Of all the skincare-related questions I receive from friends, family members, strangers over DM, et al., the most popular one is Which LED mask is actually worth the money? And, look, I totally get why. Dropping coin on a spendy high-tech device can feel daunting, especially when there are more than a few options on the market that promise radiant, firm, smooth-as-a-baby’s-bottom skin.
I have a couple favorites I always recommend (plus some that are pretty meh you shouldn’t waste your money on), but since I got my hands on Shark’s CryoGlow, I’ve been hailing it nonstop to anyone who will listen. It’s a multifaceted device that reduces acne, stimulates collagen, eases fine lines, and—like its name suggests—calls upon cryotherapy to tighten the delicate skin around the eyes. Very few LED masks impress me from the jump, but Shark’s new model is just so cool. Pun intended.
After wearing the mask daily for 67 days, all I can say is that I’m truly obsessed. Keep scrolling for my full, honest testing experience.
What is the Shark CryoGlow?
Shark’s very first LED mask incorporates collagen-stimulating red, bacteria-fighting blue, and deep-penetrating infrared LED light in one MedSpa-inspired device. What makes it “MedSpa-inspired,” you ask? Well, the mask comes with a nifty remote control to scroll through the four treatment options (more on those in a moment!), plus a tiny screen to view the treatment timer and track your progress.
Flipping through the menu each day really feels like I’m sitting down at a MedSpa; although, the brand recommends sticking to one treatment—either Better Aging red light or Skin Clearing blue light—for eight weeks to reap the full benefits (as tempting as it may be to choose a different adventure every single day). After those eight weeks are up, you can maintain your results with the Skin Sustain treatment.
What also makes CryoGlow special is the built-in chill pads to simultaneously tighten and de-puff the eye area. You can adjust the level of chill during your chosen treatment, or opt for a five- to 15-minute Under-Eye Revive treatment that involves no LED light at all—just some much-needed TLC for swollen under-eyes.
TL;DR: Here’s what to expect from the brand-new Shark mask.
- CryoGlow LED mask, which includes four skin treatments
- Extra clip-on chill pads (in case the built-in pads don’t touch your face)
- Remote to scroll through treatments and track your progress
- Charging cable and plug
- Wall charger
- Storage bag
- Charging stand (if you opt for the $380 option)
What are the benefits?
Okay, but time to chat perks. If you’re familiar with LED light therapy, then you know that different colors have unique benefits. But just in case you need a refresher: “Red light is good for anti-aging, stimulating collagen, and reducing inflammation. Blue light is best for reducing acne-causing bacteria and helping to control oil production,” Michele Farber, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, once shared with Who What Wear. “Devices that offer adjustable settings and different wavelengths of light are best for customizing treatments.”
As I mentioned, Shark CryoGlow offers four custom treatments (all science-backed for success!) with different combinations of LED lights to meet various skincare goals. See below for a quick breakdown.
Better Aging Treatment
- Time: 6 minutes
- LED: Red (630 nm) and deep infrared (830 nm) light
- Benefits: Smooths fine lines and firms skin in 8 weeks, according to a 12-week clinical study
Skin Clearing Treatment
- Time: 8 minutes
- LED: Blue (415 nm), red (630 nm), and deep infrared (830 nm) light
- Benefits: Reduces acne-causing bacteria and smooths complexion in 8 weeks, according to a 12-week clinical study
Skin Sustain Treatment
- Time: 4 minutes
- LED: Red (630 nm), deep infrared (830 nm), and blue (415 nm) light
- Benefits: Brightens and maintains glowy skin after an 8-week cycle of Better Aging or Skin Clearing
Under-Eye Revive Treatment
- Time: 5 to 15 minutes
- LED: None
- Benefits: Soothes, de-puffs, and visibly tightens under-eyes
My Testing Experience and Honest Review
I’ve been testing the Shark CryoGlow for just shy of 10 weeks—beyond the brand’s recommended eight-week cycle—and it has become my number one mask pick. I’ve recommended it to multiple friends and family members at this point with the same praise: It’s one of the most high-tech yet easy-to-use LED masks I’ve tried.
I chose to commit to the Skin Clearing treatment to keep stubborn hormonal breakouts at bay, and I’ve honestly noticed a difference in the intensity of those flares. No, I’m not completely immune to angry zits around that time of the month, but the ones that do crop up don’t stick around as long and appear way less inflamed. I’d also love to address the pesky fine lines on my forehead, so I appreciate that the Skin Clearing treatment includes red and deep infrared light in addition to blue. My skincare goals are multifaceted—and so is CryoGlow.
Smooth, even-toned results aside, I have to say that CryoGlow is one of the most comfortable options out there. The straps are adjustable and the eye cushions are nice and plush, inspired by the gaming industry—you know those big AI goggles?—to ensure the mask stays comfortably snug. I will say that sometimes the chill pads leave marks after my treatments, but it’s nothing a quick massage with eye cream won’t fix. And it’s a small price to pay for clear, glowing skin long-term.
My favorite aspect, however, has to be the MedSpa-inspired remote. I genuinely look forward to sitting on the couch, popping on the mask, and scrolling through the menu as if I’m selecting my next Netflix binge-watch. I also love how it counts the number of treatments so I can stay on track and has a timer to count down each session. (Please tell me I’m not the only one who gets super impatient marinating under a mask!) The remote feature just makes the user experience so elevated, which makes me want to actually wear my CryoGlow daily—and a committed routine is what you need to see noticeable results from at-home LED.
My one callout is that you can’t remove the built-in chill pads. I personally love the extra de-puffing power, as I almost always wake up with swollen under-eyes, but some people may prefer to have collagen-stimulating red light penetrate those areas instead.
How often should you use Shark CryoGlow?
The brand recommends using CryoGlow daily for eight weeks to complete your Better Aging or Skin Clearing treatment. From there, you can switch to the Skin Sustain mode one to three times a week—or every day, if you’d like!
As NHS doctor Raj Arora, MD, once told WWW, “You cannot really ‘overuse’ an at-home LED mask if you are using it correctly and sensibly. The longer the exposure to LED therapy, the better the outcome, unless the skin is sensitized or you are using active skincare ingredients that may make the skin more prone to sensitivity.”
Is Shark CryoGlow FDA Approved?
Yes, the Shark CryoGlow is FDA-cleared, which means it’s been meticulously reviewed for safety and effectiveness. It’s also clinically tested and dermatologist developed.
Does the Shark CryoGlow Mask Work?
After 10 weeks of daily use, I can confirm that the CryoGlow mask works wonders. It’s one of the only masks I actually look forward to wearing every single day, and that regular cadence has helped me reap maximum benefits (read: clear, smooth, even-toned skin).
Now, here’s what I tell my friends every time they ask me about LED masks: They won’t work if you don’t use them, meaning you can’t expect to pick up the Shark CryoGlow once every few months and expect glowing, firm skin in return. But if you commit to daily wear—at least for eight weeks!—you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much of a difference just a few minutes can make.
Is Shark CryoGlow Worth the Money?
I’ve tested a ton of pricey LED devices throughout my career. If I tally up the total, I’d say I’ve worn approximately $2850 worth of FDA-cleared, rigorously tested masks. Most worth-it options land around the $500 to $600 mark, but Shark’s CryoGlow is relatively more affordable at $350—and just as high-quality. LED masks are typically pretty expensive, as many feature intense wavelengths and safety qualifications (the good ones do, anyway!). That $350 price is definitely still an investment, but given the sophisticated technology and luxurious fit, it feels like it should be way spendier.
This all being said: Yes, Shark’s CryoGlow is well worth its price tag. I’d argue it’s even a steal considering how much bang you really get for your buck.
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