OPINION: At-home LED face masks have soared in popularity in the past couple of years, with countless influencers sporting the beauty tech appliance, but the question remains as to whether LED masks are another beauty fad or a genuinely effective way of clearing up your skin.
I’ve been using the Shark Cryoglow for the past five or so months, essentially since its launch at the end of October 2024, primarily for its blemish repair promise and under-eye cooling technology.
Here are my honest thoughts on the Shark Cryoglow five months on, and whether I’d recommend it.
Shark advises to use the Cryoglow daily for up to eight weeks in order to see results, and I have stuck to that for the most part. Sure, I’ve not been particularly strict, but I really have quite enjoyed the ritual most days.
Sometimes I embrace the self-care vibe and ensure I am sat comfortably and left undisturbed, while other times I have simply continued about my day while leaving the mask to work its magic. Although the mask is undoubtedly hefty, its head strap is strong and I’ve never found it to slip off when wearing it on the move, but I do consciously make sure my head is kept up.
Plus, most treatments are under 10 minutes so it’s easy to sneak this time in during the day.
My skin is sensitive, has a tendency to become dry at times and I struggle with spots across areas like my chin and forehead, so I tend to favour the Blemish Repair mode which helps reduce the appearance of textured, uneven skin and blemishes. Has the face mask completely cleared my skin? Of course not, but it isn’t supposed to. Instead, my skin is much less irritable, more even and, although I do still get spots, I’ve definitely noticed that they clear up much faster than before.
As for the dryness, I did worry that using the mask everyday would dehydrate my already parched skin but it really didn’t. While it hasn’t cured the dryness (nor does Shark ever claim it would, so that’s not an issue) it hasn’t aggravated it either. Plus, once you complete a routine the remote reminds you to slap on the moisturiser too.
The under-eye cooling pads feel incredible and are a lovely addition to the mask for the soothing feeling alone. Having said that, I don’t think it’s made much of an improvement to the ever-present bags under my eyes, other than helping perk them up after a long day.
A slight issue I have is with the battery life. I’ve found that the mask needs recharging every four or so treatments, which although isn’t the end of the world, does feel like a chore. Plus, I’ve found myself halfway through a treatment before suddenly getting cut off, so a more obvious low battery warning would be a useful addition.
With a £299.99/$299.99 RRP, the Cryoglow is not cheap, nor is it an investment that I think should be taken lightly. I don’t think this should be used by anyone who suffers from acne or hormonal issues, as you’ll likely not see much benefit. However, as someone who hails the Shark Cryoglow as a staple in my skincare routine, I can’t imagine not using it now.
