Which Serum or Cream To Use With Red Light Therapy (Topical Review)

In the dynamic realm of skincare, Red Light Therapy can be a transformative tool for achieving healthier-looking skin. This painless technology harnesses a specific wavelength of light to support healthy collagen production and directly target signs of skin aging.

But as powerful as Red Light Therapy is, it's just one part of a comprehensive skincare routine, so if you want the very best for your skin, you'll need to make sure that the other steps in your routine are well-selected.

Today, we're talking serums, including which specific serums you'll want to use to boost the benefits of your Light Therapy treatments while also visibly renewing your skin.

Serums are powerhouse formulations made to deliver concentrated ingredients directly to your skin, tackling specific concerns with precision and effectiveness. Unlike heavier creams, serums boast a lightweight texture and smaller molecules, allowing them to penetrate deeply and work where they're needed most.

With that, serums are infused with potent ingredients that target a range of skin issues. Niacinamide, for instance, is celebrated for its ability to visibly even out skin tone and minimize the appearance of pores. Hyaluronic acid offers intense hydration, visibly plumping the skin for a more youthful look. Peptides support your skin's natural structure and resilience, helping to maintain a look of vitality. Each ingredient is meticulously chosen to address specific needs, making serums an essential and versatile component of any skincare routine.

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Serums can also work to enhance the effectiveness of other products, such as moisturizers and sunscreens, ensuring your skin receives the comprehensive care it deserves.

Typically, we recommend that no product is applied to your skin before your Light Therapy session, however, we've developed our own line of serums that specifically should be applied after cleansing and drying but before your treatment session.

Introducing: LightBoost technology, which boosts the effects of light therapy.

Light Therapy works by energizing the skin, and when combined with our proprietary LightBoost active, studies show that these two together produce significantly better outcomes than using each individually. With that, we've formulated four LightBoost topicals to pair with your Light Therapy treatment of choice.

The LightBoost Face & Neck Serum is your perfect partner for preparing your skin before Light Therapy treatments on the face, chest, and/or neck areas.

This serum is infused with a blend of key ingredients designed to elevate your skincare routine:

• Growth factors support healthy collagen, promoting more youthful-looking skin.

• Multi peptides visibly enhance radiance, texture, and skin firmness.

• Phyto stem cell extract helps your complexion look fresher and smoother.

• Niacinamide, a potent antioxidant and skin-restoring agent, works to visibly even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of pores.

• Polyglucuronic acid visibly plumps the skin with hydration, smoothing its appearance and increasing the look of suppleness.

Together, these ingredients create a powerful formula that supports the skin's renewal process and visibly reduces signs of skin aging, working synergistically with Light Therapy to give you radiant-looking skin.

Use with any Light Therapy device (including red light therapy masks, panels, and wands), as desired!

The LightBoost Eye Cream is formulated to help visibly revitalize the delicate skin around your eyes, in combination with our Red Light Therapy Eye Mask.

This cream features collagen and caffeine as key ingredients, working together to visibly reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles so your eyes look brighter and more awake. It also includes vegan collagen to support the look of firmness and elasticity, as well as hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate the skin and visibly smooth fine lines for a supple look.

Combined with Light Therapy, this cream helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles, eye bags, drooping lids, wrinkles, and crow’s feet, promoting a firmer, more lifted look to the entire eye area.

The LightBoost Face & Neck Rich Cream is designed to nourish your skin and optimize your results. This rich cream is formulated with a blend of powerful ingredients that work together to enhance your skin's natural radiance and resilience.

This formula features multi peptides that help your skin appear smoother and firmer, while vegan collagen hydrates and smooths, contributing to a lifted look. Pro-Vitamin D strengthens the skin, providing a volumized appearance, and ceramides offer deep moisturization while supporting the skin's barrier. Finally, tranexamic acid works to reduce the look of discoloration, ensuring your complexion appears even and radiant. 

Together, these ingredients create a powerful blend that works to create that glowing, refreshed look!

The LightBoost Wand Activating Serum is specifically crafted to boost the Red Light Therapy built into our Red Light Therapy Wand.

This serum is expertly formulated with a glide enhancer, ensuring a smooth and long-lasting application that complements your wand treatment. At its core, the ionic mineral complex works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, promoting a more youthful look. Nonapeptide-1, composed of nine amino acids, targets the look of hyperpigmentation, helping to visibly even out your skin tone. Additionally, hyaluronic acid floods your skin with plumping hydration, enhancing the look of suppleness and visibly smoothing the skin. 

These ingredients work in a seamless anti-aging blend that works synergistically with the Red Light Therapy, Galvanic Current, Therapeutic Warmth, and Facial Massage in your skincare wand.

The Plumping Peptide Serum is your essential follow-up serum to your Light Therapy sessions, designed to soothe, nurture, and reveal visibly radiant skin.

Central to this formulation is 5% Solabiome, our proprietary complex of skin-soothing synbiotics and barrier-strengthening ingredients. This science-forward blend calls on pre- and probiotics to nourish your skin's delicate microbiome, restoring a look of health and hydration in the skin.

The serum also features triple hyaluronic acid, a humectant that retains and preserves moisture, ensuring your skin looks soft and supple. Avocado peptides further strengthen and deeply hydrate, leaving your skin visibly plump and rejuvenated.

This pre- and probiotic serum also layers beautifully under other skincare products or makeup.

While it can be used with the Skincare Wand, we recommend the LightBoost serum for that, as it contains the LightBoost active.

Begin with a gentle, hydrating cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and impurities. A clean canvas allows your skin to fully absorb the benefits of subsequent products.

We recommend our Hydrating Gel Cleanser, which cleanses skin without stripping it of its natural beneficial oils.

LightBoost Face & Neck Serum: Apply a thin layer of the LightBoost Face & Neck Serum to your face, neck, and chest after cleansing. This ultra-hydrating serum is designed to address visible signs of skin aging and boost the benefits of Red Light Therapy device. Use it both morning and night for optimal results. Allow the serum to fully dry before proceeding with your Light Therapy session.

LightBoost Eye Cream: Gently dab a pea-sized amount of the LightBoost Eye Cream to each eye area using your ringer finger to minimize pressure. Apply on the lids, crow’s feet, and the expression lines between the eyes (known as 11s). Use this refreshing anti-aging eye cream both morning and night to target the look of puffiness and dark circles. Ensure the cream is fully dry before using the Eye Recovery Pro Mask.

LightBoost Face & Neck Rich Cream: Apply a thin layer of the LightBoost Face & Neck Rich Cream to your face, neck, and chest after cleansing and applying the LightBoost serum. Use this deeply nourishing and moisturizing cream both morning and night to address visible signs of skin aging. Ensure your skin is fully dry before using your Light Therapy tool.

LightBoost Wand Activating Serum: After cleansing, prepare to treat your face and neck by dividing them into four sections.

1. Begin by applying the LightBoost Wand Activating Serum to the first section. You'll use your wand in gentle, slow, upward motions, spending about 3 minutes on each area.
2. As you move to the next section, apply the serum again to ensure optimal coverage and effectiveness.
3. Once you have completed the treatment, gently massage any excess serum into your skin — it serves as an excellent base layer for your skincare routine!

Use your Light Therapy device of choice as directed!

Now, apply the Plumping Peptide Serum. Enriched with Solabiome, triple hyaluronic acid, and avocado peptides, this serum visibly soothes and hydrates your skin, locking in the benefits of your routine and leaving your complexion looking plump and rejuvenated.

Apply our Nourishing Moisturizer to seal in hydration and support your skin's protective barrier.

If desired, apply a face oil for extra nourishment and a radiant glow. This step is optional and can be adjusted based on your skin's needs.

Finish with sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage.

Yes and no — you can use any skincare product you like in the same routine as Light Therapy, but you don't want to apply anything but our LightBoost serums before your Light Therapy session.

Using the right serums with Light Therapy can upgrade your entire routine and bring transformative results. Our LightBoost topicals are designed to work seamlessly with our Light Therapy tools, bringing you a comprehensive approach to achieving a glowing, refreshed-looking complexion. Embrace the synergy between your serums and skincare tech, and enjoy the journey to radiant, healthy-looking skin!

Sources:

1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/skin-serum-what-it-can-and-cant-do-2018061214029

2. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-about-niacinamide-skin-care

3. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/722411-POLYGLUCURONIC_ACID/ 

Frequently Asked Questions

What combination of skincare and light therapy works best?

The best combination pairs hydrating serums with red light therapy for enhanced absorption and results.

Top Skincare + Light Therapy Combinations:

Hyaluronic Acid + Red Light:

• Boosts hydration and plumps skin
• Red light enhances serum penetration
• Ideal for anti-aging and fine lines

Vitamin C + Red Light:

• Brightens skin and evens tone
• Amplifies collagen production
• Best applied after light therapy

Peptides + Red Light:

• Supports skin repair and firmness
• Works synergistically with red light's collagen-boosting effects
• Apply before or after treatment

Salicylic Acid + Blue Light:

• Targets acne and blemishes BHAs penetrate oil to exfoliate dead cells 
• Blue light kills acne-causing bacteria

Best Practice: Combine LED treatments with a solid skincare routine, including sunscreen during the day and quality moisturizers or serums .

What products to use with red light therapy?

Use lightweight, penetrating products that enhance red light therapy benefits without blocking light waves.

Recommended Products:

Serums:

• Hyaluronic acid for hydration
• Vitamin C for brightening
• Peptides for anti-aging
• Niacinamide for skin barrier support

Moisturizers:

• Lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas
• Apply after light therapy for best absorption

Acne Treatments:

• Salicylic acid or BHA creams alongside light therapy devices Effective for treating and preventing acne 

Avoid These Products:

• Sunscreen during treatment - blocks light waves and reduces LED effectiveness Heavy oils or thick creams before treatment
• Photosensitizing ingredients (retinoids, AHAs) immediately before

Pro Tip: Choose a mask that fits your specific skin goals, like red light for anti-aging or blue light for acne .

Can you put serum on before red light therapy?

Yes, but it depends on the serum type. Lightweight, water-based serums work best before treatment.

Best Serums to Apply Before:

• Hyaluronic acid (enhances light penetration)
• Peptide serums (thin consistency)
• Niacinamide (supports treatment benefits)

Apply After Treatment:

• Vitamin C serums (better absorption post-therapy)
• Retinol or retinoids (avoid photosensitivity)
• Heavy or oil-based products

Why Timing Matters:

• Red light can enhance serum absorption
• Thick products may block light penetration
• Clean skin allows maximum light exposure

Best approach: Apply thin, hydrating serums before and richer treatments after for optimal results.

Can I use niacinamide before red light therapy?

Yes, niacinamide is safe and beneficial to use before red light therapy.

Why Niacinamide Works Well:

• Lightweight texture doesn't block light waves
• Strengthens skin barrier during treatment
• Reduces inflammation and redness
• Enhances overall treatment results
• Non-photosensitizing (won't cause irritation)

How to Use:

• Apply thin layer to clean skin
• Wait 1-2 minutes for absorption
• Proceed with red light therapy session
• Follow with moisturizer after treatment

Benefits of Combining:

• Improved skin texture and tone
• Enhanced hydration
• Reduced appearance of pores
• Better treatment tolerance

Niacinamide complements red light therapy without interfering with light penetration.

Should I put anything on my skin before red light therapy?

It depends on your skin goals, but clean skin is often best for maximum light penetration.

For Best Results:

Option 1: Clean, Bare Skin

• Allows maximum light absorption
• No barriers between light and skin
• Ideal for first-time users

Option 2: Lightweight Serum

• Hyaluronic acid for hydration boost
• Peptides for enhanced collagen production
• Niacinamide for barrier support

What to AVOID Before Treatment:

• Sunscreen - blocks light waves and reduces effectiveness Heavy creams or oils
• Makeup or foundation
• Photosensitizing ingredients (retinoids, AHAs)

Preparation Steps:

1. Cleanse skin thoroughly
2. Pat dry completely
3. Apply lightweight serum (optional)
4. Wait 1-2 minutes if using product
5. Begin red light therapy session

After Treatment:

• Apply richer serums and moisturizers
• Products absorb better post-therapy
• Lock in treatment benefits

Expert Recommendation: Combine LED treatments with a solid skincare routine for best results .