I tried Shark's CryoGlow Mask and it's the perfect combo of red light and cold therapy, but there's one thing to consider before buying it

As a science and wellness writer, I’ve done several deep dives into the best red light therapy devices. For the past nine months, I've worn LED masks 4-5 times a week to see whether they actually result in younger, clearer-looking skin.

At its face, the Shark CryoGlow Mask looks like a typical red light therapy mask. But upon flipping it over, there's a unique feature I've never seen in other masks: Built-in cooling under-eye pads, which help firm and depuff crepey skin as you get your daily dose of LED.

After wearing the Shark CryoGlow for eight weeks, I'm impressed by just how comfortable it is. And even though the cooling under-eye pads made no visible long-term improvements, they did make each session feel more therapeutic.

That said, it's still not my favorite red light therapy mask. The cumbersome cord and heavy battery pack made it less convenient than my TheraFace Glo.

If your red light therapy routine happens while you're sitting still and relaxing, then the Shark CryoGlow Mask is a great fit. But since I like to multitask in the mornings, I'd rather pay the same price for a more portable LED mask and pair it with an ice roller.

How I tested the Shark CryoGlow Mask

Shark recommends you wear the CryoGlow Mask daily for the first eight weeks. Instead, I wore it every other day for six minute sessions. I made this adjustment due to my dry, sensitive rosacea-prone skin, which can flare up with too much sudden LED exposure (especially the morning after I've applied retinoids). Plus, when I spoke to dermatologists like Gina Maccarone, MD, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon and founder of The Surgeonista, the recommended use is usually three to five times a week.

For eight weeks, I ran the the Better Aging Treatment cycle, which utilizes red and infrared LEDs to target fine lines and firm skin, alongside the cooling mode (usually on level 2 of 3).

On some in-between days, I wore it just for the Under-Eye Revive cooling cups. The experience is incredibly refreshing, especially if you wake up groggy like me.

I measured the effects of the red light therapy by tracking any changes to my skin redness or major fine lines (mainly in the sides of my brow and elevens). The effects here are relative — it usually takes at least 12 weeks before visible results, said Dr. Maccarone. Based on the power and number of LED lights in the Shark CryoGlow, I found no reason to doubt it’ll be effective over time with consistent use.

How does the Shark CryoGlow Mask work?

The Shark CryoGlow Mask combines light therapy with integrated cooling technology designed specifically for the under-eye area. It leverages the power of red light and infrared light, which science confirms can help smooth the texture of your skin, improve skin firmness and elasticity, and minimize fine lines and aging signs. It also has a blue light treatment, which has been shown to fight acne-causing bacteria and reduce breakouts.

Comparing my results

To be honest, eight weeks of red light therapy isn’t really enough time to see a change in fine lines or skin elasticity. But I’ve actually been using various red light masks every other day for about nine months — and the Shark CryoGlow Mask for the last two.

During my eight weeks in the Shark mask, I felt it kept up with the red light therapy I’ve been slowly building into my skincare regimen. I can't say for sure that it made my skin better, but I didn't see any regression either.

The bigger surprise was how much I enjoyed using the cooling under-eye cups. After just five minutes of cold therapy, my under-eyes felt firmer and more awake.

Yet despite wearing the mask near-daily, I didn’t see a dramatic long-term improvement to my under-eyes from Week 1 to Week 8. Part of the issue may be that my puffy areas sit out of range of the cooling cups.

Benefits to the Shark CryoGlow Mask

The mask has a comfortable T-shaped head strap. I found this made it really easy to get on and quickly adjust if, say, my hair was up in a bun that day. Other masks I've tested require you to tweak multiple straps to get the right fit.

It's comfortable despite the hardshell face. The contours avoid painful pressure points, and there's breathing room between your face and the interior of the mask. I also appreciate that the LEDs at the bottom of the mask are angled to (somewhat) target your neck.

It shields your eyes, so you can still see while you wear it. The large interior eye pads to block peripheral light. This made it easier to to read emails or move through basic morning tasks with it on.

What I didn’t like

It only fits securely if you're sitting upright. Nothing anchors the bottom of the mask, so it lifts away from your face whenever gravity changes, even from just picking laundry up off the floor.

It leaves temporary skin indentations. I noticed these marks on my forehead and upper cheeks after treatment. They went away within five minutes, but it’s still worth noting.

The biggest dealbreaker is the battery pack and cord. The two are quite annoying to carry around. The bulky 6-ounce battery pack has a clip on the back so you can wear it on your waistband, but in practice, the clip only works when attached to sturdier fabrics.

The portability of a cordless mask skyrockets its value. Yet there are even other corded masks, like the Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro, with a lighter battery and less frustrating design. I felt the Shark CryoGlow's cord keep snagging on on cabinets and counters, which was a huge burden while multitasking.

How it compares to other LED masks

For me, the biggest differentiator isn't necessarily LED performance — it's usability. After all, your best chance at seeing results is consistency, and an intuitive design will help you stick to a routine.

The Shark CryoGlow Mask is arguably one of the more comfortable hard masks I've worn, and the cooling eye cups are a nice touch. But its bulky battery pack and corded design make it feel much less portable than competing options at a similar price — especially when you can easily work a dedicated cold therapy tool (like the TheraFace Wand or a simple ice roller). These tools can also depuff your whole face, instead of just your under eyes.

FAQs on the Shark CryoGlow Mask

Is the Shark CryoGlow Mask worth it?

The Shark CryoGlow is a solid red light therapy mask, and the built-in under-eye cooling cups are a big bonus. But after testing this mask for eight weeks, I noticed some big design flaws that make it harder to use routinely. For the same price, there are better red light therapy masks out there.

How long will it take to see results?

Most dermatologists agree it takes at least 12 weeks before you'll see any change to skin texture, firmness, or fine lines. Like any LED mask, consistency matters far more than any single session. Your results will also depend on external factors like sleep, hydration, overall skincare, and lifestyle habits. The cooling function only provides a short-term refreshment.

The bottom line

The Shark CryoGlow is a perfectly good red light therapy mask that does a few things exceptionally well: It's comfortable, easy to breathe and see through, and its cooling cups create a relaxing treatment experience.

My main frustration is its bulky battery pack and cord, which undermines its portability and made multitasking feel harder than it should.

If your ideal red light therapy routine involves sitting on the couch or checking emails at your desk each morning, you'll be perfectly happy with the Shark mask.

But after testing both the Shark CryoGlow and the TheraFace Mask Glo, I still prefer the latter. It costs about the same, gives you more freedom to move, and has more LED lights for a powerful, time-efficient treatment session. The TheraFace Mask may lack built-in cooling technology, but its convenience is worth the tradeoff.

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