It's not an understatement to say LED face masks have conquered the beauty industry over the last couple of years, promising to fix everything from sun damage to redness and hyperpigmentation.
But in recent months our obsession has reached an all time high; you can’t scroll through TikTok without a jump scare as celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Kate Hudson, and Kourtney Kardashian, proudly pose in their glowing masks, looking like something straight out of a Halloween movie.
The proof is in the numbers, too.
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According to recent stats, the LED market is booming right now, and is set to be worth a whopping £600m globally by 2032. Yet it's hardly surprising, as the average at-home LED face mask weighs in at around £300 (we’re looking at you, Shark).
The latest brand to enter the chat is UKSKIN (you might know them for their cult lash serum) who recently launched their LED Dual Light Pro-Therapy Face Mask designed to help people achieve a 'smoother, firmer, and more balanced' skin tone.
At £199 it's quite an investment, but still a fraction of the price of some of its competitors; so can the LED mask really live up to what it claims on the box?
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So, when I heard about the launch of the new £199 UKLash LED Mask, I wanted to see if the more affordable option stands up against the crowd (and if it can delay my first botox appointment that little longer).
But after trialling the product for six weeks, something unexpected happened.
Here's my honest review.
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Why I tested the UKLash LED Face Mask
I’m in my early thirties and over the last couple of years, faint smile and frown lines have started to appear. I'm happy to age naturally, but was admittedly intrigued by claims that an LED face mask really can reduce (and even prevent) the appearance of fine lines. So, I decided to see what all the fuss is about myself.
For the review, I used the LED face mask for ten minutes, five times a week for six weeks. I alternated between using the mask in the morning and in the evening on cleansed skin, before completing my usual skincare routine.
So, what makes the UKLash LED Face Mask stand out from the crowd?
Pros:
- Powerful red light at 630nm and near infrared light at 830nm (the same as the Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask)
- Flexible silicone mask to suit all face shapes
- Adjustable face strap for comfort
- Wireless design that's good for travel (and working from home)
- Strong battery life
Cons:
- More powerful face masks exist on the market
- Only one red light treatment mode
It boasts the same powerful technology as its competitors (at a lower price)
According to the UKLash website, their LED face mask uses 112 medical-grade LEDs and a combination of red and near infrared light, to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and redness. To put things into perspective, the mask boasts the same amount of red and infrared light nanometres as its competitor, the SharkCryoGlow Mask (red light: 630nm and near infrared light: 830nm). The only difference is that the UKLash mask does not use blue light, which has been clinically proven to reduce active breakouts and prevent clogged pores.
Clinically proven results
The UKLash website claims 96% of participants saw a reduction in fine lines, 98% noticed firmer skin, and 95% reported a brighter-looking complexion. So, how does it work?
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"Red and near infra-red light helps to stimulate collagen and elastin production, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin tone, texture and hydration," Dr Sophie Shotter from GetHarley, explains. "It can also accelerate healing, increase microcirculation, and soothe inflammation and redness. This has been backed up in clinical studies over eight to 12 weeks of regular use."
The common LED mask mistake I made
The first time I used the face mask, I made a huge rookie error. The £199 UKLash LED Mask comes with optional protective eye shields, which I didn’t think I needed to use - but I was quickly humbled.
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After using the mask for the first time without said eye shields, I was left with sore eyes for the rest of the evening, due to the fact that the mask sits flush against the skin (and is very bright).
Neil Laird, Specialist Optometrist at Pure Optical, warns against the dangers of not using protective eyewear during treatment.
"Red and near-infrared light are typically safe in terms of long-term retinal impact, but can still cause discomfort and fatigue if directed near the eyes, especially with higher-powered home devices," Laird explains. "Users may experience symptoms such as photophobia (light sensitivity), mild corneal inflammation, and dryness following exposure. However, in some cases, even low-level red light can exacerbate underlying dry eye disease or trigger discomfort in individuals with light-triggered migraines.
"In addition to suitable eyewear, I would advise users to keep treatment sessions brief, avoid direct gazing towards the light sources, and never use the mask in a dark room, where pupil dilation can allow even more light into the eye."
You should not use an LED face mask if you suffer from any genetic conditions of the eyes or a photosensitive disorder.
So, did the UKLash LED face mask really work?
The LED face mask arrived beautifully packaged with a dust bag, power bank, and remote control. Setting everything up was easy, but you do need to allow an evening to charge the remote control and perform an allergy test.
During the testing period, I took photographs throughout my journey in the hope of documenting an improvement to my fine lines - but something unexpected happened.
My hormonal acne, which flares up in the countdown to my period, calmed down whilst using the mask.
According to Dr Shotter from GetHarley, red light doesn't directly target acne-causing bacteria, but can have an anti-inflammatory effect, which may be beneficial for hormonal breakouts.
As for fine lines, the small wrinkle between my brows significantly faded over the course of treatment and my skin felt glowier, which proves it has anti-ageing powers. However, the deeper smile lines have yet to improve, and according to Dr Shotter, LED treatment might not be able to deliver the same results as treatments such has botox.
“Whilst red light therapy shows promise, the results are generally more subtle and gradual compared to treatments such as botox,” Dr Shotter explains. “Botox injections provide immediate and more pronounced smoothing of dynamic wrinkles by temporarily relaxing specific facial muscles. In contrast, red light therapy requires consistent use over several weeks to months to achieve noticeable improvements.”
However, she does believe LED masks can be a solid investment in the long run.
"LED masks, particularly those using red and near-infrared light, have garnered attention for their potential to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," she continues. "When thinking about cost, we need to compare clinic LED treatments to botox, since the clinical studies have all been performed on more powerful devices than those available at home.
"LED facials may be cheaper as one off treatments, but we need courses to get tangible results. Over time the costs are probably not dissimilar to one another. A home-use device does represent a one time investment, and so may be perceived as being better value."
Where to buy the UKLash LED Face Mask now
So, if you're keen to give the UKLash LED Face Mask a go, it's now available to purchase via the official website for £199. New customers, you can sign up to the newsletter here for 10% off.
Danielle Fowler