‘I've used this LED face mask for four months and it's the best thing to happen to my skin'
LED masks aren't a new phenomenon in the beauty industry but new developments set some masks apart from others. How many LEDs the mask has, for instance, can make a difference, as can the frequency at which they emit their near-infrared light.
According to aesthetics specialist Dr Edel Woods, 'the number of LEDs isn't the only factor, the spacing and placement of the LEDs matter, too.' The 'more LEDs will usually equal better coverage, so the light can reach more areas,' but 'a mask that has evenly spaced lights will usually produce better results' also.
These technical differences separate a £40 mask from a £400 one. Silk'n's face and neck iteration (£399, Boots.com), for example, has four modes of operation for targeting different skin concerns: anti-ageing, skin brightening and smoothing, oil balancing and acne fighting. You can also buy just the face mask version (£160, Boots.com).
With numerous LED masks on the market – think Currentbody, Dr Dennis Gross and Omnilux – Silk'n's offering is, on paper, a cut above some of its competitors, but how does it perform in reality? I've been using the Silk'n dual LED mask for almost four months, so I can bring you my honest thoughts and let you know whether or not the device is worth your hard-earned cash. Scroll on for my full granular review and verdict.
How I tested
I began testing the Silk'n dual LED mask at the start of October 2024, continuing to use it until 20 January 2025. I documented my testing through all stages of use, including during the Christmas period, which brought with it some bad skin habits (increased alcohol, sugar and fat intake). I noted any breakouts, plumping effects or irritation and recorded how the mask felt and held charge.
For context, I'm 27 years old and have oily skin that's prone to blackheads and whiteheads and, while I don't generally suffer with pimples, those same blackheads and excess sebum leave the texture of my skin very rough and bumpy. Of course, having an oily complexion does mean my skin is less likely to show immediate signs of ageing but, again, I'm only 27 and haven't yet seen any big developments in the fine lines and wrinkles department. The areas in which I did anticipate improvements included the crow's feet developing around my eyes, the two deep creases in my neck (thanks to my 'tech neck' posture) and the concentration of blackheads.
Why you can trust us
As The Independent' s beauty writer, I am not only well-versed on the benefits of LED masks – having met with beauty tech experts such as Dr Alexis Granite and Dr Ahmed El Muntasar – I have also written about various devices for IndyBest (such as Currentbody's) already. I'm currently in the process of testing more than 10 different LED devices for a wider review, so my opinion of the Silk'n mask is largely informed by my experiences with similar devices from other brands. I've been working in the beauty sphere for more than five years and, in terms of cosmetics tech, I've covered everything from microcurrent tools to cryo globes.
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