Omnilux vs. Dr Naomi review: Which LED face mask is better?
We trialled two of the most popular LED face masks on the market to see how they stack up — and if they actually work.
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The pandemic forced us to take our beauty treatments at home, and now with the cost of living rising, more of us are DIY-ing it than ever before.
I experimented with stick-on nails and finally learnt how to blow-dry my hair. Others learnt how to tint their eyebrows and lashes from the comfort of their own home.
And some decided to invest in a LED light therapy mask – for when you just can’t make it to a clinic or salon.
The treatments have been around for quite some time, but only recently has at-home devices become widespread. Of course they don’t come cheap, with majority of them costing hundreds of dollars.
That’s where we come in. The news.com.au shopping team did the hard work for you and tested two of the most popular LED face masks on the market right now – the Dr Naomi LED It Glow Light Therapy Device* and the Omnilux Contour Face. Let’s see how they stack up against each other and if they are really worth your coin.
PROS
- Brightens skin
- Lightweight, portable and flexible
- Each treatment is only 10 minutes (and it’s timed for you)
- Quick to charge
- Easy to clean
- Two year warranty
CONS
- Expensive
- Velcro straps may be annoying for some
SPECS
- 156 LED lights delivering Red (630nm +/- 5nm) and Near-Infrared (830nm) wavelengths
- Total Irradiance: 20-30 mw/cm²
PROS
- Evens out skin tone
- Tightens pores
- 10 minute treatments
- Made from soft and flexible silicone
- Portable
- Easy to clean
- Two year warranty
CONS
- Expensive
- Velcro straps may be annoying for some
- Light is quite bright for my sensitive eyes – I have to keep my eyes closed while using
SPECS
- 132 LED lights delivering Red (633nm) and Near-Infrared (830nm) wavelengths
IN THIS REVIEW
- What is LED light therapy?
- The benefits
- Can I use it everyday?
- Is it safe to use?
- How should I prep my skin?
- We review: The functionality
- We review: How it fits into our routine
- We review: Is it worth the price tag?
HOW WE TESTED THE PRODUCTS
To help you decide if an at-home LED light therapy mask is really worth your coin, we decided to put two of the most popular devices on the market to the test. I’ve been trialling the Dr Naomi LED It Glow Light Therapy Device, consistently using it since the end of April. So for the past four months, I’ve used it anywhere between 3-5 times a week.
Hannah Paine, the news.com.au checkout Editor, has been using the Omnilux Contour Face for much longer, and has made it part of her skincare routine for over 18 months. Here’s what we thought and how the two devices stack up against each other.
We also sought expert advice from Dr Naomi McCullum, creator of Dr Naomi Skin and Elisa Osmo, Lead Dermal Therapist at Fayshell.
WHAT IS LED LIGHT THERAPY?
“LED (or light emitting diodides) uses varying low-level wavelengths of light to rejuvenate the skin at a cellular level,” Elisa Osmo told news.com.au.
“Different colour lights target different skin concerns.”
Light-emitting diode (LED) lights have been around since the 1960s but have only recently been used as a skin treatment.
Whether you’re using an at-home device or experiencing it in a clinic or salon, the most common LED lights used in treatments are red and blue lights.
Red light is targeted more towards treating fine lines and wrinkles and blue light works to kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce oil production.
There’s also yellow light which according to Elisa, works to improve collagen production and decrease inflammation in the skin.
According to a 2019 study conducted by Harvard Medical School, LED masks have “shown promise for certain conditions and are a “really exciting emerging area”.
“Different wavelengths of the visible light spectrum correspond to different colours of LED light and penetrate the skin to different depths,” the study found.
“Depending on how deeply they penetrate, LED lights are thought to have different biological effects.”
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LED FACE MASKS?
LED light therapy is a powerhouse skin treatment because it can address a number of different concerns.
According to Dr McCullum the main benefits of LED masks include reducing inflammation, promoting healing and skin rejuvenation, and addressing skin concerns like fine lines, pigmentation, skin roughness, acne, fine skin, blemishes and sagginess.
CAN I USE AN LED FACE MASK EVERYDAY?
You don’t need to use an LED face mask everyday, but it won’t cause any harm if you do. Dr Naomi, and most other LED device brands, recommend using it three to five times per week, as well as not to forget other body parts like the neck, decolletage and hands.
ARE LED FACE MASKS SAFE?
LED light therapy is a well-researched technology and you can find countless studies online to support their safety, especially for at-home use.
Most, if not all, of the devices you can purchase have spaces cut out for your eyes, so you are not looking directly into the bright lights.
However when LED masks are used at home you should “carefully follow instructions to avoid adverse reactions”, Elisa recommends. This is because there isn’t the same supervision you would get with an in-salon LED treatment.
HOW SHOULD I PREP MY SKIN BEFORE USING A LED FACE MASK?
For best results, you’re going to want to use your LED face mask on clean, dry skin.
Both Dr Naomi and Elisa recommend using a LED mask after going in with your favourite cleanser, and all other makeup and skincare is removed from the complexion. This ensures “the photons from the LEDs most effectively reach their target of the skin cells”, said Dr Naomi.
THE FUNCTIONALITY
Dr Naomi LED It Glow Light Therapy Device tried and tested by Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
The Dr Naomi LED mask is one of the easiest beauty devices I’ve ever used. It comes with two cords – one to operate it with a connecting remote and another to charge it. The remote has one simple button that powers the device on and off. It also features a series of lights to indicate the level of battery life.
When the battery is fully charged, it lasts me for about four 10 minute sessions, so I find myself charging it about once a week.
The silicone mask feels comfortable and is flexible enough to curve around your head with ease. The straps on the back are adjustable, so it’s super easy to find a comfortable fit to last the 10 minutes. Oh and if you’re concerned, my hair has never got stuck on the velcro straps.
Omnilux Contour Face tried and tested by Hannah Paine, Editor
What I love about the Omnilux Contour Face is how easy it is to use. It’s light and moulds to your face, making it super comfortable. It just has one button and one setting (a ten minute session emitting red light) which I love because it takes the guesswork out of trying to decide how to use it – plus if you need to end your session early for any reason just press the button again and it will stop.
The Omnilux Contour Face comes with a cord which has a power bank attached that you press for each 10 minute LED light session. The power bank has three lights to let you know how much juice it has left, and I usually get around a month’s use out of each charge (and that’s using it four to six times a week). To charge, all you have to do is detach the powerbank and plug into the USB charger that comes with your mask and it takes about four hours to get back to a full charge.
I use the Omnilux Contour Face on a clean, dry face (as recommended by Omnilux) and once a week I wipe the inside down with a damp cloth. It lies flat and comes with a drawstring storage bag, making it easy to take with you on your travels (although I’m too afraid of my luggage getting lost to take it with me – that’s how much I love the mask).
My only criticism is that because I have light sensitive eyes, I find the light from the mask uncomfortable if I keep my eyes open for the whole 10 minutes. It doesn’t hurt (and the light emitted from the Omnilux is totally safe) but it just kind of feels like being outside on a sunny day with no sunglasses. This means I can’t wear it and just go about my business, I have to be sitting or lying down with my eyes closed while it’s in use.
HOW IT FITS IN YOUR ROUTINE
Dr Naomi LED It Glow Light Therapy Device tried and tested by Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
I’ve been using the Dr Naomi LED mask consistently using it since the end of April. So for the past four months, I’ve used it anywhere between three to five times a week, 10 minutes at a time.
I prefer to incorporate it into my morning skincare routine. So I’ll splash my face with water, use the LED mask for 10 minutes and then follow up with my serums, moisturiser and SPF. If I’m in a rush, I’ll obviously give myself the 10 minutes back but generally that’s what’s worked best for me.
My face doesn’t feel tingly or go super red after the treatment, but keep mind these sort of reactions will differ from person to person.
While the mask isn’t cordless, the remote that’s attached is super small – I will either hold it in my hand or place it in my pocket. That also means I always find myself doing other things while using the mask – sometimes I’ll make my bed, do a quick vacuum or have a cheeky scroll on TikTok.
Oh and if anyone sees you wearing the mask, they will ask you what you are wearing and why on Earth you are wearing it. See the image below for reference – it’s a bit of a strange look, I can’t lie.
I also would not recommend going to play with your dog during those 10 minutes. As cute as the ‘Do Not Disturb’ imagery is, my poor pup almost had a heart attack at the sheer sight of me with all the bright red lights shining around my face.
And if you’re worried about cleaning the LED mask, it’s actually super easy. I wait a little after I’ve turned it off, and then wipe it with a slightly damp cloth. Please make sure it’s not soaking, it will likely ruin the device – just a little damp to help remove any unwanted residue.
Omnilux Contour Face tried and tested by Hannah Paine, Editor
Finding a way to fit the Omnilux Contour Face into my skincare routine consistently was the biggest challenge at first. I would plan on using it after my evening shower but was so in the habit of automatically applying my serums straight after getting out of the shower I wouldn’t then be able to use it.
After struggling to fit it into my evening routine I’ve been able to slot it into my mornings. All I do is wake up 10 minutes earlier, splash cold water on my face and sit on the couch with the mask on. It’s honestly one of the highlights of my day – I usually meditate or listen to some music, and find the LED light gives me a nice wakeup while also looking after my skin. After using it I just go on with my morning skincare routine as usual.
I try to use the Omnilux Contour Face as much as possible and usually average between four or six times a week. You need to use it at least three times a week to see results (and five times a week for the first few weeks of use) but I see the best results when I’m using it five to six times a week.
THE VERDICT: ARE LED MASKS WORTH THE PRICE TAG?
Dr Naomi LED It Glow Light Therapy Device tried and tested by Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
The Dr Naomi LED face mask has become a staple part of my skincare routine and I am blown away by the results – I can confidently say it has worked to seriously brighten my skin. My persistent acne marks have faded and my skin looks so glowy and not as dull as it looked before. I’ve even used the mask when I have an active breakout and I’ve noticed a big help in the healing process.
I can truly say that not a week has gone by where I haven’t used the mask – it’s a crucial step in my routine and I can noticeably see a difference in my skin texture and overall brightness.
If you want to results, you will need to use the LED mask consistently – once in a blue moon is just not going to cut it.
That’s why I love the convenience of an at-home device and why I think it’s so much better than in-clinic treatments (which can cost you hundreds of dollars per session).
Yes the in-clinic LED lights are more powerful than what you’ve got in your at-home mask. But the ease of convenience and benefit of being able to treat your skin whenever you want outweighs it all for me. And if you know you’ll use it consistently, I think the Dr Naomi LED mask is going to be well worth your hard-earned cash.
Omnilux Contour Face tried and tested by Hannah Paine, Editor
I’m not going to lie – this was a huge expense for me when I bought it. But 18 months on I can say the Omnilux Contour Face was well worth the spend and it’s been a serious game changer.
I’ve seen a visible difference in my skin – it looks calmer, more even in tone and glowy. I also feel like it’s helped minimise my pores to make them less noticeable. It’s a great alternative to in-salon LED light treatments that can cost around $60 to $100 a pop. It’s important to note I do have some wear and tear with small creases in the mask, however, all the lights still work as normal.
The hardest part is the initial cost and getting into a routine of using it often enough to see results. You won’t see a difference if you only use it occasionally, you need to be really consistent. But let me tell you, it’s worth it!
More Coverage
*Product has been provided by Dr Naomi Skin for a 100 per cent independent, honest review
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