5 days ago
Omnilux LED Face Mask Review: An Easy-To-Use Tool That Gives Visible Results
There are few beauty devices as popular as LED face masks right now—they promise a host of anti-aging and skin-rejuvenating benefits and require minimal treatment time. When I had the opportunity to test out the Omnilux Contour Face, I jumped at the chance to press rewind on my dull, splotchy skin. The device uses red and near-infrared lights to reduce fine lines, improve hyperpigmentation and stimulate collagen production. After using it for six weeks, my smile lines appear less noticeable, and I've noticed a significant reduction in overall skin redness.
For $395, the Omnilux Contour Face is pricey, but it's a long-term investment—it's meaningfully cheaper than in-office treatments and incredibly convenient because you can wear it in the comfort of your own home. It requires 10 minutes of use three to five times per week. While you need to wear this mask consistently to see results, if you're looking to minimize acne scarring, decrease fine lines and improve skin texture, the Omnilux LED mask is a worthwhile skincare tool. (Read our full review of the best LED face masks.)
Light modes: Red, near-infrared | Skin concerns: Fine lines, redness, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation | Wireless: Yes (with connected controller) | Number of LEDs: 132 | Usage: 10 minutes, three to five times per week
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This FDA-cleared device is hands-free and powered by a lightweight, palm-sized controller that you charge before use. It's pre-programmed to provide ten-minute sessions, and you wear it from three to five times per week. It's recommended that you use the Omnilux Contour Face for four to six weeks and then continue with maintenance. The device comes with four attachments to allow for international use in different outlets, as well as a fabric storage bag, making it very easy to pack for travel.
While all LED masks on the market are pain-free and require no downtime (I also reviewed the CurrentBody Series 2 LED Light Therapy Face Mask), the Omnilux device stands out for comfort. It's made with soft, flexible silicone as opposed to rigid plastic like some other LED masks, so it flexes to the contours of your face when you tighten and secure the two rear Velcro straps. The nose area is designed to accommodate various nose shapes, and the mask is shaped so that it doesn't press uncomfortably on any specific area of your face while you wear it.
While some beauty devices may have dubious results, LED masks are popular for their efficacy. The Omnilux device features 132 medical-grade LED lights in red (633nm) and near-infrared (830nm) wavelengths that are strategically positioned around your forehead, cheeks, chin and nose. It works to reduce wrinkles, improve acne, decrease inflammation, refine skin texture and stimulate collagen production. In clinical studies after four weeks, 95% of Omnilux Contour Face users reported visibly brighter and plumper skin, 98% reported firmer skin and 96% said their fine lines appeared less visible after 12 treatments.
Setting up the Omnilux Contour Face is very simple. I plugged in the controller without the connected mask to charge and waited for the three lights to illuminate. I then connected the mask to the controller and securely attached it to my face with the two straps—one over my ponytail and the other at the nape of my neck.
Since I am generally rushing in the morning to get organized for the day, I preferred to wear the Omnilux Contour Face at night before bed. I'd prep my face by washing it and patting it dry. I'd then wear the device with my eyes shut while listening to the TV or would sometimes check emails on my phone during my ten-minute session. Because the mask doesn't come with eye inserts, however, the bright light would sometimes irritate my eyes if I didn't keep them closed.
During testing, the mask didn't cause my face to feel hot, and the flexible silicone was incredibly comfortable to wear—it didn't create annoying pressure points anywhere, and it didn't feel suffocating. The device would also turn off automatically at the end of each pre-programmed session, which was a nice feature. My only gripe is that the straps were too thin to keep it securely on my face if I decided to move around; thicker straps or an additional strap would help address this issue. After use, I gently wiped down the mask with a slightly damp microfiber cloth, let it air dry, and then placed it back in the provided storage bag to prevent it from attracting any lint.
During the first four weeks of use, I wore the device five times per week; during weeks five and six, I only wore it three times per week. The company recommends using the device for at least four weeks to see results.
While I'm skeptical of most beauty devices because I've historically been frustrated by inflated promises, the Omnilux Contour Face created visible results. I am in my 40s and come from an Irish and German background—what this combination means for me is that I have fine lines, uneven skin tone and an unfortunate amount of skin redness that seems to be increasing with age. I like that the Omnilux mask is non-invasive and treats visible signs of aging and damaged skin, which I have a fair amount of after working as a lifeguard while in high school and college. I found that it made my skin appear more plump and less dull, it seemed to visibly reduce the parentheses lines around my mouth, and it decreased the redness and inflammation on my face, especially around my nose and on my cheeks. It also seems to have kept my intermittent bouts with adult acne at bay. I plan to continue use it weekly, albeit not as frequently, to maintain results.
As a magazine writer, I've spent twenty years writing about lifestyle topics, including fashion and beauty. I've written about and tested microcurrent devices, retinol creams, the best skincare for women over 50 and much more. When it comes to LED face masks, I've also tested the CurrentBody LED Face Mask and compared it to the Omnilux.
This story was assigned and edited by deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees the beauty, fashion and travel verticals for Forbes Vetted. An industry veteran with over 20 years of experience, she has produced a wide variety of skincare stories, including a roundup of the best LED face masks and the best at-home laser hair removal devices. For this story, I also interviewed board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rhonda Q. Klein of Modern Dermatology for her insights into what makes LED face masks worthwhile skincare devices.
How Often Should You Use The Omnilux LED Face Mask?
The brand recommends using the device up to three to five times per week for a minimum of four weeks for best results. Maintenance treatments can then be carried out as desired.
Is The Omnilux LED Face Mask FDA Cleared?
Yes, the Omnilux LED Face Mask is FDA cleared. What this means is that the Food and Drug Administration has reviewed the device and determined it is safe for its intended purpose. FDA Approval requires an additional, more stringent review process.
How Long Do Results From Using An LED Face Mask Last?
Unfortunately, you can't just put in the time with an LED face mask in the first four to six weeks and then stop using it and expect to see continued results. Much like going to the gym, consistency is key. A good plan is to jump start the process in the first four to six weeks of use, and then continue with maintenance.
