Tired of puffiness under your eyes? From drugstore creams to splurge-worthy serums, there's no shortage of skin care products on the market to help combat visible dark circles and eye bags. If you're looking to step up your self-care game, red light therapy masks are an easy-to-use, at-home treatment designed to treat signs of aging.
"By delivering low-level red and near-infrared light, these devices spark collagen production, boost circulation and calm inflammation," explains Paula Brezavscek, a board-certified physician’s associate and the founder of Azala Skin Clinic in Miami, Florida. "Over time, the area looks smoother, firmer and brighter, especially when dark circles are caused by thinning skin rather than genetics or pigmentation."
Both Brezavscek and Dr. Dara Spearman, a board-certified dermatologist and the owner of Radiant Dermatology Associates in Fort Wayne, Indiana, spoke to Shop TODAY about the benefits of using red light therapy and provided recommendations for must-have eye masks to shop.
Keep reading for a complete list of our expert-approved and editor-loved red light therapy eye products. We also included a Shop TODAY Beauty Award-winning eye cream, as well as a few more affordable eye treatments to round out the list.
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What is red light therapy?
If you've been hearing all the buzz on social media lately about red light therapy and wondering how it works, we're here to explain.
According to Dr. Rebecca Small, a board-certified physician specializing in advanced skin rejuvenation techniques and founder of RSMD Medical Aesthetics, “red light therapy (RLT) is a non-invasive skin care treatment that uses low-level wavelengths of red light to stimulate your skin at the cellular level." She said this therapy is also sometimes referred to as red LED therapy, as light is produced by light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
“Different wavelengths penetrate the skin at different depths and have varying biological effects on the skin depending on the depth of penetration,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Reshimi Kapoor previously told Shop TODAY.
What to look for in red light therapy eye masks
When it comes to using red light therapy for puffiness and dark circles, there are a few important factors to take into consideration.
"Red light therapy is like a wake-up call for tired under-eyes," describes Brezavscek. When shopping for a red light eye mask, she advises consumers to "look for a mix of red and near-infrared wavelengths, FDA clearance for safety and a snug, comfortable fit that hugs the under-eye area."
Spearman also advises users to look for wavelengths that are between 630-660 nm red or 850 nm, which is near infrared. She also urges individuals to make sure that the device's power is low enough, so you don't burn your skin and includes protection to avoid direct light exposure on the eyeball or retina.
The best expert-recommended and editor-tested red light eye masks
"This [device] has multiple wavelengths, which allows for more versatility in use," Spearman suggests. "The silicone material is gentle for sensitive periorbital skin. The price point is one that you can dip your toe in with a good product for not such a large investment."
Editor's note: These red light goggles are currently out of stock, but we'll keep tabs on when they're back in stock.
Brezavscek recommends this adjustable LED eye mask, which offers a "quick three-minute, multi-wavelength treatment." This durable device is very comfortable and includes a dark circle defense balm, USB charging cord and storage bag for easy carrying.
Commerce editor Vivien Moon is an avid fan of this NuFace attachment for red light therapy. “I have had this attachment for a few years and love how I’m able to save on space when I’m traveling but still want to do my skin care on the go,” she explains. “It has a sensor so it knows when it’s on the skin and turns off when it’s not on, which is also great for those who don’t love the red light glaring at them when it’s not on the face. I also really like that I can use it on other areas (neck and décolletage)."
Editor’s note: You will need the NuFace Trinity+ device to utilize this attachment.
"Lately I've been a little too hyperfocused on some aging around my eyes that popped up seemingly overnight," says Shop TODAY deputy managing editor Jess Bender. " In an effort to counteract some areas of concern, I've been turning to this light therapy eye mask during cozy nights at home." She adds that it works effectively against puffiness and dullness in a matter of minutes due to the multiple types of light therapy it provides.
Brezavscek also loves this recovery mask as "a portable and flexible option that layers four types of light for targeted benefits."
Brezavscek calls this LED eye mask from Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare a "dermatologist favorite with clinical testing." This rejuvenating eye mask offers full eye coverage and supports skin firmness and elasticity.
"This device has 96 bulbs as well as a strong brand reputation," explains Spearman. "It allows for shorter treatment durations which means less chance for injury."
"This mask uses a combination of different wavelengths to help improve elasticity, brighten the under-eye area and minimize crow’s feet over time," explains board-certified Dr. Marisa Garschick. "For best results, it should be used six times per week for eight weeks."
More affordable eye treatments to shop
Associate editor Lauren Witonsky has been using this budget-friendly eye cream for months and loves its creamy consistency. “I use a pea-sized drop every night before bed and it’s lasted me a long time, but it also sits well under makeup during the day," she explains. "I can’t say I’ve noticed any reduction in under-eye puffiness, but I do think it helps prevent makeup from settling in fine lines and the brand says it targets dark circles too.”
This hypoallergenic cream is dermatologist-approved and visibly reduces wrinkles up to 50%, according to the brand. Amazon customers speak to this retinol product's overall effectiveness, quality and smoothness.
"Whether it’s my morning routine, getting ready in the evening, or it’s time to do my makeup for a special event, I love reaching for a pair of Grace & Stella eye patches," says social video producer Anita Chomenko. "Once my face is cleansed and dry, I open up the packet and apply it to my under-eyes," she adds.
"Whether my skin is feeling dry, tired or irritated, the second I put these patches on, it feels like my skin just had the most refreshing drink of water!" Chomenko raves. "I always feel better after wearing these for even just 20 minutes. If you’re in a pinch, 10 minutes does the trick, too!"
As a Shop TODAY 2024 Beauty Award winner for best overall eye cream, this hydrating formula is suitable for dry, combination and normal skin types.
“I’ve started to use this specific eye cream recently due to the soothing, smoothing claims it made off the bat,” shares Bender. “So far, it’s really done a great job ironing out some finer lines that come along during my everyday. The thicker texture of this eye cream makes it a good addition to my nightly skin care routine."
This is the only eye cream I’ve found that works to reduce bags and puffiness for me," mentions Sierra Hoeger, an associate editor at Shop TODAY. She adds that the bottle lasts a long time and has a light texture that doesn't leave any sort of residue.
Frequently asked questions
The short answer is yes. "These devices are safe when used properly," explains Brezavscek.
“Red light therapy is non-invasive, painless and generally safe for all skin types,” added Small.
Red light therapy may be flooding your TikTok feed, but there is also blue and yellow light therapy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, blue light targets the uppermost layer of skin whereas yellow light pierces deeper.
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How we chose
Allie Wise is an associate editor for Shop TODAY who has been reviewing and testing products since 2022. She specializes in mature skin care and has covered a variety of topics, from the best toners for mature skin to foundations for masking fine lines and wrinkles.
Wise also spoke with a board-certified dermatologist and a board-certified physician's associate, who provided multiple product recommendations for red light therapy eye products. To round out the list, she also asked her fellow editors to share their tried-and-true red light therapy devices as well.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on red light therapy eye masks. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Paula Brezavscek, PA-C is a board-certified physician’s associate and the founder of AZALA Skin Clinic in Miami, Florida.
- Dr. Dara Spearman is a board-certified dermatologist and the owner of Radiant Dermatology Associates in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- Dr. Reshmi Kapoor, MD is a board-certified dermatologist, and owner and founder of Brooklyn Dermatology in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York.
- Dr. Rebecca Small, MD, FAAFP, is a board-certified physician specializing in advanced skin rejuvenation techniques and founder of RSMD Medical Aesthetics. She is also a Clinical Professor at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine and Director of Medical Aesthetic Training at Dominican Hospital.
- Dr. Marisa Garshick, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine.
