TheraFace Mask vs Shark CryoGlow? I tested both so here’s which is the best LED mask

Using at-home light therapy allows you to achieve a glowing complexion, combat wrinkles and treat common skin concerns, including acne, in the comfort of your own home. What’s not to like? I’m a big fan myself and I can see how they’ve quickly become the latest beauty tech must-have. Here we put two of the best hard-shell LED masks, the TheraFace Mask and Shark CryoGlow head-to-head.

TheraFace Mask vs Shark CryoGlow

The TheraFace Mask has a high price of $649/£579 (although is often discounted) and comes with a 2-year limited warranty. The cordless LED mask has 648 blue, red and Red + Infrared LEDs. In addition to the light therapy, there are 17 proprietary QX-Micro Motors in the TheraFace mask which deliver massaging vibration therapy to key pressure points on the face that match an in-salon facial massage. 

A cheaper option, the Shark CryoGlow costs $349/£300 and again comes with a 2-year guarantee. It features 480 LEDs in blue, red and infra-red. The mask’s INSTACHILL cold therapy technology works with LED light therapy and on its own. There are three levels of coldness to cycle through – it feels amazingly soothing on the skin and works well to de-puff under eyes. 

Design

With a cordless design, featuring controls on the side of the mask, the TheraFace offers  true hands-free use – using the removable protective eye shields you can go about your normal life. The lightest of the two on test, it’s comfortable to wear and the easy to adjust headband means you can get a perfect fit. The lack of nose and mouth holes means that none of your face misses the treatment. 

The Shark CryoGlow is easily adjustable for a perfect fit using the adjustable headband and with both nose and mouth holes it’s very comfortable to wear, too. It’s controlled with a remote control, attached to the mask via a permanent cable – it has a belt clip if you want to use it hands free. The remote features a clear LCD display and while it’s easy to use, doesn’t feel as high end as the TheraFace, where all the tech is in the mask.  

Winner: TheraFace Mask

Features

The TheraFace Mask uses 648 medical-grade Red, Red + Infrared and Blue LED lights to provide its full-coverage LED light therapy. Red light reduces fine lines/wrinkles and firms, red + infrared light helps reduce dark spots and improve radiance and blue light targets acne and fights the bacteria that causes it. The 9 minute pre-set cycles through all of these but you can also tailor your treatment with one of the mask’s 3 minute treatments for specific concerns. 

On the other side of the ring, the Shark CryoGlow uses 160 tri-wick blue, red and Infrared LEDs. The 8-minute Blemish Repair mode uses blue, red and Infrared light to help reduce the appearance of textured, uneven skin and blemishes and 6-minute  Better Aging mode uses red & Infrared to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Following an 8 week course of either, the 4-minute Skin Sustain mode can be used to help enhance skin radiance and maintain condition. Under-eye Revive mode, which uses cold therapy metal plates within the mask can be used with all cycles. 

Winner: Draw

Performance

I used the 9-minute one-touch preset full cycle on the TheraFace Mask for two weeks and even within that short time frame could see massive results. Spots on my face cleared up very quickly, with my skin feeling more luminous and tighter. The new-ish little scar I have under my right eye (don’t ask) became much less noticeable, too. The massaging vibration therapy is incredibly relaxing and something I looked forward to using. 

With the Shark CryoGlow, I could see an improvement in my skin in as little as a week, when it had rid my skin of a spot outbreak I’d had. After just two weeks my skin felt tighter and looked brighter – these initial results were on par with the TheraFace mask. My under-area was totally puff free too, which I do think makes a big difference to how you look in general. No massaging vibration therapy though.

Winner: TheraFace Mask

Overall winner: TheraFace Mask

The TheraFace Mask just wins, but both masks offer truly excellent next-gen skincare.