This is the perfect LED face mask for beginners - and it's under £150

Many LED masks zone in on just one skin problem, but what should you buy if you have a range of skin concerns you want to target? As someone with dry yet acne-prone skin who struggles with dullness and texture, I was curious to see if the Sensse Professional LED Face Mask could solve all my problems. 

LED masks give off light at different frequencies and wavelengths in order to penetrate the different layers of your skin to target specific concerns. The best red light therapy devices specialise in collagen renewal, leaving skin plumped and targeting signs of ageing. The Sensse Professional LED Face Mask has a red light setting, but is also features blue light to fight spots and blemishes, yellow to promote skin elasticity and purple to tackle scarring and discolouration. 

I put the mask to the test for a few months to see if it could tackle my skin concerns. The result? Noticeably brighter skin with fewer hormonal breakouts. 

Our Shopping Editor's Sensse Professional LED Face Mask review

Our first impressions of the Sensse Professional LED Face Mask

The Sensse Professional LED Face Mask comes well-packaged with minimal assembly required. The first thing you need to do is attach your elastic straps to the sides of the pink mask, then attach your control wire and pop it on to charge. The Sensse Professional LED Face Mask doesn't come with a plug, but does come with a USB charger that you attach to the control button. Charging the mask took just over an hour, and once it's charged you can unplug it and wear it around the house, without needing to sit by your plug socket while it works its magic. 

I was struck by the flexibility of this mask. Designed to contour to every face shape, it's made of silicone with a pink mesh cover at the front of the mask. There are supports built in around the eyes and nose to add some more structure. While the design was possibly a bit less premium-feeling than many of the more hard shell masks on the market. 

The Sensse Professional LED Face Mask comes with a specific plan to follow if you're new to LED lights. Designed to ease your skin into its new routine without causing any reactions or overwhelming it, I was particularly happy to follow this plan as someone who has used a red light wand, but who hadn't tried a dedicated LED mask before. 

How does the Sensse Professional LED Face Mask perform?

The mask fastens to your head using velcro straps on either side. I've admittedly got quite a big head (hat shopping can be tricky!) but I found that I could only wear this mask quite tight to my face, to the point that it was a tiny bit uncomfortable after 10 minutes of wear. The internal plastic material also felt a little sticky on my face after wearing it for a full cycle, probably because of the lack of breathing room.

This mask has 90 LED lights, which is pretty good when compared to masks like the Dr Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro which has 100 LEDs but for around £300 more than the Sensse. 

When I first started using it I eased my skin into the exposure with a few minutes every other night, following the guidance that comes with the mask. The first time I wore it on automatic mode, which switches between all four settings for a few minutes at a time, my skin did feel a little tender immediately after use but it wasn't painful. The next morning I wasn't struck by an immediate difference to my skin, but after a few months of use I've been waking up to a subtle healthy glow that leaves me tempted to go makeup-free.

Another huge difference I've found is that my monthly hormonal breakouts have been a lot less severe, and the marks left behind afterward fade a lot faster. 

I loved being able to wear this mask without having to sit next to a plug socket, and while the battery only lasts for about 30 minutes of total use, it does recharge fast. I do wish it had a low-battery warning because there have been a few times when I've sat down before bed and put the mask on only to see that it needs re-charging. 

How does it compare?

The number one mask in our guide to the top red light therapy masks is the Dr Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro, and our Beauty Editor is a cult favourite. It offers red and blue light, and a combination of both at the same time. The Sensse takes 10 minutes on a full cycle, whereas the Dr Dennis Gross only takes three for a full cycle, so you may find it more convenient if you're short on time (and don't mind spending a lot more money).

A little cheaper than the Sensse is the Solawave, which our reviewer gave four and a half stars. This red light treatment works like a mask which you can move freely around your face without having to wear constrictive mask. If you struggle with any particular areas of skin it's easier to avoid these using a wand, which is something you may want to take into account when choosing your device. .

Should you buy the Sensse Professional LED Face Mask?

If you want an LED mask but you're intimidated by the price of some of the market leaders, the Sensse is definitely the option that can make this game-changing treatment more accessible. You can feel that it's cheaper than the hard-shell masks, but then, you're getting good value for money with the number of LED lights and the freedom to wear it as you move around your house. 

The biggest appeal for me is the four light options. As someone with a myriad of skin problems, this all-rounder has improved a number of my main concerns. It's a great option for people of any age and will suit just about every skin type.