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I’ve been testing LED masks for a couple of years now, and the CurrentBody Series 2 red-light face mask has long been my favourite option for anti-ageing. It’s comfortable, offers excellent coverage and powerful deep near-infrared treatments. Sadly, it doesn’t work for other skin concerns. It’s a one-trick pony.
So, when I heard that CurrentBody had launched its Multi Light Therapy mask with five different modes, I was interested to see how it would stand up to the stellar performance of its predecessor. As someone with hormonal acne, I was especially keen to try the mask’s “clearing” mode, but it also offers a calming “restoring” mode, a pigmentation-reducing “brightening” mode, and a distinctive “complete” mode, as well as the “anti-ageing” mode.
That’s enough versatility to satisfy even the most temperamental skin, but it comes at a price. At a penny shy of £500, you could afford a short European getaway or luxury spa trip instead. So is it worth the money? Read on to discover how it got on in my tests.
How I tested
I’ve tested 14 light therapy masks and, in that time, I’ve grown well acquainted with their best and worst features. I follow the same process for testing each one, which involves noting the condition, texture and appearance of my skin before and after two months of treatments. Since there are five settings on this mask, I tried each one for four nights, then chose my favourite for the rest of the test. Overall, I was hoping to maintain or improve the results I’ve seen from my previous light therapy treatments.
Since LED therapy works best when used consistently, I considered how comfortable the mask was to wear, checking the fit of the eye guards and whether the mask stays in place during treatments.
I was also hoping for simple controls – ideally, with no app to download. Unless it adds some groundbreaking features, I’d be more appreciative of 10 minutes’ solace from a wretched screen.
What you need to know
Before you drop half a grand, you’ll probably want some reassurance that LED therapy actually works. Before I embarked on my LED tests, I interviewed consultant dermatologists, aesthetic doctors and ageing experts. All three gave me a measured but positive take on the tech overall, with the most concrete scientific evidence for red- and blue-light wavelengths.
These experts recommended investing in a mask with high-quality, bright bulbs, but warned those with darker skin tones against using blue light, as it can cause hyperpigmentation. Treatments should be done on clean, dry skin and used consistently alongside a good skincare routine. You can see more of their comments in my full guide to the best LED masks.
The CurrentBody Multi Light Therapy mask comes with 566 LEDs arranged at 110 points across the face. This includes 110 each of red, near-infrared (NIR), blue, yellow and green lights, and 16 deep NIR bulbs. The latter are designed to penetrate deepest into the skin and are rare among LED face masks – and since there are fewer of these bulbs, they’re strategically placed around the mouth and under the eyes. According to CurrentBody, this covers the “most common problem areas […] where deeper wrinkles tend to form”, but this placement means the deep NIR lights won’t treat the forehead. Still, the forehead area is covered by NIR and red light, which still offer anti-ageing benefits.
The mask offers five 10-minute preset treatments, which combine light types together to achieve specific results. Like the standalone Series 2 mask, the anti-ageing mode uses red, NIR and deep NIR light to target fine lines and wrinkles and restore the skin’s firmness. The clearing mode uses blue light to target blemishes and red light to support healing. Those with sensitive skin can opt for the restoring mode, which pairs yellow and NIR light to help calm redness and irritation. Brightening mode uses green and NIR light, which aims to reduce dullness and pigmentation for a more even skin tone.
The most distinctive treatment on offer is the complete mode, which uses all the light frequencies at once, aside from blue. Instead of random light placement, the mask uses “facial mapping technology” to dictate where each colour should be used.
If you’re anything like me, the term “facial mapping” immediately sets off pseudoscience alarm bells. Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, face mapping claims that different areas of the face correspond to organs in the body – although there’s little scientific evidence to support it.
Thankfully, here it operates from the simple principle that different areas of the face have different needs. As such, you can target specific concerns with specific light wavelengths, in theory concentrating the benefits of each light colour where it’s needed most.
If it’s the versatility on offer here that appeals most, it’s important to point out that some entry-level masks also come with a rainbow of light settings. My favourite budget option, the Silk’n 100, comes with red, blue, yellow and purple light for about £100. However, it lacks any NIR light, has fewer bulbs, and doesn’t sit quite as close to the skin. As such, I’d only recommend a cheaper mask for tackling very early signs of ageing and occasional blemishes.
CurrentBody Multi Light Therapy mask specifications
Price: £499.99
Recommended use: 3-5 times per week
Settings: anti-ageing, clearing, restoring, brightening, complete
Light frequencies: red (633nm), near-infrared (830nm), deep near-infrared (1072nm), blue (415nm), green (532nm), yellow (590nm)
Treatment time: 10 minutes
Suitable for: all skin types, but darker tones should take care with blue light (clearing only)
Battery life: 10 uses
Charging time: 4.5 hours
Contents: mask, three straps, two removable eye guards, Veritace card, charging cable, storage bag
What we love
As I expected, based on my experience testing the Series 2 mask, the Multi Light Therapy mask’s facial coverage is superb. It covers both the bridge of the nose and the forehead, while the distinctive chin strap keeps the lights close to the skin for better light absorption. The straps are adjustable, allowing you to customise the fit – and this meant the mask stayed in place whether I was strolling around the house or flopped out like a fish on the sofa. You can even secure the controller to your clothes with a handy clip while the mask’s in use, leaving your hands free. And, since there are removable eye covers, the lights didn’t blind my eyes either.
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Like the Series 2 mask, this model has also undergone significant performance testing. Each mask is tested individually for the accuracy of the light frequency, build quality and power output, and access to the results of these tests is available using the NFC “Veritace” card supplied with your mask. Considering its price, it’s reassuring to have this kind of transparency.
In terms of skin results, I was pleased to see that the anti-ageing red light treatment performed just as effectively as it did in the stand-alone red-light mask. This makes sense, since the frequencies are identical on paper, but I had worried that the versatility might come at the expense of results in some areas. Thankfully, this wasn’t the case – my skin seemed calmer, smoother and more even when using this setting.
My favourite setting was the clearing mode. I found that consistent use minimised breakouts and helped them clear up faster. I’ve used blue light therapy for over a year now, and this is the only mask that has managed to fully flatten the bumps on my forehead. And, thanks to the close chin coverage, my hormonal breakouts were less severe and lasted only a few days.
Historically, I haven’t found green or yellow light that effective. However, the mask’s restoring and brightening modes proved unexpectedly helpful for my sensitive skin, minimising redness and reducing pigmentation. I think I had more luck with this mask because the treatments here used NIR light at the same time. No other green or yellow LED mask I’ve tested combines these treatments.
The complete mode doesn’t cater to acne-prone skin, but I did find it was great for a boost on days where my skin was looking lacklustre. CurrentBody doesn’t recommend more than one treatment a day, so I opted for the complete mode since it allowed me to get the benefits of all three treatment modes without committing to one.
The updated controller is excellent, too. Its clear screen displays the treatment mode, countdown timer and battery level. Happily, the mask lasted over a week of treatments before conking out. Like before, one button controls the settings.
What we don’t love
I’m nitpicking, but my first minor gripe is that, since the silicone is thick and durable, the nose flap puts slight pressure on the nose. That meant that after each treatment, I was left with a slight red mark on the bridge of my nose – although it did disappear after about five minutes.
Adjusting the straps also proved more difficult than I had anticipated, since any instructions were lacking. They just say “attach the straps” – which is as clear as mud. My advice is to put the Velcro on the outward-facing sides, so you can adjust the mask to fit your face while it’s on, which makes it easy to achieve a comfortable fit.
Finally, while I love the chin strap, it makes the mask impossible to pack down flat, which makes it harder to pack in a suitcase. The soft storage bag prevents scratches and keeps everything together day to day, but I feel most people will want a hard case if they’re lugging around a £499.99 piece of beauty tech.
Warranty and repairs
If you notice skin sensitivity after performing a sensitivity test, you can return the mask to CurrentBody within 14 days for a full refund. There’s also a two-year warranty, which covers manufacturing faults. You can submit a request for a repair or replacement using this returns form.
Should I buy the CurrentBody Multi Light Therapy mask?
If you want to invest in the best LED mask I’ve ever tested, absolutely. And if you were already considering shelling out £399.99 for the Series 2 mask, it’s absolutely worth spending an extra £100 to ensure the tech can adapt to your skin’s changing needs. For example, those who only have occasional breakouts can focus on powerful anti-ageing most of the time, and tackle breakouts when they pop up.
Admittedly, the £299.99 Shark CryoGlow offers treatments for blemishes and anti-ageing, but it doesn’t fit as comfortably and lacks deep near-infrared light. The CurrentBody Multi Light Therapy mask is far trickier to budget for, but you’re paying for better-fitting tech and deeper-penetrating lights. Furthermore, the Veritace certification is a marker of quality that you don’t get with cheaper LED masks.
None of that changes the fact that this mask costs the same as a short holiday. Unbelievably, this isn’t the most expensive option I’ve tested, but it is up there, and you don’t need to spend this much. Other LED masks I’ve tested can help with light-touch anti-ageing and blemishes for less.
For more, read the best LED face masks that are worth the hype and Sali Hughes’s best anti-ageing creams, serums and treatments
Sarah Matthews is a consumer journalist who specialises in health and beauty reviews. In her four years of product testing, she’s worked her way through countless hair styling tools, hair removal, light therapy and skincare innovations. She’s seen beauty trends come and go, and can sniff out a fad from a gamechanger (that doesn’t mean she’s disciplined enough to always follow her own advice, though)
