Skip to content
1.Intro
Red light therapy has earned its place as a favorite in modern skincare. It smooths fine lines, calms stressed skin, and accelerates natural skin repair. But here’s the part that often gets overlooked: pairing it with the right serum brings out even better results. The light wakes up your skin, while the serum feeds it precisely what it needs.
In this blog, you’ll see tips, easy routines, and clear advice on what works, what to avoid, and how to layer products correctly. We’ll also answer common questions, such as whether you need lotion for red light therapy. And can you use retinol with red light therapy? By the end, you’ll know exactly which is the best serum to use with red light therapy and how to use it for safe, visible results.
If you’re wondering why red light therapy is worth adding to your skincare in the first place, start with our guide 5 Reasons to Incorporate Red Light Therapy into Your Anti-Aging Skincare Routine to get the full picture before going forward.
2. What Is Red Light Therapy & How It Works with Skin
Red light therapy works in two complementary ways. Red wavelengths (630–660 nm) target the surface, where they stimulate collagen, smooth fine lines, and improve overall tone. Near-infrared wavelengths (810–850 nm) go deeper, boosting circulation, reducing inflammation, and supporting tissue repair. Together, they increase cellular energy, which allows the skin to renew more effectively.
Adding the right serum makes this process even stronger. Red light therapy enhances absorption, so ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, or vitamin C can work more efficiently.
3. Can Serums Make Red Light Therapy More Effective?
To answer shortly: Yes, definitely.
But there’s confusion about timing. Some guides say to apply serums only after a session, while others recommend applying before. The truth is: both can work if you choose wisely. Hydrating or soothing serums (hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides) are safe before or after. Active products like retinol or strong acids are best saved for after, since they can make skin light-sensitive.
To keep it simple, think in three options:
- Before-only routine (hydrating serum → RLT),
- After-only routine (RLT → retinol serum or cream), or
- Layered routine (hydration before → RLT → active serum after).
Here's a clear decision guide:
|
Timing |
Best Ingredients |
Why It Works |
|
Before RLT |
Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide |
Hydrates, calms, improves absorption |
|
After RLT |
Retinol, Vitamin C |
Repairs, brightens, anti-aging boost |
|
Before + After |
Peptides |
Safe anytime, supports collagen |
If you’re new to serums and want to understand what they actually do for your skin, we’ve already covered the basics in our guide https://www.kallinz.com/en-nl/blogs/skincare/what-is-a-serum-and-do-i-need-it-in-my-skincare-routine
4. Best Serum Ingredients to Use with Red Light Therapy
Not every serum works the same way with red light therapy. The best choice depends on what you want to achieve—hydration, firmness, brightness, acne control, or calming sensitive skin. To make it easier, we’ve grouped the ingredients by skin goal. Just follow the section that matches your purpose and leave the rest. That way, you won’t overload your routine, and you’ll get the maximum benefit from both your serum and your RLT device.
a) For Hydration & Barrier Repair
· Hyaluronic Acid
o Pulls water into skin, plumps cells
o Best for: All skin types
o Texture: Lightweight, fast-absorbing
· Glycerin
o Holds moisture on surface, smooths skin
o Best for: Normal to dry skin
o Texture: Slightly thicker, dewy feel
· Ceramides
o Repairs barrier, reduces dryness and irritation
o Best for: Dry or sensitive skin
o Texture: Creamy, nourishing
If you’re looking for repair for special condition called psoriasis, read our blog about it: How red light therapy helps treat psoriasis.
b) For Anti-Aging & Firmness
Peptides
• Signal skin to produce more collagen and elastin
• Best for: Early fine lines, loss of firmness
• Texture: Lightweight, layers well with other serums
Copper Peptides
• Advanced peptides that boost healing and firmness
• Best for: Mature skin, post-procedure recovery
• Texture: Light serum, sometimes blue-tinted
c) For Brightening & Even Tone
- Vitamin C
- Boosts collagen, brightens and evens tone
- Best for: Dull skin, pigmentation, uneven texture
- Texture: Lightweight, can feel slightly tingly
- Niacinamide
- Reduces redness, smooths pores, balances oil
- Best for: All skin types, especially combo or oily
- Texture: Light serum, non-greasy
- Kojic Acid
- Targets dark spots and pigmentation
- Best for: Hyperpigmentation, uneven tone
- Texture: Light to medium, often paired with other actives
d) For Acne & Oil Control
- Niacinamide
- Reduces oil production, calms redness
- Best for: Oily and acne-prone skin
- Texture: Lightweight, absorbs quickly
- Salicylic Acid
- Unclogs pores, exfoliates inside follicles
- Best for: Breakouts, blackheads, excess oil
- Texture: Thin liquid or gel, may feel drying
- Willow Bark Extract
- Natural source of salicylic acid, gentler on skin
- Best for: Sensitive or mild acne-prone skin
- Texture: Lightweight, soothing
- Vitamin B5 (Panthenol)
- Calms inflammation, supports healing
- Best for: Acne with irritation or sensitivity
- Texture: Light, hydrating serum
e) For Sensitive/Reactive Skin
- Chamomile
- Soothes irritation and reduces redness
- Best for: Sensitive, reactive, or post-treatment skin
- Texture: Lightweight, calming serum
- Arnica
- Helps reduce swelling and micro-inflammation
- Best for: Redness, fragile capillaries, post-procedure care
- Texture: Light, water-based serum or gel
- Calendula
- Gentle anti-inflammatory and barrier support
- Best for: Easily irritated, dry, or eczema-prone skin
- Texture: Creamy or oil-infused serum
- Pre/Probiotics
- Balance skin’s microbiome and strengthen defenses
- Best for: Chronic sensitivity, redness, or acne-prone skin with barrier issues
- Texture: Milky, lightweight serums
f) Next-Gen Ingredients
- Stem Cell Extracts
- Support regeneration and faster repair
- Best for: Advanced anti-aging, mature skin, recovery after treatments
- Texture: Lightweight, silky serums
- Microbiome-Balancing Serums
- Restore healthy skin flora, reduce inflammation
- Best for: Sensitive, acne-prone, or reactive skin
- Texture: Milky or watery, absorbs easily
- Tranexamic Acid
- Targets stubborn pigmentation and dark spots
- Best for: Melasma, uneven tone, post-inflammatory marks
- Texture: Lightweight, layer-friendly serum
5. Ingredients to Avoid or Use with Caution
- Retinol: Best used after RLT, not before. Applying it first makes skin extra sensitive, which can cause redness, dryness, or peeling during the session.
- Strong Acids (Glycolic, Lactic, AHAs/BHAs): These exfoliants thin the top layer of skin. Using them before RLT increases the chance of irritation and barrier damage. Save them for post-session only.
- Sunscreen & Makeup with SPF: SPF filters and pigments block red and near-infrared light, reducing penetration. Wearing them during RLT cancels out the benefits.
- Photosensitizers (Benzoyl Peroxide, Hydroquinone): These can trigger sensitivity, redness, or irritation when exposed to light. They are best avoided around RLT sessions.
If you’re pregnant, see our post on red light therapy safety during pregnancy before choosing a gentle serum or even starting any routine.
6. How to Prep Your Skin Before RLT
1. Cleanse (gentle, no SPF/makeup).
Remove all makeup, sunscreen, dirt, and oil. Use a mild, non-abrasive cleanser.
2. Light exfoliation (1–2×/week only).
Use a gentle chemical exfoliant on non-treatment days. Avoid scrubs right before a session.
3. Pat completely dry.
Dry skin allows better light penetration. No water film on the surface.
4. Optional: apply a water-based hydrator.
A thin layer of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or peptide serum is fine. Let it fully absorb so skin feels dry to the touch. If you use a red light therapy lotion, save it for after the session.
5. Wait 2–5 minutes.
Give any water-based serum time to settle. Start only when skin is dry, not dewy.
6. Pro-tip: skip oils before RLT.
Oily serums and occlusive balms scatter light and reduce penetration. Use them after treatment instead.
7. You’re ready to treat.
Follow your device’s instructions for distance and duration.
7. Sample Routines
Choosing the right products matters, but how you sequence them with red light therapy makes all the difference. Your routine should match your skin’s main goal. Follow the one that fits your needs best and skip the rest—keeping it simple will give you the best results.
Anti-Aging Routine
1. Cleanse (gentle, non-drying)
2. Apply Hyaluronic Acid serum
3. Do Red Light Therapy session
4. Apply Retinol serum (nighttime only)
5. Seal with Moisturizer
6. (Daytime only) Finish with SPF
Acne Routine
1. Cleanse thoroughly
2. Apply Niacinamide or BHA serum (like Salicylic Acid)
3. Do Red + Blue Light Therapy
4. Apply a Lightweight, oil-free moisturizer
Sensitive Skin Routine
1. Cleanse gently (avoid foaming/sulfates)
2. Apply a Soothing serum (Chamomile, Probiotics, Calendula)
3. Do Red Light Therapy
4. Apply a Barrier cream (with ceramides or shea butter)
Glow & Brightening Routine
1. Cleanse (gentle, sulfate-free)
2. Apply Vitamin C serum
3. Do Red Light Therapy
4. Apply Peptide serum
5. Finish with SPF (daytime)
Just as choosing the best serum is important, so is consistency. Find out how often you should do red light therapy to maximize serum benefits.
8. Beyond Serums: Complementary Products With RLT
Serums aren’t the only products that work well with red light therapy.
· Creams with ceramides or glycerin lock in hydration and help repair your barrier after treatment.
· Facial tools like massagers or rollers improve circulation and boost serum absorption, while cooling masks calm redness and leave skin refreshed.
· Oils can be soothing, but use them only after your session. If applied before, oils scatter light and reduce its impact.
· One step many people forget is sunscreen. Red light therapy itself doesn’t cause sun damage, but it makes your skin more active and responsive. That means UV protection is even more important afterward. Always finish your morning routine with a broad-spectrum SPF to protect your results.
When it comes to complementary treatments, injectables are often top of mind. For safe pairing tips, see our guide on whether you can do red light therapy after Botox.
9. Final Words
There is no one “best serum for red light therapy” that works for everyone. The right choice depends on your skin type, main concerns, and long-term goals. Hydrating serums suit dry skin, while peptides help with firmness, and calming botanicals fit sensitive types. Always start simple, then build up. If you plan to mix stronger actives like retinol or acids, check with a dermatologist first to avoid irritation.
Looking ahead, skincare is moving fast. Microbiome-balancing serums, biotech peptides, and even AI-personalized formulas are becoming the new wave in 2025 and beyond. But trends aside, results also depend on the quality of your device. FDA-cleared red light therapy panels and masks, such as those from trusted brands like Solawave or KAllinz, offer safety and consistent performance. Pairing the right products with the right device ensures you get the most out of every session.
10. KAllinz Super Bundle Offer – Red Light Therapy Wand + Ageless Potion Serum
By the way, many of the tips we’ve covered like pairing red light with hydrating or firming serumsfit perfectly with the Kallinz Anti-Aging Wand and the Kallinz Ageless Potion Serum. The wand has four functions, with red light therapy being just one of them, while the serum is packed with peptides, antioxidants, and hydrating agents designed to complement light treatments. And what an accident!🙂 We’re actually offering them together as a bundle right now. It’s a simple way to try RLT at home while giving your skin the serum support it needs.
FAQ
What serum is best for red light therapy?
Hydrating and soothing serums work best. Look for hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide, or ceramides. These boost hydration, calm skin, and support collagen repair during therapy.
What serums should I avoid with red light therapy?
Avoid retinol, strong acids (glycolic, lactic, salicylic in high strength), and photosensitizers (benzoyl peroxide, hydroquinone) before treatment. They can cause irritation or block light penetration.
Can I use hyaluronic acid with red light therapy?
Yes, absolutely. Hyaluronic acid is one of the safest and most effective options. Apply before or after to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Do you have to use serum with red light?
No, you don’t have to. Red light therapy works on its own. But pairing it with the right serum (hydrating, soothing, or collagen-boosting) can enhance results.
Can I use vitamin C serum with red light therapy?
Yes, but it’s best applied after your session. Vitamin C supports collagen and brightens skin, but using it before may cause mild sensitivity in some people.
What should I put on my face before red light therapy?
Clean skin + a hydrating, water-based serum like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. Avoid oils, SPF, and heavy products that can scatter or block light.
What not to use with red light therapy?
Don’t use makeup, sunscreen, heavy oils, retinol, or strong acids right before. These either block light or increase sensitivity.
How to get the best results from red light therapy?
Be consistent (3–5 times per week), start on clean dry skin, use hydrating serums before, apply actives like retinol after, and always use SPF during the day.
Can I use retinol after red light therapy?
Yes, using retinol after a session is safe and effective. Never apply before, as it makes skin more sensitive during light exposure.