Do you have blemished skin and want to try an infrared lamp on your face, or is the lamp you use for colds already to hand? Then three things matter: protective eyewear, a distance that suits how the heat feels to you, and a short treatment time. This guide shows you what infrared heat can do for your face and how to use the Beurer IL 50 infrared heat lamp step by step. Its timer with automatic switch-off limits each session to 1 to 15 minutes, and the ceramic glass filter disc provides 100% UV protection.
What an infrared lamp can and cannot do for your face
An infrared lamp warms the irradiated skin: blood supply to the skin increases, and the metabolic rate in the heated area rises. The Beurer IL 50 can be used as a supporting therapy for acne and for ear, nose and throat disorders such as acute rhinitis. It is also suitable for facial and beauty care, particularly for blemished skin, and is designed for self-treatment at home.
‘Supporting’ means that the heat can help your treatment along, but it does not replace it. With a cold, the heat does not fight the infection, but it can ease the feeling of pressure and tension in your face. And for spots, an infrared lamp remains a heating device: what is promised for LED red-light masks does not apply to an infrared lamp, because they are different devices.
The Beurer IL 50 is intended for adults who have no sensory impairment and who are fully conscious. It is not designed for teenagers or children.
What equipment you need for a facial treatment
For your face you need three things above all: protective eyewear, a limit on the treatment time and a lamp you can aim precisely. The Beurer IL 50 has all three.
- Timer with automatic switch-off: you set 1 to 15 minutes, after which the IL 50 switches off automatically. A remaining time display shows you how long is left, and a safety switch-off is built in.
- Ceramic glass filter disc with 100% UV protection: the IL 50 is a medical device, and its filter disc blocks UV radiation.
- Continuously adjustable shade: you can adjust the lamp from 0 to 50 degrees to aim it precisely at your face.
- Protective eyewear included: the IL 50 comes with protective eyewear that corresponds to the requirements of EN ISO 16321-1:2022.
- 300 watts and a 3-year guarantee: the IL 50 has a power consumption of 300 watts, and we give a 3-year guarantee on the device.
In COMPUTER BILD’s test “Rotlichtlampen im Test: Welche Infrarotwärme wirklich hilft”, dated 3 March 2026, the Beurer IL 50 took 1st place out of 4 graded lamps, with a grade of 1.8 (“gut”) on COMPUTER BILD’s scale.[1] The Beurer IL 60 also has a timer, automatic switch-off and 100% UV protection. For an overview of every model, see the Beurer infrared lamps.
Preparation: jewellery off, eyewear on, find your position
Preparation protects your skin and eyes. Go through it in this order before every session with the Beurer IL 50:
- Before switching on, remove necklaces, jewellery and piercings from the area to be treated, as metal parts can heat up significantly.
- Stand the device upright; never lay it down or set it up at an angle. Do not use it in the bathroom or in any other wet environment.
- Put on the protective eyewear, directly over your eyes and not over another pair of glasses. Never look directly into the infrared light without protective eyewear.
- Adjust the angle of the shade so that the light falls on your face, and sit comfortably in front of it.
Protective eyewear is not optional when you treat your face. The front of the eye lets short-wave infrared through, so the radiation reaches the retina.[2] Closing your eyes therefore does not replace the eyewear.
Before using the IL 50, also consider what you have put on your skin or taken: medication, cosmetics or food can, under certain conditions, lead to a hypersensitive or allergic skin reaction. If this happens, stop the irradiation immediately.
Distance and duration for your face
The right distance depends on how the heat feels to you, not on a fixed number of centimetres. Choose the distance to the IL 50 so that the heat feels pleasant. If the heat feels too warm on your skin, move further away.
Keep an appropriate distance during treatment so that no skin irritation, such as tingling, itching or burning, or excessive sensitivity to heat occurs. If it does, stop the treatment, or increase the distance or shorten the duration. Do not touch the hot filter disc, and keep a sufficient distance from it.
Treatment time with the IL 50:
- Start with a shorter treatment time.
- Do not use the device continuously for longer than 15 minutes, and allow it to cool before using it again.
- We recommend a treatment time of 12 to 15 minutes and no more than two treatments a day.
Longer use can cause skin burns. That is exactly what the timer is for: set it before you start, and the IL 50 switches off by itself once the set time is up.
When not to use the lamp on your face
Whether you can use the lamp on your face depends on your health. Do not use the Beurer IL 50 in the following cases:
- acute rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis or circulatory disorders,
- decompensated cardiac insufficiency or severe cardiac arrhythmia,
- acute or recent myocardial infarction,
- uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism or adrenal insufficiency,
- infections, open wounds or severe swelling,
- radiotherapy, including three months after treatment,
- sensation disorders in the treatment area,
- children and elderly people,
- after taking medication or drinking alcohol,
- people who are insensitive to heat.
Sensitivity to heat can be reduced or increased, for example, in people with diabetes or paraplegia, in people who are drowsy or have dementia or problems concentrating, and in skin changes caused by illness or scarred skin in the treatment area. If you wear an implant, do not use the IL 50, particularly if it is located in the area to be treated, and if in doubt, ask your doctor. If you are pregnant, do not use the device near your abdomen. The Beurer IL 50 is not intended for use by children.
How to tell if the treatment is right for you
A suitable treatment feels pleasantly warm throughout and leaves no irritation. With the IL 50, check the irradiated area and your skin regularly for this reason. Even when the device is used correctly, the skin may react with hypersensitivity, such as severe reddening, blistering, itching or heavy sweating; if so, stop the irradiation immediately.
If your symptoms are not relieved after 6 to 8 sessions with the IL 50, you should stop using the device and talk to your doctor. If your acne persists or is severe, you should see a dermatologist.
Sinusitis has warning signs that you should not wait out: if you have a high fever, swelling around the eyes, severe facial pain, sensitivity to light or a stiff neck, see a doctor immediately.[3]
If the treatment is right for you, the IL 50 is a pleasant companion for short heat sessions on your face, with timer, UV protection and eyewear as standard. View the Beurer IL 50
Frequently asked questions
Is an infrared lamp good for your face?
An infrared lamp can be used on the face as a supporting treatment, for example for blemished skin or pressure from a cold. What matters is wearing protective eyewear, keeping a distance at which the heat feels pleasant, and using it for no more than 15 minutes at a time. The Beurer IL 50 limits each session automatically with its timer.
What does infrared light do for your face?
Infrared light warms the irradiated skin, increasing its blood supply and raising the metabolic rate in the heated area. With the Beurer IL 50, you can use it to support the treatment of blemished skin or a cold; it does not replace medical treatment.
Do I need protective eyewear for my face, or is closing my eyes enough?
You need the protective eyewear; closing your eyes is not enough. Wear the supplied eyewear directly over your eyes and never look into the infrared light without it. The Beurer IL 50 comes with protective eyewear that corresponds to the requirements of EN ISO 16321-1:2022.
