WIRED has published its updated 2026 buyer's guide to red-light therapy face masks and LED skincare devices, aimed at helping consumers navigate a booming market fuelled by social media trends. The reviewer tested the technology's genuine effectiveness by consulting board-certified dermatologists and trialling 22 devices over six-to-12-week periods, noting that cheap or weak LEDs, unlike hardware-store lights, cannot penetrate skin deeply enough to have any real effect.

Testing involved tracking changes in skin texture and tone alongside practical factors such as comfort, battery life and safety features like FDA clearance and automatic shut-off. Top picks include the Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask (£350/$350) as best overall, the CurrentBody LED Face Mask Series 2 ($470) as best silicone mask, the Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro ($455) for quick sessions, and the LightStim for Wrinkles ($249) as best handheld device. The guide, last updated in August 2026, also added new honourable mentions and expanded its list of devices to avoid.