how this portable device works? It “combines LED light therapy, thermotherapy, cryotherapy and T-sonic massage to help rejuvenate the skin,” says Garshick.
“It is easy to use and uses a full spectrum of LED light, including blue and red, to target all skincare concerns ranging from acne to wrinkles.”
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Best Wand: Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand
Solawave Pros:
- Has galvanic current for better product absorption
- Red light therapy to fade dark spots and reduce fine lines
- Easy to travel with
Cons:
- Best results require using Solawave Renew Complex Activating Serum
While not a full mask, Solawave’s buzzy beauty tool has been making waves in Hollywood lately; famous fans include Sydney Sweeney, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Megan Fox.
“This wand incorporates a combination of red light therapy to help rejuvenate the skin, micro current, facial massage and therapeutic warmth to improve the overall appearance of the skin,” Garshick says of the trending tool.
Best Aesthetician-Approved: Shani Darden + Déesse Pro LED Light Mask
Pros:
- Comes with a neck attachment
- Combines red, blue and near-infrared light therapy
Cons:
- More expensive than most other options on this list
Celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden’s worked with a long list of Hollywood stars over the years. (“It’s just an honor that they’re coming to me and trust me,” she told Page Six Style of her iconic client list.)
And while her famous facial treatment’s got fans like Jennifer Aniston and Shay Mitchell hooked, the in-demand expert also makes a line of skincare staples for at-home use.
This FDA-cleared device is inspired by the final step of her in-studio treatment — and even features a neck piece for treating your décolletage with the same red and blue lightwaves.
Best Multitasking Device: Therabody TheraFace Pro
Pros:
- Uses vibration therapy massage “to enhance relaxation and help relieve headaches”
- Emits three types of light wavelengths (red, red + infrared and blue)
Cons:
- Not recommended to use retinol before TheraFace Pro, among other contraindications (consult dermatologist before use)
Plenty of stars swear by Therabody’s buzzy massage guns — and in 2022, the brand brought its massaging technology to the skincare space. Oprah lauded this at-home, wand-like device — which combines massage and three types of light therapy — on her 2023 “Favorite Things” list.
“Bring eight therapies home with this one treatment tool: It has percussive massage and cleansing options, and red, blue, and red-plus-infrared light therapies,” the media mogul raved. “It’s for anyone looking for lifting and tightening but afraid of needles.”
Serums and add-ons
FAQ
What are the benefits of LED face masks — and how should you pick one?
Since the masks employ different types of light with varying wavelengths, the exact benefits “may relate to the type of light emitted,” Garshick told Page Six Style.
Red light, for instance “can stimulate collagen production,” which in turn “may help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time as well as improve the overall texture of the skin.”
Meanwhile, blue light targets an acne-causing bacteria which “grows and multiples, causing inflammation” — in the form of a pimple — when a “pore or hair follicle gets clogged,” said Levin. (When the groups of proteins naturally formed by the bacteria, called porphyrins, absorb blue light, “it causes the bacteria to die,” she adds.)
“Therefore, the combination of … blue light-killing the bacteria and red light to reduce inflammation is the most ideal [for the treatment of acne],” added the derm, who also tells interested patients to always opt for an “FDA-approved and dermatologist-recommended” option.
How to use LED face masks
Both doctors stress the importance of consulting your own dermatologist to make sure the treatment is right for your routine and that it’s used properly to “avoid any complications or lack of a significant improvement,” in Levin’s words.
“When using an LED mask, consistency is key,” she added. “It’s important to understand that they often need to be used daily, and the time spent ranges from six to 20 minutes.”
After all, as Garshick added, “while there are some great at-home LED light treatments, it is important to note it is not necessarily going to replace in-office procedures or a skincare routine.”
What are some of the risks of LED face masks?
While Levin says LED treatments “are generally safe and well-tolerated for most individuals,” she noted it’s best to “err on the side of caution” and avoid them when pregnant.
Additionally, she advised “individuals with epilepsy or a history of seizures” refrain from using the devices — and recommends that patients “taking medications that increase sensitivity to light,” such as Accutane, “consult with a dermatologist before undergoing [the treatments].”
For all users, Garshick also recommended being sure “the skin is properly cleansed prior to use” and that the mask “ensures proper eye covering is in place.”
What are the benefits of LED face masks — and how should you pick one?
Since the masks employ different types of light with varying wavelengths, the exact benefits “may relate to the type of light emitted,” Garshick explained.
Red light, for instance “can stimulate collagen production,” which in turn “may help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time as well as improve the overall texture of the skin.”
Meanwhile, blue light targets an acne-causing bacteria which “grows and multiples, causing inflammation” — in the form of a pimple — when a “pore or hair follicle gets clogged,” said Levin. (When the groups of proteins naturally formed by the bacteria, called porphyrins, absorb blue light, “it causes the bacteria to die,” she adds.)
“Therefore, the combination of … blue light-killing the bacteria and red light to reduce inflammation is the most ideal [for the treatment of acne],” added the derm, who also tells interested patients to always opt for an “FDA-approved and dermatologist-recommended” option.
Why Trust Page Six Style Shopping
This article was written by Hannah Southwick, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Page Six Style. Hannah spies deals on actually affordable celebrity-worn styles, puts Hollywood’s favorite labels to the test and finds the beauty products that keep stars red carpet-ready. She consults stylists and industry pros — including celebs themselves — for firsthand product recommendations, trend predictions and more. In addition to writing for Page Six since 2020, her work has been featured in USA Today and Parade.