This is the Illumina iRestore Red Light Therapy Mask, and today I’m putting it through my Research Back Scoring System to find out if it’s actually worth your money.
Right from the start, I noticed something interesting — this mask gave me a sore nose. More on that in a minute.
I score every red light therapy mask across four categories, each contributing to an overall score out of 100. I’ll also compare the Illumina iRestore to a few of its competitors.
Round 1: Comfort and Ease of Use
Fit
This category was frustrating because, on paper, the Illumina iRestore should work really well. But as soon as I tried it, the fit became a problem.
The issue is the small gap for the nose. If you’ve got a larger nose like I do, it’s not ideal. The dual strapping system on the back is meant to give a firm, stable hold — something I typically appreciate after testing 26 different masks — but here, it ends up being awkward to put on.
You have to put the first strap on, then pull the second one up, and immediately, I felt pinching on my nose. The eye guards also don’t sit quite right, so you have to adjust them constantly. Even then, that pressure point on the nose doesn’t go away.
Once the mask is in place, I can manage a 10-minute session, but afterward, I end up with a visible redness on the tip of my nose. Breathing through the mask is also a little restricted. Talking is fine, though you’ll feel some pressure around the lips.
Surprisingly, for a mask that doesn’t sit directly on the skin, coverage is decent. However, I noticed some humidity build-up because the ventilation isn’t great, especially when breathing through the nose.
For all these reasons, the Illumina iRestore earns 6.5 out of 15 for fit. Keep in mind that many of these issues are specific to my face shape — if you have smaller features, your experience might be more comfortable.
Fit — 6.5 / 15
Operation
The Illumina iRestore comes with a corded remote, which is simple enough to use. You press the power button to start your 10-minute session.
There are three preset light modes:
- Red + Infrared
- Red + Infrared + Blue
- Blue only
Switching modes is done by tapping the power button. Unfortunately, there’s no red-only mode, which would’ve been a nice option.
The corded design isn’t my favorite, though it features a MagSafe-style clip that detaches easily. I’m not really sure why this feature exists, since a standard USB-C connection would’ve worked just fine. In fact, I found the MagSafe connector a bit annoying because I’d occasionally bump it and it would pop off — interrupting the session.
The cord is also relatively short, so you can’t comfortably drop the controller into your pocket while using the mask. Thankfully, it includes a clip that lets you attach it to your waistband.
The instruction manual included in the box is of decent quality, but it doesn’t explain much about the science behind the device.
As for traveling, it’s not too bulky for a hard-shell mask, but you’d still want to pack it carefully to avoid damage.
All things considered, I’m giving Operation a score of 5 out of 10, bringing this round’s total to 11.5 out of 25.
Total Round Score: 11.5 / 2
Round 2: Therapeutic Power
Wavelengths — 7 / 10
The Illumina iRestore uses three wavelengths — red, near-infrared, and blue light.
- Red Light (636nm): This is a gold-standard wavelength for red light therapy masks, targeting the upper layers of the skin to help with fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone, texture, and redness.
- Near-Infrared (830nm): This penetrates deeper into the skin to support collagen production and improve circulation.
- Blue Light (417nm): Effective for acne and eczema, though it doesn’t offer the same anti-aging benefits as red or infrared light.
Overall, these three wavelengths make up a solid foundation. A bit of extra red or amber light would’ve been nice, but those are just small “nice-to-have” features rather than necessities.
So for wavelengths, the Illumina iRestore earns 7 out of 10.
Power Output
Getting the correct dose of energy is critical — too little, and you see no results; too much, and it can actually reduce effectiveness or cause irritation.
Using my spectrometer, I measured a radiance of about 10.5 mW/cm² over a 10-minute session, which translates to a fluence of 6.3 J/cm².
Based on my team’s research and optimal dosing chart for skin rejuvenation, the sweet spot for anti-aging results is between 5 and 9 joules — and the Illumina iRestore hits right in that range.
So, full marks here: 15 out of 15 for power output
Total Round Score: 22 / 25
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Round 3: Coverage Quality
LED Count
There are 120 LEDs in this mask, each containing three light chips, for a total of 360 LED chips. That’s a solid number — not top-tier, but far from underpowered. Some masks go as low as 120 total chips, while others reach 800.
So, the Illumina iRestore earns 8 out of 10 for LED count.
Zone Coverage
To evaluate how well light reaches different areas of the face, I analyze 10 zones: forehead, temples, crow’s feet, under eyes, nose bridge, nose, cheeks, lips, chin, and jawline.
Here’s how the Illumina iRestore performs:
- Forehead: Decent coverage from LED strips, though it could be better.
- Temples: Wraps around nicely — good marks here.
- Crow’s Feet & Under Eyes: These areas suffer because the eye insert blocks a lot of light.
- Nose Bridge: No coverage at all.
- Nose: A bit of light on the sides, not much more.
- Cheeks & Lips: Excellent coverage.
- Chin & Jawline: Doesn’t reach far enough down — coverage is weak.
Overall, I’m giving it 7 out of 15 for coverage, bringing the
Total Round Score: 15 /25.
Round 4: Price & Peace of Mind
Price
You can pick up the Illumina iRestore for $499 USD, including shipping. I’m working on securing a discount code, so check the links below in case one becomes available.
At this price point, it earns 12 out of 20.
Peace of Mind
The mask includes a 1-year warranty, with an option to upgrade to a 3-year warranty for $49. Personally, I’m not a big fan of paid warranty upgrades — I’d prefer companies to offer a solid 2-year warranty standard, especially when others already do.
That said, the 100-day return policy is excellent. Many people are skeptical about whether red light masks really work, and spending $400–$500 is a big investment. A 100-day window gives you plenty of time to test results for yourself.
Finally, iRestore has been around for many years, which does add confidence in the brand’s reliability.
For peace of mind, I’m giving 3 out of 5.
Total Round Score: 15/25
Total Score: 63.5 / 100
After running the Illumina iRestore through all four rounds of my scoring system, it earns a total of 63.5 out of 100. There’s a lot to like here — the wavelengths included are validated and effective, the power output hits the optimal range for skin rejuvenation, and the return policy gives users plenty of confidence to try it.
However, the mask is held back by several factors. The comfort round revealed issues with fit, particularly around the nose and eyes, which could make regular use less enjoyable. Coverage is good in some areas but leaves gaps in key zones like the nose bridge, chin, and jawline. The mask is also missing a few advanced features that are available in other masks in the same price bracket, which may matter to some users.
Overall, while the Illumina iRestore performs well in terms of therapeutic effectiveness, the user experience and certain design limitations keep it from scoring higher. This score reflects a balance between its solid technical performance and the real-world issues encountered when wearing and operating the mask.
Will You See Benefits?
Yes — the Illumina iRestore Red Light Therapy Mask will deliver results. It includes validated wavelengths and delivers them at the optimal dose range for skin rejuvenation and repair.
The combination of 636nm red light and 830nm near-infrared light hits the sweet spot for anti-aging effects — improving collagen production, circulation, and skin tone — while the blue light option can help with acne or eczema.
In my testing, the measured fluence of 6.3 J/cm² landed perfectly within the 5–9 joule range my team has identified as ideal for skin benefits. So from a technical and dosing standpoint, this mask checks the right boxes.
However, while the science and dosing are on point, the fit and usability may affect how often you actually use it. For me, the tight nose area and limited ventilation made it uncomfortable to wear daily. If you have smaller facial features, you may not experience these same issues.
So yes, you will see benefits, provided you use it consistently and can tolerate the comfort limitations. The good news is the 100-day return policy gives you more than enough time to find out if it works for you.
👆 View my score cards- all my notes and data, or do a comparison between masks, check out my Mask Comparison Table. 👆Easy to use, links to reviews, all my notes (scorecard) on every mask I have reviewed, and more!
Alternatives Worth Considering
If you like the hard-shell design and don’t mind spending more, the Theraface Therabody Mask is a strong competitor. It uses the same wavelengths but packs 650 LED chips, offering better light coverage. It’s bulkier, though, and my wife found it most comfortable to use while lying down.
Another solid option is the Qure Mask, which costs about $150 less than the Illumina iRestore. It’s much more comfortable to wear, but it only includes 160 LED chips, so coverage isn’t as comprehensive.
Finally, the Project E's Lumalux Mask offers exceptional value at $315. It includes 800 LED chips, adds amber light, and delivers a surprisingly comfortable fit.
I’ve reviewed all of these masks and more, so check out my other articles and my Mask Buying Resource Guide below — it’ll help you compare, filter, and find the best mask for your needs (and likely save you some money).
Items Mentioned In This Article:
🔥 For the iRestore Illumina mask: https://aferg.co/irestore (no discount, yet!)
🔥 Qure Q-Rejuvalight Pro Mask, click link for 10% off (auto-applied): https://aferg.co/Qure
🔥 The Therabody Theraface Mask: no discount code, https://aferg.co/therabody🔥 Project E Beauty LED Face Masks, Use code ALEX15 for 15% off: https://aferg.co/projectebeauty
Want Help Choosing a Red Light Mask? I built my Red Light Mask Guide. An interactive tool that compares the top masks side by side.
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Alex's Bio
This blog post was written by Alex Fergus. Alex is a ISSN Sports Nutrition Specialist, Fitness Professional and certified Superhuman Coach who continues to expand his knowledge base and help people across the world with their health and wellness. Alex is recognized as the National Record Holder in Powerlifting and Indoor Rowing and has earned the title of the Australian National Natural Bodybuilding Champion. Having worked as a health coach and personal trainer for over a decade, Alex now researches all things health and wellness and shares his findings on this blog.
