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Collage by Sarah Olivieri Beauty Skincare Is Shark's CryoGlow LED Face Mask Really Worth It? Is Shark's CryoGlow LED Face Mask Really Worth It? I've tried dozens of light therapy masks, but Shark's cooling, de-puffing version is my favorite
The thing about LED light therapy masks is that most of them are, frankly, quite similar. I should know since I've tested dozens of the top masks. There are slight differences in headset design, weight, light options, and price—with the most popular and effective ones costing several hundred dollars. But I have never encountered another LED mask like Shark's CryoGlow LED Face Mask with under-eye cooling.
This $350 mask doesn't just deliver on its light-therapy claims for wrinkle and acne reduction; it's also a savior for puffy under-eyes. I've been testing the CryoGlow for over a year and have come to one conclusion: it's my favorite LED mask, especially if you want to transform the look of your skin and under-eyes. Read on for my full review.
First, a quick refresher on how LED light therapy masks can benefit the skin: "The red light can reduce fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating the fibroblast. Additionally, they can reduce inflammation, increase blood circulation, and stimulate wound healing," dermatologist Howard Sobel tells Bazaar . "Blue light can kill acne-causing bacteria (p.Acnes) and decrease oil (sebum) production in the sebaceous gland." Dermatologist David Kim sums it up nicely: “Blue light can help with acne, red light can help with inflammation, and near-infrared light can help with collagen stimulation .”
The Shark CryGlow mask not only emits blue, red, and infrared light but is also equipped with cooling metal under-eye pads that deeply chill the skin under the eyes to reduce inflammation. The wireless mask—which charges via USB-C–comes with an attached remote that controls the four treatments: Better Aging (a six-minute session using red and infrared), Skin Clearing (an eight-minute blue light session for acne), Skin Sustain (a four-minute session using all three light types), and Under-Eye Revive (a light-free session for cooling the under-eyes, with three chill levels).
When the Shark CryGlow mask arrived at my desk, I immediately put it on and set it to Under-Eye Revive mode. One of the perks of being a beauty editor: my coworkers are completely unfazed by the sight of me wearing a mask in the office. Experts say you shouldn't use LED masks while wearing makeup since the light won't penetrate effectively, so I figured the cooling mode was the best place to start. And oh my god, it's heavenly . My eyes get fatigued from staring at a laptop screen all day—and because I have a toddler who drains my life source—and this mask is refreshing, rejuvenating, and invigorating. I like that you can choose a 5-, 10-, or 15-minute session for the eye treatment and toggle through three levels of chill. Level three was a bit shockingly cold at first, but after a minute or two on the lower levels, I could crank it up.
I took the mask home and began wearing it each night for a couple of weeks, alternating between Better Aging and Skin Sustain mode. But then I had my first-ever Fraxel laser treatment, and I left the appointment with super-red, sensitive, and swollen skin. When I woke up the morning after the laser with my eyes nearly swollen shut, I immediately…