30 Low-Cost, High-Reward Beauty Product Upgrades
A L'Oréal foundation that's so hydrating, it doubles as a serum. The aloe leaf juice and hyaluronic acid make it super hydrating, while the buildable coverage makes it super versatile. Oh, and I haven't even mentioned the SPF 50 yet! This is about to upgrade your skincare and makeup routine at the same time.
And L'Oreal's Infallible Fresh Wear foundation, which proves powder foundation can deliver some seriously smooth results. If you're tired of constantly touching up your shiny T-zone throughout the day, this powder formula is an absolute must.
A L'Oréal repairing hair treatment, which takes just eight seconds — yes, eight seconds! — to repair damage and restore shine. Apply it after shampoo but before conditioner, and let the amino acids and "lamellar water technology" work their magic to smooth your hair without weighing it down.
An exfoliating glove with immediate results you can actually see. Seriously, the dead skin just clumps up and rolls right off of your body. It's somehow satisfying and gross at the same time.
And an absolutely magical peeling gel by Skin Food you can use to slough away all the dead skin on your face. The unique gel texture latches on to all of your dead skin to give you super smooth results once you rinse it off.
An Ogx air-dry leave-in cream, which will give you Sephora-level results at a drugstore-level price. Now you can stop dreaming of buying one of those $400+ blow-dryers — this lets you air-dry your way to bouncy waves! The coconut oil and shea butter add extra moisture, while the citrus oils help add shine to your curls.
Maybelline Lip Lifter Hydrating gloss made with hyaluronic acid, which is honestly the GOAT when it comes to moisturizing ingredients. Just one or two swipes will give you a sheer hint of color and healthy, fuller looking lips.
E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer, which has gone mega-viral several times for providing a perfect base for makeup by blurring pores and smoothing the appearance of fine lines, and it might just remind you of Tatcha's The Silk Canvas Primer. It's formulated with squalene for an extra dose of hydration, and it's designed to grip onto your makeup to help it last all day long.
A bottle of Elizavecca hair treatment with an impressive ingredients list for such a low price. Its blend of ceramides and collagen can help add smoothness and shine to your hair in just five minutes, making it perfect for those of us who care about our hair but not enough to devote extra time to it. Many reviewers say it's replaced Olaplex in their routines!
A Revlon volcanic stone face roller, which was one of the first beauty products to go viral on TikTok — and for good reason! It mops up excess oil in just a few swipes (without disturbing your makeup)!
A hair-repairing serum made with argan oil and aloe leaf extract to add softness and shine without making your hair greasier than a Wendy's triple cheeseburger — although it's basically the same price as one! Smooth it through damp hair for easy styling, or apply a few drops to dry hair to smooth flyaways and frizz.
A cruelty-free lengthening mascara with a whopping 266,000 5-star ratings and some seriously impressive before and after photos. Oh, did I mention it's UNDER $5 and comparable to Tarte?! Unlike other mascaras at similar price points, reviewers say this one doesn't easily clump or smudge throughout the day and is suitable for sensitive eyes.
A TGIN miracle hair mask made with honey and olive oil to restore moisture to damaged hair in as little as 35 minutes — though you can leave it on for up to an hour for maximum results. Tons of reviewers with Type 3 and 4 hair say it works wonders for maintaining curls. If you've spent years searching for the perfect mask, I'm pleased to inform you the search finally ends now.
A Camryn's BFF gentle edge brush with a convenient double-ended design. Use the boar bristle brush to stimulate your scalp and distribute natural hair oils, then flip over to the comb side to polish your look.
The Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener — it'll have you singing 🎵 "where have you been all my li-i-i-i-i-ife?" 🎵 when you realize it might just replace your beloved Smashbox x Becca Under Eye Brightening Cream. Reviewers say it blends seamlessly into the skin and adds light coverage to dark circles — and now it comes in four shades!
And a Maybelline Dark Circles Treatment Concealer that proves you don't have to keep spending a lot of money for full coverage. The lightweight formula is infused with haloxyl, a peptide complex that's meant to reduce dark circles and tighten skin. Many reviewers say it's easy to blend with just your fingers, so you can ditch the brush if you want to!
A tinted lip balm with over 5,000 rave reviews from Etsy shoppers for its sheer touch of red that works for basically any skin tone. It's perfect for those mornings when you can't be bothered with both a lip balm and lipstick.
A pack of multipurpose dermaplaning razors you can use to shape your eyebrows and remove fine hairs. You can also use it to remove any stubborn peach fuzz so your foundation will glide on more seamlessly than ever.
A leave-in conditioning spray that will detangle unruly hair with a blend of argan oil, shea butter, and quinoa extract. It also smells like a delicious orange Creamsicle, so you'll be looking and smelling like a snack at the same time.
A pack of cooling, hydrating eye gels with hyaluronic acid and collagen you can put on 15 minutes before that early morning weekly meeting, then toss off right before you click on the Google Meet link.
A bottle of Lottabody's super fluffy mousse — just scrunch some of this through your towel-dried hair and let the blend of coconut oil and shea butter add some extra moisture and bounce to your curls. Reviewers say it's super lightweight and never leaves behind a greasy or sticky residue.
An argan oil hair mask to have your mane looking ridiculously glossy in just seven minutes. Yes, you read that right — seven 👏 minutes! The argan oil will provide a nice dose of vitamin E to your hair shaft, which is known to prevent dryness and boost shine.
A set of makeup sponges that'll make you question how you ever spent top dollar for a Beauty Blender. You can get five of these for less than $10, and reviewers say they blend everything from foundation to concealer like a dream.
A TGIN styling mousse made with rose water and acai berries to help define your curls and stop them from becoming extra frizzy by the time the afternoon rolls around.
Gold Bond's firming neck and chest cream, because your décolletage also deserves some special skincare attention. It contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, while glycerin and aloe add some extra hydration.
A cruelty-free lip balm made with vitamin E and green tea that'll get rid of the crusty flakes that have been living on your lips since winter. Just imagine how much smoother your lipstick will glide on!
A hydrating Cosrx repairing essence with 96% snail secretion filtrate, which provides a gentle dose of moisture that won't overwhelm skincare newbies. Reviewers mention seeing a reduction in dark spots and acne with consistent use, and even people with oily skin find that it absorbs quickly and doesn't clog their pores. Who knew snails had the secret to glassy, glowy skin this whole time?!
A double-sided Maybelline liquid lipstick that's designed to last for a whopping 24 hours without caking or flaking, so you can say goodbye to constantly touching up your lip color every time you take a much-deserved coffee break. One side of the tube has the longwear lipstick, while the other side has a moisturizing lip balm so you can add some extra shine on top of your color.
A bestselling Maybelline eyebrow pencil with a helpful double-ended design. Many reviewers say this one is thin enough to make perfect hair-like strokes, yet still super sturdy (raise your hand if you've ever had a brow pencil break on you 🙋♂️), while others say it blends seamlessly and is great for brow beginners.
Now repeat after me: "I will NOT spend more than $10 on mascara!"
The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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Buzz Feed
5 days ago
- Buzz Feed
35 Affordable Alternatives To Pricey Beauty Products
A Briotech spray for soothing rashes, sunburns, rosacea, eczema, and other skin irritations, *extremely* similar to the beloved (but pricey) Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray. Its secret is hypochlorous acid, an ingredient found naturally in our white blood cells that helps soothe inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier. This stuff = magic in a bottle. Cosrx Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence, a holy grail serum for many people with dry, sensitive skin and a gentler, cheaper alternative to many name-brand products. It's effective on all skin types, and reviewers report seeing improvement after just a few uses! Acne scars, dark spots, and fine lines are about to meet their match. And SeoulCeuticals Snail Repair Cream for applying after any serums — this non-comedogenic moisturizer contains 97.5% snail mucin filtrate as well as vitamin E, organic aloe, and shea butter. Softer, smoother, brighter skin is in your you didn't even have to splurge on Sunday Riley or Drunk Elephant. A bottle of Elizavecca Hair Treatment formulated to deeply repair and hydrate your hair thanks to restorative ingredients like collagen and ceramide 3. You just apply it after shampooing, wait as little as five minutes, then rinse it out for hair that looks *and* feels silky soft. Some reviewers say it's even BETTER than Olaplex, which is over three times the price! Long-lasting Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tint, worth the try if you like a little color on your lips but can't be bothered with lipsticks that constantly need touch-ups. This'll give your pout a smooth, ultra-pigmented stain with a silky finish, *and* it also has a lightweight feel that's not sticky or clumpy! E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer, which blurs your pores and creates a smooth, velvety texture for makeup to glide over and also grip onto. Infused with squalane for hydration, Poreless Putty Primer has a mattifying effect that doesn't look dry — plus, it's small enough to take on the go in case you need touch-ups. Blink, and you might mistake it for Tatcha's Silk Canvas primer and other pricier options. A pack of two Venus Visage teeth whitening pens, minty fresh without the weird aftertaste and completely painless — no discomfort for sensitive teeth and gums! But most importantly, it leaves your teeth noticeably whiter, and at a fraction of the cost of the dentist (and Crest Whitestrips). A bottle of Fanola "No Yellow" purple shampoo to help your blonde or gray hair continue looking its best in between salon appointments, since this'll neutralize yellow, brassy tones that start to peek through over time. Reviewers say they see a big difference in their hair after each use! Peach Slices acne spot dots for a *super* budget-friendly hydrocolloid acne patch option compared to other brands like Mighty Patch. Keep them around if you're prone to sudden breakouts, and they'll come in clutch: Just apply one to a zit, and it'll literally suck out all that nasty gunk, leaving the area noticeably flatter with less redness overnight. Or LivaClean Superstar pimple patches if you love the look of those cute but pricey Starface patches — reviewers swear up and down that these work waaay better, *and* you're literally paying 3 cents per patch. A L'Oreal Paris rinse-out lamellar water treatment that'll transform your hair in just eight seconds (!) to leave your hair shiny, silky, and ultra-hydrated, no matter your hair type! LilyAna Naturals eye cream to brighten and firm undereye skin to reduce puffiness, fine lines, and bags, but it doesn't stop there — this potent cream also nourishes the delicate area with restorative ingredients like rosehip seed oil, organic hibiscus flower extracts, and vitamin E. And unlike some eye creams, it also won't break the bank — a win-win. Essence's Lash Princess mascara beloved for its ability to give you bold, dramatic lashes while also separating them to prevent clumping — and for its $5 price tag. People *rave* about this bestselling tube as a swap for more expensive mascaras like Too Faced Better Than Sex, L'Oreal Telescopic Lift, and many, many more. A Revlon one-step hair dryer and volumizer so you can give yourself a gorgeous blowout without visiting the salon — it knocks out drying *and* styling your hair in one step to save time in the mornings too! Dropping $500+ on a Dyson Airwrap suddenly less appealing. An internet-beloved set of makeup sponges — reviewers sing their praises as a budget-friendly swap for Beautyblender and Real Techniques, since you get five of these for less than $10! Plus, when it comes to blending foundation, concealer, powder, and BB creams, there's no better tool for a ~flawless~ finish. And a bottle of makeup brush-cleaning shampoo because chances are, your sponges and brushes are overdue for a good cleaning. Made with gentle, plant-based ingredients, this cleanser will remove all the built-up makeup, oil, and impurities from your tools — and watching all the gunk be washed down the sink is *so* satisfying. Nyx Fat Oil Lip Drip in case that $40 Dior lip oil has been in your cart forever, but you just can't bring yourself to pull the trigger. At $9, this version's a much lighter hit to your wallet, with the same burst of hydration (made with vegan squalane!), sheer color, and non-sticky finish reviewers can't get enough of. A pack of bamboo oil-blotting sheets to keep yourself from looking greasy by 10 a.m. — you can keep these in your bag for quick touch-ups throughout the day as needed! (Don't worry, your makeup will remain unscathed.) This 100-count pack will cost you less than 10 bucks, a fraction of what premium brands like Tatcha charge. A trio of hydrating lip sleeping masks if you've been hesitant to pull the trigger on that $24 Laneige lip mask that's *everywhere* these days — getting three flavors for under $10 feels like a great alternative if you ask me. Just smear some on your dry, cracked lips before bed and dream of the smooth, soft lips you'll have come morning. A rainbow-inspired eyeshadow palette with 40 matte, shimmer, and metallic shades so you can play with pretty much any color to paint the ~canvas~ that is your lovely face. Loved by amateurs and professional makeup artists alike, this is a great all-in-one palette for anyone who's not afraid to dabble with bright colors. And a tube of Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eyeshadow Base because if you're applying eyeshadow without primer, you're not getting its full effect. Not only will it make your eyeshadow look bolder and extra pigmented, but it'll also combat oil and creasing so your smoky eye looks flawless all night long. Physicians Formula Diamond Dust translucent powder for brushing some shimmer onto your cheeks, eyes, lips, and elsewhere for a glassy skin effect. Reviewers compare this to Fenty Beauty's Diamond Bomb highlighter (which retails for over $40), though this is *slightly* less pigmented, which some said they actually prefer. Maybelline's Cheek Heat gel-cream blush, because, don't get me wrong, we love Glossier Cloud Paint around stocking up on your favorite shades is admittedly painful at $20 per tube. This water-based formula will give you that gorgeous natural flush, applied easily using just your fingers, for a fraction of the cost. An eyebrow soap kit reviewers love as an alternative to name brands to help you sculpt your brows so they have the exact shape, volume, and texture you're going for — and keep them looking defined and fluffy throughout the day. When it comes to precision and hold, this stuff is *chef's kiss*. Or! E.l.f. Wow Brow for making your brows presentable in a matter of seconds when you don't have time to be messing around with a full kit. This buildable wax-gel sculpts your hairs into place while also depositing hair-like fibers that make them look fuller. Reviewers say it's a great swap for pricier brands like Glossier and Anastasia Beverly Hills. CeraVe's Retinol Serum in case you've been wanting to add a retinoid to your routine but have been scared off by potential flaking and redness — or the price tag of other brands, like Murad's $92 retinol serum. This uses encapsulated retinol designed to help prevent irritation while still resurfacing the skin to help reduce the appearance of acne scars, pores, and more. A bottle of Nyx matte setting spray so your carefully crafted makeup look can survive up to 16 hours of wear, through humidity, sweat, rain, and snow, without any smudging or melting. Reviewers have put it to the test and say it's a cheaper swap for Mac and Urban Decay's setting sprays. A 12-pack of soft microfiber makeup removing towels, a true hack for budget-savvy makeup wearers, since they can gently remove makeup using only water and be reused over and over! Perfect for travel and everyday use, they'll cost you just over $1 per cloth, which amounts to nearly 20 times cheaper than the infamous Makeup Eraser. Or Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water in case it's time for you to replace your beloved bottle of Bioderma. This has the same gentle but powerful makeup-removing abilities, lifting away even waterproof makeup along with dirt and excess oil (without totally stripping your skin of moisture). BestLand's high-performance matte lipsticks, which might be cheap (less than $2 each!) but bear results that feel ~expensive~ — especially since so many reviewers swear they're even *better* than those pricey name brand liquid lipsticks! This set is honestly a must-have if you love red and pink lip shades, since it contains six long-lasting staples that'll have you look fierce all day long. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer, a cult-favorite you can wield as part of your multistep daily routine *or* for quick touch-ups (without cakiness!) on days when you're not feeling a full face of makeup. Dark, puffy under-eye circles and redness are no match for it — and neither are the name-brand concealers, at this price. L'Oreal's illuminating Lumi Glotion if you're going for a dewy, no-makeup makeup look — this works beautifully as a lightweight foundation alternative or for adding a little glow on top of your makeup! And at under $15, it's a reviewer-fave swap for pricier options like Glossier Futuredew and Drunk Elephant's D-Bronzi Drops. Eve Hansen Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum reviewers compare to the coveted TNS Recovery Complex serum that's — prepare yourself — over $200 for a 1-ounce bottle. This budget-friendly alternative offers similar benefits: It deeply hydrates, reduces under-eye puffiness and dark circles, smooths fine lines, boosts overall hydration, and creates a radiant glow that's giving, "I just got a facial." The Ordinary's AHA 30% Peeling Solution, an at-home peel designed to ~resurface~ skin, exfoliate dead cells, unclog pores, and boost surface turnover so you're left with noticeably smoother, more ✨ radiant ✨ skin. Some reviewers say it's hard to justify the cost of Drunk Elephant's T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial when the ingredients here are so similar and, in many people's experiences, provide the same effects. Eva Naturals' vitamin C serum, which deserves a spot in your bag because it's basically a skincare superhero with powerful ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinimide, and salicylic acid all rolled into one. This stuff might just spell the end for any acne, rough skin, fine lines, clogged pores, and dark spots you have.
Elle
05-08-2025
- Elle
Red Light Therapy Masks Turned Out to Be the Acne Fix I Didn't Expect
In 2025, the beauty landscape brims with futuristic tools and treatments. From helmets that promise hair growth to blankets that double as saunas, I'm starting to look more like a robot during my nighttime routine than ever before. Yet with all these gadgets in my arsenal, there's only one high-tech trinket I can't go a day without: a red light therapy mask. Once reserved for luxe facials at high-end spas or dermatologists' offices, these glow-inducing devices have become the latest at-home essential, promising to repel wrinkles, calm inflammation, and even reduce breakouts. Red light therapy is a 'non-invasive treatment that uses red or near-infrared light to improve the appearance and firmness of the skin,' says double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Morayo Adisa. When the colored light wavelengths penetrate your skin, 'it can increase collagen production to ward off fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture and tone, reduce inflammation, and increase blood circulation, which can overall create a more youthful complexion,' adds double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Amir Karam. Of course, not all red light masks are created equal. Ultimately, 'the efficacy of LED therapy is dependent on the type of device used as well as how often the device is used,' Dr. Karam explains. Simply put, at-home red light therapy devices aren't as powerful as the pro-grade ones used in dermatologist offices, but with consistent use, they can deliver incredible results. To help you find the ones worth investing in, we've compiled the 10 best red light therapy masks on the market—from dermatologist-approved picks to editor-tested favorites. Whether you're fighting acne, wrinkles, or both, the Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro can weather any storm. Dr. Adisa praises the device for its three different LED light settings—red for aging, blue for acne, and purple for both. Plus, the mask takes just three minutes to penetrate the skin. LED: Red (aging), blue (acne) Usage: 3 minutes, once a day Visible results: 10 weeks Sephora rating: 3.6/5 An ELLE editor says: 'This mask has everything I could ask for in a red light therapy device—it targets both acne and aging, is FDA-approved, and only takes three minutes to use. Plus, it's surprisingly comfortable on the face despite the hard shell design. After two months of consistent use with the red/blue light setting, my breakouts were reduced and my overall complexion looked much more even.'—Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty e-commerce writer Red light therapy is all about consistency. If you're looking for fast results, the CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Face Mask: Series 2 is your best bet. With three clinically-proven wavelengths—red, near-infrared, and deep near-infrared—this mask visibly firms, brightens, and smooths skin in just four weeks. LED: Red (aging) Usage: 10 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week Visible results: 4 weeks CurrentBody rating: 4.7/5 An ELLE editor says: 'The results of this mask speak for themselves. I used the device every weeknight for a full month, and my skin was visibly thanking me. It looked smoother and even than ever before, and even gained a newfound glow each morning. I also appreciate the flexible silicone texture, which allows me to wrap the mask tightly around the face.'—Emma Aerin Becker Breaking out on your cheeks but noticing crow's feet around your eyes? Dr. Adisa recommends the Quire Red Light Mask Q-Rejuvalight Pro, because 'it has five wavelengths that address many skin issues concurrently.' The device is fully customizable via an app on your phone, so you can target different areas of your face with different colors all at once. LED: Red (aging), amber (sun damage), blue (acne and breakouts)Usage: 3 minutes, once a day Visible results: 4 to 10 weeks Amazon rating: 4/5 An Amazon reviewer says: 'The Qure LED Skin Care Face Mask has completely transformed my skincare routine. Being a woman nearing my 40s, I was initially attracted to its range of light therapy modes, and it has certainly lived up to my expectations in both quality and results. The mask is lightweight and comfortable, and the adjustable straps make it easy to fit both me and my daughter's face. Customizable settings allow us to adjust treatments to suit our skin's needs. The red light therapy is fantastic for reducing fine lines and boosting collagen (for me), while the blue light has been a game-changer for occasional breakouts (teenage daughter). I also love using the amber light mode to even out my skin tone.' Shark took LED masks to the next level by combining red light therapy with cryo-inspired under-eye cooling. The brand recommends using one of its programs daily for eight weeks—Blemish Repair, which uses blue light, infrared, and red LED for eight minutes, and Better Aging, using infrared and red LED for six minutes. The under-eye pads can be used during treatment or on their own for a standalone de-puffing experience. LED: red, blueUsage: 4 to 15 minutes, 3 to 5 times per weekVisible results: 8 weeksUlta rating: 4.3/5An Ulta reviewer says: 'This mask is everything! My skincare absorbs better, my skin texture looks better, and my acne is healing faster!! Most masks I've looked into only offer anti-aging or acne treatments as separate masks, which was a huge turnoff for me. The cooling under-eye pads are amazing and leave me feeling so refreshed, but do note that the area will not receive LED treatment due to the cooling pads.' Designed with busy lifestyles in mind, the HigherDose Red Light Face Mask is praised for its ease of use. Not only does it boast red and near-infrared LED, but it's also completely cord-free and has an extra head strap so you can move freely while boosting your collagen. LED: Red Usage: 10 minutes, 3 to 5 times per week Visible results: 8 weeks Nordstrom rating: 4.3/5 A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'Okay, this mask is my new secret weapon. I got it for Christmas, and after just a few weeks, I've noticed my skin definitely looks brighter and more even. I was a little intimidated by how to use it, but it's really easy—just pop it on and relax while it does all the work. Obsessed!' The Déesse Pro LED Phototherapy Mask may be more pricey than others on this list, but that's because it harnesses six treatment modes and four wavelengths of light (red, blue, purple, and even green), which can be used in combination with each other. Praised in our 2025 Tools and Treatments awards, it may resemble a Phantom of the Opera mask, but it's actually one of the most powerful LED masks on the market. LED: Red, blue, green (hyperpigmentation) Usage: 2 to 4 times per week Dermstore rating: 5/5 A Dermstore reviewer says: 'Without a doubt, this is the best LED mask I have ever used. I have tried multiple brands at a variety of price points, and others have been good, but this one takes the cake. My skin is so radiant directly after using it, and I have definitely noticed an overall smoothing effect. Anti-aging Express with the Boost button is my go-to, but I really love the green and pink settings too. I also love how light the mask is. It is not uncomfortable and does not leave indents on my face. I find the adjustable time settings to be a nice touch. This mask is not cheap, but it's worth every penny.' The Omnilux Contour face has 'great wearability with the flexible silicone,' says Dr. Adisa. Plus, 'it has both red and near-infrared light for anti-aging benefits.' To ensure long-lasting LEDs, both the mask and controller come with a two-year warranty. Usage: 10 minutes, 3 to 5 times per week Visible results: 4 to 6 weeks Omnilux rating: 4.6/5 An Omnilux reviewer says: 'High quality, easy to use, after 4 times per week for a month, my skin looks better and has a glow.' Though it's not technically a mask, the MMSphere Luxe handheld light is definitely a device to write home about. 'It has nine different settings that target a number of skin issues and concerns,' says Dr. Anisa. Simply sit back, relax, and soak up the wavelengths of your choosing. LED: Red, blue, green, amber, purple Usage: 20 minutes, three times per week Visible results: 6 to 12 weeks An MMSphere reviewer says: 'I had a friend today tell me my skin looked the best he'd seen it in ten years. After six weeks of using the Sphere, I'm never going to stop. Combined with the MMRepose serum, I've found my scarring reduced, my skin consistently clearer, and feeling more taut and bouncy. It's also a great tool for meditation and mood boosting in the morning.' The deeper the LED bulb color, the stronger the mask. As opposed to the many red and orange bulbs seen in the market, the Monastery Deep Red LED Mask has burgundy bulbs—the most saturated color—to ensure optimal energy absorption. LED: Burgundy Usage: 10–15 minutes, 3—5 times per week Visible results: 4 rating: 5/5 A Monastery reviewer says: 'I've been using this for about a month in tandem with Monastery skincare products and my skin hasn't looked this good in a long, long time. I've noticed less scarring and redness, and overall more glowy, plump skin.' Deciding which red light therapy mask to purchase really comes down to personal preference. There are hard shells, flexible silicone, stronger bulbs, and varying treatment settings to choose from. Most important? Discussing the use of at-home red light therapy with a board-certified dermatologist. 'Red light therapy is not for everyone, and a board-certified dermatologist can help ensure the appropriateness of the treatment for you,' says Dr. Adisa. And regardless of which style you go for, you should also make sure that you 'choose a red light device that is created for what you want to treat and has been FDA cleared,' she adds. An FDA-approved mask will have it stated on the packaging. While you'll want to check each device's specific instructions, there are a few general tips for optimal use. Place the shield over your face while sitting or lying in a comfortable position, then turn the mask on. Use the mask on freshly cleaned skin, without any products—unless they're specifically formulated for use with an LED mask. After your session, you can follow your regular skin care routine and apply your typical products. How often you should use your mask will vary depending on the device, but it's important to remember that consistency is key. Whether that's three times per week for 10 minutes or five times a week for three minutes (again, check your mask's instructions!), red light therapy results are all about the long game. Dr. Morayo Adisa is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist based in Chicago. As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Emma Aerin Becker interviewed a dermatologist and tested different devices to find the best red light therapy masks. Nordstrom Just Slashed Prices on the Most Viral Beauty Tools This At-Home Hydrafacial Device Saved Me Hundreds on Professional Treatments The Top-Rated Neck Creams That Banish Lines and SaggingThe 10 Best Tools for Total Body Care
Entrepreneur
05-08-2025
- Entrepreneur
Don't Just Sell Video Visits: Build a Healthtech Revenue Engine
What we learned at a high cost is that telehealth is not just about video visits, but about establishing a scalable revenue model. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Before founding Bask Health, my brother and I once pitched a telehealth startup idea to a VC with a 40-slide deck and a "disrupt healthcare" tagline. He stared at us like we were pitching a smoothie truck. Turns out, nobody cares how "virtual" your care is if you can't explain your revenue model in under 30 seconds. That was a $22,000 lesson in developer costs, regulatory hurdles and hubris. So here's what we wish someone had told us on day one: you're not selling video calls, you're building a real business. In 2025, that means more than convenience. It means unit economics that hold up, multiple buyers beyond just patients and infrastructure that doesn't implode at scale. Below, we'll break down the four core revenue pillars in modern telehealth and how to stress-test each one before you burn through your seed round. Join top CEOs, founders and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue and building sustainable success. The Nut Graf Telehealth businesses built for 2025 and beyond can't survive on DTC visits alone. The ones that scale combine four revenue streams: Direct-to-Consumer, Employer, Payor and Ancillary, into a model that balances margin, compliance and demand. Here's how to structure yours and how to kill what isn't working, fast. 1. Don't just sell to patients: Land the employer account When we built our first virtual clinic, we assumed individuals would pay out of pocket for convenience. They did, but not in the volumes needed to cover CAC. The real ROI showed up when we signed our first self-insured employer. That one deal brought in 3x the monthly revenue of our entire DTC base. It was the clearest signal we'd seen: B2B revenue can subsidize your B2C growth. What works: Target companies struggling with chronic care costs or absenteeism.; Bundle care options: behavioral health, dermatology, menopause, etc.. Offer reporting dashboards and custom onboarding. Watch for: Stay HIPAA-compliant and FMLA-aware, especially if you're integrating with existing employer EAPs; Procurement cycles that take forever if you don't have a warm intro. Expect to hire B2B sales muscle early, or founder-led selling won't scale. Related: Healthtech Is the New Healthcare 2. Payor reimbursement is a slow game. Play it anyway We avoided insurance in the early days. Too slow. Too complex. But here's the truth: the payor model is hard to start and impossible to ignore. Yes, CMS still reimburses for telehealth, but the rules shift constantly. In 2025, audio-only visits are covered under limited conditions. Some CPT codes only apply to rural areas. And even if you're eligible, collecting payment is a marathon of prior auths and claim resubmissions. What works: Start small: pilot with Medicaid MCOs or carve-outs; Get surgical with your billing codes (RTM, CCM, POS-10, etc.); Hire someone who lives in your state's MAC guidance. Watch for: 60–90 day payment cycles (prepare your burn rate accordingly); Denials for bad documentation or misused modifiers; Overestimating what "covered by insurance" actually means. Related: Why Entrepreneurs Can't Rely on Traditional Retirement Plans (And What to Do Instead) 3. Ancillary services make or break unit economics We once sold $49 telehealth visits with a $120 CAC. It was cute until we looked at our bank account. We fixed it by integrating ancillary services, labs, pharmacy delivery, diagnostics, which turned $49 tickets into $149+. Patients don't want five apps. They want one seamless care journey. Bundling services increases LTV, improves outcomes, and gives you new margin layers to play with. What works: Partner with compounding pharmacies and lab networks. Use API-first infrastructure to automate fulfillment. Track where the drop-off happens between consultation and care. Watch for: State-specific lab-direct and prescribing laws; Ongoing logistics management (especially for shipping); Upfront build time, your developers will hate this unless you buy instead of build. 4. Stress-test your margins with this 4P matrix Before we launch any new care line, we run it through what we call the 4P Matrix: Category questions to ask Patient: Who pays? Individual, employer, or insurer? Payor: Which CPT codes or bundles apply? What's reimbursable? Partner: Are there labs, pharmacies, or vendors to integrate with? Peripherals: What are the add-ons? (RPM, async care, diagnostics?) If any one "P" is weak, you'll feel it in your burn rate within 60 days. If two are weak, you're bleeding cash. And if you can't tighten the loop within one quarter, sunset the service. Don't pitch telehealth. Pitch an economic engine. Investors don't want to hear about your "care journey." Employers don't care how empathetic your UI is. And patients? They want outcomes, fast. If you want to build a profitable telehealth company in 2025: Get clear on who pays and why. Design services that integrate seamlessly. Obsess over margin layers, not marketing buzzwords; And for the love of Wi-Fi, don't duct-tape your HIPAA compliance. Telehealth isn't a shortcut; it's infrastructure. But if you build it right, you're not just riding a trend. You're building healthcare's new backbone.
