Before we talk shop, there’s something you should know about me: I have an aversion to most popular dermatological treatments. It makes me feel like a bit of an oddball considering my age (mid-40s) and career (a longtime beauty editor and writer), where neurotoxins like Daxxify and Botox, face and lip fillers, and cutting-edge in-office procedures are practically standard. While most of my peers are obsessed with facial balancing and mewing (don’t even ask me what that is), I’m perfectly content with my tried-and-true skincare routine.
Please don’t report me to the beauty authorities.
Maybe if my mom didn’t look at least a decade younger than her 74 years, I might be more inclined to dabble with injections, lasers, and the like. But her youthful DNA, plus a healthy diet, regular exercise, and a lifelong passion for skincare—all inherited habits from Mom—have me feeling (mostly) optimistic about aging gracefully. (Admittedly, impending jowls still bum me out.)
You know what else gives me hope and always makes me happier with my skin? Skincare gadgets. Whenever I start feeling like I could be doing more beyond my usual routine (vitamin A, antioxidant serum, SPF, and night cream), I step things up with a cleansing tool, sculpting wand, or “smart” beauty device like the NuSkin Trinity for an immediate boost similar to a post-facial glow. The results are temporary, sure, but still noticeably effective in the short term.
A Routine Upgrade With The Qure Light Therapy Mask
I first encountered red light therapy during fancy facials (I’m always game for spa-based research!), noticing that some of my favorite celebrity estheticians like Shani Darden and Georgia Louise often incorporate high-tech devices, including LED masks, into their custom protocols. Now that I’ve added the Qure Light Therapy Mask to my own skincare routine, the biggest surprise has been how seamlessly it’s become a daily habit rather than an occasional treatment. Usually, I store my skin tech out of sight under the sink, but this one is front and center on my nightstand. It’s no wonder this mask took home the “Best Overall” win in our intensive testing of the best red light therapy tools.
Not only is this LED mask incredibly quick and simple to use, the results—while subtle, so far—are noticeable enough to encourage me to stick with it. My skin actually seems considerable brighter and smoother!
Qure Light Therapy Mask
How LED Masks Work (And What They Can Do)
LED masks use low-level light therapy to treat various skin issues (LED stands for light-emitting diode, which releases energy in the form of light.) In skincare, specific color wavelengths, such as red and blue, are used to target different concerns—red light for anti-aging and blue for acne.
Curious to learn more about red light specifically, I reached out to Karan Lal, DO, MS, FAAD, a board-certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona. According to Dr. Lal, red light devices help re-energize the skin by targeting the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell). “They help reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen production,” he explains. “They can also help with wound healing and have been shown anecdotally to help the skin heal following filler complications.”
What To Consider When Shopping
Red light devices typically aren’t cheap, and at $300, the Qure Light Therapy Mask is definitely a splurge. Considering its science-backed tech, long lifespan, and ease of use, I think it offers good value. Being in my 40s and noticing (gulp) significant skin changes, I’m motivated to step up my at-home efforts, especially since I’m skipping wrinkle-smoothing or plumping injectables (for now).
That said, everyone’s “beauty math” is personal. For instance, would I have been as enthusiastic about a red light therapy mask in my late 20s or 30s when blackheads were my most pressing concern? Probably not. As Dr. Lal points out, “Everyone thinks they need one and has FOMO. The truth is, not everyone needs one.”
I’d only recommend this device—or any other LED mask—if you’re ready to commit to at least three minutes a day (that’s how long Qure takes). It’s also not a “skincare hack” or shortcut and should complement, not replace, a solid skincare routine. “It takes months to see improvement, and its use should not replace topical therapies for rejuvenation and hyperpigmentation,” Lal adds.
Writer Erica Metzger was thrilled with the glowy results she experienced (right) after using the mask for several weeks.
My Experience With the Qure Light Therapy Mask
Technically, you’re supposed to read the instructions that come with any device. But the mask (and its accessories) looked pretty straightforward, so I tried to assemble it on my own. My first suggestion? Save yourself time and give them a quick read—or at least watch the video tutorial. Apparently, the Qure LED mask arrives pre-charged, so if I had read the instructions, I could’ve tried it immediately instead of plugging it in and wondering why it didn’t light up. (No light when plugged in means it’s fully charged.)
Next, I attempted to secure the strap to the back of the mask, again without referring to the directions, and—you know where this is going—couldn’t figure it out after several attempts. Eventually, I gave up and watched the video on the website, and even then, it took me several tries to attach it properly. I was able to insert the protective goggles into the mask pretty easily, though.
I was done winging it, so before using the mask on my skin, I followed the directions to wash and dry my face. It’s an AM or PM treatment, but I find it easier to use in the morning before I apply skincare or makeup. The actual treatment is unbelievably easy and fast. Once you get it on your face and adjust the band, press the button on the forehead for a few seconds to fire it up, and then one more time to start the anti-aging treatment (red light plus deep red, infrared, and amber). For blue light therapy (acne treatment), press the button twice. After three minutes, the mask beeps, and you’re done!
My Favorite Features
There’s no guesswork—one button to push and three minutes once a day. And, wow, the treatment flies by! At first, I thought my mask was defective by a minute, maybe two, so it so I timed it to check. The functionality of the mask makes the three minutes feel even faster—because your hands are free, you can multi-task. The goggles do limit my peripheral vision a bit, so I usually do something simple that doesn’t require tons of coordination like make my bed or putting away laundry. Not sure I would do anything with breakable items, like unload the dishwasher.
The design is impressive; The mask has a sturdy outer shell which seems pretty durable, and not that the outside color matters at all, I do like the light teal shade. My kids haven’t dropped it (yet), but I don’t feel like I have to be super precious with it or save it for special occasions. It seems like it’s built to last. I also like the soft inner lining; it feels pretty comfortable against the skin. Also, it stays charged for a while; a two-and-a-half hour charge can last for 10 treatments.
What I Didn’t Like
The Qure fits snugly against my forehead and cheeks but seems a little roomy at my chin and short at my jawline. Since it’s not a perfect fit, it makes me wonder if my entire face is getting an even treatment. Fingers crossed! I also wish it covered my entire jawline because….impending jowls!
I’m not a fan of the strap either. I may be biased since I attached the strap incorrectly (yes, even after watching the how-to) and for the first couple of weeks I wasn’t able to tighten it to my liking and snagged my hair a couple times. Once I fixed it, the mask fit more comfortably. It’s secured with a small plastic toggle, which seems like it could be easy to lose and annoying to replace.
There’s a customization component to the Qure, which I found too complicated to bother with. If you download the app and connect to the device via Bluetooth, you can personalize and schedule anti-aging and/or anti-acne treatments to specific areas of your face. In theory, cool and useful, and some users will probably really enjoy this feature, but I found tinkering with it to be too time consuming and defeated my favorite aspects of simplicity and speed. Also, I want full-face anti-aging, so the regular setting works just fine.
The Bottom Line: Is the Qure LED Mask Worth It?
The Qure Light Therapy Mask is an investment, but for me, it’s been worth it. It’s simple, fast, and effective enough to become a daily habit—and that consistency is everything it comes to skincare. While it’s not a magic fix or even a dupe for an in-office treatments, it’s an excellent complement to a solid routine if you want to be more proactive at addressing some of the changes to your skin that mid-life throws your way. (I’m actually considering picking up the Neck & Decolletage mask next.)
That said, the Qure isn’t for everyone. If you’re not ready to commit to daily use, don’t have concerns like fine lines or sun damage, or are already doing “all the things” at the derm, you might not find it necessary or worth the money. But for anyone like me, seeking at-home tools that feel indulgent yet practical, this device delivers—no derm appointment necessary.
