The Science Behind Brighter-Looking Eyes How these eye drops became Hollywood’s best-kept secret for brighter-looking eyes.
Sponsored by Bausch + Lomb Published: Apr 1, 2025
No matter how much concealer, under-eye brightener, mascara or liner you apply, nothing can truly mask the appearance of red, irritated, tired-looking eyes. Whether it’s from a lack of sleep or environmental aggressors, our eyes can look dull and tired easily, but that doesn’t mean we have to accept it.
For years, LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops have been Hollywood’s best-kept secret for brighter, whiter -looking eyes, from the red carpet to the silver screen. If you feel like you’re constantly chasing after bright, A-list caliber eyes to no avail, we’ve got you covered. Ahead, board-certified optometrist and founder of LINE OF SIGHT—a concierge eyecare practice in New York City that offers a holistic and integrative approach to eye care—Jennifer Tsai, OD walks us through the science behind brighter-looking eyes.
What Are the Main Causes of Redness in the Eyes? Before you can understand the best way to combat your red, tired-looking eyes, we must first understand what causes our eyes to not look their best. “The main cause of redness in the eyes is typically dryness, meaning there is insufficient tear production and lubrication in the eye itself,” Dr. Tsai says. “Other common causes are allergies from pollen and dust, eye strain from screentime, contact lens wear, environmental conditions like wind or smoke, and underlying medical conditions such as rosacea.”
Expert-Approved Products for Brighter-Looking Eyes Dr. Tsai recommends the celeb-loved LUMIFY Eye Drops ($21.99) as an effective option to reduce redness to make irritated eyes look brighter and more awake. “LUMIFY is effective at reducing redness in one minute,” she explains. “Unlike traditional redness reliever drops that constrict all blood vessels (potentially leading to rebound redness), LUMIFY selectively constricts only the small veins, maintaining normal oxygen flow to the eyes.” The eyes are a sensitive area, so finding a redness-relieving eye drop that is safe and effective when used as directed, is key. Unlike other redness-reliever eye drops, the key ingredient in LUMIFY is brimonidine tartrate (0.025%)—an FDA-approved ingredient reformulated at a low dose to minimize redness.
If the Hollywood stamp-of-approval isn’t enough to convince you, let the numbers do the talking. In a clinical study, 95% of LUMIFY users had significant redness reduction after just one minute of use. When used as directed, the results can last up to eight hours, making it ideal for events and special occasions, says Dr. Tsai. “It’s always important to address the underlying cause of redness, whether it’s dry eye, allergies, or eye strain, by seeing your eye doctor,” Dr. Tsai adds.