LED masks are the must-have beauty tech of 2026, and this is the one I recommend

I'm calling it: 2026 is going to be the year of LED face masks. Far from a beauty gimmick, when used consistently, this beauty tech can reinvigorate skin to boost collagen production, encourage skin rejuvenation and regulate oil production. Basically, whatever you top skin concern may be, an LED mask will likely help. But it has to be a good mask, or you're as well off sitting in front of a desk lamp and hoping it cures your acne.

I've been using Shark CryoGlow LED mask for nearly 6 months now, and it's become a staple in my evening routine. Using a range of colors to treat different concerns, it works by emitting specific wavelengths of light that penetrate the skin at different depths to trigger biological reactions. Put simply, it makes me look healthier and glowier from the inside out.

But is it worth the steep investment, and how does it compare to the other masks on the market? Find out in my Shark CryoGlow review.

Shark CryoGlow review: Price and availability

The Shark CryoGlow costs $349 direct at SharkNinja and at Amazon, and comes in a range of colors. I tested the shade Blue Frost, but it also comes in a lilac color and a stylish sage green.

In the U.K., the CryoGlow is £299 at both Shark and Amazon, and also comes in a range of shades.

You can pair the mask with a charging stand, which would be handy for propping it up between uses. Just don't put it anywhere where it could give you a fright! The stand costs an astounding $89 when bought alone, so I'd only recommend you pick one up if it's part of a bundle deal.

Shark CryoGlow review: Design

I'll get the obvious bit out of the way first: the CryoGlow is, objectively, horrifying to look at. It's not unique to Shark, either. All LED masks look this weird. I actually hid the photos of me testing this mask from my monitor while writing this review, to maintain my reputation as a somewhat-normal and not-terrifying member of the Tom's Guide team. Imagine walking past my desk and seeing the image above. I'd steer clear of me, too.

But, if you're in any way interested in the beauty space, you'll probably see a handful of people wearing LED masks as you scroll your various social media accounts each day. They're not only commonly used, but actually quite trendy.

The mask has a solid exterior and sits securely on the face thanks to an elasticated strap that goes around the back and over the top of the head. While the solid exterior does make it feel more premium, it also makes it a much bulkier product, and a lot trickier to store than the masks that can be laid out flat.

The mask comes with a control that's attached to the headset, and it's really great. The dial allows you to scroll through different settings and toggle different cooling settings for the under-eyes. It also has a countdown timer to show how long is left of your chosen routine, and keeps track of the amount of times you'vve done various routines, allowing you to measure your progress.

The settings are as follows:

Better Aging Treatment: a six-minute treatment which uses red and infrared LEDs aimed to tackle fine lines and firm sagging skin.

Blemish Repair Treatment: an eight-minute setting for those who suffer from acne, using blue light to kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce redness for a more even and clear complexion.

Skin Sustain Treatment: uses a range of lights (blue, red, and infrared) over four minutes to enhance skin radiance and preserve optimal skin condition

Under-Eye Revive Treatment: uses dedicated under-eye pads to cool and soothe tired or dry under-eyes for a tightening effect.

Shark CryoGlow review: Performance

I'll start by saying that it's really, really hard to definititely prove that one of these masks has made a difference to your skin. I've been using it consistently for six months, and my skin has never looked healthier, but during that time I've also changed various skincare products, started taking certain supplements and vigilantly drunk lots of water, which are all things that can impact the skin.

So this review, like any other LED mask review you'll read online, is largely anecdotal and based on my experience of using the mask for a prolonged period of time. I'm 28, so not too concerned about the Better Ageing Treatment (although it can't hurt!), but do still struggle with breakouts around my chin and cheeks, so I found myself using the Skin Clearing Treatment on a regular basis.

The most commonly used setting for me is the Skin Sustain Treatment, which basically does a bit of everything. Using blue light to kill bacteria and red and infrared light to boost radiance and elasticity, it covers everything you could really want from an LED mask. Best of all, it's done in just four minutes, meaning I've got literally no excuses to skip a day. Other masks I've tried have had a baseline cycle of 10 minutes, which is a bit more of an investment.

Then there's the Under-Eye Revive Treatment, which I haven't used much in isolation. This is because you can activate the InstaChill pads that sit underneath the eyes when using any of the three settings mentioned above, so I wouldn't use it in isolation.

When using the under-eye pads, the CryoGlow does kick up a fair bit of noise. It's not disruptive, more like a low whirring noise, but when comparing against other (silent) masks, it's something to consider.

These pads are pure magic. They get super cold in seconds, and press tightly against my under-eyes to reduce puffiness and wake me up. It's pure bliss, but I also see a huge and immediate difference when I use them. My under-eyes look flushed due to the boost of circulation, and under-eye bags visibly reduce when I use the mask in the morning.

With that being said, there is a tradeoff with the CryoGlow, because the eye patches come in the place of what would otherwise be targeted LED lights to tackle concerns with undereye elasticity and radiance, which is a common concern with undereyes, especially as you age.

For that reason, I recommend weighing up the idea of cooling eye patches versus the potential benefits of LED lights on your specific under-eye concerns. At least right now, I'm much more in need of a tightening and brightening treatment than wrinkle-fighting LED lights, so I'd still pick the CryoGlow.

I can typically get through a week's worth of treatments before needing to recharge the CryoGlow. To charge, you slot a USB-C into the control panel. I also enjoy that the panel shows the battery level, allowing you to monitor how regularly you need to top up. And if (like me) you'll be keeping it next to your bed (next to a range of chargers), recharging won't be a hassle whatsoever.

As I said, it's hard to 'prove' a mask's effectiveness, but the main thing I notice about my skin after using the CryoGlow is that it has a natural glow and brightness. At this time of year, I'm usually slathering on all sorts of creams to fight off winter dehydration, but my skin has been a lot lower-maintenance as the weather has turned these past few weeks, and I would credit that (at least in part) to the CryoGlow.

How does the Shark CryoGlow compare?

The CryoGlow isn't cheap, but it's far from the most expensive LED mask on the market. Similar hard-shelled options from brands like Therabody, Dr Dennis Gross and MZ Skin will start at $350 and go up to about $500. What none of those currently offer is cooling under-eye pads, which is one of the major selling points of this face mask. If I were shopping around, it's the pads that would push me towards buying CryoGlow.

And LED mask will only be effective if it has a high enough irradiance (power density) to actually trigger cellular change in the skin, so while you can find options for $100ish (and I've not tested those, so I can't speak to their effectiveness), this isn't a product to cheap out on. The CryoGlow is clinically tested & FDA-cleared, so it should be an effective and safe choice.

Should you buy the Shark CryoGlow?

$350 is a lot of cash to part with for any beauty product, but if you're looking for an LED mask that will actually make a visible difference to your skin, I'd recommend the Shark CryoGlow. It's sturdy and well-made, with tailored settings to target a range of skin concerns, and it's also so convenient thanks to its shorter cycles. Whether you struggle with dullness and scarring or fine lines and sagging skin, it's got a treatment specially designed for you.

The main possible downside is in its under-eye capabilities. Yes, the cooling patches are pure heaven, but they do block the LED lights from tackling a major pain point for some users. If you're especially concerned with elasticity around your eyes, you may benefit from a non-cooling mask more.

In the six months since I started using this mask I've noticed a real improvement in my skin's appearance. It's clearer, brighter and a lot more resilient, which would suggest a longer-term improvement to my skin barrier. If skincare is a priority for your 2026 goals, look no further.

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