Shark crimson mild masks evaluate: 10 months later, it is nonetheless a staple in my skincare routine

Desk of Contents

I’ve had a Solawave crimson mild remedy wand in one in all my lavatory organizers for in all probability two years now. I actually needed to like it, but it surely simply did not present noticeable sufficient outcomes for me to recollect to make use of it. So it ought to say one thing that I by no means forgot to make use of the Shark CryoGlow crimson mild masks within the few months that I used to be testing it — and past.

The Shark CryoGlow masks’s $349.99 price ticket is not precisely low-cost, but it surely is not costly in comparison with the opposite prime crimson mild masks available on the market. The worth feels a lot fairer when the CryoGlow has just a few distinctive flexes that separate it from fashionable opponents just like the $395 Omnilux masks and $349 Solawave masks.

Shark hair instruments just like the FlexStyle have cemented themselves as formidable fixtures within the hair care world for years now. However the CryoGlow is Shark’s first try at esthetics — one rigorously designed over time after enter from dermatologists, proof from scientific trials, and buyer suggestions about different crimson mild gadgets available on the market. I realized all about its lore at SharkBeauty’s launch occasion for the masks in January 2025, then introduced one residence to check for myself.

What does the Shark CryoGlow masks do?

The Shark face masks targets positive strains, zits, darkish circles, and customarily uneven pores and skin texture. These are the primary advantages of crimson mild remedy (and blue mild and infrared mild), typically yearned for when even essentially the most religious skincare routines aren’t doing sufficient.

The CryoMask is lined with 160 interlocking tri-wick LED bulbs, spanning all corners of the face and even somewhat below the jaw. Everybody calls it an LED masks, however if you wish to get fancy, it is technically iQLED.

That 160 beats the 132 LEDs of the Omnilux masks or the 14 LEDs of the Solawave wand, in order that’s noteworthy by itself — however the “tri-wick” factor is essential, too. Tri-wick implies that each single a kind of bulbs can emit every wavelength, so that you’re getting full-face mild protection whatever the setting. Scientifically, this is able to be clocked by way of irradiance: a measurement of energy density on the supply of the LED. The Shark CryoGlow hits a most radiance of 128mW/cm² in comparison with the 30mW/cm² of the Omnilux.

(The bulbs in a number of competing masks cannot all illuminate concurrently as a result of they’re both single-wick or bi-wick, which means half flip off when their designated shade is not getting used.)

The nanometer measurement of every wavelength performs an enormous function in pores and skin penetration. The Shark CryoGlow makes use of a 415nm blue mild concentrating on the pores and skin’s floor layer and 630nm crimson mild with 830nm infrared to journey to the deeper, mobile layer of pores and skin.

So, what is the distinction between crimson mild and blue mild? All you actually need to find out is the skincare concern you would like to focus on, then scroll by means of the CryoGlow distant’s settings to decide on one. Shark designed the 2 important settings for use for an preliminary eight-week session with day by day use.

Higher Getting older mode: This mode stimulates collagen manufacturing and promotes plumping below the pores and skin, making it one of the best setting for concentrating on positive strains and wrinkles. Right here, the masks administers a mix of crimson and infrared mild concurrently for six minutes.

Blemish Restore mode: That is used to kill acne-causing micro organism and enhance pores and skin readability and texture on the highest layer of the pores and skin. Right here, the masks administers a consecutive concoction of blue mild with infrared for a couple of minutes, then blue and crimson mild collectively for a couple of minutes, then crimson mild + infrared for a couple of minutes. It takes eight minutes complete.

Pores and skin Maintain mode: That is used to keep up your outcomes and get a day by day enhance of brightness after your preliminary eight-week cycle is over. Pores and skin Maintain administers blue mild, crimson mild, and infrared mild concurrently for a complete of 4 minutes.

Every cycle’s timing was calculated based mostly on the wavelength mixture of that setting — it is a way more exact strategy than Googling “how lengthy it’s best to use crimson mild remedy for.” In the course of the science a part of the dialogue on the launch occasion, it clicked for me: The momentary swipe of a crimson mild wand with a one-inch floor is a actually small quantity of true LED publicity. This cleared up a whole lot of my confusion about my lack of Solawave wand outcomes when it labored properly for different individuals.

The Shark masks is not overly chill to put on, but it surely’s fast

I doubt there’s anybody on the market researching one of the best crimson mild masks to purchase and anticipating to not seem like Dwight in that episode of The Workplace the place he cuts off the CPR dummy’s face. It is simply a part of the sport.

Nonetheless, the Shark masks positively is not the chicest or slimmest masks I’ve seen. It isn’t foldable like another fashions, and can also be somewhat clunky in terms of storage. The heavy packer in me couldn’t take this factor in a suitcase, regardless that it comes with a carrying pouch.

There’s positively no answering the door like this, however you understand what? The horror fanatic in me doesn’t thoughts casually strolling across the house wanting like Jason Voorhees for a couple of minutes (although I’m a proud Michael Myers girlie at coronary heart — argue with your self).

The CryoGlow would not essentially really feel heavy when you’re simply scrolling in your telephone whereas sporting it. However it does begin to really feel somewhat cumbersome when you’re performing an actual activity that requires wanting down. I saved attempting to feed my cats throughout morning CryoGlow periods and needed to pressure my neck to precisely scoop the moist meals into the bowls on the counter.

The masks itself is rechargeable and would not must be plugged into the wall whereas getting used; as an alternative, it must be charged about each three days. Although the distant and its twine largely keep out of the best way, it will be sick if it had been cordless.

The factor is, no Shark CryoGlow session lasts longer than eight minutes. You are probably not being inconvenienced for lengthy. The followers are whooshing proper in your ear, but it surely’s not so loud you can’t hear a dialog or watch TV. Truthfully, the toughest a part of sporting it’s sitting there with air-dried pores and skin with out one thing moisturizing on it — Shark recommends a clear, dry face for mild to greatest penetrate, however the itchy feeling post-cleansing makes me need to tear my entire face off.

Shark CryoGlow outcomes: First three months, then a 10-month replace

I type of stopped giving a shit about how I look with out make-up after my frontal lobe developed. However the CryoGlow marks a time in my life once I genuinely really feel cute bare-faced. I really really feel like there’s extra of an inherent glow and evenness to my pores and skin after my full CryoGlow session than I’ve ever had earlier than.

However I do know everyone seems to be most within the full transformation, so positive, I will provide you with a “earlier than” image. However earlier than I expose myself like that, I am entitled to indicate the “after” image first.

I promise my pores and skin is easy on this picture — the one leftover “spots” are discoloration from earlier big pimples. I’ve accepted the truth that I have to pay for extra microneedling to uproot these.

Does the Shark masks work on zits?

Each little child goals of rising up, having a psychological breakdown about grownup zits at age 30, and publishing a close-up picture of it in a web-based article for work. However I’ve to showcase the complete transformation to indicate that sure, the Shark CryoGlow masks actually does preserve zits formation at bay.

For context, I am 30 years outdated and by no means actually struggled with zits… up till about 4 years in the past. It has been a battle to maintain my chin, jawline, and cheeks clear since then. I used to be dwelling in concern of waking up with a brand new pimple cooking after I had simply gotten the final one to simmer down. Mine had been in areas sometimes related to fluctuating hormones.

All of that was occurring whereas by no means skipping my nighttime skincare routine and attending just a few microneedling appointments, my final of which was three months earlier than I began testing the Shark masks. Whereas I do imagine my non secular Tretinoin use has improved the feel of my pores and skin, it was outnumbered by hellbent zits. The one true slowdown of pimples I skilled began a month into utilizing the CryoGlow. I went from a brand new painful crater popping up virtually on daily basis to perhaps one or two each two weeks.

(The one different adjustments I just lately made had been spritzes of hypochlorous acid after waking up or going exterior, and taking a Zinc complement after TikTok recommended that might assist with zits.)

The CryoGlow is great at combating micro organism that causes zits and decreasing redness of those that do exist, it would not actually cut back zits scars or deep leftover crimson spots — and would not declare to. These simply appear to be cussed little marks that in all probability require an in-office facial therapy.

Does the Shark masks work on positive strains?

Sure, the Shark masks made the positive strains in some areas of my face much less noticeable.

The needlelike presence of my brow wrinkles had turn into more and more distinguished in the previous few years of my 20s. Make-up was making the feel much more noticeable, particularly when it started creasing after just a few hours. I lastly began getting occasional brow Botox about two years in the past, and let me let you know: Botox is that lady. However the child wrinkles quickly creep again in, and maintaining with it will get costly.

I am totally satisfied that the Shark CryoGlow masks was key in mellowing out my brow strains sufficient to maintain me out of the Botox chair for months longer than I am “supposed” to. (For context: My final Botox appointment was 5 months earlier than testing the Shark CryoGlow, and I didn’t get any Botox remedies whereas testing the masks.)

Concealer and powder had been mixing extra seamlessly than they beforehand did once I was overdue. There’s nothing like that post-Botox brow plumpness, however the CryoGlow supplied the subsequent neatest thing for me — a smoothness that no serums in focused Instagram advertisements are going to attain.

Sadly, the CryoGlow did not have the identical blurring impact round my crow’s ft. God forbid you are somebody who LAUGHS.

Does the Shark masks work on below eyes?

I positively assume I look much less like a corpse on the times once I use the CryoGlow’s under-eye chill pads. That is the place the “Cryo” a part of the title is available in: the masks is mimics cryotherapy, which may decrease irritation of the tissue utilizing focused low temperatures. The coolness pads can cool at three completely different ranges of chilly throughout an LED session, or can be utilized with out lights.

The CryoGlow’s de-puffing results do not feel tremendous long-lasting — take into account that that is extra of an elevated ice curler routine every morning than a heavy-duty under-eye therapy. You possibly can’t count on hollowness to completely fill out, however I can vouch for the brightening impact. At any fee, the cool metallic plates really feel superb if you’re a zombie within the morning. If this sounds attractive to you however not attractive sufficient to spend $349.99, preserve an eye fixed out for when Shark releases the heating and cooling DePuffi machine by itself in early 2026.

After virtually a 12 months, the Shark masks continues to be the mom of all skincare gadgets to me

Quick ahead from Might (when this evaluate initially revealed) to December, I’ve since examined one other prime crimson mild masks (the CurrentBody Pores and skin Collection 2 masks) in addition to Shark’s latest skincare machine, the Shark FacialPro Glow. The FacialPro Glow is not a direct comparability, because it targets clogged pores, lifeless pores and skin, and sebaceous filaments, which are not actually on the radar of crimson mild remedy. I believe the FacialPro Glow is a superb present concept for a teenage lady, although.

When it comes to which crimson mild masks is one of the best, my resounding advice is the Shark masks over the CurrentBody masks. Whereas the CurrentBody masks will get just a few factors for its versatile, extra transportable construct, it is far more primary than the Shark masks.

The CurrentBody Pores and skin Collection 2 would not supply blue mild in any respect, so some pimples popped up once I paused CryoGlow utilization to check the CurrentBody. There isn’t any customizing based mostly in your present pores and skin concern with the CurrentBody masks both — it would not have settings (simply on and off), and there isn’t any display on the distant to supply a countdown timer. It is simply an general much less luxurious expertise that prices $120 extra than the CryoGlow.

When researching different individuals’s ideas on each of those masks, the commonest CryoGlow masks drawback I’ve seen is the dearth of crimson lights across the eye (as an alternative, the cooling pads are there). If positive strains across the eye are a a lot greater concern for you than zits, then sure, you’d completely be higher off going the CurrentBody route. I personally discovered the CurrentBody’s eye-centric crimson lights blinding, to the purpose the place I did not need to put on the masks on daily basis.

Is the Shark CryoGlow Masks price it?

Shark’s face masks continues to show its price in my skincare routine, and I might advocate it to only about anybody.

The best way my zits cleared up throughout the eight-week interval was simply essentially the most palpable consequence, and near-daily Shark masks utilization has labored wonders on my pores and skin’s general texture (and look with out make-up) for nearly a 12 months now. I am not saying you may by no means get a pimple whereas utilizing the masks, however I do assume the CryoGlow’s crimson, blue, and infrared concoction is extraordinarily efficient at mitigating the quantity of zits popping up. Equally, as a result of its wavelengths can dig additional into the pores and skin than topical skincare, it is a extra highly effective instrument for dulling positive strains than any retinols or retinoids I’ve tried. With less-dead below eyes within the morning because the cherry on prime, I’m glowier and extra snug bare-faced now than I used to be pre-mask.

The Shark CryoGlow masks might or might not be capable of accomplish these actual outcomes for everybody from scratch. It in all probability will depend on the pores and skin you are working with to begin, and the consistency of the remainder of your skincare routine. The CryoGlow is certainly a slight monetary funding up entrance, however most individuals deep in skincare mode know that no path to glass pores and skin is reasonable. Plus, common CryoGlow use might find yourself saving you cash over time.