I experienced a more seamless daily routine with one of the masks, and my skin clearly signaled which mask it required as a fundamental part of my regimen. Here are my insights on whether to purchase the Shark CryoGlow or the CurrentBody LED mask, informed by my experiences and outcomes.
Note: This review specifically highlights the CurrentBody Skin: Series 2 mask.
Shark CryoGlow vs. CurrentBody: Bulbs and nanometer measurement
Upon learning that the CurrentBody Skin mask costs over $100 more than the Shark CryoGlow mask, one might easily assume that the CurrentBody is the more effective option. However, that assumption would be incorrect.
Although the CurrentBody mask boasts a higher number of LED bulbs on paper (237 compared to Shark’s 160), not a single bulb in the CurrentBody Skin mask emits blue light. They only provide red and near-infrared (NIR) light, and not every bulb in the CurrentBody mask is capable of emitting both red and NIR light. There are 110 red light bulbs (633nm) and 110 NIR bulbs (830nm), along with 16 deep NIR bulbs (1,072nm) surrounding the eyes and mouth for additional attention to fine lines. In contrast to the original version, the Series 2 of the CurrentBody mask includes a chin strap for extended coverage of the jawline and a small portion of the upper neck.
On the other hand, the Shark mask includes red (630nm), near-infrared (830nm), and blue light bulbs (415nm), and every single bulb can emit any of those wavelengths simultaneously. This results in a total of 480 simultaneous light sources within the Shark mask, ensuring that a larger portion of your face is exposed to these wavelengths. The nm (nanometer) measurement refers to each wavelength’s unit of measurement. Both masks achieve the standard red light and NIR nanometer measurements generally regarded as “sufficient” for at-home results. The Shark CryoGlow mask does not provide deep near-infrared lighting, but keep in mind that the CurrentBody only has 16 of those.
To incorporate blue light into your CurrentBody routine, you would need to purchase the $469.99 Anti-Acne mask separately. That’s nearly $1,000 compared to the CryoGlow’s $349.99 price. So, there’s that.
In more scientific terms, red light masks typically receive an irradiance measurement, which gauges the power density at the LED source. The tri-wick bulbs in the CryoGlow yield a maximum irradiance of 128mW/cm², while the CurrentBody mask peaks at 30mW/cm² of the Omnilux.
There is one part of the face where the CurrentBody’s coverage excels: the under-eye area. The CryoGlow mask lacks LEDs beneath the eye openings, instead utilizing the space for cooling pads that replicate a cryotherapy de-puffing effect. They feel fantastic when you’re barely awake in the morning, but the effects are short-lived. The under-eyes are notoriously challenging to treat with over-the-counter products, so an at-home red light mask could be a person’s last effort before opting for a professional procedure. Therefore, while the CurrentBody may appeal more if your primary skincare aim is the long-term reduction of dark circles or puffiness, I believe the Shark’s blue light feature and tri-wick bulb design provide better value overall.
Winner: Shark
Shark CryoGlow vs. CurrentBody: Settings and remote
This is where Shark significantly outperforms CurrentBody. If you’re concerned about both fine lines and skin texture as well as acne, the CryoGlow is undoubtedly the superior mask.
Both masks come with remotes connected to the mask via a cord. However, I fail to see why CurrentBody didn’t opt for a wireless solution, placing the remote’s sole “on” button directly on the mask. It’s not as if the mask can perform any function other than being on — it has just one fixed red light and infrared setting. While I understand this might be for simplicity’s sake, I find it overly simplistic.
It feels somewhat unjust to compare it with the Shark CryoGlow remote, which features a small LCD screen and a dial to modify cooling pad temperatures while allowing you to navigate through three modes: Better Aging (red and infrared light), Blemish Repair (a blend of all three wavelengths), and Skin Sustain (all three wavelengths concurrently). After selecting a setting, the screen counts down the remaining time in your session.
That variety is likely to be far more appealing to those with multiple skincare concerns. Personally, I was eager to try an at-home LED mask to help alleviate the acne that unexpectedly emerged in my late 20s — but those late 20s also ushered in the beginning