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This is armor for your insomnia. Facial Creams
The eyes are perhaps the sneakiest part of our face. One sleepless night or a super-early morning and suddenly you’re cursed with dark circles and puffy bags. An ice-cold spoon can be a quick fix but to see real results, you’ll need to invest in the best under-eye patches on the market. As it turns out, you’re not alone in this struggle.
Keep in mind that eye patches are great for prevention, but they can’t cure any of your skin woes. “Patches can offer some minimal to modest improvement, so it’s important to have the right expectations,” says dermatologist Dr. Omar Ibrahimi. “However, these are usually fairly well tolerated and come with minimal risk.”
Under-eye concealers and eye creams can only do so much when you’ve woken up with dark circles, puffiness, and more pronounced lines. But before you head to the derm’s office for some under-eye fillers, try reaching for some under-eye masks instead. These convenient, self-sticking patches belong in every beauty kit for those SOS moments. Pop them on in the morning, and no one may be able to tell you were up until 3 a.m., binging a new show on Netflix. If you’re a responsible person who gets eight hours of sleep each night, they can also come in handy as a relaxing makeup prep.
We looked to customer reviews and consulted skin experts to find 18 of the best under-eye patches to help brighten and rejuvenate, including ELLE editor favorites.
Shop the best eye patch deals on Amazon
If you love indulging in spa night on the regular, this pack of 24K Gold and hyaluronic acid-infused eye patches will have you covered. Amazon reviewers mention they visibly help plump and smooth skin, and are non-irritating.
An Amazon reviewer says: “I love using eye masks, as it makes me feel very pampered. These are inexpensive and pretty effective. I have large bags under my eyes that seem less harsh since using these twice a week. Would recommend!”
Alexa, play “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars. These eye patches actually contain 24K gold, which has skincare benefits like firming and lifting. Meanwhile, hydrolyzed collagen helps airbrush out any fine lines, and caffeine shakes out that heavy feeling on your lids from an early morning.
An Amazon reviewer says: “These are the bomb!! Left them on for two to three hours yesterday, and the wrinkled, hollowed-out circles under my eyes were gone! (I’m 55, so these wrinkles are not a temporary situation). I’m leery of product claims in beauty items, but these suckers are worth their weight in gold! (See what I did there?).”
The unique jelly-like texture of these eye masks leaves a soothing, cooling sensation, providing relief after a long day. Caffeine fights puffiness and promotes circulation, as two antioxidant-rich plant extracts combat fine lines and encourage radiance.
A Dermstore reviewer says: “When I’m having puffiness under my eyes, within minutes of putting these gels on, I’m back to normal. My under eyes have never felt more smooth or bright.”
These gel masks only take a few minutes to make crepey, thin skin look firmer and smoother, thanks to a hydration-boosting cocktail of hyaluronic acid and two forms of algae.
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have tried a million different under-eye patches, creams, and eye serums—from expensive to cheap. I use these once a week with a cheap eye cream in between. Constant compliments. They brighten and remove wrinkles. Nothing better on the market. Worth the expense!”
Perk up tired eyes with an energizing blend of vitamin C, licorice, and ginseng. Note that these are paraben-free and great for all skin types, too.
A Target reviewer says: “My eye bags constantly look like I haven’t slept in days (senior in high school things:)), but with these, my under eyes brightened after just two uses. These are now going to be a part of my daily routine, and they leave my skin super hydrated.”
Created by actress Millie Bobby Brown, these violet under-eye masks are Y2K-approved. They’re shaped like the cutest little whales and help banish dullness and dehydration in a flash via coconut extract and hyaluronic acid. Also featuring niacinamide, they help boost the skin’s natural barrier so it can better retain moisture.
Our Beauty Director, Danielle James, says: “I always have these in my bag when I’m flying. Airplanes dehydrate the skin. I throw these on mid-flight to rehydrate and protect my undereye area. It's so soothing, and there is a lot of product on the gel patches. The whales are so cute, so at least as I’m getting strange looks, it’s aesthetically pleasing.”
This uber luxe under eye mask will give the most sensitive skin on your face the pick me up that it needs. The formula contains diamond particles that exfoliate the skin so the active ingredients can get to work and soak into the skin for hydrating, brightening results.
Saks Fifth Avenue rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Saks Fifth Avenue reviewer says: “I have been using the Black Diamond Eye Masks for ages and I just love them. They make such a difference to under my eyes. I really can not be without them and would recommend them, highly.”
You might not be at a spa with cucumber slices on your eyes, but this is the next best thing. These masks are nourishing, calming, and safe for even the most sensitive wearer. Pro tip: Pop these in the freezer for extra cooling effects.
An Amazon reviewer says: “At 71, I’m still careful about not using oily products on my skin, which would cause a breakout. This gel is cooling, takes only a small pea-size bit patted under my eyes each morning, and has kept my eye area looking fresh.”
An ELLE beauty editor favorite, these refreshing crescents are packed with an inordinate amount of moisture, softening fine lines and plumping deep sockets in 10 minutes flat. What’s most unique about these is that they feature Icelandic Complex, a proprietary blend of natural ingredients sourced from Iceland designed to replenish nutrients that stress depletes from the skin.
Kevin LeBlanc, ELLE’s Fashion Associate, swears by these eye gels, “I’ve traveled with these masks for years, and they conquer my jetlagged, puffy eyes every single time.”
Every cool girl on Instagram has a photo with these pink-printed eye masks and i’ts not just for aesthetics. Underneath the design is a cooling formula packed with everything to brighten, depuff, and soothe the eyes, including niacinamide, caffeine, kojic acid, and more.
A Topicals reviewer said: “When I tell you the compliments I received after using these came so quick! Friends, family and even coworkers were commenting on how bright my eyes were and how my skin glowed. I recommend placing them in the freezer before application because the cooling effect is everything.”
Forget about constantly refilling your stash with these delightfully reusable patches that have taken TikTok by storm. Made of soft, medical-grade silicone, they’re packed with potent ingredients like niacinamide, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid to visibly soothe, brighten, and plump. Bonus: They’ll also help lock in your favorite skincare products for even better results.
A Dieux Skin reviewer says: “Makes me feel like I’m getting the most out of my eye cream. Love that I can use the eye masks over and over.”
You put vitamin C on your face to deal with hyperpigmentation and dullness, so do the same for your under eyes. Plus, a jolt of caffeine in these works to banish puffiness. If your goal is to make everyone around you think you sleep for eight hours a night, these will do the trick.
An Ulta reviewer says: “I absolutely LOVE these gel patches! I start my morning off with these after I cleanse my skin; they feel sooo nice and are such a calming way to start your day. I leave them on for the time suggested, and the serum does make my under eyes noticeably brighter, soft, and hydrated.”
Dark circles vanish and under-eye skin tightens in just a couple minutes after wearing these eye masks. They’re made with a range of amino acids and peptides to hydrate and improve skin texture, as well as aloe to soothe inflammation and Camu Camu extract, which is rich in brightening vitamin C and believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Pack a couple on the plane for your redeyes and no one will know you’ve suffered a long flight.
An Amazon reviewer says: “They visibly depuff my eyes! Easy to use and apply; they aren’t too slippery or fold over on themselves like some do. My dark circles are hereditary and pretty stubborn to diminish, so I can’t really speak to that, but the fact that they flatten out my under-eye area makes it much easier for me to apply concealer flawlessly! Will definitely keep buying!”
These star-spangled eye masks are infused with sodium hyaluronate for thirsty skin and peptides to smooth fine lines. Additionally, they have a light, clean scent.
An Amazon reviewer says: “These are super moisturizing, and I love the smell! My husband says I look like I’m in a Lady Gaga music video when wearing them.”
Don’t stress. Just throw on some of these hemp-infused eye masks and watch your worries drift away. These masks help hydrate and calm the sensitive skin near your eyes, thanks to green tea extract. The sweet kiwi smell might just trigger your cravings, too.
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have very puffy eyes in the morning, and now that I’m 50, they don’t go away, even with caffeinated eye cream. I’m happy to say these eye patches actually work! I was skeptical, but they’re a new staple in my skincare regimen.”
Let’s be honest: Your eye cream can only do so much. These under-eye patches are ultra-hydrating thanks to a blend of vitamin E and sodium hyaluronate, an ingredient derived from hyaluronic acid that can attract water deep into the skin. Essentially, they will leave you prepped and ready for makeup or a day full of meetings.
An Ulta reviewer says: “I use this on all of my clients, and they ALWAYS love the way it feels! It’s cooling and hydrating and doesn’t have an intense smell. I’ve found it works with most sensitive skin types as well as normal to combination skin types. Highly recommend, especially for the price!”
Give your eyes a much-needed break from being strained by screens with these refreshing patches, which moisturize with a boost of hyaluronic acid and reduce puffiness courtesy of chamomile extract. Meanwhile, the inclusion of peptides helps combat discoloration and thinning skin.
An Amazon reviewer says: “They are easy to use, feel cooling, and absorb right into your skin without any greasy residue. They produce visible results. My crows feet were much smoother after the first use, and the skin around my eyes looked refreshed and replenished.”
Pop on this niacinamide- and retinol-infused mask to help smooth the appearance of fine lines. Fun fact: These also contain pearl extract to give you an enviably radiant finish. You can compost the eye patches and throw the tray into the recycling bin when finished replenishing your under-eye area.
A Loops Beauty reviewer says: “What a noticeable glow around my eyes after using these! They get rid of the puffiness, and I’m obsessed with the results. Officially a fan.”
If you want your under eyes to be as bright as a ray of sunshine, these are for you. The key ingredients are copper peptides, which work to boost collagen and elastin production for plumpness, as well as banana extract and hydrogel to brighten, soothe, and nourish. Not only do they look super cool, but they’re also biodegradable, so you don’t have to worry about contributing to waste.
An Ultra reviewer says: “Even my partner complimented how bright and toned my under-eyes looked after I used these. To be fair, he saw me wearing them, but he is brutally honest if he doesn’t see a difference. They do, indeed, make your under-eye area almost shimmer, and the skin tightens up nicely during your session.”
“Dark circles are multifactorial and can be due to loss of fat from aging, veins that are creating that dark appearance under the skin, and/or hyperpigmentation from chronic rubbing,” says Dr. Lal. “After dark circles, the next big complaint is wrinkling and crepiness. This is due to skin thinning as we age. Sun damage also contributes to skin thinning.”
Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
Sam Peters is a Senior Commerce Editor at Hearst covering fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Her writing has appeared in WWD, Footwear News, Real Simple, PopSugar and Bridal Guide, among others. She enjoys unpacking the latest trends and testing and reviewing some of the most innovative, emerging products on the market.
Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). She has a penchant for sneakers and nude lip glosses, and spends way too much time re-watching 90s sitcoms.
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