I tested the Silk'n LED Face EMS Mask for 6 months – did it really help my acne?

I was super sceptical about the rise of LED face masks. I assumed it was just a money-making opportunity by brands that know many of us have our skincare routines, in terms of serums and creams, down, thanks to the many (!) experts we now have access to on social media. But, honestly, I was probably just reluctant to spend upwards of £250 on a skincare tool. But now I can admit that I've been proven wrong.

After six months of regular use of the Silk'n LED Face EMS Mask — we're talking 10-minute sessions three times a week — I can say with conviction that it has transformed my skin. Pictures prove that it has tackled my irregular texture, minimised my post-teen acne scarring, and has left me looking plumped enough to justify delaying my upcoming Botox consultation.

Wondering how? It's the first-ever LED mask to combine LED light therapy with EMS technology, the two technologies working in tandem to offer an at-home ‘facial workout’. Cosmetics developer & Silk’n skin technician, Selma van Asselt, says: "The Silk'n LED EMS Face Mask combines LED therapy and Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) for a multi-dimensional skincare experience. The LED therapy enhances skin regeneration by boosting cellular functions like collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production. EMS stimulates facial muscles, improving muscle tone, skin elasticity, and overall skin structure, which helps in reducing sagging and fine lines.

“By combining LED and EMS, microcirculation is enhanced in the skin and underlying muscles. This is key for ensuring your skin gets the oxygen and nutrients it needs for optimal regeneration. The more oxygenated and nourished your cells are, the better they can repair themselves and produce the building blocks of healthy, youthful skin.”

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Silk'n LED Face EMS Mask

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Talking of the benefits of red light therapy and LED face masks in general, she continues: "LED therapy has been a game-changer in modern dermatology. It stimulates collagen production and skin regeneration, enhancing skin texture, tone, and elasticity. LED therapy improves skin health by increasing cellular energy, which helps with wrinkle reduction, hyperpigmentation, and acne treatment.”

Even better news: thanks to the return of Black Friday, you can now save up to 30% on the dual-action LED face mask. So, stay tuned for my thorough Silk'n LED Face EMS Mask review after six months of testing, as well as answers to all those common FAQs.

I have dry, acne-prone skin and have struggled with blemishes across my T-zone, cheeks and chin since I was 13. Over the years, I have tried a host of different skincare routines, skincare tools and in-salon treatments — laser resurfacing, chemical peels and various facials — to fight breakouts, improve my skin texture and tackle scarring. And while most have helped, I still have some pigmentation and texture I'd like to tackle.

After checking with my dermatologist, I committed to wearing the LED face mask every other day for six months. This was always on clean skin and usually in the evening, after double-cleansing. During the 10-minute treatment sessions, I considered various aspects, including LED precision, coverage, comfort and fit. I also took progress pictures to track the changes in my skin. I did this at various times in my menstrual cycle to account for any hormonal changes, too.

I also spoke to Silk’n's skin technician, Selma van Asselt, in a bid to better understand the technology and the benefits of the mask from the brand's perspective. Plus, I discussed my experience with other Glamour editors, who collectively have been reviewing the best LED face masks for the last five years.

As a shopping writer, it's been my job to test a host of wellness products for the last two years — that's 14 months at Glamour and a year elsewhere. From sexual wellness products, including the best vibrators, to running trainers and menstrual products such as period pants, I've tried thousands of products across hundreds of brands before publicly declaring the best.

During my time at Glamour, I've attended countless press days, spoken to various dermatologists, sex therapists and health experts, plus regularly read up on the latest research across all the above categories. As a result, you could say I am more of an expert on the subject of wellness than the average online shopper.

While I am not (yet) an expert on skincare, I have read widely on the benefits of red light therapy and, before testing, discussed the possible outcomes with my private dermatologist. I also attended the Silk'n LED Face EMS Mask launch event in April 2025, where I spoke with the Silk'n team and received exclusive comments from Selma van Asselt, so I could ensure this guide is thorough and trustworthy.

This is best left to the expert, otherwise known as cosmetics developer & Silk’n skin technician, Selma van Asselt: "The mask uses specific LED light wavelengths, including red light (for collagen production), blue light (for acne treatment), and near infrared (for deeper skin penetration and regeneration).

“The EMS technology contracts the facial muscles, enhancing microcirculation, stimulating collagen and elastin production, and providing a toning effect to the skin. The combination of these technologies leads to improved skin tone, elasticity, and firmness, resulting in a rejuvenated and youthful appearance.” Yes, please.

But the mask also uses AI to tailor each session to your specific needs. She continues: “This isn’t another one-size-fits-all solution, but a smart, personalised treatment. It delivers both light and key compounds to support deep skin healing, offering a holistic skincare approach.”

In terms of the mask's various modes:

• Mode One, Ultimate anti-ageing — A blend of Red (633nm), Dark Red (660nm), Near-Infrared (830nm) and Deep Infrared (1072nm) light, designed to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while also reconstructing collagen and elastin fibres. It is also said to enhance microcirculation.
• Mode Two, The Effortless Glow — Amber (605nm), Dark Red, Near-Infrared and Deep Infrared light work in tandem to reduce pigmentation and redness.
• Mode Three, Skin Soothing Effect — Uses Red and Dark Red light to regulate oil secretion, while also reducing redness and irritation.
• Mode Four, Targeted Blemish Treatment — Blue (405nm) light offers a precise treatment to reduce the size of blemishes.

My skin in November 2024 — I was tackling pigmentation, irregular texture and hormonal fluctuations.

My skin in October 2025 — reduced redness, improved texture and noticeable plumpness.

Initially, the LED face mask arrived in a sleek black box, alongside everything I needed to reap the benefits of red light therapy at home. I stored it in here for a few weeks before finding this too bulky, so I have now stashed it in my bedside drawer. One constructive pointer: I'd love a storage bag or small box in the box with the next iteration.

In terms of assembly, all I had to do was attach the four velcro straps, which was both quick and easy. I also noted how, even when these were attached, flat the mask was flat when not in use, making it easy to pack in my suitcase ahead of a trip away.

When using the mask, I always start by double-cleansing my face. I remove my makeup with the Garnier Micellar Water, followed by the LANEIGE Water Bank Gentle Gel Cleanser. Once my face is clean and dry, I place the mask onto my face and secure the straps. On my first go, I was extremely grateful that the type of Velcro used didn't stick to or pull on my hair, meaning I don't have to worry about tying it up before a treatment.

I found the mask really easy to set up — you get a little remote control which attaches to the mask via an (included) USB-C wire. Once secure, all I had to do was hold down the ‘On/Off/Mode’ button for three seconds to turn it on, and again to change mode.

In terms of integrating it into my existing routine, this has also required little effort. After cleansing my face and cleaning my teeth, I jump into bed and use the mask on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings for 10 minutes while reading or watching TV.

Typically, I alternate between mode two — a blend of Red (633nm), Dark Red (660nm), Near-Infrared (830nm) and Deep Near-Infrared (1072nm) light — and mode two, a mix of Amber (605nm), Dark Red, Near-Infrared and Deep Near-Infrared light. And while, six months in, I have less need for the targeted blemish treatment, I do find that two sessions of this work to reduce the size of any whiteheads.

As I have sensitive skin, I was a little nervous about how my skin might feel after the first couple of weeks, but I didn't notice any increased sensitivity, redness or reaction. In fact, after three weeks of regular use, I'd already begun to notice that my existing acne scars were less red, and my overall texture more even.

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For those wondering whether the Silk'n LED Face EMS Mask actually works, I'd answer an enthusiastic ‘yes’. While I can only speak for my acne-prone, 29-year-old complexion, during my six months of testing, I have noticed a marked improvement in the overall look and texture of my skin. Red scars on my chin and cheeks are less obvious, and the pores on either side of my nose appear less obvious. I have also found that, with regular use, any hormonal blemishes disappear more quickly, typically only having a lifespan of two to three days, rather than four to five.

At the end of month one, both my partner and mum commented on how much plumper and brighter my complexion looked. And looking back at photos of my skin before I began using the mask in November 2024, I can also confirm my makeup sits on my skin better. I also know that I'm using less foundation and concealer, with a tube of each previously lasting two months, but now sometimes stretching to four.

I'll be the first to admit that it's an expensive skincare solution, but when compared with the regular facials and laser resurfacing treatments I was having before, it definitely works out cheaper. In fact, it works out at just £3.83 a session, considering I've used it three times a week for the last six months.

Granted, this is the first time I have used an LED mask – but my skin has never looked better. My complexion feels clearer, brighter and plumper, and my hormonal breakouts have been minimised. It feels like a great complementary step to everything else in my skincare routine, and while I'm still working out how to hygienically store it, that won't put me off continuing to use it multiple times a week for the foreseeable.

Over the past half-decade, red light therapy devices have moved speedily through the ranks — what started as an in-salon-only find, before becoming a buzzy trend and now, a skincare staple. And, because we wouldn't recommend something to you, we wouldn't to a friend. Here are our tried-and-tested favourites, including our favourite red light therapy hair growth device: