Short on ideas for 31 October? According to Vanity Fair Italia, the answer may already be sitting in your bathroom cabinet. The latest Halloween trend on social media sees people wearing their LED light therapy face masks as an instant costume, with the device’s red glow standing in for the flickering candle inside a carved pumpkin.
A trend born from busy mornings
Beauty writer Alessandra Paudice explains that the idea began with multitasking parents who slip on their masks while taking the children out trick-or-treating, getting their skincare done and spending time with the family at the same time. Posts tagged with #momlife, #skincareroutine, #trickortreat and #halloween have reportedly racked up millions of views. The look is usually kept deliberately homely: pyjamas, slippers or a dressing gown, playing on the old cliché that a woman in the middle of her beauty routine looks a little like a witch. Add a glowing white mask and the effect is surprisingly spooky, which is exactly the point.
Vanity Fair Italia also sees a practical upside. A costume bought for one night is often forgotten by November, whereas an LED mask can carry on as part of a winter skincare routine long after the sweets have gone.
What the experts say about LED masks
If the trend has you thinking about buying one, it is worth keeping expectations realistic. Speaking to the BBC, dermatologists said the at-home devices sound promising but that the benefits are probably modest, and that many studies so far have been small or funded by manufacturers. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that red light appears safe in the short term and that some studies report softer, smoother skin and less redness, while stressing that more research is needed. Red light is generally linked with anti-ageing claims and blue light with blemishes, and the advice is always to follow the instructions and protect your eyes.
Finishing the look
Even a costume made from a dressing gown deserves a little sparkle. A glowing mask pairs beautifully with deep red tones, so try one of our garnet rings or garnet earrings, or lean into witchy purple with amethyst pendants. And if you are heading out with the little ones, one of our crossbody bags keeps your hands free for the sweet bucket.
Sources: Vanity Fair Italia, “Il nuovo divertente trend di indossare una Led Mask viso per Halloween” by Alessandra Paudice (27 October 2026); BBC News, “Can an LED therapy face mask really transform your skin?”; American Academy of Dermatology, “Is red light therapy right for your skin?”. This article is for general interest and is not medical advice. Featured image: AI-generated scene.
