15 best under-eye patches to depuff and hydrate, according to experts
Content is created by CNN Underscored’s team of editors who work independently from the CNN newsroom. When you buy through links on our site, CNN and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Learn more
I inherited genetic under eye hyperpigmentation, a common skin concern for South and Southeast Asian women. Over the years, I have learned to embrace my dark under-eye circles, but as a result I’ve also become just a little bit obsessed with keeping my under-eye area hydrated and firm. Under-eye patches are one of my favorite at-home beauty treatments for calming puffiness and keeping the skin supple and moisturized, which in turn at least reduces the appearance of dark circles.
Benefits of under-eye patches
“The under-eye area tends to become very dry and dehydrated. Typically, applying under-eye patches helps maintain hydration levels in the delicate, thin eye area,” says Rachel Lozina, licensed esthetician and owner of Blue Water Spa in New York.
Repairing dry skin is just one of the benefits of regular eye mask application. If your eye area tends to betray that you’re not getting enough sleep, an under-eye mask offers an almost immediate brightening boost that helps your whole face look more awake. And they can even have anti-aging effects.
“[Under-eye] patches work to improve the appearance of under-eye skin because they are occlusive. This means they trap water in the skin, which makes fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable as a result of the skin being more plump with moisture,” says Dr. Brendan Camp, a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. “As an occlusive, ingredients [infused] in the eye patches are also enhanced, like vitamin C, niacinamide or caffeine. The inclusion of humectants, like hyaluronic acid, attracts and retains moisture in the skin to make it look more rested and youthful.”
How to use under-eye patches
You can apply under-eye patches in your skin care routine whenever you need to depuff and hydrate, but they’re an especially great makeup prep step. Lozina likes to wear under-eye masks after applying facial serums and right before putting on her makeup. This process gives her skin an extra dose of hydration before a night out, with the added bonus that “it prevents any eyeshadow or eyeliner fall out from darkening the eye area.”
Keep scrolling to discover the best under-eye patches that stay in place while you’re wearing them and offer refreshing hydration that your eyes will drink right up.
Best under-eye patches for wrinkles
Valmont Instant Stress Relieving Eye Patches
“These unique bio cellulose patches instantly and visibly improve the texture of the skin by smoothing wrinkles, plumping the under-eye area and reducing puffiness,” says Lozina. There are five pairs of eye masks in the package, and ingredients include algae extract, caffeine and green tea.
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask
These Estée Lauder eye masks focus on helping tired eyes recover from ambient pollution and restless nights. Camp is a fan of the ingredients Infused into the patches, including botanical extracts, caffeine and hyaluronic acid, which “plump fine lines and smooth out crepey skin in just 10 minutes.”
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
For intense under-eye hydration, grab these Peter Thomas Roth eye patches. Hyaluronic acid drenches dry under eyes in moisture, while marshmallow root extract helps soften fine lines.
Good Molecules Caffeine Hydrogel Eye Patches
The main ingredient in Good Molecules’ eye patches is caffeine, so the eye area will look more awake, as well as firmer and less puffy too. Meanwhile, licorice extract and aloe vera keep the eye hydrated and soften wrinkles.
Best under-eye patches for dark circles
Drmtlgy Brightening Under Eye Masks
The Drmtlgy under-eye masks are a handy way to start your day because they help calm bloated-looking under-eye skin in just 15 minutes. The combination of caffeine, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide will help diminish eye bags if you use these regularly.
Dieux Forever Eye Mask
Dieux makes one of the few under-eye masks that are reusable. These silicone patches are meant to be applied to the face as the last step in your skin care routine, to seal in the moisturizer and serum you’ve already applied — and they can even be used to catch makeup fallout.
Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
Camp recommends these eye patches because they contain “antioxidants like vitamins C and E to protect skin from free radicals and caffeine to reduce puffiness.” Colloidal gold and 24-karat gold help reduce the appearance of fine lines, brighten the skin and minimize the look of dark circles.
Topicals Faded Brightening Under Eye Masks
These under-eye masks use a plant-derived ingredient called arbutin to reduce puffiness and, as the name suggests, fade discoloration around the eyes. Kojic acid targets dark spots, while caffeine helps wake up tired eyes.
Patchology Illuminating Eye Gels
Patchology's brightening under-eye masks help you look refreshed and awake. Green tea and mulberry extract reduce inflammation, while minerals infused into the eye patch impart a glowy look to your under-eye area.
Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Mask
These eye masks come in two options, gold and rose gold foil. Foil helps trap the serum underneath the eye masks, so it absorbs into your skin more effectively. Hyaluronic acid keeps that delicate under-eye skin looking plump and moisturized. A layer of elastic underneath the top layer of foil holds the eye masks in place while you’re wearing them.
Best under-eye patches for puffiness
Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels
Dr. Carolyn Stull, a board certified dermatologist based in New York City, recommends these under-eye masks because they “help firm, brighten and depuff the under-eye area.” One of the main ingredients is coenzyme q10, which combats damage from free radicals along with hydrolyzed extension, a plant-derived protein that helps boost hydration.
Grace & Stella Energy Drink Eye Masks
Lozina also loves these Grace & Stella under-eye masks because of the affordable price. “With ingredients like sea moss, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, they really help with anti-aging, puffy eyes and keeping the skin hydrated,” she adds. The brand makes masks in four different styles that moisturize, restore and energize under-eyes.
Beauty Pie Depuffing Under Eye Gels
Bring tired eyes back to life with the Beauty Pie under-eye gels, which specifically target puffiness. They're loaded with a serum that contains niacinamide and arctic algae to strengthen your skin barrier and hyaluronic acid for hydration, plus a dash of rosewater to soothe inflamed skin. Just pop them under your eyes for 20 minutes every day to get all the benefits.
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch for Tired Eyes
This affordable pack of three sets of eye patches offers a cooling sensation to your puffy under eyes. Niacinamide and tri-hyaluronic acid team up to hydrate the area and keep the skin looking firm.
Indeed Labs Snoxin II Under Eye Patches
Indeed Labs’ biodegradable eye patches stay in place and feel cooling as they infuse the under-eye area with argireline, niacinamide and plant extracts. Keep them in the fridge for a refreshing treatment.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
