Is the Shark CryoGlow Face Mask the Ultimate LED Face Mask?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Most of the time, I use the options that combine the LED and cooling technologies—because why limit myself to just cryotherapy? I’ll usually flip between Better Aging and Blemish Repair but, considering the cold weather in New York City and my lack of hydration throughout the day due to Ramadan (at the time of writing), my skin has been hankering for some fine line-reducing treatments, so I’ve been using the former setting a bit more than usual. But no matter which option, I’m cranking its cryotherapy settings to the most intense temperature setting since I like the cooling, calming feel as I bask in the mask’s LED lights. Another reason I love this mask so much is that I can actually see through it, thanks to the silicone-covered eye holes that block out the LED light.

As someone with perpetually puffy undereyes, Shark’s CryoGlow has become a shining beacon of soothing relief for my skin. Did it transform my face and get rid of my fine lines entirely? No, I have Botox to thank for that—but it does instantly soothe my chronic inflammation, especially when my under eyes become slightly swollen and itchy as New York City’s weather transitions from winter to spring. Commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann agrees. “It’s so relaxing, and I see a pretty stark difference in puffiness around my eyes when I use it in the morning,” she says.

My colleague, shopping market editor Ang Trakoshis, has also been using this instead of her previous go-to, the Dr. Dennis Gross LED Mask. “My skin? Puffy and breaking out when I look at a slice of pizza. So when Jen told me about her love for this mask, I thought that it couldn't hurt to try it out. (I'm getting married in six months, so my skin really needs to get it together.) Beauty tech never really impresses me, so my expectations were low, but the Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask proved me wrong,” she says.

“When my skin is being dramatic, I use the acne mode (blue and red light combo) because, well, my skin loves chaos, and this helps keep breakouts in check. The best part? It’s timed, so I just sit there for six minutes, zone out, and let it do its thing. No guessing, no overdoing it,” she continues. And let’s talk about the cooling plates—I didn’t think I needed them until I did. If I wake up puffy or my skin is irritated from life (or, let’s be real, eating too much salty food), the cooling instantly deflates the situation. It feels so good and makes me look way more awake.”

LED therapy, which stands for "light emitting diode," has been a hot topic for quite some time in the skin-care space, with claims ranging from wound healing to firming lax skin and everything in between. According to Michele Farber, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia, LED light therapy utilizes wavelengths in the visible light spectrum to penetrate the skin at varying surface levels and target different cellular functions, depending on which wavelengths (as in, the color of the light) are used during treatment. Red and blue light—both featured in Shark’s CryoGlow—are the most commonly used LED lights for skin therapy.

Red light therapy, according to Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, can "stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, and increase blood circulation," making it ideal for addressing fine lines and soothing sensitivity. Blue light is known for its acne- and oil-minimizing benefits. "Clinical studies [are] relatively consistent in showing a reduction in acne bumps when [blue light] is used regularly," says Bruce Brod, a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania. Adam Mamelak, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Cedar Park, Texas, adds that mild to moderate inflammatory acne (such as cystic acne) responds best to blue LED light therapy. "I also recommend it for patients with sensitive skin that can’t tolerate many topical acne medications," he says.

We also asked Dr. Gohara to share her thoughts on the wavelengths found in this particular mask.

• Red Light (630nm): This is within the optimal range for stimulating collagen and improving overall skin tone, says Dr. Gohara.
• Blue Light (630nm): It's labeled as “blue,” but “true blue light for acne usually falls between 415–450 nm,” says Dr. Gohara. At this wavelength, it won't be as effective for treating acne, although Trakoshis did see improvements in the clarity and congestion of her skin.
• Infrared (830nm): This is another solid wavelength, which can’t be detected by the human eye but is felt as heat. This penetrates deeper into the skin and can help reduce inflammation and promote healing, according to Dr. Gohara. Those with rosacea and redness may also benefit from their anti-inflammatory properties.

Cryotherapy may sound intimidating, but it’s simply the practice of applying ice-cold temperatures to the skin to reduce inflammation. It’s a very common depuffing technique. For example, those ice rollers that are sitting in your freezer? A prime example of cryotherapy. They, in a sense, shock your skin (albeit painlessly) and cause blood vessels to tighten, therefore minimizing the

appearance of fine lines and puffy undereyes. After a cryotherapy treatment, "Your blood vessels swell back up with fresh, nutrient-rich blood," says Dr. Gohara. "This temporary increase in localized blood flow enhances the performance of your skin-care products by helping actives to penetrate deeper."

So you might be wondering how Shark made sure its mask does everything it claims to do. We were curious, too, so we went straight to the source. Shark says the mask was "developed with dermatologists, backed by clinical testing, and FDA-cleared." The latter means that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (a.k.a. the FDA) found the product to be "substantially equivalent" to products marketed for the same use. (Note: FDA-cleared is not the same as FDA-approved, which means a product has gone through more rigorous testing.)

To test the Skin Clearing Treatment, Shark conducted a 12-week clinical study with 59 subjects. Every day, the participants used the mask once for the eight-minute treatment. After just four weeks, the subjects saw improved acne and smoother skin.

For the Better Aging Treatment, Shark performed a 12-week clinical study with 60 subjects. They used the mask once a day for the six-minute session. Users saw 34% more radiant skin after eight weeks, 20% firmer skin in eight weeks, and a 23% improvement in redness in eight weeks. Shark didn't provide stats for the full 12-week period for either treatment.

The mask is a little clunky, so Trakoshis usually stays put during her treatments, but she considers it a forced self-care moment. I, on the other hand, find it easier on the eyes and on my face in comparison to other devices. Hoffman also calls out its clunkier, slightly ghoulish appearance. "First off, I’m obsessed with how scary this mask looks. Every time I wear it, I send a picture to at least three friends because it makes me giggle—that’s honestly wellness benefit number one," she says.

If you want something more lightweight and flexible, consider the HigherDose Red Light Face Mask, which Allure commerce editor Sarah Han wears while doing chores around her apartment. (Below are side-by-side clips comparing the hard-shell structure of Shark and the thin, flexible nature of Higherdose.) We also think the Foreo 202 LED Mask is a great lightweight option.

Hoffman also notes its noisiness, as this device has a whirring fan noise while your treatment is running. "It's not completely silent like other masks I've tried, but each treatment is pretty short, and I use it as a makeshift noise machine to close my eyes and take a moment to relax while it's running," she says. (That noise comes from the cooling eye patches, which Hoffmann is also a fan of—so it's a trade-off. You can, however, turn off the cooling feature at any time.)

Want to try this mask for yourself? Shark’s CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face Mask is available for $350 at amazon.com, nordstrom.com, and ultabeauty.com.

• Michele Farber, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia, PA
• Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Bruce Brod, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania
• Adam Mamelak, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Cedar Park, Texas
• Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We are particularly discerning when writing about skin-care devices. This is because of the increased risks and, in many cases, the high price points that accompany at-home dermatological tools and devices.

Each device undergoes extensive testing and must be approved by a senior member of our beauty team prior to appearing in Allure. Additionally, our editorial team consults board-certified dermatologists and cosmetic chemists about the science behind product claims and independently reviews any studies cited by brands. Testers consider performance across four primary categories: efficacy, safety (including ease of use), research and the science behind specific claims, as well as product value. To learn more information on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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