LED + Skincare: Best Ingredients to Pair and What to Avoid

LED therapy works best on clean, dry skin and pairs well with gentle hydration. Heavy oils or thick creams can block light before a session.

Before your session, remove makeup and sunscreen, cleanse, and fully dry the skin. Keep the routine simple so light reaches the skin directly.

Good pairings after LED:

• Hyaluronic acid and glycerin for hydration.
• Niacinamide for barrier support.
• Peptides and ceramides for repair.
• Panthenol or aloe for calming.

Avoid before sessions if you are sensitive:

• Strong acids and exfoliants.
• Retinoids.
• Benzoyl peroxide and high strength acne actives.
• Heavy fragrance or essential oils.

After your session, apply a simple moisturizer. In the morning, finish with sunscreen.

If you want to use strong actives, apply them on off nights or several hours after LED. If irritation appears, reduce actives and focus on barrier repair for a week.