This Is the Best LED Face Mask for Long-Haul Flights

LED face masks have long since governed a serious amount of Instagram real estate, coined as the most effective way to prevent the signs of aging, reduce stubborn acne scars, and rejuvenate tired-looking skin. But no matter how many accolades this technology gets, the skeptic inside me has always been suspicious of how effective it can really be: How would I know if it was working if it’s a preventative? Is it something I want to add to my concise and curated edit of beauty products I travel with? Do I want to add it to my list of accessories I pack on every trip?

After years of resistance to the idea, I found myself coming around to it thanks to the under-eye Cryo feature on Shark Beauty’s new interpretation (which costs $350). To look at, the product appears much the same as its peers, but the inside is fitted with cushioned pads that nestle on top of the skin under the lower-lash line. When the device is activated with the attached remote control, the pads immediately cool—creating a calming, relaxing effect that feels enhanced by the glow of the red light that surrounds them. Sessions can last as little as five minutes, adding to this design’s appeal. Suddenly, I’m invested in a daily routine that promises to benefit my overall complexion and visibly depuffs my under-eyes. If I can commit to this for eight weeks, then it seems I can expect to see an improvement in my skin’s brightness, too. What’s more? This snippet of time in the day is a chance to stop, be still, and put down my phone. Surely there’s benefit in that alone?

As someone who travels a fair amount, I’m also willing to see how easy it is to pack this LED face mask from A to B—and whether it feels worthwhile enough to do so. Last October, I checked in for an overnight and over 11-hour flight from London to Cape Town. With the aim of looking remotely presentable upon landing, despite my rule to stay makeup-free in the air, I packed my new companion and promised myself I’d complete a six-minute “session” while on board.

Can you bring an LED face mask on an airplane?

The short answer is yes. It passed security checks and wasn’t required to be removed from my carry-on luggage at the Heathrow scanners.

Is the LED face mask heavy to carry?

The CryoGlow under-eye cooling LED repair mask is surprisingly lightweight to carry and wear. Perhaps this is partly due to the adjustable, comfortable straps and the plush eye pads—which are also my favorite features. However, it is relatively bulky, so make sure you take a carry-on with enough space for this, as well as your other in-flight travel essentials.

Is it embarrassing to wear an LED face mask on an airplane?

This was the part that I struggled with the most, as I was traveling solo and had a middle seat. Being on an overnight flight, I wanted to ensure I didn’t put off my session too long nor omit a red glow throughout the cabin when the lights were turned off. Haunting visions of the people next to me waking from sleep to a frightening sight of me blissfully during a six-minute mini spa session gave me the encouragement I needed. I told my neighbors about my skincare plans pre-takeoff, and they were surprisingly unfazed by it. I guess in this era of beauty TikTokers and “get ready with me” videos, something as menial as a face mask on a flight simply doesn’t elicit wonder anymore. Personally, I’m grateful for that.

Does the LED face mask help with jet-lagged skin?

My verdict is positive—and I used the mask at the beginning and end of my (very long) flight, as I counted it as a session per day. The eye patches really do work wonders, and whether my eyes looked brighter or not, they definitely felt it. The other thing I really love about this mask is that it offers a chance to relax and unwind. There’s nothing else you can do while it’s on, and even just five or six minutes of stillness feels beneficial to the mind, as well as the complexion. While it’s still too early to say for sure whether this product has a lasting positive effect on my skin, I’m absolutely converted to the idea of making it a part of my daily routine.