As a beauty editor with over a whole decade of experience, I've been lucky enough to spend a lot (and I mean a lotttttttt) of time testing a whole range of different types of tools and devices – from cleansing brushes (I particularly like the Foreo one) to IPL machines, every type of hair dryer you can imagine, and, of course, I’ve also reviewed a whole range of the best at-home LED face masks – from Omnilux to Dr Dennis Gross, CurrentBody and The Light Salon. You name it; I've probably tested it at some point or another.
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But one of my absolute stand-outs of the last couple of years? The Shark CryoGlow Cooling & LED Repair Mask. And not just because it’s a firm fave of loads of celebs – everyone from Sofia Richie and Hailey Bieber and Sarah Jessica Parker have taken selfies in it – but because it’s genuinely innovative and is a true multi-tasker.
If you need some background, LED light therapy was a treatment that was once only available in a professional clinic, but the best red light therapy devices for at-home use are growing massively in popularity right now. As a result, they’re something I’m often asked about by friends, family and Instagram followers. Do they really work? Are they actually worth the investment?
You’ll be happy to know that my answer is always the same: yes, but only if you can commit to using it every single day. That’s because the tech isn’t quite as advanced as you’ll find in clinics, but similar results can be achieved over a longer period of time if you stay consistent, use the mask very regularly and have patience. After all, LED light therapy is a long game.
You’ve probably already seen Shark Beauty’s CryoGlow mask doing the rounds on your socials – unsurprising, considering how popular the Shark FlexStyle and Shark SpeedStyle hair tools have been. This launch marked their first foray into skincare tech, and I've been lucky enough to have had it as part of my routine for a long time now. Spoiler: the results have been genuinely impressive.
- How I tested the Shark LED Light Therapy Face Mask:
- Why you can trust me:
- About the Shark CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face Mask:
- Shark LED CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face Mask: pros and cons:
- My Shark LED CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face Mask review:
- Is the Shark CryoGlow LED Light Therapy Face Mask worth it?
- Do LED face masks really work?
- What is Cryotherapy?
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- Price: £299.99.
- Tester: Lucy Partington, a Beauty Editor who has reviewed new beauty products for Glamour UK, The Independent and Cosmopolitan – among other titles.
- Mask type: Rigid.
- Body part: Full face.
- Light modes: blue (at 415nm), red and infra-red LED (at 630-830 nm).
- Treatment time: Between 4 and 15 minutes.
- Wireless? Wired, but is portable.
- Pros: 3 different modes to target different concerns, impressive under-eye cooling feature (that I’d never seen before), keeps a tally of each session, wireless.
- Cons: Quite bulky to wear.
- Our verdict: “Overall, I am very impressed with the mask – it’s a competitive price point, I like that there’s different modes for different skin concerns, and even though it seems quite bulky, it’s lightweight and comfortable to wear. I’ve also seen great results in the time I've been using it.
As a skincare obsessive, I really do love nothing more than getting to test new products and devices. I’ve had various LED treatments as part of professional facials before, and I’ve tried multiple at-home masks as well but I’ve never been able to build good, consistent habits with them – until this Shark mask came into my life.
For reference, my skin is blemish-prone and I have rosacea that sometimes flares up, so arguably I am a good candidate for trialling this.
Having been a beauty editor for longer than I want to admit, I have tested my fair share of beauty tech, including a whole range of different LED masks. I've experienced firsthand just how good and effective these at-home LED light therapy masks can be when you incorporate them into your routine and are actually consistent with using them.
Why you can trust me:
When it came to testing the Shark CryoGlow LED mask, I was one of the lucky ones who was able to get my hands on a pre-launch sample back in 2024. Now, over a year later, it's still a core part my routine. I do sometimes dip in and out of using it consistently, but I use it more often than I don't.
If you know me, you'll know I'm also a real skincare obsessive and have been for a long time. One of the questions I'm most asked – by friends, family, even my Instagram followers – is whether at-home LED masks are actually worth the price tag. Of course, the answer is yes, but there is a caveat: you have to be consistent, or it’s not worth the investment. When I say consistent, I mean at least 10 minutes every single night, for over 6 months to actually see a difference. So, if you’re someone who likes to see instant results -–an LED mask might not be for you.
About the Shark CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face Mask:
This is Shark’s first foray into the skincare space and I think it’s a really interesting move – especially to create a product this advanced and then price it around £100 cheaper than the majority of its competitors.
One of the main selling points is that thanks to the use of red and blue LED lights alongside infrared technology, it has three different modes that target different skin types and concerns.
First up, there’s Blemish Repair Mode (8 minutes) to help improve blemishes and skin texture. Then, there’s Better Ageing Mode (6 minutes) which softens fine lines and wrinkles and gives skin a glow, and finally it has Skin Sustain Mode (4 minutes) which is designed to maintain the results of an eight-week cycle of either Better Ageing or Blemish Repair. Clever, no?
There’s also one final setting that I’ve never seen before: Under-Eye Cooling, which you can use alone or in tandem with any of the other modes. It’s designed to help to soothe and depuff the under-eye area using ‘InstaChill Cold Technology’ – which I think is a really good addition, especially if you’re somebody who uses cold spoons each morning. I've delved into whether the addition of cooling technology in this face mask actually has benefit, but more on that later.
| Pros: | Cons: |
|---|---|
| It has three different modes that target different concerns | Quite bulky to wear |
| I love the impressive – and actually cold – under eye cooling feature | Battery life could be better – it needs charging after every four or five uses depending which setting you prefer |
| It keeps a tally of each session which really encouraged me to keep using it | The fan is quite loud (although I did quickly get used to that) |
| Although bulky, it's wireless and lightweight to wear | The LED lights aren't effective when its in Cryo mode |
| Relatively speaking, it's one of the most affordable and high-tech masks on the market currently | |
| The remote is high-tech but easy to navigate |
My Shark LED CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face Mask review:
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a pre-launch sample of this mask, so I was using it every day for a few weeks before it was available to buy. I chose the Blemish Repair mode in a bid to try and target the constant breakouts I seem to get.
When I first opened the box, I was worried about how big the mask was – but despite that, it actually feels really lightweight and it’s comfortable to wear. It fits nicely, and there’s adjustable head straps so you can make sure it’s strapped on well. It charges using a USBc connection and it has a little handheld control that’s attached to the mask, but it is fully wireless and it feels secure, so I can walk around my flat and do odd jobs if I want to (but I usually spend the eight minute sessions scrolling TikTok, no judgement please).
The remote control has a little screen on it that’s easy to navigate and choose the different settings, plus you can toggle the under-eye cooling mode on and off through it, too. I also liked that the screen tallies up the amount of sessions you’ve completed so you know exactly how far through a programme you are, plus there’s a little ‘see you tomorrow’ message just as it's about to power off which I found really helped encourage me to get into the habit of using it daily.
I also really like that none of the sessions are super long. I’ve tried similar masks in the past that recommend a 25-30 minute daily session which just feels really long, so being able to wear this Shark mask for a maximum of eight minutes – but potentially less depending which mode you opt for – feels doable and realistic.
As for the major “pro” of this LED face mask? The wavelengths of light administered are blue (at 415nm), red and infra-red LED (at 630-830 nm), which are the clinically-proven wavelengths which needs to be administered for an LED face mask to be effective.
Here's where I delve a little deeper into the cooling eye patches. The fact that they're present around the eyes actually stops light treatment from being administered there. So, if you're trying to take advantage of the anti-ageing and fine line-reducing benefits of LED, this should be a consideration.
Furthermore, the fact that the Shark LED face mask is quite chunky means that it sits a little too far away from your face for the mask to be the most effective. When researching benefits of the CurrentBody LED Series 2 mask, we found that the smaller distance that it sits away from your complexion was more efficacious.
Your Shark CryoGlow LED Light Therapy Face Mask FAQs, Answered:
Is the Shark CryoGlow LED Light Therapy Face Mask worth it?
I have definitely seen an improvement in my skin in the time I’ve been using this mask. I still have some breakouts but I think that’s mostly down to my hormones, although I do think they have potentially reduced a little bit. My skin does generally look more clear, it has an impressive glow to it and the overall redness has reduced, too.
I’m also impressed that I’ve been able to stick to daily use for longer than I thought I would, and even though it has taken a good few weeks to see any noticeable results, it’s encouraging me to continue using it as things can only get better now, right?
Do LED face masks really work?
In short, yes, at-home LED masks do really work – but the main thing to note is that you have to be consistent with them if you want to see results. Patience is also key, as they will take a while to work, but give it time and we promise you'll start to build a natural, lit-from-within glow.
Another thing to be aware of is that at-home devices won't ever be as strong as those used in professional salons and clinics, which is why you need to use them more often, but that's not to say that you won't ever see a difference in the overall appearance, tone and health of your skin.
What is cryotherapy?
In skincare terms, cryotherapy is all about using cold temperatures to help boost the health and appearance of skin. The idea is pretty simple, really: cooling down the skin causes blood vessels to constrict, which in turn helps to reduce puffiness, calm inflammation and temporaily tighten the skin. Then, once the skin warms back up, circulation will increase which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the surface, which will bring a refreshed, radiant look with it.
That's exactly why cryotherapy is often used to de-puff tired eyes – like it does when you use the Shark CryoGlow mask. While in-salon cryo facials can be a lot more intense, this mask does make it easy to weave the benefits directly into your daily routine, especially if you're wanting a little bit of help with treating tired eyes or under-eye darkness.
