13 Best Light Therapy Devices for Face Acne

Why Use Light Therapy to Treat Your Acne?

If you have acne, you already know that sometimes washing and creams, even the expensive ones, don’t remove stubborn acne. A more drastic or clinical approach is sometimes necessary.

Outside of fighting acne, light therapy has other benefits as well. Since many of the light therapy tools I’ll be talking about have multiple light spectrums, I thought I would list them all and briefly discuss the benefits of each. It might be a deciding factor in what light therapy you decide to find out more about and possibly purchase.

Red vs Blue vs Green vs Purple vs Yellow vs White Light

• Red light can help increase circulation, tighten skin and it also increases cell turnover rate.
• Blue light helps fight acne by reducing inflammation and killing bacteria.
• Green light can help even skin tone and stimulate lymphatic drainage.
• Purple light is relaxing and can help reduce scarring.
• Light blue light is also relaxing and can help reduce allergy symptoms.
• Yellow light can help reduce skin irritation and swollen, sensitive skin.
• White light can reduce skin sagging and wrinkles.

Related: Different Types of Light Therapy

Face Acne Devices Fall into 3 Categories

Now that we’ve learned a bit about the benefits of light therapy, it makes sense to learn a little bit about the types of devices that are available and their pros and cons, before we get into comparing specific products.

Spa Acne Devices

The spa devices come in different shapes and sizes. They’re the largest devices of the three. You would lie down while using them. They’re raised up like a small table, so they’re not touching your face directly.

Hand-Held Acne Devices

The handheld devices look like a shower head. You would hold the device in front of your face, or wherever your acne is that you’d like to treat. Like the spa device, it wouldn’t touch your face directly.

Facial Masks Acne Devices

Facial masks, of course, would go directly on your face. They look almost like those old goalie masks.

Now that we have seen the different categories of face acne light therapy devices, let’s explore individual light therapy products that are designed to help you with your face acne.

Summary of Face Acne Light Therapy Devices

After looking at the summary of the best light therapy devices for acne, you might be hungry for a detailed review of each face acne light therapy device.

Best Facial Mask Devices

NewKey LED Face Mask

• FDA approved: Yes
• 7 light settings:Yes
• Suitable for all skin types: Yes
• 1 year warranty: Yes
• Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Sprayed with white pearl powder to make it scratch resistant
• Made of medical LED beads

Aphrona LED Face Mask

• FDA approved: Yes
• 7 light settings: N/A
• Suitable for all skin types: Yes
• 1 year warranty: N/A
• Weight: 2.85 pounds
• UV-free
• No lasers
• No flaking or itching
• Comes with Blue, green, red lights

What Comes in the Box?

• Facial Mask X 1 (with box)
• Remote Control X 1
• Power Cord X 1
• USB Cable X 1
• Belt X 1
• User Manual X 1

NewKey Light Therapy Acne Mask

• FDA approved: Yes
• 7 light settings: Yes
• Suitable for all skin types: Yes
• 1 year warranty:Yes
• Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Made with medical LED beads
• Sprayed with white pearl powder for scratch resistance

Lexi Red Light Therapy LED Face Mask

• FDA approved: N/A
• 7 light settings: Yes
• Suitable for all skin types: Yes
• 1 year warranty:Yes
• Weight: 2.95 pounds
• Rubber liners around eye area
• Includes a neck mask as well

Yoove LED Face Mask

• FDA approved: N/A
• 7 color light treatment options: Yes
• Suitable for all skin types: N/A
• 1 year warranty: Yes
• Weight: 2.05 pounds
• 4 spectra of red light
• Works fast (2 weeks for results to start showing)
• Over 150 red LED lights
• 97% of subjects saw visible results over 10 weeks of daily use

What comes in the box?

• Universal charging cord
• Gel eye mask
• Adjustable head strap
• Lifetime warranty

Project E Beauty LED Face Mask

• FDA approved: N/A
• 7 light settings: Yes
• Suitable for all skin types: Yes
• 1 year warranty: N/A
• Weight: 2.25 pounds
• 150 LED lights
• UV free
• Portable

What comes in the box?

• LED Mask X 1
• Remote Control X 1
• USB Cable X 1
• Power Cord X 1
• Full English User Manual X 1

There was also a couple of helpful hints in the description of this product. Lie down to use the mask and don’t use the strap if you do, to reduce pressure from the weight.

Rejuven Mask Pro 7

• FDA approved: N/A
• 7 light settings: Yes
• Suitable for all skin types: Yes
• 1 year warranty: N/A
• Weight: 3.4 pounds

HIME SAMA Led Skin Mask

• FDA approved: N/A
• 7 light settings: Yes
• Suitable for all skin types: Yes
• 1 year warranty: Yes
• Weight: 3 pounds

What comes in the box?

• Facial & Neck Mask X 1 (with box)
• Remote Control X 1
• Power Cord X 1
• USB Cable X 1
• Black accessories1 package
• Full English User Manual X 1

Caution – children, pregnant women and people with thyroid disease are advised not to use this mask

Best Spa Devices

Hydraskincare Photon Therapy Skin Care Device

• FDA approved: N/A
• 7 light settings: No
• Suitable for all skin types: Yes
• 1 year warranty: N/A
• Weight: 5.15 pounds
• Category: Spa Device

Hydraskincare 3 Color LED Light Therapy Device

• FDA approved: N/A
• 7 light settings: No
• Suitable for all skin types: N/A
• 1 year warranty: Yes
• Weight: 29.4 pounds
• Goggles are included
• Needs to be assembled
• Category: Spa Device

EasyBeauty PDT LED Electric Face Massager

• FDA approved: N/A
• 7 light settings: No
• Suitable for all skin types: N/A
• 1 year warranty: N/A
• Weight: 6.25 pounds
• Category: Spa Device

EasyBeauty electric face massager VS hydraskincare photon therapy device VS hydraskinecare 3 color LED light therapy device.

The Hydraskincare LED Photon Therapy has 5 light settings and is the lighter device at just over 5 pounds, while the EasyBeauty PDT electric face massager has 3 light settings and weigh a little over 6 pounds, while the Hydraskincare 3 Color PDT LED Light needs to be assembled and is a hefty 29.4 pounds! It does boast a perfect 5 star rating, to be fair.

Similarities: They are all spa devices, they all come with stands and goggles.

The Winner:

The EASYBEAUTY PDT LED electric face massager wins this round in my opinion. It does have less settings, but it’s also less expensive, doesn’t have to be assembled, has a high rating and I like the overall look of it better.

Best Handheld Devices

reVive Light Therapy Clinical Acne Treatment Device

• FDA approved: Yes
• 7 light settings: No
• Suitable for all skin types:N/A
• 1 year warranty: Yes
• Weight: 10.4 oz
• Category: Handheld device
• Comes with goggles
• Blue and red light therapy

LightStim for Acne Device

• FDA approved: N/A
• 7 light settings: No
• Suitable for all skin types: Yes
• 1 year warranty: N/A
• Weight: N/A

Revive Light Therapy Acne Treatment VS LightStim Acne Device

The Revive Light Therapy device includes a 1 year warranty and FDA approved but the LightStim Acne Device doesn’t specify if there’s a warranty or if it’s FDA approved. They did specify that it’s suitable for all skin types, however. LightStim has a built in 3 minute timer and 30 minute automatic shut off timer.

How They’re the Same:

• They’re both handheld devices.
• They both use red and blue light
• They both come with a travel bag
• Both come with goggles

The Winner:

As you probably guessed, the Revive light therapy device wins this one in my opinion. The price is lower, higher rating, 1 year warranty and FDA approved. And, I also just really liked the way it looks.

How to choose a face acne light therapy device

Of course, you might have your own criteria to consider, but here’s what I would consider when thinking about purchasing or researching light therapy for acne.

• Price/budget
• Reviews
• Lifestyle
• Space/storage
• Aesthetic
• Severity of acne

Price/budget

Most of us need to watch where we spend our money, so naturally this should be taken into consideration, as with any major purchase. I would never encourage someone to spend more than they can or should.

Reviews

You probably check reviews already, but if you don’t, reviews are pretty important. Most companies try to be as accurate or as honest as possible representing their products, but you don’t really know how a product will perform until you use it. Reading about or watching videos about other people’s experience is the next best thing.

Lifestyle

Thinking about how it will fit into your lifestyle is also important. If you’re active and don’t like to sit too long, you’d probably like the handheld devices the best. Or if you love the spa experience, you would probably love the mask or other devices.

Space/storage

Maybe you’re low on space. Either you have a lot of other items already, or live in a small space. No matter what your situation is, it’s always a good idea to consider if an item will work with the space you have (or don’t have).

Aesthetic

Maybe you like the spa experience, but don’t like the aesthetic of the mask. You might like the way a device looks in your bathroom or on your vanity/dresser.

Severity of Acne

If you have acne on a good portion of your face, the mask might be ideal for you. Or if it’s only on a small part of your face and mild, a handheld light therapy device might be a good option for you.

Overall Thoughts/Observations

Most of the facial masks are all pretty similar in price and function, so that’s why I didn’t compare them side by side like the other light therapy devices. Three of them did stand out with unique features, so I thought that I should mention that.

The YOOVE mask was the only one with a lifetime warranty, adjustable head strap, gel eye mask and universal charging cord, which are awesome features.

The NEWKEY Acne face mask is sprayed with white pearl powder for scratch resistance. It sounds fancy and seems like a nice feature if you’re worried about scratches. The NEWKEY Acne face mask was also the only device to specifically mention using medical LED beads.

The HIME SAMA Pro 7 color LED face mask is the only device that had some restrictions on who could use it. Children, pregnant women and people with thyroid disease are not advised to use it. I know I’ve mentioned that a couple of times already, but I can’t stress health and safety enough. It also comes with a neck mask as well and is a beige color instead of white.

Final Verdict

I would likely buy the Revive Light Therapy Acne Treatment, if I was going to buy a light therapy device. I love how it’s handheld, so you could treat other areas outside of your face and super light (just over 10 oz). If you only have mild acne, this would be your best option, in my opinion, because you would only need to cover a small area at a time.

I also really like the overall look of it and that it wouldn’t take up much space in a drawer or on a counter. It seems easy to use, not very expensive overall and had great reviews.

I personally wouldn’t buy the other styles of device because I wouldn’t enjoy a bulky mask or feeling stuck lying down while using the spa devices.

This is just my opinion, so take it for what you will. A spa device, where you lie down, might be relaxing to some of you, or you might like the convenience of the mask because the light would cover your face all at once if you have widespread acne.

There are so many options and devices to choose from when it comes to light therapy, so it probably seems daunting. I hope this helped you get a clearer picture of what light therapy device is right for you (or not), or at least give you a better idea of where to start on your information journey and helps you make a wise decision.