ORIGINALLY known for its innovative vacuum cleaners, Shark has become one of the most beloved beauty tech brands on the market.
The brand broke into the skincare world with its CryoGlow Repair Mask in November, and the LED device has been all over my social media ever since.
I’ve been using it for two months, and in this Shark LED mask review, I’ll be giving my honest verdict on whether I think it’s worth the £300 price tag.
Shark is the first brand to incorporate under-eye cooling into its face mask, designed for soothing puffy eyes alongside its LED benefits.
The mask has 480 LEDs and four routine settings, while the name CryoGlow comes from its unique cooling technology (presumably inspired by “cryotherapy”).
Shark CyroGlow LED Mask, £299.99
LED masks have soared in popularity in recent years, and a long list of A-listers swear by the skincare devices for maintaining their flawless complexions.
The face masks aren’t cheap, and with an ever-growing list of options, it’s worth looking into which model is the best fit before committing.
Pros
- Four settings for various skin concerns
- Soothes puffy eyes
- Adjustable cooling settings
- User-friendly LCD remote control
- Tracks routine progress
- Adjustable strap for secure fit
- Easy to set up
- Drawstring case for storing mask
Cons
- Feels bulky on the face
- Short charging cable
- Needs charging frequently
- Slightly noisy
Rating: 4.5/5
How I tested
It’s my job as The Sun’s fashion and beauty shopping expert to test trending products, and the Shark CryoGlow has been a hit on social media since its release last year.
I used the Shark LED mask roughly five days a week for two months, opting mostly for the Anti-Ageing and Under-Eye Revival routines as those are my concern areas.
As the Under-Eye Revival mode doesn’t use LEDs, it can be used as often as needed, although I stuck to using it once a day or whenever my eyes felt particularly puffy.
Shark CyroGlow LED Mask, £299.99
Shark CryoGlow LED Mask: quick summary
Shark’s LED Repair Mask uses LEDs and infrared technology across four modes; Blemish Repair, Anti-Ageing, Skin Sustain and Under-Eye Revival.
The Blemish Repair and Better-Ageing settings can be used for around six minutes daily to focus on particular skin concerns, while the Skin Sustain is designed to maintain the effects after completing the eight-week course.
After using the anti-ageing feature for around two months, my skin is already looking brighter, and the fine lines on my forehead appear less visible.
My favourite feature of the mask is the Under-Eye Revival Mode, which I use with the clip-on cooling pads.
The mask instantly soothes any puffiness that I have around my eyes in the morning, and it minimises the dry patches surrounding my under eyes that I tend to get during the winter.
The adjustable cooling technology spans across the face on every routine, and it leaves the skin feeling refreshed immediately after use.
While the mask does feel bulky on the face, I like that the secure strap gives a comfortable fit.
The remote control’s LCD screen makes the whole process pretty seamless — so I could see both beginners and skincare pros finding it easy to use the mask.
Shark CryoGlow Mask: full review
First impressions
The face mask comes with a remote control, clip-on eye cooling patches, a charging cable and a satin drawstring pouch for storage.
After charging the device for several hours as per the instructions, the mask was ready to go without needing to set anything up.
When I first switched the device on, I was given a walk-through on the remote’s screen that outlined the basic information, which is great for first-time LED mask users.
The mask is bulky and it did take me a while to figure out how to adjust the straps so that it fit comfortably on my face, so it’s not something I’ll be travelling with.
I found the LCD remote control to be slick and easy to use, and I love that it tracks progress by tracking how many times I’ve used each routine.
The mask also shuts down automatically once the routine is complete, which is handy for power saving.
Shark CyroGlow LED Mask, £299.99
The modes
The Shark LED mask’s four modes are Better-Ageing, Blemish Repair, Under-Eye Revival and Skin Sustain.
I get fine lines across my forehead, so the anti-ageing setting — recommended to be used for six minutes daily for up to eight weeks — appealed to me most
Shark’s Blemish Repair mode is for those looking to improve the appearance of blemishes, scarring and texture, using blue LEDs and infrared, followed by red LEDs to complete the eight-minute routine.
The Skin Sustain feature can be used after completing the other courses to brighten the skin and maintain the results of other routines.
Unique to the CryoGlow, and my favourite feature of the mask, is the cooling eye patches.
They easily clip on to the mask, and can be used with the Under-Eye Revival setting.
Shark CyroGlow LED Mask, £299.99
The mode doesn’t use LED lights, so you can use it as often as you’d like, rather than sticking to the recommended once-a-day that applies to the other settings.
Performance
I’ve been using the Shark face mask for around two months, using primarily the Better-Ageing routine followed by the Under-Eye Revival mode.
The Insta-Chill technology, which is unique to the CryoGlow, always makes me feel refreshed removing the mask, and it’s great for unwinding.
There are three cold temperature settings which can be adjusted on the remote.
The mask has an adjustable strap that tightens around the head for a secure fit, although I did find it to be quite heavy on the face.
I know some people like to wear LED masks while running errands around the house, but I personally found the hard shell design to be too bulky for that (though it’s perfectly comfortable to wear while sitting in front of the TV).
Shark CyroGlow LED Mask, £299.99
It does making a whirring noise when it’s in progress, but it’s not so loud that you can’t comfortably watch Netflix while using.
I’ve noticed that my skin looks brighter since using the mask regularly, and while my fine lines are still visible, my make-up definitely isn’t sinking into them as much.
I often wake up with puffy and red eyes, and I’ve found the Under-Eye Revival mode to give an instant soothing effect, while the cooling feel is super refreshing on the skin.
Sometimes I need to slightly lift the mask while it’s on my face to keep the cooling pads in the correct spot, but the cooling feel is even more effective than my beloved under eye masks.
My removable under eye masks were a staple in my pre-night out routine, though I’ve now ditched them for the LED mask, which is more sustainable than the single-use patches.
My concealer also tends to look patchy during the winter due to my dry skin, and I have noticed that the dry patches seem to have eased since using the Under-Eye Revival Mode.
In terms of long term effects, I still wake up with puffy eyes, but I now find myself reaching for the mask whenever they need soothing.
The LED mask works for around five uses before it needs to be recharged, and the charging process takes around three hours.
A plug and cable are included, and while I would have preferred the lead to be slightly longer, I like that it’s a USB-C charger, meaning that I can use my iPhone charger if I were to misplace the cable.
Alternatively, a CryoGlow Charging Stand can be bought separately for £49.99, and the mask slots straight into the stand.
How much is the Shark CryoGlow Repair Mask?
The LED mask is available on the Shark website for £299.99, so while it is on the pricey side, it’s one of the more affordable options on the market.
Shark CyroGlow LED Mask, £299.99
Where to buy Shark CryoGlow
Alongside the Shark website, the LED mask is available on several beauty retailer websites.
- Buy at Shark – here
- Buy at Lookfantastic – here
- Buy at Cult Beauty – here
- Buy at John Lewis – here
- But at Currys – here
Do LED face masks work?
There is evidence to show that at-home LED devices are effective, but the extent of the performance can vary on the model and every individual’s skin concerns.
The devices use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to penetrate the skin, with wavelengths of light that can increase blood flow and produce energy.
Most masks contain multiple light treatments, usually focusing on anti-ageing, the appearance of blemishes and brightening the complexion.
LED face mask benefits
LED masks have several benefits, but models can vary, so it’s worth considering the areas you want to focus on before buying.
Most LED masks include red and blue light therapy, and some also offer orange and purple light settings.
Red light therapy works to stimulate the skin’s collagen production, designed mainly for improving signs of ageing, inflammation and sun damage.
Blue lights are used for treating acne, texture and scarring, while orange and purple lights tend to be a combination of the the primary LED colours.
Shark LED mask alternatives
There are a long list of LED mask options around, and The Sun Shopping team have reviewed some of the best LED face masks.
Alternatives that scored a rating of 4.5-out-of-5 and above include the Current Body Light LED Light Therapy Mask, The Dr Dennis Gross FaceWare Pro and The Light Salon Boost LED Mask.
Shark CryoGlow LED Mask: the verdict
Would I recommend the Shark CryoGlow Mask to a friend? Absolutely.
It’s the most user-friendly mask I’ve come across, and I love that the remote control walks users through every routine while tracking all progress.
The four modes means every skin type is likely to benefit from the mask, and I’ve seen results in my skin’s brightness after the eight-week period that I’ve been testing the device.
While the mask is quite bulky, the secure strap makes it comfortable enough to relax with, and the cooling technology leaves my skin feeling so awake after every use.
Retailing at £300, the mask is certainly not cheap, but it does cost less than most of its competitors (although it’s worth checking out all of the top-rated LED face masks before taking the plunge).
The Shark CryoGlow mask has become an essential in my everyday beauty routine, and I can’t wait to see the long-term effects on my skin.
The device is honestly hard to fault, but the only thing I would ask is for Shark to make it travel-friendly so I don’t need to part with it. Ever.
The only thing I would ask is for Shark to make it travel-friendly so I don’t need to part with it. Ever.
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