Let's be honest. You bought the LED mask. You wore it once while watching TV, felt extremely futuristic, took a selfie that looked like a scene from a sci-fi movie, and then... it went into a drawer.
We get it. But here is the secret nobody puts on the box: the device is only half the glow-up. The other half is what you put on your face before, during and after it lights up. Get that part right and your sessions feel better, your device glides like it's on ice, and your skin looks like you slept nine hours (even if you didn't).
So grab your device, and let's build the red light therapy skincare routine your skin has been waiting for. Every product in this post lives in our LED-compatible skin care collection, and you can grab them all in one go in the Shop the Blog edit at the bottom.
- Clean skin goes in. Always.
- LED likes bare skin. Microcurrent needs a glide gel.
- Serums, eye cream and moisturizer come after the light show.
Why your skin prep can make or break your session
Think of your skin like a window. Light-based and microcurrent devices work right at the surface, so whatever is sitting on that window gets in the way. Yesterday's sunscreen, a stubborn bit of mascara, that rich cream you slathered on at 6pm? All of it creates a film that scatters light or makes a microcurrent device skip and drag across your cheek like a shopping cart with a bad wheel.
Clean window. Clear view. Better glow.
That boils down to three rules worth tattooing on your bathroom mirror (or, you know, a sticky note):
- Start clean. Every session begins on freshly cleansed skin. No exceptions, no "it's fine, I barely wore makeup."
- Match the layer to the device. LED-only sessions usually go on bare, clean skin. Microcurrent and EMS devices need a water-based conductive gel.
- Treat after, not before. Serums, eye treatments and moisturizers are the encore, not the opening act.
Quick reality check: your device's own instructions always win. Some combination devices have their own prep steps, so read the manual (yes, the one still in the box).
The 7-step glow-up, in order
Step 1 · Before your sessionWash off the day (all of it)
The subway, the office, the third iced coffee, the makeup that survived all of it. Time to say goodbye. You want a cleanser that removes everything without leaving your face squeaky-tight, because tight, stripped skin is not the vibe going into a device session. A cream cleanser is perfect at night: it melts away makeup and SPF and leaves skin soft and comfortable.
Pro tipMassage it in for a full 60 seconds. It feels long. It's worth it. Put on half a song.
Velvet Milk CleanserA comforting cream cleanser that removes buildup and makeup and leaves skin soft and refreshed. Step 2 · Once or twice a week
Exfoliate (gently, we're not sanding a table)
Dead skin cells are the uninvited guests of your complexion. They make skin look dull and they sit right between you and your device. Clearing them out once or twice a week keeps everything smooth and bright. But please, step away from the gritty scrub. Harsh scrubs and strong acids are a lot to ask of skin on device nights.
Enter the acid-free peeling gel. Smooth it onto dry skin, wait one to two minutes, then massage lightly. You'll see little rolls form as it lifts away dead cells, which is weirdly satisfying. Rinse, pat dry, admire.
Pro tipOnce or twice a week is the sweet spot. More is not more here. Your skin barrier will thank you.
Peeling GelAcid-free, non-abrasive resurfacing gel for clearer, smoother-looking skin. Suitable for all skin types. Step 3 · Before your session
Tone, the step everyone skips (don't)
Toner is the friend who double-checks you locked the door. It sweeps away whatever your cleanser left behind, including traces of residue and hard water (hi, NYC pipes), so your device gets a truly clean canvas. Press it in with your palms, then let it dry completely before you reach for your device.
Botanical Essence TonerRemoves residual impurities after cleansing and leaves skin soft, hydrated and balanced. Step 4 · During your session
Glide time (for microcurrent and EMS devices)
Here's where a lot of people go wrong. If your device uses microcurrent or EMS, it needs a conductive gel to do its thing. Your regular moisturizer? It sinks in too fast and isn't built to carry current, so the device drags, tugs, and works unevenly. Not cute.
Apply a slightly thick, even layer over the area you're treating, like frosting a cupcake, not glazing a donut. If you feel any pull, add a little more. A collagen glide gel pulls double duty: your device skates smoothly while your skin gets a drink of hydration at the same time.
LED only?Check your device manual. Most LED masks and wands are used on clean, dry skin, so you can skip straight to the light show.
Collagen Glide GelSilky conductive gel with niacinamide, marine collagen and aloe vera. Works on its own as a daily hydrator too. Step 5 · After your session
Serum: the main character moment
Lights off, session done. Now your skin is clean and ready for the good stuff. Vitamin C is the overachiever of the serum world: it brightens, helps even out skin tone and supports the look of firmness. Basically, it's the friend who shows up with coffee and fixes your résumé.
Pro tipVitamin C loves mornings and SPF. Save retinoids and exfoliating acids for your evening routine so nobody fights over the spotlight.
Glamlift Firming SerumStabilized vitamin C, panthenol and green tea extract. Made to fit LED skincare routines. Step 6 · After your session
Eyes: because they tell on you first
Late night? Long week? Your eyes will announce it before you open your mouth. The skin there is thinner, so puffiness, dark circles and fine lines show up first. Tap (don't rub) a thin layer under your eyes and at the outer corners with your ring finger, the gentlest finger you have.
Pro tipKeep your face relaxed for two to three minutes while it absorbs. That means no squinting at your phone. We'll wait.
Pro Lift Eye SolutionHelps reduce the look of puffiness, dark circles and crow's feet for a visibly lifted eye area. Step 7 · After your session
Moisturize: the grand finale (day shift and night shift)
Every great routine ends with a lock-in. Moisturizer seals everything you just applied and keeps skin soft and comfy. But your skin has different jobs at different times of day, so give it two different creams.
By day, you want something light that sits nicely under SPF and makeup. By night, something richer that keeps working while you sleep, so you wake up looking like you actually got your eight hours.
Renewal Day CreamLightweight daily moisturizer with sweet almond oil, hydrolyzed collagen, shea butter and red algae extract. 
Repair Night CreamOvernight moisturizer with niacinamide, hydrolyzed collagen, sweet almond oil and soothing lavender water.
Your AM and PM routine at a glance
| Step | Morning | Evening (device night) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cleanse | Velvet Milk Cleanser | Velvet Milk Cleanser |
| 2. Exfoliate | — | Peeling Gel, 1–2x a week |
| 3. Tone | Botanical Essence Toner | Botanical Essence Toner |
| 4. Device | Optional | LED on clean skin, or Collagen Glide Gel for microcurrent |
| 5. Serum | Glamlift (vitamin C) | — |
| 6. Eyes | Pro Lift Eye Solution | Pro Lift Eye Solution |
| 7. Moisturize | Renewal Day Cream + SPF | Repair Night Cream |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using your device over moisturizer or makeup. Heavy layers block light and make microcurrent devices drag. Cleanse first, treat after.
- Swapping conductive gel for face cream. Creams soak in quickly and are not designed to carry current. Use a water-based glide gel.
- Over-exfoliating. More is not better. Once or twice a week is enough, and skip strong acids on device nights.
- Forgetting SPF. If you use vitamin C or exfoliate, daily sunscreen protects the results you are working for.
- Inconsistency. LED routines reward regular use. A short session several times a week beats one long session now and then.
Frequently asked questions
What should I put on my face before red light therapy?
Nothing heavy. Cleanse and tone so skin is clean and dry. For LED-only devices, that is usually all you need. For microcurrent or EMS devices, add a conductive gel such as Collagen Glide Gel.
What should I apply after an LED session?
Follow with your treatment products: a serum, an eye treatment, then a moisturizer. In the morning, finish with SPF.
Can I use vitamin C with red light therapy?
Yes. Apply your vitamin C serum after your session rather than before, and use it in the morning under sunscreen for the best results.
Can I use regular moisturizer instead of conductive gel?
It is not recommended for microcurrent or EMS devices. Most creams absorb too fast and are not conductive enough, so the device drags and works unevenly. A water-based conductive gel keeps a steady glide layer.
Your LED Skincare Routine, Ready to Shop
Every product from this post, in routine order. Free shipping on orders over $75.
Add the Full Routine to Cart All 8 steps, with Pro Lift in Travel Size.
