T&C Tried & True: The Niche Wellness Device I Never Knew My Eyes Needed

Here at T&C, we pride ourselves on our discerning eye for quality. With Tried & True, our editors will give you an inside look at the pieces they simply cannot live without.

Since the age of 9, my one wish in life has been to have 20/20 vision, to be able to wake up every morning and just see clearly. Alas, I long ago accepted that I am going to be a glasses and contact lens wearer for the foreseeable forever. One could argue a vision corrective surgery may help, but because I suffer from chronic dry eyes—caused in part by genetics, my daily contacts, the environmental conditions of NYC, and staring at a computer for 8 hours at a time—most elective treatments are out of the picture as they’ll exacerbate my symptoms. So, I’ve resorted to a lifetime of lubricating drops and doing whatever I can to ensure my eyes don’t feel like sandpaper with every blink.

One of the most effective at-home remedies I have come across has been the Peep Club Heated Eye Wand. The brainchild of optometrist and fellow dry-eye-sufferer Nicola Alexander-Cross, the handheld device incorporates three different technologies meant to alleviate dryness and improve the delicate skin around eyes.

First, and arguably the best, technology is the heated mode, which helps naturally restore hydration and unclog blocked oil glands on the eyelids that cause dryness. Designed to be used in tandem with an under-eye cream or a safe-for-eyes product for extra slip, the wand offers 5-minute customizable treatments between 37- to 45-degrees Celsius (about 99- to 113-degrees Fahrenheit) that feel crazy-soothing under the eyes and over the lids. Think of it as a warm compress—minus the dripping water and constant re-heating. The heated mode is effective solo, but the addition of the gentle massage, which is the second technology, further improves the effectiveness of the treatment while also depuffing the upper and lower eyelids.

When I met Dr. Alexander-Cross over the summer, she recommended using the wand morning and night (without contacts on, of course) for three weeks straight to start, and then use when needed. Not only was I diligent about the three-week routine, but the wand has been become a bedtime staple every night since then. After a single 5-minute treatment before bed, my entire eye area feels relaxed and comforted. So just imagine how it feels after repeated use. My contact lenses don’t feel like vices on my eyes by the end of the day as they used to nor do my eyes look bloodshot. It’s really been a game-changer for my peepers.

As for the final feature, the device also offers targeted LED treatment modes, including red light for smoothing fine lines, green light for calming redness, and amber light for reducing the appearance of under eye dark circles. While I don’t rely on the wand for its LED technology as much, mainly because I already regularly use a red-light mask, it’s nice having it has back-up when I notice flare ups or traveling.

The last thing to note is the wand’s metal tip is suitable for most sensitive skin types, but Peep Club also sells a nickle-free version for anyone with a nickel-allergy. Other than that, this small but mighty device has made living with this common chronic condition completely more manageable. It’s a niche investment, for sure, but one that will do tiny wonders for your day to day life if you’re a fellow a dry-eye sufferer as well.

Sophie Dweck is the Shopping Editor for Town & Country, where she covers all things fashion, beauty and lifestyle, shares her expertise on the most worthwhile luxury products, tests and writes in-depth reviews on the very best essentials worth investing in, as well breaking news about the latest launches, and of course, reports on the biggest sales and deals to shop no matter the day. Some of her favorite items to date are Gwyneth Paltrow's ski trial cardigan, the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser, and ZIIP’s microcurrent device. When Sophie isn't testing state-of-the art beauty tech or breaking down TikTok aesthetics, she loves indulging in BonBon sweets (Sorbisars, for the win!) and finding the next trend before it goes viral.

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