So, who’s the new kid on the LED-lit block? It’s the Shark CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face Mask, a device so effective it’s essentially replaced all of my other red light therapy masks.
That’s no small feat. With LED-powered gadgets saturating the market, it’s difficult to determine which facial devices are worth the investment—and which ones you’ll actually stick to using consistently for the best results. I’ll admit, even as a beauty writer whose job it is to review these gizmos, I’ve had a hard time keeping up with the innovations (looking at you, microcurrent). Which brings us back to the Shark CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face Mask—a product with the potential to be the face mask to end all face masks. Read below for my review, along with testing from fellow Allure editors, to see if it lives up to the hype.
What is the Shark CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face Mask?
This wearable facial device combines the firming and acne-reducing powers of red, infrared, and blue LED light therapy (which we’ll get more into below!) with the anti-inflammatory properties of cryotherapy to calm multiple concerns, including blemishes, fine lines, and puffiness.
What sets the Shark CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face Mask apart from other LED face masks?
The most obvious differences between Shark’s mask and other options on the market are its adjustable fit (which I find more comfortable than most) and its cooling eye patches. The cooling under-eye pads can help reduce puffiness by constricting blood vessels—similar to using a cold compress, according to Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut, who is unaffiliated with the brand and reviewed the specs at our request. “They’re great for a quick refresh, especially before an event or after a sleepless night,” she says. “In terms of long-term benefits, you may see slight minimization of fine lines with consistent use, but they’re unlikely to create significant changes in pigmentation or deeper wrinkles.”
As far as the lights therapy, this device features 480 LED lights total, which is quite a bit more than other options on the market—Dr. Dennis Gross’s viral mask, for example, features 162 LED lights total. While it doesn’t have the highest light count on the market (that crown currently belongs to TheraBody’s device, which features 648 LED lights), Shark’s face mask still has a higher, more concentrated count than pricier options—as well as the built-in cryotherapy option, which is unique to this device. However, there are no studies that corroborate the number of lights to a better result, so keep that in mind.
Is Shark CryoGlow worth the money?
We think so. As a full-time beauty guinea pig, I’ve been testing this mask three to five times per week for nearly two months (the brand recommends using it daily, but I’m merely forgetful). Though I forget to use it some nights, that doesn’t mean I’m not excited to strap it on. Here’s why.
The first thing I noticed about this device was the detail to fit: It features two adjustable velcro straps that go around your head (one vertically, one horizontally) that create a snug but still breathable fit, even if I’m wearing a bulky claw clip. This mask doesn’t sit flush against the face like silicone-based flexible masks, which I usually prefer, but its stainless steel-based Undereye Cooling Patches hug my under eyes comfortably as intended. To ensure the cooling patches fit your facial contours, the device also comes with additional clip-in patches to adjust as needed.
You can customize your treatment
The Shark comes with a remote, which I use to flip through its four pre-set modes and select one based on my skin’s condition. Three modes (Better Aging, Blemish Repair, and Skin Sustain) utilize a combination of LED lights and a pair of cooling undereye pads to target inflammation, wrinkles, and/or acne—or you can use the LED-free Under-Eye Revive treatment to target puffy undereyes. Most of the treatments run for less than 10 minutes (about 5 to 8, depending on the feature), but you can use the Under-Eye Revive mode for up to 15 minutes.
