The iRestore Illumina Face Mask Is Revered for Its 3 LED Modes, So I Had to Put It to the Test

LED light for skin is only effective at certain wavelengths (measured in nanometers), and different wavelengths penetrate the skin to varying degrees, offering their own set of benefits.

The Illumina features three types of LED light, all of which are emitted at what studies suggest to be their optimal wavelengths:

• Blue light (415 nm): effects the outer surface of the skin (epidermis) to help kill acne-causing bacteria
• Red light (635 nm): penetrates deeper into the dermis to stimulate cellular function and repair, boosting collagen production and leading to improved firmness, elasticity and tone
• Infrared light (830 nm): penetrates to the deepest layers of tissue, increasing cellular energy and circulation to aid with healing and reduce inflammation

Its three modes allow you to choose your treatment based on which light (or combination of lights) fits your needs:

• Mode 1: red and infrared light
• Mode 2: red, infrared and blue light, which shines purple
• Mode 3: just blue light

First things first, this mask gets seriously high marks for its thoughtful design, which makes it both durable and comfortable. The thing about LED light therapy is that you need to be consistent in order to see results, and if you don’t actually want to wear the device, it’s going to be hard to stay consistent. I’ve tried multiple types of masks through the years, including a visor-style version that dug into my ears and a soft silicone one that made me feel sweaty and claustrophobic. The iRestore is by far the most comfortable. It has a hard—but lightweight—construction with a smooth silicone shield around the eyes and nose, which allows it to sit comfortably on the face. There are cutouts at the eyes, nose and mouth so you can see and, most importantly, breathe freely during the treatment, while two adjustable hook-and-loop straps at the back provide a close, custom fit.

While I mostly just lie down with my eyes closed during my sessions, I have been able to walk around my house while wearing it on a few occasions and didn’t feel weighed down or completely blinded.

As for the treatments themselves, the mask makes it incredibly simple. It plugs into a rechargeable remote, which acts as its power source and control panel. When you power it on, you can choose between Mode 1, Mode 2 and Mode 3. Then, you simply press the button that looks like a Play/Pause button on your TV remote to start (or pause) the lights. It’s automatically set for ten minutes, after which the mask powers down. I appreciate the built-in timer since it allows me to really sit back and relax during the treatment—no need to keep checking the clock.

During each sesh, I can feel my skin getting warm and sort of pulsating, though at no point does the mask reach extremes of heat. The cutouts help with airflow, too, so my face isn’t slicked with sweat afterward. Overall, it’s the perfect way to wind down after a busy day—especially since it forces me to take a ten-minute break from scrolling my phone (I tend to keep my eyes closed since the lights are very bright). Plus, I find that I fall asleep faster and get a more restful snooze after using the mask, particularly in the red/infrared mode. (Hence why I nominated it for a PureWow Best Sleep Ever Award this year.)

Other perks: The rigid shell is easy to wipe down between uses (I swipe it with a damp paper towel and a little rubbing alcohol), and it comes with a convenient drawstring storage bag that prevents it from collecting dust and makes it easy to travel with.

After two months of consistently using the iRestore Illumina mask, my skin has definitely improved. My complexion looks brighter and far more even-toned—the red blotches plaguing my cheeks at the start of the summer have all but disappeared, as have the under-eye bags that would greet me in the mornings, even after getting a full night’s sleep. The jowl area around my mouth and jawline also appears less droopy and puffy—something I’m crediting to the red/infrared light’s anti-inflammatory effects.

Meanwhile, blemishes that would have usually taken a week to clear up—getting red and angry in the process—have vanished less than two days after using the blue or combo light treatment (and haven’t reappeared since). The fine lines on my forehead have been slower to fade, but I would expect improvement in that area to take a bit longer. Plus, I’d call it a win if they simply don’t get any deeper.

And this is just anecdotal, but right before using the mask for the first time, I got a stye on my lower eyelid. It was huge, red, painful and not getting any better after a few days. My entire under-eye area was swollen and tender. A cursory Google search suggested that red light could be a helpful treatment for styes, so I took that as a sign to unbox it immediately. I swear, the next morning it had reduced in size and irritation, as did the swelling. Soon after, it was fully gone.

Regularly priced at $799, there’s no denying that the iRestore Illumina mask is a splurge. But when it comes to LED masks, it’s worth investing in one that is durable, high quality and equipped with light modes that reach the appropriate wavelengths to actually penetrate the skin. This model checks every box and then some, considering it features not one, but three types of LED light, as well as three ways to use them. Its comfortable wear and intuitive operation also strip away any resistance one would have to making it a regular part of their routine—which is really half the battle.

Of course, all these great features mean little if the results don’t speak for themselves. In my case, I truly think they do.