Do Eye Massagers Really Work?
If you’ve been scrolling through social media or beauty blogs, you’ve probably seen eye massagers touted as the ultimate fix for puffy eyes, dark circles, and fine lines. But do these gadgets really deliver on their promises, or are they just another trend? Here, we break down how eye massagers work, the technology behind them, and whether or not they’re worth adding to your skincare routine.
There are many types of eye massagers, each with their own set of benefits.
Emerging research shows promising evidence that eye massagers can benefit the skin, though more research is needed.
Pair a customized skin care routine based on your Baumann Skin Type with eye massagers for best results.
What Are Eye Massagers?
Eye massagers are devices designed to target the delicate skin around the eyes. Some are intended purely for relaxation, providing gentle vibrations or heat to relieve tired eyes. Others claim to provide additional benefits, such as reducing puffiness, dark circles, and even fine lines. These devices often use advanced technologies like microcurrents, LED therapy, and cryotherapy.
Types of Eye Massagers
The real question is whether these features can live up to the claims. Below, we’ll take a deeper dive into the different types of eye massagers and the science behind each one.
Manual Massagers
Some eye massagers don’t need batteries or electricity. Instead, these massagers are designed to be used manually to provide relaxation and lymphatic benefits around the eyes. The Osmosis Mini Multi Tool, for example, is a small copper handheld tool with two ends. The round end can be used on its own as a massaging tool or it can double as a way to apply eye cream to the delicate eye area while massaging at the same time.
Some research suggests that manual massage can help to improve under-eye puffiness and even reduce the appearance of wrinkles by promoting lymphatic drainage and improving blood circulation (3).
Microcurrent Massagers
Microcurrent technology uses low-level electrical currents to stimulate the skin and underlying muscles. This technique, used in small, handheld devices like the NuFACE Fix Kit, is believed to promote collagen production, improve elasticity, and smooth fine lines.
Research shows that microcurrent therapy may increase ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production in skin cells, which fuels collagen and elastin synthesis. Studies have found that this can result in a significant improvement in the appearance of lines and wrinkles, especially on the forehead and around the eyes (4). Results may take several weeks of consistent use, however.
Cryotherapy Massagers
Cryotherapy massagers like this one from Solaris Laboratories deliver controlled cooling that can reduce inflammation and puffiness under the eyes.
Cryotherapy works by causing vasoconstriction, or the tightening of blood vessels, reducing swelling and redness. One study even found that cryotherapy may help to increase antioxidant activity, which could help to further reduce signs of aging caused by oxidative stress (5). Regular use may also help to improve the appearance of dark circles by reducing blood flow to the area, which can contribute to their discoloration.
LED Massagers
LED eye massagers use light therapy to address specific skin concerns. Some studies show that red light, for example, may stimulate collagen production, while blue light is commonly used to target acne-causing bacteria (6).
Devices like the It’s Lit LED Gua Sha Facial Massager that are designed to improve signs of skin aging like fine lines around the eyes use red LED therapy. Some studies show that low-level red light can increase collagen and elastin within the skin, improving fine lines and other common signs of aging, as well as reduce inflammation and reverse signs of sun damage (7, 8). However, more research is needed to assess the long-term effects of red light on the skin as light in general may lead to skin aging.
Benefits of Eye Massagers
As noted above, different types of eye massagers can come with different benefits for the delicate skin around your eyes. While many types of eye massagers have some scientific research to back up their claims, more research is still needed to determine the best types of at-home devices to use to achieve maximum benefits.
Generally speaking, however, at-home eye massagers like the ones listed above may provide a number of benefits to your skin:
Relaxation and stress relief. Eye massagers provide gentle vibrations, heat, or cooling to soothe tired eyes and relax muscles, reducing strain from prolonged screen time.
Improved blood circulation. Both manual and electric devices can help to promote blood flow around the eye area, enhancing skin health and brightness.
Improved dark circles. Many types of eye massagers may reduce discoloration by improving circulation and reducing oxidative stress, a common cause of dark circles.
Reduced under-eye puffiness. Manual massagers may reduce swelling and puffiness under the eyes by encouraging lymphatic drainage, while cryotherapy massagers achieve a similar result by tightening blood vessels.
Smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Microcurrent and LED eye massagers may be the best for stimulating collagen to smooth fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.
Anti-inflammatory benefits. Cryotherapy and LED therapy may reduce inflammation, calming redness and irritation.
Drawbacks of Eye Massagers
While eye massagers may offer a number of benefits, there are a few potential downsides:
Temporary results. Most benefits, like reduced puffiness and dark circles, are short-term and require consistent use of these devices to maintain.
Skin sensitivity. Some sensitive skin types may find certain eye massagers irritating to the skin.
Risk of hyperpigmentation. Some eye massagers, particularly those that emit light, may cause dark spots.
Not a replacement for skincare. Eye massagers are best used as a complement to your customized skincare routine, not a substitute.
Bottom Line
Eye massagers can be worth adding to your skin care routine if you are looking for something relaxing that may also come with benefits like reduced puffiness, minimized dark circles, and smoother fine lines. However, eye massagers aren’t a magic fix and won’t replace a customized skincare regimen tailored to your needs.
The good news is that many eye massagers are affordable, so you don’t have to spend a fortune to see if they work for you and your skin’s specific needs.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
