The best LED face masks for firmer, glowing skin, tested by 190 people

Score: 87/100

Though it has the slight look of Michael Myers in Halloween, this mask is designed to ensure the most effective light emission. The inner layer is made of soft silicone, which the brand compares to a ‘second skin’, and eliminates any space between your face (and jawline) and the mask to reduce light loss and target every area.

The adjustable strap ensured a snug fit, which our testers liked. “It was comfortable and I never felt claustrophobic wearing it,” said one pleased panel member. It also managed to convert a once sceptical tester. “My skin has attracted compliments for the first time in 10 years and looks increasingly clear and radiant,” they told us.

The mask emits 600 light beams, made up of 300 LED and 300 infrareds. This red light helps tackle a variety of skin concerns, stimulating collagen production for an increase in firmness and bounce (and a reduction in wrinkles), and evening out skin tone. It helped reduce redness for one tester who struggles with rosacea. “Having tried so many products, this seems to have the most success,” she said.

In the lab, our analysis showed that it made the biggest difference to the texture of our testers’ skin. And all panel members said they’d noticed an overall improvement in the appearance and feel of their skin over the trial period.

Score: 82/100

This LED mask was our lab’s top performer, pairing fuss-free setup with “noticeably smoothing and brightening” results, according to one panellist. The warmth and brightness of the lights felt comfortable, and the short preset routines mean it’s super convenient to use as part of your daily routine.

Every panellist saw an overall improvement in their skin – they noted a smoother texture and fewer fine lines and blemishes. This was backed up by our lab scores. It was rated 5/5 for reducing the appearance of fine lines and red areas after just four weeks.

Comfort was the main drawback, with one person finding it “weighty on the nose bridge” and saying the lower half lifted slightly. Some thought the battery life could be better, too. Still, its clear instructions, portability and calming, effective five-minute routine make it worth the investment.

Score: 80/100

This LED face mask impressed across the board, effectively reducing the appearance of scars, brown spots, lines and wrinkles over a four-week period. It scored highly for functionality, too, with testers praising the ease of use, comfort during wear and long-lasting battery life.

Panellists said their skin looked brighter and more radiant after using the gadget, and felt it helped soothe rosacea and redness. The quick treatment time (three minutes) also made it easy to fit into their existing skincare routines, and it proved speedy to charge and clean.

Score: 78/100

If you’re searching for a solution for acne – something over a third of the UK population experiences at some point in their lives – then look no further.

This mask uses blue and red light to help control oil production and eliminate blemish-causing bacteria. We’re not suggesting it’s an overnight solution; as you’ve probably realised by now, nothing is instant with skin conditions, unfortunately. But with consistency and patience, this gadget claims to banish breakouts in the space of six weeks.

What did our panel think? “My blemishes have reduced significantly,” said one tester, while another told us: “I noticed my acne scarring had reduced, as well as breakouts, by week four.” Every single person who tried this device said they noticed an improvement in their acne, spots and blemishes, with all saying their skin texture and complexion in general were significantly better after the trial.

Some found the mask a little uncomfortable to wear for the allotted 10-minute treatment time, but it’s hopefully a relatively small price to pay for clearer skin.

Score: 77/100

This mask from LED legend, Currentbody, is travel friendly. One panellist told us it was “comfortable and well-fitting,” and we liked the intuitive controls, comfortable heat levels and sleek silicone design that hugs the face.

Testers loved how easy it was to clean, store and charge quickly, while the belt-clip controller makes it genuinely portable. Setup, instructions and battery life were decent but not faultless and the lack of a low-battery indicator caused the odd mid-session cut-out. Still, everyone saw an overall skin improvement to their skin. It delivered a smoother, firmer texture and a brighter, more radiant complexion, with a reduction in fine lines.

The pigmentation and blemish benefits were less noticeable, and a couple of testers found the mask heavy and needed to adjust the straps for full skin contact, but overall, it impressed.

Score: 77/100

Choose this device if you’re looking to target skin concerns beyond just the facial area, thanks to its larger surface area. It can be used on any part of the body (well… face, neck, arms, legs) due to its ergonomic design, with various settings that allow you to target different areas according to their needs. The instructions were clear and detailed, and people loved the built-in timer, which turned the mask off after the recommended time.

The design of the Dermalux was slightly Marmite — while some testers enjoyed the chance to sit still, close their eyes and relax, others would have preferred eye holes (like other masks on our list) so they could multi-task while using it. However, a few minutes of shut-eye sounds like a welcome break to us.

Testers told us the device helped clear up rosacea, while they also noticed a reduction in the appearance of scars and smoother skin after use.

Score: 77/100

It may look like the perfect Halloween costume, but this mask is a long-term investment in your skin that you’ll want to don year-round. According to our panel, it was comfortable to wear and the blue light setting helped to calm inflammation and clear breakouts.

All testers said the machine felt high quality and, despite a relatively short treatment time of five minutes, it still delivered improved skin texture and reduced pigmentation. In fact, every panellist said their skin looked healthier after the trial period.

There were some grumbles about not having a pouch or drawstring bag to store the mask in, and some didn’t like that you couldn’t move about with it on as it was plugged into the wall. However, it’s pretty hard to see when you’re wearing an LED mask, so we wouldn’t advise wandering around with it on anyway.

This is one of the most expensive masks on our list, but it could be worth the investment if you’re looking to even out skin tone. As well as standard red and blue lights, it has added green light, which works to smooth the complexion. Unlike other masks, this also lets you combine light patterns, such as NIR, red and blue lights, to help boost circulation and accelerate healing.

Score: 76/100

Don’t let your routine take a back seat when travelling; this smart skincare wand by Solawave is small enough to slip into your suitcase (yes, even your 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.

It's intuitive and easy to use, with most participants praising how it 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? Our panel all said they'd continue to use it post-trial.

Pick this conveniently sized, affordable wand over an LED mask if you’re a frequent traveller. It has only one red light feature, but our testers still saw an improvement in their skin overall. Though it won’t cover your entire face, it’s useful for targeted specific areas of concern. It's a great option if you’re short on space, too.

Score: 76/100

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

When it came to wrinkles, the panel saw a slight improvement and said they’d continue to use this tool after the trial period. 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: 75/100

If we thought some of the masks on this list made us look scary, this model really is in a league of its own. Once you’ve got over the Texas Chainsaw Massacre look, results are also scarily good.

Everyone said their skin looked less red and spotty, and felt far smoother, with some even noticing a difference after just two sessions. The red light didn’t get too hot, and the robust design means it stays in place, making it comfortable to use. It didn’t work as well for hyperpigmentation or combatting excess sebum, but one tester said, “After the second use my skin feels brighter, more youthful, has less sagging, less redness and a more even tone and texture.”

If dull and lacklustre skin is your beauty bugbear, this could be the solution.

Score: 74/100

UKLash’s award-winning growth serums have long been a favourite for lengthening natural lashes. So, when the brand launched its UKSkin arm, we had to find out if its devices were equally popular.

Testers appreciated how quick and convenient the device was, with just one button to start the 10-minute treatment. And one panellist told us they saw an obvious improvement in skin brightness within a couple of uses. Some panellists said their skin felt smoother, too. A few found the eye shields slightly fiddly and uncomfortable, but they’re optional.

Score: 77/100

This clever device (you only get one, you have to swap it between each hand) impressed our entire panel from the first use, with everyone agreeing it was simple to set up, comfortable to wear and effortless to operate. “The glove was easy to handle and pleasantly warm,” one tester told us, while another noted it “evened out discolouration and faded age spots.”

After regular use, most reported softer, smoother, more hydrated skin that looked noticeably younger. The handy storage bag was another highlight – “useful for travelling,” said one panellist – making it as practical as it is effective. A unanimous success, with everyone who tried it saying they’d happily keep using it.