Once I reached my mid-thirties, I started to notice some very real shifts in my skin, like slower cell turnover, more visible fine lines, and a depressingly gradual loss of the effortless glow I used to take for granted. The one thing I haven’t outgrown, unfortunately, is hormonal breakouts, which still tend to flare up like clockwork every four weeks.
With pale, sensitive, combination skin, I have to be careful: some harsher treatments or potent actives are simply too powerful, making it tricky to find options that are both effective and tolerable. Right now, the range of at-home and in-clinic treatments is at an all-time high, but that also means navigating the landscape is more complicated than ever.
Many treatments, whether devices, serums, or professional procedures, come with a hefty price tag and make every purchase feel like an expensive gamble. Even with my willingness to get a little extra spendy on skincare, I approached the CryoGlow mask with curiosity and caution, wondering if it could truly earn its place as a long-term, results-driven investment rather than just another high-cost trend.
What you need to know about the Shark CryoGlow Cooling + LED Face Mask
- The mask uses three types of LED light: Red LED to help support collagen, smooth the look of fine lines, and improve overall skin tone, Blue LED targets acne-causing bacteria to help reduce breakouts and redness without chemicals, and Infrared LED that penetrates deeper to support skin repair and enhance the effectiveness of red and blue light treatments.
- It has four preset treatment modes: Better Aging (6-minute session using red and infrared LEDs), Skin Clearing (8-minute session using blue, red, and infrared LEDs), Under-Eye Revive (adjustable 5–15-minute cooling treatment with three chill levels), Skin Sustain (4-minute session to maintain radiance using red, blue, and infrared LEDs)
- Results depend on the starting point of your skin, but consistent use is recommended for at least 8 weeks to see visible improvements.
- It takes about three hours to fully charge, which would usually last me six days using the Clear Skin setting.
Using the Shark CryoGlow Cooling + LED Face Mask
For my personal routine, I liked using the mask first thing in the morning before my day started. The eight-minute Skin Clearing session was a far better use of time than hitting the snooze button again, and the under-eye cooling pads quickly (but gently) made me look and feel more awake. On days when a morning mask sesh didn’t work, it was easy to fit in at pretty much any other point in the day, for a quick reset while scrolling through a few TikToks. I also appreciated using the Under-Eye Revive as the first step if I was getting ready to go out in the evening, since it refreshed and de-puffed the eye area before putting on the rest of my skincare and makeup.
What I noticed during my 8-week experiment with the Shark CryoGlow Cooling + LED Face Mask
Starting with the Skin Clearing routine, I experienced what felt like a very mild purge, but nothing compared to starting a new active like a retinoid or AHA/BHA. What stood out most early on was that my usual PMS-related breakout was noticeably reduced, and by the end of week two, I could already see that my overall skin texture was starting to look more even.
By weeks three and four, the changes were definitely more noticeable. My skin started to look smoother, and there was a clear improvement in brightness and clarity overall. Breakouts were fewer and less inflamed, and the few blemishes that did appear seemed to calm down faster than they normally would. If I wanted to, I could have gone without wearing foundation, which has never really been something I could get away with in the winter when redness and hyperpigmentation are extra prominent on my pale skin.
Weeks five and six fell over Christmas, and I brought the CryoGlow with me on a trip to Calgary with no issues. It has a lithium battery, so it does need to go in your carry-on, but otherwise, it was easy to take along in the storage bag, even though it doesn’t lie flat like some of the other light therapy masks on the market. The Alberta air was considerably drier than at home in Toronto, and I found that the red and infrared light treatments helped support my skin during the transition in climate, so my face didn’t feel as tight or dull as it usually does when I travel in winter.
By weeks seven and eight, I learned a very important lesson about consistency. After seeing steady improvement over the first six weeks, I got a little too confident and became less disciplined with my routine. Between catching a post-holiday bug and getting back into the swing of things as the new year began, I wasn’t using the mask daily, and I definitely noticed the difference. As my luteal phase came back around, breakouts were more stubborn, and my skin didn’t bounce back as quickly, which only reinforced that while the mask is effective. It really does work best when used consistently, especially during more hormonally reactive periods.
Pros of the Shark CryoGlow Cooling + LED Face Mask:
- It’s very user-friendly, doesn’t take much time per session, and it’s comfortable to wear once you figure out the adjustable horizontal and vertical traps
- It combines different kinds of light therapy to target multiple concerns
- I was able to see results pretty quickly with consistent use
Cons of the Shark CryoGlow Cooling + LED Face Mask:
- Cost prohibitive
- No coverage just below the jawline, where hormonal breakouts tend to happen, and the metal cryo pads under the eyes can physically block that part of the face from LED exposure, limiting benefits in those areas
- It’s not a one-and-done like some expensive laser treatments; you’ll only see results when you’re using the mask regularly
My final verdict on the Cryoglow Cooling + LED Face Mask
If you’re considering an at-home light therapy mask, this is a great option when you think of it as a long-term skincare investment rather than a quick fix. With consistent use, it genuinely helped improve my skin’s clarity, texture, and hormonal breakouts, and the cooling under-eye feature felt like part of a calming self-care ritual. The price is significant (but comparable to other light therapy masks with fewer features), and results depend entirely on regular use. If you enjoy structured skincare routines, want an at-home option for managing breakouts and early signs of aging, and are willing to commit to daily use, the CryoGlow is absolutely worth considering; if not, it may feel like an expensive luxury rather than a necessity.
Complementary products
If you’re just starting out on your skincare journey, here are the steps and products that worked for me during my eight-week journey with the Shark Cryoglow mask:
