These Light Therapy Devices Are Like At-Home Cortisone Shots for Acne

When you’re targeting acne specifically, you’ll likely want to opt for a blue LED since it kills bacteria on the skin. “Skin bacteria are one of the contributing factors of acne, along with oil production, clogged pores, and inflammation,” says board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD. “Bacteria may be susceptible to effects of blue light on skin, which includes the production of reactive oxygen species. A reduction in bacteria may lead to improvements in acne.”

Other forms of LED light are also beneficial to the skin (and may even help acne in the process, too). “Red light can stimulate collagen production, [which] may help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time as well as improve the overall texture of the skin,” says Garshick. Yellow light may also help with sun damage and skin aging.