If you’re an avid reader, you may recall my stint testing the Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask last year as a rave welder. The full-face lightshow has been reshaped for 2018 to target single spots, with a fusion of red and blue antibacterial LED light available in a pen-like unit, ensuring you don’t need to cart around the whole Daft Punk helmet and can directly and in a shorter amount of time assault especially pesky lesions. It is also reasonably inexpensive (£29.99), which is quite refreshing in the beauty tools and tech market, which is distinctly costly.
What it does?
It places spots in the spotlight with the intention of shrinking them. For two minutes, apply the pen directly to a spot and the energy produced from red and blue LED light is intended to nix the acne that causes P.acne bacteria and associated inflammation. Such light also tends to minimize the output of sebum, ideally preventing another group from getting oil and bacteria in your place and causing zits to blow up. The pen is free of chemicals and UV and can be used on a regular basis or if an angry mound is found.
Who uses Neutrogena Light Therapy?
The pen is very helpful for soothing isolated areas immediately, if you suffer from the occasional explosive breakout. I noticed that it minimized swelling and allowed me to swerve the normal period and length of zit aggression. It may not make spots vanish, but it can firefight efficiently without causing things to get worse. The fact that there are no potentially irritating ingredients involved in treatment was peace of mind for my weak, poor skin barrier – an acne outbreak combined with seasonal dryness has certainly left mine at risk, and tempting as it is to whack out on all the strong spot elixirs. As such, the fact that this can be used as much as possible is a big win, and to an amazing impact.
Although the pen is quick and simple to use, if you suffer from acne rather than intermittent spots, I would opt for the full-face mask option. My skin has recently gone haywire (see above), and it will prove to be a case of playing dot to dot at two minute intervals, not so convenient to fix each spot alone. I chose my battles in this situation (no actual spot picking may I add).
The Verdict
It’s not a magic wand, but it gets pretty close to where putting pimples in their place goes, and once the battery runs out for another weapon in my spot-fighting arsenal, I would happily invest again. It does not fix the root cause of breakouts and acne, and while it is not as successful as in-clinic light treatments (try The Light Salon Express LED for a personalized facial light to match your skin), it helps to clear things up regardless. The fact that it is such a gentle but efficient path is a major plus when skin is sensitive and reactive. It’s got legs if you’ve tried anything, or are searching for a maintenance step to sustain the good work between competent antibacterial light treatments.