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- Top 13 Under-eye Masks
Top 13 Under-eye Masks for Dark Circles
We all love a face mask, but have you ever tried an under-eye mask?
The precious skin around the orbital area is constantly under a siege of stress, whether it’s one too many late nights or the glaring blue haze of your multiple gadgets, and it can really show on such delicate skin in the form of wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness and more.
Enough is enough! It’s about time you gave this delicate area the attention it deserves with a nourishing and lightweight under-eye mask.
What are under-eye masks and how do they work?
Eye masks come in little half-moon patches that you pop underneath your eyes. They're intended to work like a sheet mask, infused with skin-loving serums that are locked into your skin by the patch's surface. The idea, like sheet masks, is that the ingredients are absorbed more readily into the skin this way, plus they give you the same convenience; there's no clean up like with a regular mask and you can just dab the leftover serum in after removing. Materials often used include hydrogel and bio-cellulose for their close fit and cooling effects.
They give you a bit of versatility with your selfcare too, since you can pop them on while you’re busy around the house or take some time for yourself and relax with a pair on while soaking in the tub.
As under-eye masks have risen in popularity, there are now ones designed especially for any concern you can think of. Many will do double and triple duty too, addressing multiple concerns in one powerful little patch. To save you time (and reduce your blue light exposure from long hours of research), we’ve hunted for the best under-eye masks of 2022 and rounded them up for you to peruse.
How to wear under eye mask: Cleanse your face, pat the under-eye area dry, and gently apply the patches with the correct orientation. Avoid placing too close to the waterline, and smooth them in place to avoid air bubbles.
Which way do you wear an under-eye mask?
Most under-eye masks have a narrow end and a wider end — the narrow end should sit near your nose and the wider end toward the outer edge of your eye, following your orbital bone. However, many people treating tear-troughs or close-set eye bags, for example, may wear them wider end closer to the nose.
As under-eye masks have risen in popularity, there are now ones designed especially for any concern you can think of. Many will do double and triple duty too, addressing multiple concerns in one powerful little patch. To save you time (and reduce your blue light exposure from long hours of research), we’ve hunted for the best under-eye masks and rounded them up for you to peruse.
Best Eye Masks for Brightening Dark Circles
BIOEFFECT EGF Eye Mask Treatment
£39.00Nourish tired eyes with this hydrogel mask designed by the biotech science team at BIOEFFECT. The superhero combo of hyaluronic acid and glycerin deeply hydrate and depuff your eyes in addition to reducing dark circles.
ELEMIS Absolute Eye Mask
£19.89 £40.00 (51% off)In a cream formula rather than patch or sheet, this luxurious Absolute Eye Mask from ELEMIS delivers instant rejuvenation to combat dark circles with a blend of moisturising rose and mimosa as well as soothing camellia oil and cornflower extract. Your under-eye area will be left looking bright, lifted and toned.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Brightening Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
£30.50 £61.00 (50% off)Look alive with these vitamin C-infused eye patches, which not only give your skin a gorgeous glow but protect this delicate area of skin from environmental aggressors with the help of vitamin E. There's also ferulic acid to reduce under-eye circles.
Filorga Optim Eyes Eye Contour
£39.10 £48.07 (19% off)The carrageenan gel in this Filorga eye mask lifts and hydrates the skin around your eyes to reduce wrinkles, while vitamin PP supplements increase circulation in the eye area to combat dark circles and cornflower water and witch hazel extract help with puffiness.
Best Eye Masks for Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Grace & Stella Anti-Wrinkle + Energising Eye Masks
£17.25 £18.00 (5% off)These dazzling gold masks claim to be 'an energy drink for your eyes', treating fine lines as well as dark circles with their energising eye serum-soaked formula.
Sisley Eye Contour Mask
£70.50 £129.00 (46% off)Leaving behind nourishing residue just like a regular gel patch, this Sisley Eye Contour Mask tones the eye contour with ginkgo biloba and arnica, plus hydrates and protects with vitamin B5 and vitamin E. Skin looks lifted and more youthful.
Murad Dr.Zion Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Masks
£5.50 £10.00 (45% off)Since your eyes show the first signs of ageing in the form of fine lines and crow's feet, it makes sense to use an eye mask enriched with the gold-standard of anti-ageing ingredients: retinol. These masks, fabricated from no-slip bio-cellulose to keep them firmly on your face, contain Murad's renowned Retinol Tri-Active Technology, which delivers both fast-acting and delayed-release retinols into your under-eye area. You'll also benefit from firming blue agave and brightening passionfruit.
Institut Esthederm Lift & Repair Anti-Fatigue Eye Patches
£55.20 £69.00 (20% off)While they also combat dark circles and puffiness, these Lift & Repair Anti-Fatigue eye patches from Institut Esthederm have an exceptional lifting effect to leave you with youthful-looking eyes. A gorgeous all-rounder eye mask!
Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting & Firming Express Eye Mask
£30.00 £98.00 (70% off)Brighten and tighten with this Shiseido eye mask, which contains retinol and ReNeura Technology to quickly combat wrinkles as well as revitalise dullness and dark circles.
Best Under-eye Patches for Depuffing
STARSKIN VIP Gold Eye Mask
£15.00 £24.99 (40% off)These gorgeous masks target all the common under-eye woes (depuffing as well as wrinkles and dark circles), thanks to their botanical blend of rose of Jericho, marshmallow, butcher's bloom and butterfly ginger. The non-slip masks rejuvenate and brighten your skin while also soothing puffiness and deflecting blue light (all in just 15 minutes!).
STARSKIN Eye Catcher Smoothing Eye Mask
£8.97 £10.00 (11% off)Another brilliant multi-tasker, these eye masks from STARSKIN use a revolutionary serum of bio-cellulose, adenosine, liquorice root extract, coconut juice, allantoin and chamomile (whew, that was a mouthful) to reduce puffiness and fine lines and dark circles. As your under-eye skin becomes more hydrated and less irritated, you'll start to see beautifully refreshed results.
NIP+FAB Hyaluronic Fix Extreme4 Jelly Eye Patches
£19.95 £22.95 (14% off)We also love these Jelly Eye Patches from NIP+FAB, which are fab for reducing puffiness, dryness and fine lines. Packed with both high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, these patches hydrate the skin at a deep as well as surface level. There's also polyglutamic acid and snow mushroom for additional, intense hydration.
PIXI DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches
£17.99 £22.00 (19% off)PIXI returns to this list of the best eye patches with their Depuffing Eye Patches, which soothe with cucumber, hydrate with hyaluronic acid and smooth with botanical collagen. We love boosting the cooling sensation by keeping these in the fridge before use.
FAQs
How often should you use under-eye masks?
Most under-eye masks can be used two to three times a week, but always follow the product instructions. Some are safe for daily use.
Wondering how long to leave under eye mask on?
Typically, under-eye masks should be left on for 10–20 minutes. Leaving them on for too long can sometimes cause the patches to draw moisture back out of your skin, so always follow the instructions.
Can under-eye masks be stored in the fridge?
Yes! Storing them in the fridge enhances the cooling and depuffing effect, especially in the morning.
Do under-eye masks really help with dark circles?
Yes, many under-eye masks contain ingredients like caffeine, vitamin C or niacinamide that help reduce the appearance of dark circles over time.
Can I wear makeup after using under-eye patches?
Absolutely. In fact, prepping the skin with hydrating patches can help makeup sit more smoothly under the eyes.
How often to use under eye mask:
Two to three times weekly is ideal, but always check individual instructions for best results.
Are under-eye masks good for mature skin?
Yes, especially those with retinol, peptides or hyaluronic acid, which help plump fine lines and restore elasticity.
So, which ones take your fancy? Whichever you choose, we recommend treating yourself to the ultimate pamper session. We’re talking the whole works like scented candles, bubble bath and sleep sprays – you deserve it.
For more beauty tips and tricks, take a look best sleep aid products and the best face masks for sensitive skin.
Written by Rebecca Jenkinson
Rebecca is a content writer with over three years’ experience and a keen interest in cosmetics. Cosmetify allows her to combine her blogging skills with her passion for beauty.
Written by Gabriella Buckner
Gabriella is a junior content writer with a background in creative writing, content marketing and journalism. She’s passionate about all things makeup and skincare, but especially vegan and cruelty-free beauty that is effective and inexpensive.
