So, do under eye patches really work to target dark circles and fine lines?
There are many reasons you might wake up with dark circles under your eyes: you partied hard at the weekend, have overdone it on the salty food, you're drinking a tad too much alcohol... the list goes on and on. Even removing your eye make-up too quickly – nay, harshly – can result in under eye circles.
As a potential tonic to the issue, in the last few years, under eye patches and under eye masks have grown in popularity. These promise a quick-fix to your dark and puffy peepers.
But are under eye patches effective? And what are the best under eye patches that need adding to your cart? WH takes a closer look…
How do under eye patches work?
So, how do eye under actually work? The half-moon shaped masks are enriched with potent serums and active ingredients to help deliver targeted skincare to the delicate under eye area.
Using the same method as face sheet masks, it's thought that your skin is able to 'drink up' more of the ingredients, whilst the mask locks everything in place, without allowing any of the good stuff to escape.
Can you leave eye patches on overnight?
Depending on which product you use, some under eye patches are designed to be worn for 10-20 minutes, whereas others can be left on overnight. As the under eye area is so sensitive, it's always recommended to read the instructions of your specific under eye patch – and to not leave it in place for longer than recommended.
How do you get rid of puffiness under eyes?
Whilst puffiness and dark circles can be a nightmare to get rid of, there are ways to get rid of dark circles under your eyes. Eye patches and masks are one option, and can be especially helpful at reducing puffiness in particular, thanks to the combination of cooling texture and potent ingredients.
What are the best under eye patches?
Depending on your budget and concern, there are lots of different under eye patches to choose from. From brightening to de-puffing and smoothing, here are the WH tried and tested best under eye patches.
The best under eye patches that celebrities use
1 / Dieux Forever Eye Masks
Loved by Hailey Bieber, these reusable under eye patches are enriched with hydrating glycerin, niacinamide and peptides, helping to minimise fine lines and refresh the skin as you wear them.
Pros: The Dieux Forever Eye Masks are reusable for at least a year before the logo starts to fade. At its price point, the product is a steal.
Cons: Some reviewers say that while the product smooths fine lines, the effect does not last all day.
2 / Kat Burki’s KB5™ Eye Recovery masks
Emily Blunt reportedly loves these under eye recovery masks, thanks to their antioxidant-packed formula which helps to protect and brighten, while anti-inflammatory properties tackle signs of ageing and avocado oil helps smooth and plump the skin.
Pros: Visibly smoother, more hydrated skin after use.
Cons: Some users reported a tingling sensation while applying the eye patch, and redness after removing.
3 / 111 Skin's Celestial Black Diamond Eye
Victoria Beckham says these eye masks are her favourites for 'revitalising tired eyes after a long day.'
Pros: These eye patches are drenched in hydrating hyaluronic acid and niacinamide that help moisturise the skin for a fresh plump look. The illuminating properties of niacinamide also helps rectify uneven skin tone, while peptides and retinol help smooth wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
Cons: Users felt that the price of the product was steep and most reported using them sparingly, once a week or only before special occasions.
4 / Peace Out’s Puffy Under-Eye Patches
Megan Fox’s aesthetician Mindi Walters has previously revealed that she used Peace Out’s Puffy Eyes under-eye patches on Megan before last year's Vanity Fair after party to “visibly brighten” her eyes.
Pros: Soaked in caffeine, these bio-cellulose patches remove evidence of a late night (or early morning) by relieving puffiness and water retention while antioxidant-rich passion fruit extract brightens the under-eye area in just 15 minutes.
Cons: Some reviewers also said that while the eye patches made their skin feel hydrated, the noticeable difference to dark circles and puffiness was subtle.
5 / Talika’s Reusable Eye Therapy Patches
During promotion for the Barbie movie, Margot Robbie name-checked Talika’s Reusable Eye Therapy Patches as her favourite under eye patches.
Pros: With a potion seeped in shea butter and ceramides, these eye patches help restructure and moisturise the fine skin around the eyes. Muscat rose and wheat germ helps reduce dark circles and firm the sensitive under eye skin. Plus, the patches can be reused up to three times.
Cons: However, some users said that the patches dried quickly, making them difficult to reuse.
6/ MIJ Masks
Love Island presenter Maya Jama released her very own range of under eye patches (MIJ eye masks) after realising they were a staple in her routine.
'I created them after I became obsessed with skincare and under-eye masks, and I used to post pictures [of me wearing eye masks] all over my Instagram Stories, on planes and going to the shops and all that silly stuff. Then people started sending me pictures of themselves doing the same thing.'
'People would ask me what the best brand to use was, and I realised: why not do my own? I went on an undercover mission, got all the expensive masks and compared and remixed. Now, in my mind – and from my extensive market research – I feel [Mij] is the ultimate mask.'
Pros: The innovative, hydrogel design is instantly cooling and nourishing, while the glycerin formula leaves your under eyes feeling instantly hydrated.
Cons: We're yet to find one. In fact, you should probably read our beauty editor Perdita Nouril's review of the full MIJ range, here.
7/ 111Skin Rose Gold Eye Masks
Jen Aniston also favours under eye patches before a big event. On her IG stories, she was spotted wearing 111Skin rose gold eye masks.
Pros: Illuminating, ultra-hydrating and smoothing.
Cons: Comes with a celebrity price-tag.
8/ Milk Makeup Cooling Water Undereye Patches
Hailey Bieber's also loves Milk Makeup's intensely cool undereye patches that they work rapidly to de-puff, soothe and calm the delicate under eye area.
Pros: Brimming with caffeine, they also help to stimulate microcirculation and brighten dark circles, while seawater, aloe and lavender help to hydrate and dial down inflammation.
Cons: They're popular – so often out of stock!
9/ Skyn ICELAND Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gel
Kourtney Kardashian stated on her Poosh blog that before glam, before outfit planning, there’s one ritual she swears by when getting ready for an event or night out. You guessed it. Under eye patches. The one she's keen on are Skyn ICELAND Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gel.
Pros: Peptides and ginko biloba help to brighten the under-eye area, firm and reduce puffiness in just 10 minutes.
Cons: Can be a little bit slippery, so you need to lay back and relax while you wear them (hardly a con, tbh!)
So, if you’re struggling with a tired face, try out these best under eye patches and remember that everyone – even the most glamorous – doesn’t look Insta-perfect. No one ‘just woke up like this’.
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