Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask Review

Utilizing blue light therapy to treat acne is not a new concept but recently several brands have made this treatment more accessible by creating safe, effective devices that you can use at home. Neutrogena has recently launched the Light Therapy Mask ($45.00) with the same technology used by Dermatologists to reduce the severity and reoccurrence of breakouts.

The kit comes with the mask and activator which works like a remote control to start the cycle. The activator is set for a total of 30 treatments which displays on a small screen to let you know how many you have left and how many you’ve used. When the counter reaches 0 you must purchase another remote ($19.97) to continue using the mask (it is not rechargeable). Unfortunately you cannot pause the treatment without losing a complete cycle, the counter will still eliminate one therapy session.

Each treatment session is 10 minutes long and the mask comes with built-in glasses to protect the eyes. The lights inside the mask are quite bright so be careful if you are prone to light sensitivity. Once I start the cycle, the warmth from the small bulbs feel soothing and make my skin tingle slightly. There is no sensation of pain or discomfort aside from the sharp edges of the glasses and I experienced no irritation. 

The therapy is quite gentle but there aren’t any lights towards the upper cheek area on the far right and left sides of the mask, they are all concentrated on the forehead and below the nose to target the middle portion of the face. Since light travels, the mask seems to provide enough coverage to thoroughly illuminate these blind-spots.

The blue light penetrates the skin to eliminate acne causing bacteria just below the surface while the red light reduces inflammation to calm and diminish redness. Overtime, skin appears smoother with less irritation and pimples are reduced in size and severity. My blemishes also seem to clear up quicker with less scarring and discomfort. 

The blue light therapy works best when combined with other topical treatments that help fight breakouts as you sleep or go about your daily activities. Neutrogena also created the Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Solution Kit ($24.99) to speed up healing and recovery. The box comes with a 3 step system:

*Step 1: Acne Cleanser - to reduce the size, redness and number of breakouts by washing out bacteria and impurities that clog pores.

*Step 2: Treat with the Daily Leave-On Mask – an invisible treatment that zaps stubborn zits day and night.

*Step 3: Moisturize with the Oil-Free Cream which reduces redness and excess oil with a light, water-based formula safe for sensitive skin.

Neutrogena is available at grocery and drugstores nationwide