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Nov 12, 2024

29 Best Under Eye Patches And Masks Of 2024 To Treat Puffiness And Tiredness | British Vogue

Under eye patches may have won over Instagram thanks to everyone from Victoria Beckham to Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford, but as it turns out, the double-tap-worthy treatment also delivers serious complexion rewards. Though not intended for everyday use, they offer a “boost” to the delicate area on especially swollen mornings, notes Hollywood facialist Mila Moursi. (The root causes of that puffiness? Pollution; poor sleep; hot, dry indoor air; inadequate make-up removal; and heavy creams, which can overburden the skin at night, she adds.) With that in mind, sleep soundly knowing that the latest wave of masks are formulated with a wealth of transformative actives for a supercharged appearance upon waking – no matter the previous evening’s transgressions.

Composed of gel or woven sheets infused with concentrated serums, under eye patches are an effective and targeted treatment for the delicate skin around the eye socket. Thanks to their occlusive fabric layer – which prevents moisture from being lost through evaporation – the hydration and actives contained in an eye patch are readily absorbed by the skin. Under this fabric, focused skincare penetrates more deeply than a stand-alone serum or even the best eye cream, resulting in an eye contour that’s immediately plumped and refreshed. And, with choice ingredients for firming (think peptides and collagen) as well as consistent use, they can improve deeper set concerns like fine lines and wrinkles. Here, the best eye masks to stock up on now according to British Vogue.

111Skin’s charcoal coloured patches contain regenerative retinol, plumping hyaluronic acid, clearing yarrow extract (not to mention luxe black diamond particles) to transform tired eyes. No wonder they are Victoria Beckham’s go-to.

Pros: retinol-rich formula is highly effective for wrinkles, as well as dark circles caused by hyperpigmentation | hydrogel patches adhere well without sliding | mess-free

Cons: at the higher end of the price spectrum

111Skin

Celestial Black Diamond Eye Mask Pack Of Eight

111SKIN

Consider Chanel’s luxe firming two-step system – a roll-on serum and hydrogel patches stamped with the French house’s logo – the 2.55 of eye care.

Pros: massaging rollerball helps drain fluid from puffy eyes | roll-on serum can be used long after you’re out of patches | very Instagrammable

Cons: is pricey

Chanel

Le Lift Firming Anti-Wrinkle Flash Eye Revitalizer

Selfridges

John Lewis

Self-care and positive affirmations go hand in hand. Tick both off of your to-do list with Wishful’s gold under eye patches, masks every bit as empowering as the tag they’re emblazoned with. They energise the eye contour with a blend of skin-tightening peptides, plus supercharge collagen production over time with the help of rose extract. As if that wasn’t enough, they also give a snatched guide for effortless eyeliner: simply place and trace with your kohl of choice for a lifted, feline flick.

Pros: boost collagen | infused with firming, line-smoothing peptides | non-slip | travel-friendly

Cons: not suited to those who like their patches dripping with moisture – these are the sticky, lifting variety

Wishful Empowered

Eye Lift & Contour Eye Masks

Cult Beauty

A critical component of most cell functions, NAD+ naturally declines with age. In a breakthrough formula that encapsulates the coenzyme in liposomes for direct delivery to the dermis, Intuisse’s eye patches work to replenish natural stores of the molecule and reverse signs of senescence. Developed by leading Swiss scientists, these patches boast collagen, pharmaceutical grade NAD+ and peptides – a potent trio that supports healthy ageing, smoothing lines and firming the eye contour. Keep them refrigerated to prolong the life of their active ingredients, and enjoy a cooling refresh whenever your eyes call for it.

Pros: potent, scientifically-proven formula | renovates skin at the cellular level | smooths and soothes all skin types including sensitive

Cons: requires assembly, which can be fiddly as serum is separate from the sheets

Intuisse

Active NAD+ Eye Mask

Intuisse

Designed to be used in tandem with its toning gel serum, BioEffect’s glycerin- and hyaluronic acid-infused under eye patches are the perfect treat for tired eyes. Expect softened, supercharged skin after a 15-minute treatment.

Pros: fragrance, oil, and paraben-free | plant-derived and safe for use during pregnancy | hyaluronic acid infused hydrogel patches are deeply moisturising

Cons: the gel serum and hydrogel patches are sold separately at most retailers

BioEffect

EGF Eye Mask Treatment

Amazon

Face The Future

LOOKFANTASTIC

Augustinus Bader’s celebrity-approved reparative eye treatment is a must-have for frequent travellers and evening revellers alike. The formula features the brand’s patented Trigger Factor Complex – TFC8 – which hydrates and brightens, as well as reducing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.

Pros: brightens dark circles | reduces the appearance of lines | improves moisture retention

Cons: excess essence can get messy

Augustinus Bader

The Eye Patches Single Sachet

Augustinus Bader

With a potent blend of anti-fatigue ingredients, these under eye patches are what to reach for if you’ve had a run of bad sleep. Formulated with eight types of hyaluronic acid to maximise moisture in the area, there’s also niacinamide to brighten and caffeine to energise the skin.

Pros: serious skincare it their own right | works to brighten, depuff and hydrate

Cons: only five in a pack | can be fiddly to remove from the trays

Hyaluronic Flash Eye Patch

Cult Beauty

Space NK

Curved to cover the contours of your under eye area, these non-slip and non-drip eye masks are perfect for illuminating the eye area before a night out and smoothing out any fine lines. Packed with plenty of skincare ingredients like allantoin and marine biotech to soothe and brighten, they don’t leave behind a sticky residue which makes them perfect for applying make-up straight after.

Pros: hydrogel patches mean no slippage | multi-action benefits

Cons: 30 in a pot means only 15 uses

Charlotte's Hollywood Skin Secrets Immediate Eye Revival Patches

Cult Beauty

John Lewis

Relatively cheap and cheerful, Sephora Collection makes under eye masks that are also incredibly effective. Thanks to an ultra-thin weave of highly absorbent bio-cellulose, these serum-soaked patches boost moisture in just five minutes. Fast acting, they’re a convenient pick-me-up for bleary-eyed, hurried mornings – opt for the cooling cucumber or energising caffeine to start the day looking refreshed and awake.

Pros: provide a rapid refresh | are affordable

Cons: they work quickly before drying out, so aren’t suited to longer pampering sessions

Sephora Collection

Bio-Cellulose Eye Mask Caffeine

Sephora

Infused with a milky prebiotic serum, Jillian Dempsey’s 100 per cent natural patches hydrate the eye area while diminishing fine lines – and feel like a second skin. Just ask Patrick Dempsey.

Pros: calms, soothes and nourishes under eyes with a blend of oils and hyaluronic acid | strengthens the skin barrier with balancing prebiotics

Cons: quite slippery

Jillian Dempsey

Hydrating Eye Masks

Jillian Dempsey

Patchology’s Happy Face Eye Gels have earned such a name for a reason: made with hibiscus, coconut extract, and lotus flower – not to mention a feel-good rose aroma – the tea-infused treatment is a boost for both your skin and senses.

Pros: revitalises tired eyes leaving behind a radiant glow | broad gel design treats a wider area of the under eye | aromatherapeutic

Cons: contain fragrance which may irritate more sensitive skin types

Patchology

Moodpatch Happy Face Eye Gels

Space NK

Infusing skin with hyaluronic acid and powerful plant extracts, these crescent-shaped masks deliver a blast of cool for rested and refreshed eyes.

Pros: intensely moisturising | refreshing cooling sensation | skin-tightening ingredients

Cons: they’re only available in packs of 6, which doesn’t allow for a testing period to see if they agree with your skin

Elemis

Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Mask Pack Of 6

Look Fantastic

Experience celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas’s sought-after touch from the comfort of your own couch with these brightening under eye patches, which are the go-to among many a Hollywood starlet.

Pros: big masks that cover the full under eye and extend down to the cheeks | brightens, lifts lax skin, depuffs, hydrates and firms | gel patches stay put where they are placed

Cons: handle gently – gel may tear with heavy hands!

Joanna Vargas

Bright Eye Firming Mask

Revolve

Fwrd

Peter Thomas Roth’s brightening hydra-gel patches – complete with vitamin C and a wealth of antioxidants – offer a fast fix after a long night out. Pro tip: Store them in the fridge for an instant boost upon waking.

Pros: nourishes and brightens skin with vitamin E and high-strength ferulic acid (vitamin C)

Cons: delicate masks can be difficult to remove from the container

Peter Thomas Roth

Potent-C Power Brightening Hydra-Gel Eye Patches

Beauty Bay

Look Fantastic

Shield the under-eye area against urban pollutants and blue light alike with Mz Skin’s detoxifying masks, which are infused with five types of hyaluronic acid to reduce inflammation and repair signs of oxidative stress.

Pros: provides a full detox for city-dwellers | treats a wide range of ills including dark circles, puffiness and lines | contains smoothing tetrapeptides

Cons: so good, they’ll soon become a gateway to an expensive habit

MZ Skin

Five-Piece Anti-Pollution Illuminating Eye Mask Set

MZ Skin

Sarah Chapman’s sculpturally-shaped hydrogel patches may be seemingly made for Instagram, but its active blend of peptides, botanical stem cells, and hyaluronic acid also delivers real-life results – no filter required.

Pros: effective | all-encompassing design targets under eyes, crow’s feet, and eyelids | can also be worn around the lips to address fine lines

Cons: best worn laying down as they tend to slide/need adjusting

Sarah Chapman

Platinum Stem Cell Eye Mask

Look Fantastic

SpaceNK

Shine bright with Wander Beauty’s gold foil eye masks, which reduce dark circles with the help of jojoba seed and lavender oils – and zero slip.

Pros: gold foil retains heat for optimum absorption of active ingredients

Cons: rich in oils which may be problematic for oily skin types

Wander Beauty

Baggage Claim Eye Masks

Revolve

Considering the purse-friendly price tag, it’s impressive how effective Pixi’s patches are. They brighten, energise and refresh all at once. Our top tip? Keep them refrigerated for extra depuffing.

Pros: value for money | awake your eyes in just 10 minutes

Cons: they’re hard to separate with the spatula

PIXI

BeautifEYE x 60 Patches

Sephora

If your skin is in need of a quick pick-me-up, these grab-and-go under eye patches are perfect. Designed to work on reducing dark circles and inflammation, they’re full hydrating and invigorating ingredients like cucumber and liquorice root extract to really wake the skin up. The on-the-go single sachet is especially great for in-flight beauty routines.

Pros: hydrogel patches are comfortable | suitable for all skin types | affordable and effective

Cons: 20–30-minute suggested usage time means they’re better suited to a longer skincare session

Puffy Eye Attack Under-Eye Brightening Hydrogel Patches

Boots

Soap & Glory

Imagine a mini facial just for your under eye area and you’ve got the essence of these under eye patches. Loaded with a host of soothing and illuminating ingredients like snow mushroom, taurine and spirulina, as well as EXPA’s Active Nutrients Mineral + Electrolyte Complex they’re especially suited to anyone who’s complexion is flagging as they provide an instant brightening boost.

Pros: comes with its own tweezers to ensure easy application | fast-acting | improves brightness and hydration

Cons: hydrogel patches themselves are quite wet so best to wear them lying down or reclining to avoid slipping off

Isotonic Hydra Gel Eye Masks

Cult Beauty

Look Fantastic

Fitting snugly over the entire ocular orbit, RéVive’s luminous hydrogel mask could pass for superhero fancy dress. And where your eyes are concerned, it does plenty of actual rescuing: this one treats lax lids, laugh lines, and puffy under eyes in one fell swoop, with a silky emulsion of firming proteins and a cooling, radiant serum.

Pros: full coverage of the eye contour brings down swelling and smooths crow’s feet | restores a healthy glow to dry skin

Cons: you won’t want to take them off

RéVive

Masque Des Yeux Instant De-Puffing Gel Eye Mask

SpaceNK

Harrods

A favourite in the Vogue office, BeautyBio’s collagen-infused gel masks – made with illuminating pearl and colloidal silver – fake the appearance of a full night’s rest, even if life is running at a breakneck pace.

Pros: tightening, refreshing and cooling | colloidal silver soothes irritation | pearl instantly illuminates the eye contour | niacinamide improves skin tone over time

Cons: requires regular use to see long-term results

BeautyBio

Bright Eyes Collagen-Infused Brightening Colloidal Silver Eye Masks

Harrods

Once carried back from Parisian pharmacies by the trunkful, Klorane’s petite patches, laced with anti-inflammatory cornflower, are the not-so-secret weapon of French girls (and those who aspire to be).

Pros: contains natural astringent (cornflower) that relieves water retention and irritation | softens and soothes skin | cost effective

Cons: may dry up quickly

Klorane

Smoothing and Relaxing Patches

Escentual

Dreamt up by the Veronika Heilbrunner-approved German beauty brand Magicstripes, these cooling, paraben-free patches, which quickly reduce the signs of a late night, are a favourite among the street style set.

Pros: super hydrating | smooths eye bags | awakens tired eyes

Cons: serum-soaked, these tend to slide and need adjusting often

Magicstripes

Wake Me Up Collagen Eye Patches Box

Revolve

Packed with organic aloe, cooling cucumber, and vitamin C to instantly quench dehydrated cells, 100% Pure’s verdant biodegradable mask is a green juice for the eyes.

Pros: clean skincare in compostable masks that are kind to skin and the environment | brightens dull eyes with vitamin C | uses aloe vera to tighten and hydrate the eye contour

Cons: little excess fluid

100% Pure

Bright Eyes Mask

Naturisimo

Revolve

If you’re feeling a little tired, these active-ingredient-infused hydrogels are a quick-fix that will revitalise your eyes in as little as 15 minutes. There’s niacinamide for strengthening, hyaluronic acid for hydration and peptides to keep the dark circles at bay.

Pros: 20 pairs in one small pot | blend of eight hyaluronic acids | depuffs and deals with dark circles

Cons: they’re slippery, so picking them out can be difficult

Beauty Pie

Depuffing Under-Eye Gel Pads

Beauty Pie

If you’re looking for a cooling eye treatment to tackle puffiness, Rodial’s Snake Jelly Eye Patches are the product for you. Formulated with syn®-ake tripeptides, which copies the tightening effect of viper venom, plus a blend of botanical extracts, including chamomile, basil leaf and persimmon leaf, it’s got everything you need for a fresher under-eye area.

Pros: the jelly texture moulds to the skin | botanical extracts boost elasticity | gentle yet performance-driven ingredients

Cons: some people report slippage on application

Rodial

Snake Jelly Eye Patches

Space NK

If sustainable skincare is top of your checklist, then these reusable will appeal. Although designed to be used with the brand’s Eye Revive Cream which contains its LYMPHACTIVE™ complex to lock in moisture and depuff, the patches can actually be used with any eye cream or serum of your choice.

Pros: sustainable | cost per wear is good | silicone patches are comfortable to wear

Cons: they need to be rinsed after each use

Reusable Eye Patches

Harvey Nichols

Niche Beauty

While each under eye patch different in what ingredients they are formulated with, the idea of under eye patches is the same across the board. “Eye patches give a standalone formula an extra boost by creating an occlusive effect; they lock in a higher concentration of formula on your eye area for an extended amount of time, meaning more of the treatment can be absorbed by the targeted skin,” says Dr Maryam Zamani, oculoplastic surgeon and facial aesthetics doctor. “Thicker patches like silicone eye patches also work by helping the muscles to relax. If, like me, you also keep them in the fridge, this helps them tighten and depuff more than a simple eye cream might.”

The great thing about under eye patches is their versatility; not only can you find a patch for most concerns in the under eye area, many options have multi action benefits. “Eye patches can be useful for a wide range of concerns, be it dark circles, puffiness, pigmentation or even fine lines,” agrees Dr Zamani. “Giving your eye contour targeted and specialised care with specially formulated eye patches can give any day-to-day treatment a supercharged result. I personally find they are most helpful either first thing in the morning to help wake my eyes up by tightening and depuffing, or just before an event, by brightening.”

“Eye patches can be made from various materials, such as traditional cotton and silk or more advanced options like hydrogel and biocellulose. For the most effective hydrating and depuffing treatments, I find hydrogel and biocellulose to be the best choices,” says Dr Zamani. In the case of Zamani’s own under eye patches, a Korean delivery system helps the ingredients reach the targeted area. “Ours are made from hydrogel, a Korean innovation that effectively delivers active ingredients to the under-eye area – or any other target area – by ‘melting’ into the skin. As the product is applied, the hydrogel gradually shrinks, visibly indicating product absorption. With consistent use, this technology offers lasting benefits, but it truly excels when you need immediate, noticeable results. This makes it ideal for special events, or whenever a quick refresh is needed.”

A bit like your skincare serums and moisturisers, you can find the best under eye patch for you simply by your greatest concerns. Many formulas use energising ingredients like caffeine to help stimulate blood flow or big-impact hydrators like hyaluronic acid to improve laxity and soften fine lines. “For the under eye area, I prioritise brightening, hydrating, and soothing ingredients that have the greatest impact on this delicate skin,” says Dr Zamani. “Brightening vitamins, antioxidants, caffeine, soothing agents, and hydrating ingredients work well together to visibly revitalise and refresh the under eye area.”

“Under eye patches can be used as often as needed on a daily basis,” says Dr Zamani. “I prefer to use them for a quick boost or as a prep step before applying make-up for a special occasion.”

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