Red, green or blue: if you look into LED light therapy at home, you will quickly come across different light colours. But which colour is meant for what, and how do you find out what suits your skin? Here is a simple overview, without jargon.
What is LED light therapy?
In LED light therapy, the skin is illuminated with light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in specific colours. The light is gentle, does not get hot and has nothing to do with UV radiation from a sunbed. In cosmetics, LED light is mainly used to complement skincare, in the past almost only in salons, today also with handy devices for home use.
The light colours differ in their wavelength. Red light has the longest wavelength of the three colours, blue the shortest. This is why the colours are assigned different areas of use in cosmetics.
Red light: for firmer-looking skin
Red light is the best-known colour in LED light therapy. It is often used in anti-aging routines and associated with firmer, tighter-looking skin. Many people therefore use red light on the face, neck and décolleté, but also on the legs or arms.
Right for you if you want to add an anti-aging step to your skincare routine.
Green light: for calming care
Green light is less well known, but in cosmetics it is popular as a balancing mode. It stands for a gentle, calming skincare routine and is often chosen when the skin feels stressed.
Right for you if your skin looks stressed in winter due to cold and heating and you are looking for a calm, relaxing treatment.
Blue light: for a more even-looking complexion
Blue light is often used in cosmetics when a clearer, more even-looking complexion is the goal. It is therefore particularly popular in routines for combination skin and uneven areas.
Right for you if you value a fresh, even-looking complexion.
Which colour should I choose?
There is no single right colour. A simple rule of thumb:
- Firmness in focus: red light
- Calm and balance in focus: green light
- An even-looking complexion in focus: blue light
Many people also alternate between the colours, for example depending on how their skin looks that day. Try out what feels best for you and then stick with it for a few weeks. In skincare, consistency matters more than choosing the perfect colour.
Combining LED light and EMS
Devices that combine light therapy with EMS are particularly practical. Our EMS & Light Therapy Device has all three light modes (red, green, blue) and combines them with gentle EMS impulses and pleasant warmth of 42 °C. One session lasts six minutes: a beep reminds you every minute to change the area, and then the device switches off automatically. You can choose the light mode anew each time.
For use on the face, you need a water-based serum so that the device glides easily over the skin. That's why we developed the Lifting Glow Face Serum. We explain how to use both step by step in our guide EMS on the Face: How to Use the Device and Serum Correctly. Device and serum are also available together in the Signature Face Lift Duo.
What to keep in mind
- Do not look directly into the light. Close your eyes when working near them.
- Only use the device on healthy, uninjured skin.
- If you take medication that makes your skin sensitive to light or have a skin condition, talk to your doctor first.
- Devices with EMS come with additional instructions, for example not to use them during pregnancy, with a pacemaker or with metallic dental implants. Always read the instructions for use before using the device for the first time.
Conclusion
In LED light therapy, red, green and blue stand for different care goals: firmness, calm and an even-looking complexion. With a device that offers all three colours, you don't have to commit to one and can adapt your routine flexibly to your skin, especially in the winter months, when your skin needs a lot of attention.
