We're on a Quest to Delete Our Dark Circles—These LED Eye Masks Have Changed the Game

When it comes to beauty tools, nothing has ever piqued my attention more than an LED eye mask. I've already tried (and loved) some of the best LED face masks on the market, but as someone who suffers from severe puffiness and chronic dark circles under her eyes (I've tried pretty much every dark circle treatment and eye cream out there), the idea of a specific LED device to help tackle these concerns sounded almost too good to be true. That was, until I tried one of the best LED eye masks and saw firsthand just how good they can be.

Since adding this tool to my skincare routine and seeing just what a difference it can make, I've been busy putting more LED eye devices through their paces, doing extensive research, chatting to experts and enlisting the help of team Who What Wear UK (who also struggle with chronic dark circles) to create the ultimate edit of the best LED eye masks out there. So, if you also find yourself searching "how to get rid of dark under eyes", this is everything as a beauty editor that I want you to know about my new must-have beauty tool...

What Does an LED Eye Mask Do?

"LED eye masks are designed to target the delicate area around the eye, addressing concerns such as fine lines, dark circles and puffiness," explains Dr Maryam Zamani, world-renowned oculoplastic surgeon and founder of MZ SKIN. "The application of red and near-infrared light is thought to stimulate collagen production and enhance blood circulation, leading to improved skin elasticity."

I swear by my Dr. Dennis Gross LED eye mask.

How Does an LED Eye Mask Work?

"LED eye masks use different wavelengths of light to stimulate specific cellular functions," says Dr Miriam Adebibe, regenerative and aesthetic doctor and founder of Dr Miriam A Skin Clinics. This process is also known as LED light therapy.

"Red light is thought to boost collagen production (in turn reducing fine lines), while near-infrared light (found more in premium or medical-grade devices) is thought to penetrate deeper to enhance microcirculation and support healing. Blue light, known for reducing inflammation and targeting acne-causing bacteria, is less commonly used in eye masks due to potential eye sensitivity and the risk of retinal stress."

There are a number of different types of LED eye masks on the market, including goggles, under-eye patches and wands, but as explained by Nicola Alexander-Cross, optometrist and founder of Peep Club, they all work in roughly the same way. "The LED bulbs are applied to the skin at close range, either statically (for example, in a mask) or dynamically (in a wand)."

The Best LED Eye Masks, Tried and Tested by Editors

• Best LED eye mask overall: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite EyeCare Max Pro Device
• Best hi-tech LED eye mask: MZ Skin LightMAX Minipro LED
• Best portable LED eye mask: Peep Club Heated Eye Wand™ LED+
• Best easy-to-use LED eye mask: CurrentBody Skin LED Eye Mask

1. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite EyeCare Max Pro Device

Mask type: Goggles

Treatment time: 3 minutes

Light specs: Amber, red, deep red and infrared

Anyone who knows me will know just how much I love my Dr. Dennis Gross LED mask, so I was very excited to give the eye version a go. This tool looks just as chic as the full-face version, with four different wavelengths, a hands-free design and a quick and easy three-minute treatment time.

My review: "This eye mask is just as good as I expected. It is so simple to set up and the three-minute treatment time means that it's easy to slot into my evening skincare routine. Each wavelength is emitted during the treatment to tackle a wide range of skincare concerns, and after a few weeks of using I have already noticed subtle differences in my appearance.

My eye area looks brighter and more awake, and the skin around my eyes already feels firmer and plumper. I don't know if this is a side effect of the LED treatment, but my under-eye concealer also seems to be sitting better on my skin. I am so excited to continue using this beauty tool, and have already recommended it to my mum and my sister-in-law."

2. MZ Skin LightMAX Minipro LED

Mask type: Under-eye patches

Treatment time: 10 minutes

Light specs: Red and near-infrared

If you're looking for a super-easy, hands-free design, these under-eye patches from MZ Skin look seriously cool (and a whole lot more streamlined than your typical LED mask).

Designed to be used with the brand's hydrocolloid patches, the devices combine active ingredients with red and near-infrared wavelengths to help tackle fine lines, dark circles and puffiness. However, what's really impressive about these is that they have a dual setting, which allows you to switch between both modes (red light and near-infrared light). They pretty much tick all the boxes and while I would love to rate them as the best LED eye mask overall, the price is a little harder to justify. That being said, if you do have £300 to spend on a new beauty tool, I'd recommend these in a heartbeat.

Editor review: "I am one of those people who really loves an LED mask. They are expensive, yes, but I love using mine and firmly believe it has made a positive difference to my skin. So, I was very much interested in trying MZ Skin’s eye-specific version. Spoiler alert: These patches are really good.

"They are sleek, compact (surprisingly travel-friendly thanks to a cute little pouch) and simple to use. I'd been using them five days a week for about ten minutes while answering emails or watching TV, and the difference by week two was noticeable. The skin under my eyes looked fresher and the bags were reduced. The patches are said to boost collagen production and reduce inflammation, leaving you with brighter, firmer skin, and I definitely feel like they did just that.

"What really sold me, though, was the dual setting. You can switch between the red light mode (the setting that helps with dull skin, firming and reducing fine lines) and the near-infrared light setting (which helps soothe and calm). The one downside is that I struggled to get the patches to stay on the first few times. They stick with a hydrocolloid patch, but once I got the hang of the process, it became far less fiddly. I don’t love that there is a bit of waste involved, but it is minimal. Are the patches an investment? Yes. But if you’re after an at-home skincare upgrade that actually delivers, then so far (eight weeks in) I’d say this is a great option," says managing editor Poppy Nash.

3. Peep Club Heated Eye Wand™ LED+

Mask type: Wand

Treatment time: 2-4 minutes

Light specs: Green, red and amber

If goggles aren't your thing, why not try an innovative wand like this one from Peep Club? This clever beauty tool combines a hot compress with gentle massage and three waves of LED light to tackle a wide range of skin concerns.

The hot compress works to comfort and hydrate dry, tired eyes while the massage technique helps to improve circulation and reduce puffiness. Meanwhile, red LED light helps to boost collagen and reduce the appearance of fine lines, green LED calms inflammation and amber LED reduces redness and helps tackle dark circles.

Editor review: "I’ve always been sceptical about LED eye masks. I’m all in for a full LED face mask (my personal favourite is the Shark CryoGlow), but the idea that a mini wand could make a noticeable difference has always felt a little dubious to me. So when Grace asked me to try the Peep Club Heated Eye Wand, I was up for the challenge.

"A quick debrief on my skin: I’m 26, and I’ve never had filler, Botox or any other tweakments. I haven’t yet noticed any fine lines, deep under-eye bags or hollowing. What I do experience regularly, however, is facial puffiness. In recent years, I’ve also started to notice a slight dullness around the eyes, along with some dryness, which I’m chalking up to prolonged screen time and eye strain.

"Now, onto the wand itself. The design is minimal (a plus in my book) and it features a circular metal panel that fits neatly under the eye. There’s a small LED screen which displays the temperature, usage time and battery level. Below that, you’ll find three buttons (plus, minus and power) to navigate settings, and at the base, a USB port for charging. It’s impressively lightweight and compact. I had mine bundled in my wash bag for a few weeks, and it slotted in perfectly alongside my daily skin staples. Plus, I liked how easy the wand is to use.

"I used the wand consistently for three and a half weeks and can honestly say I’ve seen an improvement, not just visually, but in the overall plumpness of my under-eye area. Three times a week, after work, I use a cleanser, apply a generous layer of the Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum, set the wand to either green or red light mode, and gently sweep it around each eye for the recommended time, usually while tackling those post-work chores. Initially, I didn’t notice much change, but after comparing two photos, one from 8 June and another from 4 July, I can confidently say there’s been a subtle yet welcome improvement," says junior fashion editor Imani-Nia Francis-Tsolakis.

4. CurrentBody Skin LED Eye Mask

Mask type: Goggles

Treatment time: 3 minutes

Light specs: Amber, red, deep red and near-infrared

The whole Who What Wear team is a big fan of the original CurrentBody LED face mask, so we had high hopes for this eye device. Harnessing four different wavelengths of light, the mask works to brighten the under eyes, reduce fine lines and increase collagen production.

It has a short treatment time of only three minutes, so it's easy to slot into your routine, and the goggles come with a USB charger, a storage bag and a handy charging stand.

Editor review: "I will admit, I look slightly ridiculous wearing the device (sorry for the jump scare to my boyfriend every night), but it fits really well, it's light and comfortable to wear and after using it for just over six weeks I’ve started noticing subtle differences to my under eyes.

"The mask claims to reduce fine lines, which I can’t attest to quite yet, but I’ve definitely noticed my eye area looking more plump and generally brighter. It’s also quite a calming self-care moment, wearing the mask every day and taking a few minutes to let the light therapy do its thing," says social media editor Megan Storey.

LED Mask vs. LED Eye Mask

You might be thinking, do I need a separate eye mask if I already have an LED face mask? The thing about these devices is that they actually differ quite a bit. "While both devices employ similar light therapy principles, LED eye masks are specifically designed to conform to the contours of the eye area, ensuring optimal light delivery to this delicate region," says Dr Zamani. "In contrast, full-face LED masks provide broader coverage but may not deliver the same targeted intensity to the periorbital area.​ In order to protect the eyes, most face LED masks do not come close enough to help periorbital skin."

How Often Should You Use an LED Eye Mask?

While each mask will come with its own individual instructions, consistency is key when it comes to these kinds of devices. Dr Adebibe recommends using your mask around five times per week for best results.

Is an LED Eye Mask Safe to Use?

It's very important to follow the brand's instructions when using these devices to avoid causing any damage to your eyes. If you do suffer from any eye-related conditions or sensitivities, always check in with your doctor beforehand.

Dr Zamani also recommends exercising caution if you are on photosensitizing medications, are pregnant, have epilepsy or are undergoing treatment for cancer.

How We Tested

As you can see from the pictures above, team Who What Wear UK has been busy putting these LED eye masks through their paces. We tested each device for around eight weeks and monitored our results with before-and-after pictures. We each followed the instructions on our devices and used the LED mask for the recommend time per week in order to get the best results possible.

As a fussy team who has tested hundreds of beauty tools in the past, we know what to look for when it comes to these kind of things, and each took into account how easy each device was to use, how long it took to see results and whether it was worth the investment.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of makeup products, including bronzers, foundations, concealers and blushes, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.