Best mask for acne · Red light therapy
Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask
by Shark
Red, blue and near-infrared LED mask FDA cleared for both wrinkles and mild-to-moderate acne, with 4 to 8 minute sessions and under-eye cooling.
Specs
| Type | Mask (rigid shell) |
|---|---|
| Wavelengths | 630 nm red, 830 nm NIR, 415 nm blue |
| Irradiance (source) | 128 mW/cm² per mode (maker's FDA filing) |
| Treatment area | Full face |
| Session | 6 min aging, 8 min acne, 4 min upkeep |
| FDA status | Cleared for wrinkles and acne (K242796) |
| LEDs | 480 (160 three-chip packages) |
| Cooling | Under-eye, 3 levels, 5-15 min |
| Weight | 1.5 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Specs from the manufacturer and the sources listed below. Last verified Oct 20, 2026.
Good
- Cleared for fine lines and wrinkles and for mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne under one 510(k)
- Highest output of the masks here per the FDA filing, so sessions run 4 to 8 minutes
- Built-in silicone eye shields, plus auto-dimming when the mask lifts off the face
- Cheapest of the cleared masks on this page at $349.99
Not so good
- Rigid plastic shell, so fit varies more than with a flexible silicone mask
- The brand's 12-week results (n=60 for aging, n=59 for acne) come from its own studies, with no paper linked
- The FDA filing describes the cooling as refreshing or soothing only, not a treatment
- The acne modes use 415 nm blue light, so they are better kept to daytime
The CryoGlow is the most practical mask here if acne is part of the reason you are buying. Its 510(k), K242796, covers red and infrared light for fine lines and wrinkles and red, blue and infrared light for mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne. The Omnilux and CurrentBody masks are cleared for wrinkles only.
The FDA summary gives more detail than Shark’s own page. It lists 480 LEDs at 630 nm red, 415 nm blue and 830 nm infrared, and 128 mW/cm² total in each mode. The Better Aging mode runs 64 mW/cm² red plus 64 mW/cm² infrared for 6.4 minutes. Those are the maker’s figures in its filing, not an independent measurement, but they explain why sessions are shorter than the 10 minutes most masks need.
Blue plus red light has decent acne evidence. A 107-patient randomized trial using 415 nm and 660 nm light found a 76% drop in inflammatory lesions after 12 weeks. The CryoGlow’s own study claims (45% less acne at 12 weeks in 59 people) are brand data, and the page links no paper.
The under-eye cooling is a comfort feature. The filing says it is meant to refresh and soothe skin, and it can run without the LEDs.
The rigid shell is the main trade-off. If fit matters more than acne, the flexible Omnilux Contour Face sits closer to the skin. For timing, keep the blue acne mode to the morning or afternoon, since blue is the worst light color before bed.
Sources
Alternatives
- Best maskOmnilux Contour Face$395
- Best panelPlatinumLED BioMax 900$1,299
- CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask Series 2$470
- Chroma Ironforge$1,250