Ihave been a religious LED mask user for four years. Honestly, it’s one of the only beauty devices I’ve consistently forced myself to use (admittedly, I can be quite laid-back with my skincare). But because of this, I’ve tested virtually every single option on the market. Some are good but extremely expensive. Others are affordable but don’t offer varying light colors for different needs. Panels, masks, helmets for hair growth—I’ve used ’em all and now have very strong opinions to match.
So when I began testing new iterations ahead of Cosmo’s 2026 Holy Grail Beauty Awards, I quickly clung to the TheraFace Mask Glo, a hard-working $380 full-face LED device that combines red, blue, and infrared light therapy plus gentle scalp massage. I’ve been using this mask at least four days a week for over two months, and I’ve seen a lot of improvements in my skin, like less inflammation, smoother skin texture, and a brighter complexion.
Below, I’m breaking down everything I love about this mask, how I use it, and even some expert advice on how it works (oh, and a full comparison of this version and its $650 counterpart loved by our beauty director).
| Ease of use | This cordless mask turns on with just a button and doesn’t require any tuning or fussing with. Just put it on and press the button and it automatically times your session. |
| Efficacy | With over 500 LEDs, this is easily one of the hardest-working red-light therapy masks I’ve ever used. |
| Value | $380 is steep, but compared to many others on the market (plus considering all the bells and whistles and how well it works), this is fully worth the price. |
TheraFace’s Glo Mask offers a combination of 540 red, blue, and infrared LED lights to soothe irritation, brighten skin, smooth fine lines and texture, and encourage collagen production across your entire face. What makes it different from other LED masks on the market? A lot, actually. The mask uses two to three times more LEDs than other popular LED masks, making it pretty damn powerful. These lights each have their own skin-enhancing benefits:
The mask’s blue light setting.
The mask’s red light setting.
To support its claims, Therabody completed the largest-ever clinical study of any LED mask. LED still has a long way to go in the science world in terms of proving so many of its benefits, so it’s especially cool to see a brand put so much into proving its product’s efficacy. Therabody’s study boasts results like reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, firming skin, fading dark spots, and improving uneven skin texture.
But the other biggest difference is the gentle vibration. Massage is the whole thing Therabody is known for, so of course they added it to this device. These vibrating massage discs are situated at key pressure points—around the eyes, at the top of the head, and back of the scalp—and pulse in three different styles (continuous, breathing, and wave) with varying levels of intensity. It helps calm down your nervous system and release tension on your scalp and temples.
Overall, my skin is oily and acne-prone, granted I’ve (thankfully) found a good routine lately for keeping my acne at bay for the most part. Now, my biggest concerns are hyperpigmentation and reducing inflammation. This helps reduce the likelihood of pimples cropping up and brings down puffiness. I also love cosmetic treatments, and any time I get microneedling, a neuromodulator, filler, or any kind of laser, I rely on my at-home LED masks to help calm my skin and reduce redness and swelling.
The most important thing you need to know about me, though, is more behavioral. I am lazy as all hell. Sorry! But I genuinely will not continue using something that requires a lot of time out of my day. I also kinda have commitment issues (if you’re reading this after stalking me on Hinge, ignore!!). I love the idea of utilizing something every day, but I get bored easily and move on to something else. Unless you’re (a) easy to use and (b) giving me reasons to keep using.
This thing is hefty, but in the “I feel like I’m getting my money’s worth” way, not a “this takes up a lot of space” way. It’s a perfect Goldilocks-level of weight: not so heavy that it’s annoying to hold or place on my face but heavy enough that it’s not flimsy or breakable.
When I place it on my face, I can easily adjust the fit with the head straps, and it fits snugly on my face with no issues. Then I press the button on the right side of the mask to turn it on: once for red light, twice for red and infrared, and a third time for blue light. Then I just chill out. I can read, scroll on my phone, watch TV—whatever my little heart desires.
The longest treatment setting is only 12 minutes, which is pretty doable for me. I’ll admit, I don’t use the device every single day, but I aim for at least four days a week. If I used it more, I’m sure I’d have even better results, but YOLO!
I’ve been using the mask consistently for just over two months, and I can tell quite a difference in my skin. As a beauty editor, it’s hard to pinpoint just one product changing my skin (especially as I’ve been testing for beauty awards). But this has been a welcome constant to keep my skin clear and calm. I haven’t noticed major collagen production yet, but that takes a long time and I’m willing to wait it out.
Another huge plus for my laziness? A charge lasts for a really long time. I’ve only charged mine twice in the last two months. And it’s compatible with all USB-C chargers, so I legit just plug it in next to my laptop (lol). Another bonus? The TheraFace mask holds a charge longer than most of my other skincare devices. I can get about 10 full uses out of the mask before I need to recharge it with my USB-C wire.
The only issue I have with this mask—truly, I love everything else—is that it can get a bit hot inside. I’m so used to masks that have a hole for your mouth, and I actually love that this one doesn’t, for the sole fact that it helps with collagen production around my mouth and lips, an area that I obviously want to keep plump for as long as possible. But without that mouth hole, it heats up quickly under there. It’s nothing to make me not use the mask, of course, but once the 12 minutes are up, I’m fanning my face.
The vibration is also exactly fine. It’s nice and feels good for a few moments, but it occasionally gives me a headache if I’m wearing it too long (for reference, I’m really sensitive to anything rattling my head too much, so this wasn’t shocking to me at all). But ya know what? I love something new! Let’s make more beauty tools relaxing!
FAQs
Consistency is the name of the game with the TheraFace Mask (and all LED devices, for that matter), so if you want good results, you’ve got to use it every day. In the brand’s clinical trials, testers used the mask once a day for 12 weeks to improve skin tone, texture, and elasticity. Personally, I saw an improvement in my skin clarity around the 10-week mark. And it took about four months of daily use for me to notice a difference in my skin’s firmness. The good news is that the whole treatment only takes nine minutes—it cycles through three minutes of red light, three minutes of infrared light, and three minutes of blue light—so it’s honestly really easy to incorporate the mask into your daily routine for an extended period of time.
What’s the difference between the TheraFace Mask and TheraFace Mask Glo?
The most glaring difference is price. At $650, the original TheraFace Mask is steep. But it does come with some advantages that might make the price worth it for you. It’s stocked with 648 LED lights, putting this device at par with a lot of medical-grade light treatments. And because of the extra 144 lights, the treatment times are much shorter—from 6 to 9 minutes versus the Glo’s 12.
I started using the TheraFace Mask in June of 2023 when my skin was in a particularly bad place. I was newly pregnant, and my face was covered in angry breakouts—the result of fluctuating hormones. And because I was pregnant, I couldn’t use my tried-and-true retinol serum or try a chemical peel or acne laser to help treat it.
What I could use? LED. It’s largely considered pregnancy-safe by derms, and it’s great for addressing the skin concerns—like inflammation, acne, and discoloration—that I was dealing with. So I got a sample of the TheraFace Mask and started using it every morning while I drank my coffee and skimmed through my inbox. Cut to September, and my skin looked glowing. Like noticeably glowing. It took about 2.5 months of consistent use, but eventually my breakouts were less severe and my skin appeared less blotchy and ruddy.
I continued to use the mask five times a week until February 2024, and my skin just continued to get better and better. Sure, my hormones began to level out during my second trimester, but I really felt the mask was helping keep things clear. It was even fading some of the dark marks and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation on my chin and cheeks, too.
It’s entirely cordless and hands-free, so once I strap it on my head, I can comfortably use it wherever and while doing pretty much whatever—folding laundry, washing baby bottles, answering emails, etc. It’s uncomplicated and ideal for multitasking, which is a must for me these days.
The mask’s power button for the LED lights.
The mask’s power button for the vibration settings.
The silicone eye inserts also make this more comfortable than other LED masks—plus, they allow me to keep my eyes open during a treatment without having to squint or strain.
Now, if I’m being honest, I’m not a fan of the vibration therapy feature. I appreciate the intent, but personally I find the vibrating more distracting than relaxing, so as soon as I turn the mask on, I turn the vibration off by holding down the button next to the left ear. IMO, the vibrating is kind of loud and shakes the entire mask so it makes it impossible to focus on anything else while wearing it.
At $380, the TheraFace is a hefty investment. And it’s a commitment—you’ll need to use it daily for at least three months before seeing a change in skin. Ultimately, though, I think it’s worth the price tag. When combined with a good skincare routine (cleanser, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, etc.), this mask can really be a game changer for acne-prone and/or aging skin. And unlike some other skincare devices out there (like high-frequency wands or at-home lasers), you really can’t overuse the TheraFace Mask so there’s minimal chance of experiencing any negative side effects either.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing stories on hair, makeup, and nails.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan, where she’s written about beauty for more than a decade.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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