I’m in my 30s now, which means I’m a lot more interested in skin care tools. And as a shopping editor I (blessedly) get to try the latest in beauty tech. I’ve approached so many of these very costly tools like LED face masks with a thread of skepticism, but every so often, one like the HigherDose LED Red-Light Face Mask comes around that really works. You might be familiar with the brand’s popular Infrared Sauna Blanket, which is basically a portable infrared sauna in a toasty sleeping bag. Well, its wellness products extend to red-light hats (for hair health) and neck enhancers (for chest and neck). One of their most popular wellness product is the LED face mask that I tested over the course of six months. Below is my honest review.
About the mask
What makes the HigherDose LED face mask standout from others is its flexible design. Not only is it very lightweight and bendable, but it has three straps (compared to only two from other brands) for a more secure fit. The comfortability of a face mask is very important because if you don’t like wearing it, you might skip it, and it’ll end up collecting dust in your beauty cabinet.
Experts also recommend looking for an FDA-cleared device between 630 and 830 nanometers, and HigherDose checks both of these boxes. Tick, tick.
- Bulbs: 66 LED bulbs
- LEDs: 132 LEDs ( 2 per bulb)
- RED: 630nm
- NIR: 830nm
- Irradiance: 50 mW/cm2 (power density of the LED lights)
- Time: 10 minutes or 20 minutes
- Size: 295mm (width) x 216mm (height)
What comes inside
Inside the box you’ll find the mask (along with the dust bin, which I highly recommend holding on to for travel), the controller and charging cable, extra plugs for international outlets, and a pair of black goggles (though admittedly I never used them).
How to use
The red-light mask is ready to use out of the box, but I would recommend charging it overnight. (It’s so frustrating to settle on the couch and have the device turn off after a few minutes.) Once it’s fully charged, make sure your face is clean, then adjust the mask over your face using the side and top Velcro straps. Make sure the controller is plugged in, then simply choose your time (either 10 minutes or 20 minutes), and you’re all set.
My red-light-therapy hack: Sometimes I get lazy in my routines, so these are my tips to get the most use out your device.
If you’re a morning person (or even if you’re not), keep the mask by your bed. When your alarm rings, grab the device and wear it for the 10 or 20 minutes. It gives you extra snooze time and the lights will help you naturally wake up (similar to a SAD lamp). Since your face is already clean from last night’s skin care products, this takes minimal effort. I personally like a wind-down routine, so I wear mine at night while I lie on the couch listening to a podcast, audiobook, or even doing a quick meditation. It’s a nice way to start getting ready for bed, and it forces you to stay away from screens. (Keep in mind that his requires you to have washed your face already, so there’s an extra step, but I don’t really mind it.)
The results
I tested the HigherDose LED Red-Light Face Mask for about six months. During this time I used it about two to three times a week (the recommended amount is three times), and I kept my skin care routine simple. In the morning that consisted of toner, vitamin C serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen; at night I mainly used my beloved CosRx and a night cream. I didn’t use retinol, and I didn’t book any facials during this time.
After only a few weeks of using the HigherDose mask, I noticed that my skin felt a lot smoother. When I applied makeup or face creams, the texture of my skin felt a lot softer. The most noticeable result was that my hormonal acne was significantly less when I got my period. I tend to break out on my chin area, and I had a lot less breakouts (interestingly, most of the pimples that popped up were in areas where the red light doesn't reach well, such as under my chin). After half a year, I noticed that my skin is more radiant, and if I ever stopped using it, I started right back up and had a nice glowy boost.
My main con is the battery life. I can only get about three 20-minute uses before I have to recharge, which can be really annoying and time-consuming.
Final verdict
While it is pricey, I found that the HigherDose LED Red-Light Face Mask is actually worth it. I saw results after only two weeks of use—a visibly brighter complexion. But(and it’s a huge but) you have to be consistent, especially since these tools are not as strong as in-office treatments. Ultimately, no at-home red-light-therapy device is going to stop the clock, but a handy tool that you actually use can help with antiaging care—and hey, even self-care.
