I’ve used the best LED face masks on and off for a good number of years now - pretty much since the arrival of COVID-19, when I reviewed the first iteration of CurrentBody’s LED Light Therapy Mask during those gloomy ol’ days in early 2020. A much-needed glow of light, let me tell you.
While CurrentBody wasn’t the first brand to bring this face-wrapping beauty tech to market, it’s widely recognised as the pioneer, with its flagship mask now being one of the world’s bestsellers. But since those early days, the market has exploded with copycat versions from brands that try to stand out by adding all sorts of bells and whistles. Shark’s CryoGlow is probably the boldest example of that - trust the Yanks to add some in-your-face, cryo-inspired cooling tech into the mix. (That said, it’s probably my favourite for helping revive and de-puff the under-eye area.)
One thing that hasn’t changed in all the years I’ve been using these masks is the reactions they get. “Does it actually work, though?,” is easily the most common question people ask and, frustratingly, I can never respond with a straight answer. While I do feel they help to keep my skin looking fresh, bright and give me a dewy, natural glow - if I hadn’t used an LED mask for the last five years, would I now look 50 instead of almost 40? Who knows.
Well, some experts claim to. Consultant dermatologist Dr Jonathan Kentley, for instance, says LED tech works by helping the skin absorb light energy, which then sparks cellular changes in a process called photobiomodulation (PBM). He told the BBC that this allows new blood vessels and skin cells to form, along with more collagen and elastin. Regardless, a recent study stated more clinical trials on humans are needed to fully understand how PBM actually works.
So, for now, we’ve just got to trust the science and keep testing these gadgets as they land - which brings me nicely to the latest that just landed on my desk: the Artemis LED Light Soft Mask from wellness brand Renpho.
Packing a whopping 324 medical-grade LED heads (compared to the 236 in CurrentBody’s latest Series 2), Renpho’s new face-dazzler promises professional-grade skincare through three targeted light modes, tackling everything from stimulating collagen production to fighting signs of ageing. Its biggest draw, though, is cost. At under £200, it’s significantly more accessible than its market-leading rival. In fact, it’s half the price.
That said, does the Artemis still stack up, both in terms of quality and performance? I’ve been using the mask for the past month to find out. Here are my thoughts.
Renpho ARTEMIS LED LIGHT SOFT MASK REVIEW: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Artemis LED Light Soft Mask was launched in October 2025 and is available to buy now directly from Renpho’s official website. The full RRP is £199.99 / $199.99, but at the time of writing, there’s a Black Friday discount bringing it down to just £159.99.
Even without the discount, that’s a seriously competitive price, especially when you consider the Artemis has 324 LEDs - that’s around 37% more than the 236 found in CurrentBody’s Series 2 mask, which retails for £400.
As always, there are compromises. There’s only one design available, and you don’t get any kind of carry case, stand or pouch in the box – just the mask, charger, controller, eye cups and a piece of flimsy card with elastic threaded through, which – I’m assuming – is for the mask to strap to when out of use. Not ideal, and not very premium feeing, IMO. Still, considering the price, the lack of extras is forgivable.
As a Class II medical device, it’s also worth mentioning that the mask comes with a two-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee, which only adds to the value.
Renpho ARTEMIS LED LIGHT SOFT MASK REVIEW: DESIGN
I know I’ve already compared this mask to CurrentBody’s offering several times before even properly starting the review, but there's a good reason for it. That mask is still considered the gold standard of LED light therapy at home, and inevitably it's what most people will compare a new launch to. So, I won’t hold back in doing the same here.
Design is how you’ll tell Renpho’s mask apart from its rivals. Where CurrentBody goes for slick, clinical vibes with its clean white finish and minimal black lines, Renpho has tried to soften things with a peculiar rose gold/metallic brown smudge mark, which I don’t really get. I have to admit, I’m not a massive fan. If this is something you’re going to strap to your face every day, you’re going to want it to look half decent. And for me, this is giving skid mark vibes. Sorry to be so vulgar, but that’s my honest take.
Besides the faux pas frontage, the rest of the mask seems very well-designed. The main thing is that it’s comfortable to wear. This is likely because Renpho has opted for a soft silicone build that wraps snugly around the face, including under the chin, which is a nice touch. The material feels flexible and skin-friendly, and it definitely helps keep the mask in place without needing to constantly readjust. What’s more, it moulds well to different face shapes, offering a good level of comfort even for longer sessions.
The mask’s adjustable head strap works well, too, ensuring most head sizes are accommodated. The eye cups are also detachable for easy cleaning, and the controller is compact enough not to get in the way. It’s wired, which isn’t ideal as you do feel a bit tethered to one spot during use, but the wire length is just enough to feel flexible without dragging.
Renpho ARTEMIS LED LIGHT SOFT MASK REVIEW: PERFORMANCE
Performance is where the Artemis mask earns its keep. It’s super easy to use and fits into your routine without hassle. Once charged, you just strap it on, pick your light setting and intensity using the controller, and go. There are three light modes: red plus near-infrared for firming and collagen production, blue plus near-infrared for breakouts and inflammation, and a combo mode that uses all three wavelengths for overall rejuvenation.
I mostly used the red light mode, every day for 10 minutes at a time. After about two weeks, I noticed subtle but definite changes – less redness around my cheeks, slightly smoother texture and a bit more glow overall. Nothing dramatic, but a welcome change.
The blue mode came in handy for any flare-ups. I can’t say it made spots disappear overnight, but it did help calm inflammation and reduce the angry red tone around blemishes faster than usual. The combo mode’s a nice all-rounder, but I preferred picking specific treatments depending on what my skin needs on a given day.
There are five intensity levels to choose from, too. These proved useful, as I tended to stick to the middle one for comfort, but those with sensitive skin can easily dial it down. The mask auto shuts off after your set time (10, 20 or 30 minutes), which is handy, and the battery lasted me a full week with regular use.
When it comes to downsides? The controller, while functional, does feel a bit plasticky and cheap compared to the rest of the mask. But I’m being very picky here - these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a smooth, reliable and – best of all – enjoyable experience. Maybe it’s psychosomatic since I’m aware of the mask's potential benefits as a beauty device - but it feels generally relaxing to use and something I’d be happy to do almost daily without second thought.
Renpho ARTEMIS LED LIGHT SOFT MASK REVIEW: VERDICT
If you’ve been LED mask-curious but put off by the £300-plus price tags, the Artemis LED Light Soft Mask makes a very convincing case. You get great LED coverage, a comfy silicone build that fits well on different face shapes, and a set of light modes that actually feel useful – all for a price that won’t hurt your wallet (too much).
It’s not perfect. The design is a bit questionable, and it doesn’t have the polish of more premium masks, but when it comes to function, comfort and results, the Artemis face mask is punching way above its weight. A worthy purchase for anyone looking to join their beauty game, if you ask me.
