The 14 Best Under-Eye Masks for Looking Wide Awake
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They’ll make you look like you didn’t stay up late watching Netflix.
InStyle / Alexander Huang
We may be beauty experts here at InStyle, but that doesn’t mean we’re always pros at getting a full eight hours of sleep, and our under-eyes often pay the price. Puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles are common concerns around the office, especially after fun weekend festivities. While incorporating hydrating eye creams (and the occasional espresso shot) into our routines has helped, sometimes we need an immediate fix, which is where under-eye masks come in.
Under-eye masks are a smaller version of your normal sheet mask, except they’re geared to specifically treat the delicate eye area. The key for them to work their magic is to apply them on clean skin. “After removing all makeup and dirt, gently apply the under-eye patches,” says Dr. Jeannette Graf, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. These patches are a great intro to the world of skincare, but because of that, there are countless options available. That’s why we scoured the internet and tried out dozens of under-eye patches to see which ones can really make a difference. No matter your eye concern, keep reading to find the best under-eye masks.
Best Overall: Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Rose Gold Eye Masks
What We Love: These masks feature three key layers (as opposed to one) that deliver lasting results.
What We Don’t Love: The visible results aren’t as instant as we’d like them to be.
Sure, cute under-eye masks are fun to throw on for a quick hydration boost, but the best ones go above and beyond to banish dark circles, brighten, and firm the delicate eye area. Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Rose Gold Eye Masks manage to do all that and more, and it’s thanks, in part, to the impressive three layer design.
While many under-eye masks are comprised of one serum-infused layer, these feature three. The soft inner layer delivers a potent serum to the skin, while the middle elastic layer ensures the masks stay securely in place (no slipping or sliding here). Lastly, the outer foil keeps everything locked into the skin to ensure the serum and all its benefits are adequately absorbed for the best results possible.
Though we didn’t initially see results after trying these masks, we did feel the cooling effects from the aloe, calendula, and lavender extract-infused serum. There were, however, visible results hours later. Despite getting minimal sleep after testing the patches, not only were our dark circles barely visible come morning, but the area under our eyes also looked significantly brighter and felt much more firm. These have since become a staple for several of our testers.
As an added bonus, the masks are great for travel—slap these on before you take off and you’ll be bright-eyed by the time you land.
Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, calendula extract, camu camu extract | Benefits: Firms and brightens | Count: 6 pairs
Best for Puffy Eyes: Peace Out Puffy Under-Eye Patches
What We Love: The size of these covers the entire under-eye area.
What We Don’t Love: Some users had a hard time getting them to stay in place.
If your primary concern is puffiness, these patches are your best bet. Puffy eyes can be the result of dehydration, so the hyaluronic acid (along with drinking enough water!) provide that necessary moisture. Caffeine also limits to limit blood flow to the area, temporarily, which can deflate the eye bags. Put these in your skin care fridge for an extra cooling effect to further reduce the baggage.
We love how juicy these patches are, with lots of jelly serum on the cellulose mask. However, some users found that it caused the masks to slide. These may be best for some sedentary self-care time to keep them in place.
Key Ingredients: Caffeine, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Hydration, brings down puffiness | Count: 6 pairs
Best Brightening: Topicals Faded Under Eye Brightening & Clearing Eye Masks
What We Love: The hydrogel patch feels cooling on the skin.
What We Don’t Love: These might stick a little too well.
This brand entered the skin care scene with a bang, thanks to their best-selling Faded Serum for dark spots and discoloration. If the darkness you’re trying to target is concentrated in the under-eye area, then their eye masks are the product for you. Packed with caffeine, kojic acid, and arbutin—a plant-based extract that helps to address excess pigmentation—these patches are a great solution to under-eye woes. They hydrate, reduce puffiness, and brighten hyperpigmentation to give you a well-rested appearance (even if your sleep tally says otherwise).
The patches are a great option if you’re a multitasker to the max. Through making coffee, packing lunches, and getting ready while letting your skincare marinate, these will stay in place. That said, these masks may stay in place a little too well. We noticed you need to (gently) peel them off and it’s a little stickier than we’d prefer.
Key Ingredients: Caffeine, kojic acid, arbutin | Benefits: Brightening, address dark circles and dullness, de-puffs | Count: 6 pairs
Best Budget: Burt's Bees Renew Natural Hydrogel Eye Mask
What We Love: These soothe and revitalize under-eyes in 10 minutes flat.
What We Don’t Love: There’s only one pair per package.
Affordable yet powerful, these nourishing eye patches soothe and de-puff in just 10 minutes (yep, you read that right). Made with vitamin E and algae extract, the essence in these masks quickly sinks into the delicate eye area to instantaneously reduce swelling, hydrate, and soften skin. The hydrogel texture also amplifies the soothing effect, so you start to feel refreshed from the moment you put these on.
Note that these masks are very slippery, so we recommend wearing them while laying down to ensure they stay in place (and to reap the most benefits). Because there’s only one set per package, these are especially great for travel, but we do wish there were multi-pack options available.
Key Ingredients: Algae extract, vitamin E | Benefits: Hydrates and de-puffs | Count: 1 pair
Best Splurge: Kat Burki KB5 Eye Recovery Masks
What We Love: Because these patches are made from cloth they don’t slide off your face.
What We Don’t Love: Due to the firming ingredients, skin can feel a bit tight after wearing these.
To rejuvenate your under-eyes after a big event, the Kat Burki KB5 Eye Recovery Masks are a splurge-worthy option that come to the rescue time and time again. "These are the first things I grab after a long night out,” says InStyle’s former Commerce Editor, Mary Honkus. “In 15 minutes flat the soothing patches make tired, dark circles disappear like magic.”
The secret lies in the unique combination of plant stem cells and cold-pressed avocado oil: The former works to minimize signs of aging and improve overall skin tone, while the latter intensifies the results because it increases collagen production, which in turn makes skin appear more plump.
“Most eye patches I've tried have a gel consistency, but I like that these are like fabric because they stay in place and don't slide down my face at all,” Honkus adds. After massaging the remaining serum into skin, you might experience a tight feeling—fret not as it’s the ingredients working their magic, and the sensation will fade within a few minutes.
Key Ingredients: Botanical hyaluronic acid, cold-pressed avocado oil | Benefits: Soothes and de-puffs | Count: 8 pairs
Best for Dark Circles: Pixi BeautifEYE Brightening Eye Patches With Vitamin C
What We Love: After wearing these for 10 to 15 minutes, under-eyes look significantly brighter.
What We Don’t Love: The licorice scent is a bit overpowering.
If you suffer from dark circles no matter how much sleep you seem to get, then these patches will be the solution to your tired-eyed woes. Together, vitamin C and licorice work as a dynamic duo to instantly brighten and energize the under-eye area while also evening out skin tone for a fresh-faced, revitalized look.
The patches should last you through countless long nights, too, because each container comes with 30 pairs. We appreciate that each tub comes with an included spatula—an under-appreciated feature that allows you to carefully pull out each mask and reduce the risk of tearing.
While these are suitable for all skin types—including sensitive skin—it’s worth mentioning that these have a strong licorice scent. So, if you’re more sensitive to fragrance you may want to choose something else.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, licorice | Benefits: Brightens | Count: 30 pairs
Best for Nighttime: Patchology FlashPatch Restoring Night Eye Gels
What We Love: Retinol is the main ingredient in the formula.
What We Don’t Love: The serum leaves a slightly sticky residue on the skin.
Normally under-eye patches can be worn at any time, but these were specifically made to be worn at night due to the star ingredient: Retinol. The powerful active, which speeds up cellular turnover, works its magic to reduce fine lines on more mature skin while also minimizing the appearance of dark circles. Along with retinol, these impressive face masks are also infused with peptides and arnica extract to reduce crow’s feet and inflammation, as well as de-puff.
These patches only require about five minutes of wear to begin to see results. And though they have a gel texture, they stay in place (read: you won’t have to worry about them sliding down your face). If I had to pick one thing I didn’t like about this product, it’s the slightly sticky feeling it leaves. To remedy this, be sure to tap in the excess and follow up with an eye cream made to combat puffiness.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, peptides, arnica extract | Benefits: Reduces fine lines and dark circles | Count: 5 pairs
Best Reusable: Dieux Skin Forever Eye Mask Reusable 100% Silicone Patches
What We Love: These reusable patches can be used over 1000 (!) times.
What We Don’t Love: The masks need to be cleaned so they don’t harbor bacteria.
If we could only wear one pair of under-eye patches for the rest of our lives, these would be it—seriously! Dieux Skin Forever Eye Masks are reusable silicone eye patches that can be worn over and over again (over 1000 times, to be exact). After going through your regular skin routine, apply your favorite eye cream or serum to your skin, then place the masks over top—they will ensure your skin products stay in place, and actually increase absorption so you can get the most out of your skincare. After about 20 minutes, you can remove them, rinse, and then place them back in their case.
To ensure they stay sanitary and in pristine condition, you’ll want to clean them after each use. The cleaning process is pretty simple (with just a rinse), but make sure they’re completely dry before storing.
Key Ingredients: Silicone | Benefits: Reusable, helps products sink into skin | Count: 1 pair
Best Hydrating: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
What We Love: These are ideal for all skin types but are especially great for parched, dehydrated skin
What We Don’t Love: These have a tendency to slip and slide around your face.
The skin under your eyes is the most delicate area on your face—meaning it’s more susceptible to drying out. When we're feeling extra parched, theses masks always quench our under-eye thirst. They’re full of hydrating ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which both draw moisture to the area to help under-eyes look and feel more hydrated. Additionally, these masks also contain caffeine to soothe and de-puff, and marshmallow root extract to soften skin.
Since these eye masks are larger than others and have a gel texture, they’re not the best at staying in place. Also, the size makes them difficult to place, especially if you have more of a petite facial structure. We recommend cutting them to better fit your face (plus, you’ll be left with more patches in the end).
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, marshmallow root extract, caffeine | Benefits: Hydrates | Count: 30 pairs
Best for Eye Bags: Winky Lux Wakey Wakey Hydrogel Eye Patches
What We Love: Infused with hyaluronic acid, these patches dramatically increase hydration (plus the star design is super cute).
What We Don’t Love: These eye masks dry out quickly.
Woke up with serious eye bags? These will make them disappear in minutes. The immediate cooling sensation of these under-eye masks is what initially sold us, but the lasting results is what keeps us reaching for them again and again. Together, caffeine, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid work to de-puff, brighten, and awaken tired under-eyes.
Though they can be used at any time of day, we enjoy using these masks right when waking up because they act like a cup of morning coffee for our eyes. Plus, the cute star design is an instant mood booster. Pro tip: Store them in the fridge to enhance the soothing feeling.
While the instructions say to wear these for 10 minutes, we noticed that the serum completely soaked into our skin after about five minutes of wear. If your under-eyes aren't super dry you shouldn't have a problem, just something to consider before purchasing.
Key Ingredients: Caffeine, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Cools and de-puffs | Count: 30 pairs
Best With Retinol: Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask
What We Love: The ingredients not only reduce under-eye bags, but target fine lines too.
What We Don’t Love: It may take several weeks to see the results.
The fine lines around our eyes are somewhat inevitable. Occasionally called smile or laugh lines since they are caused by the crinkling that occurs from our facial expressions, they’re lines that we have earned with age. However, understanding why we have them is not the same as wanting to see them.
While your typical skin care routine can be used around the eyes at times, this skin is thin and delicate. A dedicated product designed for this area is key for optimal results. The Shiseido eye masks use a potent formula of pure retinol to address the texture and tone of aging skin in a formula designed for the eyes. The price is higher than many options on our list, but the results make it worth the cost.
Because these masks contains actives, which don’t have an immediate impact, you may need to use them for several weeks in a row to start to notice the effect.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, dryness, and dullness | Count: 12 packets
Best for Morning: Indeed Labs snoxin™ II Under Eye Patches
What We Love: These patches plump the under-eyes without stinging.
What We Don’t Love: They can rip if you’re not careful.
Ever wanted to try Botox to smooth out your under-eye, but wary of the cost (or needles)? That’s where these biodegradable eye patches come in. By using Argireline to reduce fine lines and niacinamide to improve skin discoloration and texture, these patches succeed in giving that “faux-tox,” just-came-back-from-vacay look. They’re especially useful as a prepping step for a hydrating concealer, as the combo truly makes fine lines all but disappear.
The one thing about these patches that took some getting used to is that they're not chock-full of serum like some other picks on this list. Their texture is more akin to a thick silicone that feels a bit slimy. That said, they are delicate enough that rips can happen easily, so be careful when handling!
Key Ingredients: Argireline, niacinamide, licorice root extract | Benefits: Smooths, brightens | Count: 15 pairs
Best Cooling: Enaskin Retinol Collagen Under Eye Mask
What We Love: Retinol is the main ingredient in the formula.
What We Don’t Love: Retinol increases skin’s sun-sensitivity, so you can’t use these patches during the day.
Normally under-eye patches can be worn at any time, but these were specifically made to be worn at night due to the star ingredient: retinol. The powerful active, which speeds up cellular turnover, works its magic to reduce fine lines on more mature skin while also minimizing the appearance of dark circles. Along with retinol, these impressive masks are also infused with collagen and purslane extract to improve skin elasticity and reduce puffiness, respectively.
Funnily enough, these patches almost have too much of a good thing going (in this case, serum), meaning they slip quite easily unless you use them while lying down. But this problem can be solved by squeezing out a bit of product before securing the patches to your under-eye. Plus, their soothing nature makes the need to take a beat and chill while using them well worth it.
Key ingredients: Retinol, collagen, purslane extract | Benefits: Reduces dark circles and wrinkles, de-puffs | Count: 30 pairs
Best for Sensitive Skin: COSRX Advanced Snail Hydrogel Eye Patch
What We Love: These covers feel incredibly hydrating.
What We Don’t Love: These slip fairly easily.
The benefits that under-eye patches typically promise are great…until the ingredients that are meant to facilitate those benefits burn your skin in the process (so unfair, right?!). The great thing about these masks is that their primary ingredient is snail secretion filtrate, a substance known throughout the beauty world to soothe damaged skin and help combat dehydration. Add this to the product’s short ingredient list in general and your sensitive skin is sure to be happy—and more moisturized to boot.
The tricky thing is, because these covers are so gentle, they may not be the ones for you if you want to target deeper issues like fine lines or wrinkles. They’re also a bit on the slippery side, so set aside some time to chill on the couch and scroll TikTok (we don’t judge) whenever you need some extra hydration.
Key Ingredients: Snail secretion filtrate, niacinamide | Benefits: Hydrates, plumps, and brightens | Count: 30 pairs
What to Keep in Mind
Skin Concern: Regardless of any skin concerns, using eye masks is a great way to refresh the delicate eye area, and they’re ideal for all skin types. But if you do have specific concerns, you’ll want to keep an eye out for certain ingredients to get the results you want. “Hyaluronic acid, retinol, vitamin C, and caffeine are some of my top essentials when it comes to eye masks,” says Taylor Worden, celebrity aesthetician and founder of Taylor Worden Skin. If your under-eye area tends to dry out, Worden recommends looking for eye masks infused with hyaluronic acid, as its water-binding nature attracts moisture to the skin. Opt for eye masks with retinol for longer-lasting results. On the other hand, to combat dark circles look for patches that contain vitamin C, as the brightening agent minimizes the appearance of tired eyes. And if you struggle with perpetually puffy eyes, caffeine works to instantly de-puff.
Material: While gel eye patches are the most common, there are also patches made with fabric and foil, too. Gel eye patches are great because the serum sits on top, which allows it to seamlessly sink into skin rather than staying stuck on the eye patch material. However, these textures have a tendency to slide down your face, so you may want to lay down while wearing them. If you hate said slipping, opt for fabric masks. This material has a good grip and will stay in place while wearing. Foil, on the other hand, doesn't really affect the staying power of the mask itself, but it locks in heat and moisture. Masks with foil finishes are ideal if you really want to see near immediate results because the serum underneath is less likely to evaporate.
Your Questions, Answered
How do you apply under eye patches?
The most important part of the application process is preparing the eye area—you want to ensure that your face is totally clean before placing an under-eye mask on your face. If makeup isn’t removed, then the product on the patches won’t be able to soak into the skin.
If your masks are housed in a jar, it’s important to use the spatula provided when taking them out of a container—this will prevent them from tearing and ensure that the serum stays soaked into the patch. If they’re in a packet, carefully slide them out and grab the thickest part of the patch, then apply to your face.
How do under eye patches work?
“All patches work by adding a layer of hydration to the skin and then covering it with an occlusive material,” says Dr. Nicole Hayre, M.D., a Virginia-based board-certified dermatologist. The main purpose of eye masks is to lock in moisture, and what it’s made out of plays an important role in its effectiveness. Gel, fabric, and foil all work well to hold serums or other skin products in place so that you can get the best results out of the treatment.
While it does depend on the packaging instructions, eye masks are typically worn for about 10 to 15 minutes. We noticed that after testing each product on this list, it took no longer than 10 minutes for the active ingredients to sink into the skin. When the patches are worn longer for 15 minutes, they start to dry out.
Why Shop With Us
Taylor Bushey has been an avid writer across a range of publications since 2015. She is also a makeup enthusiast and is always trying out the latest products and discovering new trends. On top of conducting market research and testing every product on this list, she reached out to experts including Taylor Worden, celebrity aesthetician and founder of Taylor Worden Skin; Dr. Jeannette Graf, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine; and Dr. Nicole Hayre, M.D., a Virginia-based board-certified dermatologist to learn more about how under-eye masks works and their benefits for the skin.
Allison Lax is a commerce updates writer with a passion for all things beauty and skincare. For this article, she researched the best eye masks while always keeping quality and results in mind.
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