Beauty Tech Boom: How LED Masks and At-Home Devices Are Transforming the $450bn Skincare Industry

Picture: Collected

From bee venom and snail mucin to sheep grease, the global beauty industry has never shied away from unusual ingredients in its pursuit of profit. But while premium skincare formulas still dominate shelves, the next big leap forward may not come from exotic elixirs—it may come from technology.

At-home devices using LED lights, lasers, and electromagnetic pulses—once reserved for professional dermatology clinics—are increasingly finding space in consumers’ routines. Designed to target wrinkles, boost skin tone, and even support hair regrowth, these high-tech solutions are carving out a lucrative niche in the $450bn beauty world.

According to consultancy OC&C, the global beauty tech sector is already worth as much as $18bn, with annual growth of more than 13% in markets like the US, UK, and Germany since 2019. That’s triple the pace of the wider beauty industry, as reported by McKinsey.

One company leading the charge is The Beauty Tech Group, which owns brands such as CurrentBody, ZIIP, and Tria Laser. By selling directly to consumers and through retail partners, the group saw its revenue climb by over 20% in the first half of this year, while operating profits more than doubled—fueling anticipation for its upcoming London IPO.

The appeal is obvious: a 20-minute LED mask session at home offers convenience compared to repeated clinic visits. And though the price tags—often ranging from £300 to £800—might seem steep, there’s already consumer appetite. Just as percussive massage guns like Therabody became wellness staples, its £579 TheraFace LED mask now rides the wave of beauty gadget demand.

It’s worth noting that high-priced innovation can succeed even in seemingly saturated markets. When Dyson introduced its premium hairdryers nearly a decade ago, skeptics doubted adoption. Today, rivals like Shark are experimenting with their own devices, including a £300 CryoGlow mask.

Of course, not every tech-driven beauty trend lasts. Investors eyeing The Beauty Tech Group’s IPO may expect it to trade at a discount compared to established giants such as Estée Lauder, Shiseido, Amorepacific, or L’Oréal, which average about 15 times EBITDA. Still, the growth momentum is hard to ignore.

Masks may carry strange cultural associations—think V for Vendetta or The Phantom of the Opera—but history shows consumers will embrace almost anything if it promises youthful, radiant skin. In a world where wellness merges with technology, beauty tech may just be the next frontier.