Alternative to EL panel for similar effect

I’m working on a wearable project that uses a heartbeat monitor to pulse a light on and off. I’ve made a circuit with a small circular EL panel which I wanted to sew into a jumper, but because of the power requirements it’s a bit bulky.

I’m looking for some sort of light component that would be gentle and subtle light the el panel is, but without the complex light requirements. I’d rather not have something garish like a bare LED sticking out.