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Sep 19, 2023

17 Best Under Eye Patches 2023

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Moisturizing and cooling masks that truly deliver eye-opening results.

The eyes are said to be the windows of the soul, right? In which case, caring for your under-eye area should be a crucial part of your beauty routine. Because the skin around the eyes tends to be thinner and more delicate, it's common to notice visible signs of aging in that area of the face first. The good news, however, is there is a quick fix for achieving younger-looking eyes.

According to experts, under-eye patches are the perfect pick-me-up for dark circles, crows feet, and beyond: "Eye masks do work very well to drive hydration into the skin," explains Dr. Nicole Hayre, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Cosmetic Dermatology Center. "They do this through occlusion by covering the skin with a solid layer." Dr. Dendy Engelman, an NYC-based dermatologist, adds that eye gels are also "most notable for reducing puffiness" and "these effects lead to firming the skin underneath the eyes as well as brightening the area."

Below, the best under-eye patches and masks that truly go above and beyond to deliver eye-opening results.

Perfect for those specifically struggling with dryness, these gel patches are infused with hyaluronic acid that helps add extra moisture and plump up the skin around the sensitive eye area, as well as marshmallow root and caffeine for smoothing and awakening. One Sephora reviewer said they "not only moisturized my Sahara Desert under eyes, but they seemed to firm up the area as well."

Pro tip: Pop these bad boys in the fridge beforehand for an extra cooling and refreshing feel.

Dr. Engelman says these gold foil masks are among the best on the market because they come jam-packed with "ingredients that can prevent signs of aging and reduce puffiness." Key ingredients include camu camu extract to brighten dark circles, aloe extract to soothe puffy eyes, and hyaluronic acid to retain moisture and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. The result: Hello, bright eyes!

If you want to soften the signs of aging around your eyes, 111Skin's masks with actual black diamond particles will no doubt be your best friend. They also contain a potent combination of Artificial Moisturizing Factor (AMF), vitamins, retinol, and peptides that work to increase hydration, soften fine lines and wrinkles, and deliver glowy results.

Fake a good night's sleep with these cooling, collagen gels that leave you looking wide-eyed and perky in mere minutes. Pop them on whenever you need an extra boost, whether that be when you're getting ready in the morning, jet-setting, or on the go. They are even specially designed to be worn overnight: "They stayed on all night," raved a reviewer. "When I took them off in the morning my under-eye area was so smooth, depuffed, and felt amazing."

According to Dr. Engelman, Chanel also makes a great eye mask. "The anti-wrinkle formula is a two-step routine that works to reduce indications of fatigue including puffiness and dark circles," says the dermatologist, while "the hydrogel patches contain 3.5-DA and a vitamin complex to tighten and brighten skin."

If you've tried Estée Lauder's cult-favorite Advanced Night Repair Serum, you know what to expect here: a highly-concentrated pair of eye masks that penetrates into skin beautifully to reveal a well-rested, youthful look. "These really give me a boost and make me look like a living functioning human," said one Sephora reviewer, adding that "my concealer and foundation look amazing under my eyes when I use [them]."

Get your glow on at home with these patches from celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas (her clients include Rachel Brosnahan and none other than Meghan Markle). Hyaluronic acid teams up with chamomile and algae extracts to firm and lift the look of thin, sagging skin while brightening the under-eye area at the same time.

Fine lines and wrinkles don't stand a chance against Shiseido's retinol-infused patches that gently help fight signs of aging, while also refining the skin's texture. Even better: the mask can be used around the mouth, too. "They take 10 years off of my eye age!" raved one reviewer. "I always look like I've gotten the best sleep of my life."

For a sustainable option, look no further than these reusable silicone pads that come housed in a sleek tin. Just pop them over your favorite eye cream, oil, or serum and watch the magic happen. They "easily applied and stay put," wrote a reviewer, noting that "the difference in fine lines and puffiness is unreal."

Thanks to a blend of nourishing ingredients, celebrity makeup artist Jillian Dempsey's patches work wonders on tired, thirsty under-eyes. "Love how moisturizing these feel," wrote a reviewer on Amazon. "They really get in the wrinkles."

Another Dr. Engelman favorite, these made-in-Switzerland patches are packed with extremely rich minerals found in a triple algae biomaterial that works to hydrate and smoothen. Caffeine and arnica are also key powerhouse ingredients that boost the formulation's efficacy by activating microcirculation, therefore reducing puffiness and dark under-eye circles.

Not only does this Cle de Peau Beaute option effectively take on dark circles, dryness, and puffiness around the sensitive under-eye area, but it delivers the same brightening, nourished results to the forehead and cheeks, as well. "It felt like pure luxury and soothing magic on my skin," one fan praised it in a review on the brand's site. "It's like an instant facelift."

For a more budget-friendly option, these under-eye patches by Skyn Iceland are your best bet. "Every so often I wake up with extremely puffy eyes and dark circles," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "I apply the Skyn eye pads, wait 15 minutes or so and their cooling magic makes me look normal again."

Klorane's plant-based haircare products have garnered a cult-like following, but the brand's hydrogel patches are equally as impressive. Powered by a blend of cornflower water and plant-based hyaluronic acid, the under-eye staples instantly soothe, de-puff, diminish the appearance of dark circles, and visibly smooth fine lines and wrinkles. They're so effective that one reviewer raved about how they "make my eyes look significantly younger and healthier, and are gentle on my sensitive skin."

If you're in a pinch, these triangle-shaped eye masks will come to the rescue. In just 5 minutes, they help plump, calm, and firm the look and feel of run-down under-eyes for a luminous, just-got-8-hours-of-sleep appearance. One reviewer loves them because "they really help if your eyes need a little lift or some hydration" and they "improve the skin around your eyes for the day or evening."

When you're dealing with dark circles and lackluster skin, these gilded Chantecaille eye masks are the gold standard. (See what we did there?!) Each pair comes enriched with seaweed, a 24-karat gold serum, as well as a blend of powerful botanicals that work to deliver revitalized, radiant results. One fan called them "my secret weapon to looking well rested and bright!"

Tired of looking, well, tired? Infused with ceramides and a nourishing blend of vegetable oils, these pads by the beloved French brand Talika do the trick at awakening, refreshing, and plumping your eyes within 15 minutes. Bonus: Each pair can be reused up to three times.

Under-eye patches are extremely effective on bags, puffiness, dark circles, and any signs of aging. On days when you're feeling sleep deprived or run down, popping on the cooling masks for 10 or so minutes can help you look and feel refreshed and awake.

Though, it is important to note that results are usually short-term. "The ingredients in them are very concentrated, therefore infusing quickly into your skin," explains Dr. Engelman. "Due to this, you may see effects shortly after use but not longer-lasting results."

Dr. Hayre also advises people with extra-sensitive skin should stay away from patches since "they can drive more product into the skin than a simple application of a cream or serum," and as a result, "this may trigger a reaction to a product which normally would have been tolerated in another form." If you're unsure, your best bet is to speak to a dermatologist first about tackling the under-eye area.

When doing your research on the best under-eye patches, Dr. Hayre and Dr. Engelman say to look for ones with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide since both help with hydration, as well as caffeine which helps with de-puffing.

"Vitamin C is also great because it brightens the skin and helps to lighten dark spots," adds Dr. Engelman. "Along with these, it's important to look for soothing ingredients, such as chamomile or aloe vera, to nourish the thinner skin under the eyes."

Dr. Hayre recommends reaching for patches that are fragrance-free and only have simple ingredients, too: "Fragrance can easily cause irritation to the skin and is really not necessary for the product."

According to Dr. Hayre, a major benefit of applying patches is that they can hydrate the skin rapidly. "For those who can tolerate them, the rejuvenating pads may work faster than a simple topical application of the same ingredients," explains the dermatologist.

In addition to hydration, Dr. Engelman also notes that masks are especially effective at reducing puffiness and firming sagging skin. "Some claim to help with dark circles and fine lines as well," adds the pro, "but this is usually only due to the plumping effect that makes dark circles and lines less visible temporarily."

Sophie Dweck is the associate shopping editor for Town & Country, where she covers beauty, fashion, home and décor, and more.

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