Under Eye Patches Are the Most Underrated Skincare Must-Have
Especially if you have under eye bags and/or dark circles.
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Under eyes are a notorious “problem zone” for people of all ages and skin types. This delicate area is particularly prone to dryness, dullness, dark circles, laxity, puffiness, and wrinkles. (Yep, it’s a long list.) There are creams dedicated specifically for usage around the eyes to address these issues, and under eye patches aim to do the same. What’s more, they actually work pretty dang well for a number of reasons.
“It’s one of the thinnest and most delicate areas of skin on the body and is more susceptible to dryness or lack of moisture,” explains board-certified dermatologist Kate Viola, MD, FAAD. “These patches are like face masks but deliver a boost of active ingredients or hydration solely to the under eye.”
We’re covering why and how under eye patches work, how to use them, and which ones are worth your bread.
What Are Under Eye Patches?
Under eye patches are small, crescent-shaped patches made to fit underneath your eyes. They’re like sheet masks—only just for the under eye area—and are often formulated with a slippery gel, cellulose, or collagen base versus cotton. Like sheet masks, they originated in South Korea and Japan, and have made their way across the globe for good reason.
The Benefits of Using Under Eye Patches
Though small in size, under eye patches pack quite a bit of goodness. They’re typically formulated with hydrating ingredients—like hyaluronic acid or glycerin—to minimize fine lines and wrinkles and lend to an overall brighter under eye look.
They can also contain ingredients that target specific concerns. For example, under eye patches made with caffeine can help to depuff and tighten, centella asiatica (cica) helps soothe skin, and vitamin C protects and brightens. Some also feature anti-aging heroes, like resveratrol, retinol, peptides, and niacinamide.
“The occlusive material allows the ingredients to penetrate deeper and produce better results,” explains esthetician Caroline Dorick, founder of Whole Beauty Bar. “Certain eye patches also happen to do well after having been in the refrigerator. The cooling effect adds something extra to the process such as tightening or soothing your skin.”
How to Use Under Eye Patches
Using under eye patches is super simple.
“Use eye patch masks after cleansing the skin but before any creams or moisturizers. as these products may block the absorption of the active serum,” notes Victoria Waked, licensed esthetician at Dr. med. Christine Schrammek. “For an added boost and immediate result, I layer a concentrated serum on the skin under the eye mask.”
When applying, try to get the mask as close as you can get to the lash line without it being on top of your eye or obstructing your vision. Then allow the patch to set for 15 to 30 minutes before removing. It’s important to not rinse your skin after, as this washes away ingredients. Instead, follow up with the rest of your morning or evening skincare routine.
“The best time to use them is really when you are relaxing—like after work, on a break, or while on a flight,” Doric says. “You can also use under eye patches often but I would recommend at least three times a week as part of your beauty regimen.”
6 Best Under Eye Patches To Try
Curious to give under eye patches a try? Start with these expert-recommended options.
For Dryness: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches ($55, Sephora)
For Dark Circles or Bags: Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Eye Masks ($26, Sephora)
For Firming: Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels ($34, Ulta)
For Soothing: PÜR Mellow Eyes Hemp Hydrogel Rejuvenating Eye Patches ($30, Ulta)
For Anti-Aging: Knesko Nano Gold Repair Collagen Eye Mask ($65, Skinstore)
For Brightening: Pixi BeautifEYE Brightening Eye Patches with Vitamin C ($24, Ulta)
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