If you asked me to choose between a good under eye mask or a concealer, I’m going to go with option A. I’m surprised that more people don’t have under eye masks at the ready and use them on a weekly, if not daily basis. Eye creams seem to get all of the attention, but under eye masks can certainly hold their own, in fact, I think they are under rated.
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What To Look For In Eye Masks
As with all beauty products, there are ingredients that will be great for your skin and other ingredients you want to avoid.
Ingredients To Avoid
- Steroids: They can contribute to the thinning of our under eye skin. No thank you!
- Alcohol: It can dry out our thin under eye skin. Again, no thank you.
- Salicylic acid: It can reduce inflammation on other parts of our skin but can irritate our delicate under eye skin.
- Synthetic fragrance: This is a no in any skincare product.
- Retinol: It can dry out the skin in a major way.
- Parabens: This can irritate and even cause redness around the eyes.
- Phthalates: Endocrine disruptors.
Active Ingredients You Want In An Eye Mask
- Hyaluronic Acid: A humectant that pulls in water to plump and hydrate the skin.
- Caffeine: A vasoconstrictor that can reduce puffiness.
- Ceramides: Lipids help repair the skin barrier to support hydration.
- Niacinamide: A form of vitamin B3 that can help brighten the skin and reduce inflammation.
- Vitamin C: Can help boost collagen production, brighten skin, and minimize hyperpigmentation.
- Vitamin E: It has anti-aging and moisturizing properties to rejuvenate the under eye area.
- Peptides: Can firm skin by boosting collagen and elastin production.
Related Content: Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums
Eye Mask Material
Most single use under eye masks consist of hydrogel. They are a gel consistency and cool the skin on contact.
Gold eye masks are hydrogel eye masks that, as the name implies, are infused with gold and can help reduce under eye circles with its anti-inflammatory effects.
Cloth eye masks are another option that are usually helpful in soothing and reducing inflammation in the eye area.
Charcoal eye masks can help detoxify and clarify the skin.
Reusable eye masks are generally made out of silicone.
It is best to use eye masks that are 100% biodegradable.
Best Eye Masks
Patchology Rosé Eye Gels
These rosé eye gels are formulated to protect skin from environmental stressors with antioxidants such as Resveratrol and Strawberry Extract and hydrate with Hyaluronic Acid. For best results, serve chilled!
Key Ingredients
- Strawberry Extract
- Resveratrol
- Hyaluronic acid
Total Cost
$4/price per wear
What I Loved
I didn’t actually like these that much. The only thing was the cooling effect they had on my skin since you keep them in the fridge.
What I Don’t Like
They don’t have the best ingredients so I wouldn’t recommend them just based on ingredients. Plus, they also didn’t stay on my under eye area. They kept slipping down, so it was hard to really see how well they even worked.
Related Content: Skincare Fridge (Is It Worth It?!)
Mizon Cicaluronic Vegan De-Puffing Eye Gel Patches
**Best for puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles**
These vegan hydrogel eye patches hydrate and de-puff the eye area with Centella Asiatica Extract and Hyaluronic Acid.
Key Ingredients
- Cicaluronic Complex
- 24K Gold
- Vitamin K3
- Peptide 12 Complex
- Tea Tree Extract, Aloe Leaf Extract
- Calendula Extract
Total Cost
$25.71/21 pairs or $1.22/price per wear
What I Loved
I loved that these stayed put on the under eye area. They weren’t moving all around. I noticed less puffiness and a brighter under eye area after using them. I loved how they felt cooling when applied, even though they weren’t refrigerated. My under eye area also felt moisturized after using them too. My VA tried them also and noted that her fine lines were diminished after using these. The price is really good too!
What I Don’t Like
I wish that they were biodegradable.
Patchology Rejuvenating Eye Gels
**Best for puffiness**
These rejuvenating eye gels are deeply hydrating and promote collagen production with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and peptides. They help refresh, rejuvenate and can contribute to smoother looking skin.
Key Ingredients
- Caffeine
- Hyaluronate
- Collagen
- Centella asiatica
- Portulaca oleracea extract
Total Cost
$4.00/price per wear
What I Loved
These eye patches stayed in place so well. I felt like they molded to my under eye area. The biggest difference I noticed with these was less puffiness overall. They didn’t help as much with my dark circles, but I could visibly see puffiness minimized.
What I Don’t Like
I wish they would have brightened my under eye area more and helped with dark circles. Also, they’re a little spendy. You only get 5 eye patches for $15. They also have ingredients that I wouldn’t recommend. So I therefore wouldn’t recommend these.
Patchology Bubbly Eye Gels
Bubbly eye gels brighten and refresh the under eye area with Orange extract, Resveratrol, and Niacinamide. These eye gels are not only fun-loving, they are also skin-loving and have anti-aging properties .
Key Ingredients
- Resveratrol
- Niacinamide
- Orange Extract
Total Cost
$4.00/price per wear
What I Loved
There wasn’t much I loved after using these eye patches.
What I Don’t Like
These were cooling as I applied them. But I didn’t notice any visible difference to my under eye area. I also didn’t like the ingredients either. So I wouldn’t recommend them to people.
Grace & Stella Energy Drink Eye Masks
These energy drink eye masks can reduce the appearance of dark circles, de-puff, and wake up tired eyes. Supposedly their magic really kicks in when they are kept cold.
Key Ingredients
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- Hyaluronic acid
- Chondrus crispus powder
Total Cost
$30.00/24 pairs or $1.25/price per wear
What I Loved
There wasn’t much I liked about these eye masks. Refer to what I didn’t like for the scoop.
What I Don’t Like
They don’t stay on the under eye area, so it’s really hard to wear or even see the effects unless you are laying down and not moving while wearing them. I didn’t see any major effects while wearing them either.
Three Ships Brighter Days Eye Masks
**Best for puffiness, brightening, dark circles**
The Brighter Days Red Algae and Avocado Biodegradable eye masks are made out of hydrogel and claim to work their magic in under 10 minutes. Red Algae Extract is a powerful antioxidant and hydrating agent and the Avocado Extract helps to brighten and de-puff eyes.
Key Ingredients
- Red Algae (1.5%)
- Avocado Extract (3%)
- Glycerin (12%)
Total Cost
$32.00/30 pairs or $1.06/price per wear
What I Loved
There is so much to love about these eye masks! The first time I used them I could see a noticeable difference in my under eye area. I then turned my sisters on to them as well. I love that they’re biodegradable. Just add them to a cup of water after using and they dissolve. I love how they feel cooling and help to de-puff, but also brighten the under eye area as well. It’s the best of all the worlds. They also help to add moisture too! They also stay on your under eye area as you’re wearing them- which is huge. A total winner!
What I Don’t Like
Nothing! I love these under eye masks!
Under Eye Mask FAQ’s
1. How do you increase the effectiveness of an under eye mask?
To increase the effectiveness of an under eye mask:
- Refrigerate under eye masks
- Start with clean skin
- Add an under eye serum or eye cream either before or after applying the under eye mask for a synergistic effect. Creams and serums can provide extra hydration while under eye masks provide targeted support for the under eye area.
- Leave on for 15 min or as recommended on the package
2. Is it okay to use under eye masks everyday?
Yes, you can use under eye masks as part of your everyday skincare routine.
3. Should you use under eye masks at night or in the morning?
Most under eye masks are best used in the morning because they help de-puff, rejuvenate skin, brighten dark circles and minimize the effects of a bad night of sleep. However, you can use eye masks whenever your eyes need a little refreshing.
4. How long should an eye mask be left on?
Generally, most under eye masks need to be left on for 15 min for best results.
Conclusion: What is the very best under eye mask?
My favorite under eye mask is Three Ships Brighter Days Eye Masks. They work so well! You can visibly see a difference in your under eye area after using and they’re also biodegradable. Â
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