The Best Skincare To Use With An LED Mask For Healthy, Glowing Skin
While LED masks have become a more common part of many people’s skincare routines, some confusion still exists over what products to use alongside them to get the best results.
The right, potent skincare ingredients, when combined with light therapy, will not only help you get healthy, radiant skin but can also amplify the results of your LED. With that in mind, we’ve compiled an edit of some of the best products to use with your LED mask, alongside some advice from a skincare expert. Read on to find out what to use and when.
Vogue’s pick of the best skincare to use with LED masks at a glance:
Mimétique Mimetique Skin Revive Serum
Skinwork Homework AHA and BHA Exfoliating Peel
In this article:
Should I use skincare products on my face before I use an LED mask?
“Always start with clean, dry skin,” advises Fabienne Sebaoun, founder of Mimétique. “LED light works by penetrating the epidermis, and any layer of product, especially creams, oils, or make-up, can block or reduce efficacy. Most actives (like vitamin C, retinol, or acids) can also become unstable or irritating under light exposure. The exception is if your LED brand explicitly provides a pre-LED serum tested for optical compatibility. Otherwise: cleanse, dry, and go bare.”
What formula is best to use with an LED mask?
While cleansers, moisturisers and SPF are an important part of your LED skincare routine, make sure you have a serum formula in your line-up if you’re using an LED mask. The molecular structure of a serum and its ability to penetrate deeper mean it’s going to be most effective in targeting issues that you’ll also be trying to target with your LED.
What ingredients should I look for after using an LED mask?
“After your LED session, your skin is more receptive and microcirculation is boosted, [so it’s] the perfect moment for reparative and hydrating actives,” says Sebaoun. “Look for ingredients like peptides (signal peptides, collagen boosters), niacinamide (for barrier support, even tone), low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (for hydration), antioxidants (like vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, astaxanthin, resveratrol) and soothing agents (like panthenol, centella, bisabolol). Avoid heavy occlusives that might trap heat immediately after the session; wait 5–10 minutes before layering your serum or cream.”
The best hyaluronic acid products
Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient to have in your skincare formulas, regardless of whether you use an LED mask or not, as it is highly effective and well-tolerated by all skin types. If you do use a mask then this standout ingredient is an excellent addition as it deeply hydrates the skin and supports the health of the skin barrier alongside the action of the LED. Regular use of an HA serum in your routine is also great in that it enhances absorption of making it and maximising its effects. If you ever feel a slight post-treatment dryness, then using a hyaluronic acid afterwards will help too.
Mimétique
Mimetique Skin Revive Serum
Vichy
Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
The best niacinamide products
LED and specifically red and green lights are great for soothing and healing skin, and they’ll work even better if you pair them with a product containing niacinamide. Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is a great ingredient to use adjacent to LED for refining skin tone and texture, calming redness, reducing inflammation and strengthening the skin barrier.
Naturium
Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%
The best vitamin C products
A key benefit of all LED masks is their ability to brighten and even skin tone and kickstart collagen production for firmer, more supple skin. The good news about your vitamin C serum is that it does both of those things too, meaning using the two together is a great way to enhance the effects of both.
The best AHA and BHA products
While AHAs like lactic and glycolic acid are excellent for boosting the rejuvenating benefits of LED masks, BHAs like salicylic acid are good to use in tandem with LED masks that have a blue wavelength option. Known for its anti-bacterial, anti-acne benefits, blue light is a powerful way to calm skin, reduce blemishes and deal with post-acne scarring too. By combining that with regular use of a BHA product, you’re setting your skin up for excellent ongoing health.
Caudalie
Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimising Serum
Skin Rocks
Skin Rocks The Gentle Acid
Skinwork Homework AHA and BHA Exfoliating Peel
FAQs
What skincare routine will help maximise the long-term benefits of LED?
According to Sebaoun, consistency is everything. “Two to three sessions per week, combined with a minimalist, barrier-supportive routine, delivers the best long-term results, so cleanse, then follow with LED, then hydrate and finally protect. The goal is to reinforce the skin’s ability to renew itself so that LED stimulation translates into durable collagen synthesis, not irritation.”
Can I still use my SPF with my LED device?
“Absolutely, but not before or during the session, as you want your skin to be fully receptive,” she adds.
What about products for areas like the eyes and the lips?
Although your LED device won’t directly target the eyes or lips, “Gentle targeted care helps maintain the collagen stimulation LED triggers,” says Sebaoun. “Treat them, but choose the right texture,” she adds. “For your eye area, choose products containing peptides, niacinamide, caffeine, darutoside and ceramides, but avoid retinol or acids right after LED unless tolerated. For the lip area and mouth lines, go for ceramides, squalane, and barrier lip treatments, but avoid anything menthol or fragranced.”
Meet the expert
- Fabienne Sebaoun is a cosmetic chemist and the founder of Mimétique