Under eye masks are used as a short, cooling skincare moment for the thin skin just below your eyes. A pair of soft, gel-like patches goes on, stays put for a quarter of an hour or so, then comes off. Most people reach for them to give that area a cool, moisturised feel before make-up, on a slow morning, or as part of winding down at night.
Think of them as a cosmetic treat, not a fix. Nothing in a patch changes the reasons behind dark circles or bags, so set your expectations accordingly. So what are under eye masks used for in real life? Below, we look at when people actually reach for them, what the ingredients on the label are, how to apply them well, and where their limits lie.
When Do People Use Under Eye Masks?
Before make-up
A short session on clean skin, then concealer once the area has dried. Many people like starting with skin that feels smooth and moisturised.
After a short night
Straight from the fridge, the cool gel feels refreshing first thing in the morning.
Getting ready for an occasion
A wedding, a date, photos or a big meeting. Something to do while you sort your hair or outfit.
A self-care evening
Fifteen quiet minutes with a book or a cup of tea, slotted in with your evening skincare.
What's Actually Inside Them?
Our patches are made from hydrogel, a soft, water-rich gel shaped to sit along the curve under each eye. Each patch carries a liquid essence with six named ingredients. Here is what each one is, in plain terms.
Hyaluronic acid. A slippery substance the body makes naturally, and a staple of moisturisers. The Cleveland Clinic notes that hyaluronic acid is very good at holding on to water, which explains why so many hydrating products contain it.
Collagen. A protein found throughout the body. Here it forms part of the moisturising essence, which stays on the surface of the skin.
Niacinamide. A form of vitamin B3 used widely in skincare.
Vitamin C. A familiar skincare ingredient, included in the essence alongside vitamin E.
Vitamin E. An oil-soluble vitamin often paired with vitamin C in skin products.
Aloe vera. A plant extract with a cool, gentle feel, common in after-sun and soothing products.
All three of our shades, Clear White, Pink and Gold, use this same ingredient list.
What Under Eye Masks Can't Change
Dark circles and puffiness have many causes, and most of them sit deeper than any patch can reach. The Mayo Clinic's page on what causes dark circles under the eyes lists:
- tiredness
- skin changes that come with age
- genetics
- rubbing or scratching the eyes
- eczema and other skin irritation around the eyes
- extra pigment in the skin, which is more common in brown and Black skin
- shadows cast by puffy lids or hollows under the eyes
Mayo Clinic's own suggestions are a cold compress, an extra pillow to raise your head, more rest and a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. It also notes that dark circles are usually not a medical problem, but a change under just one eye that gets worse over time should be checked by a doctor.
So think of under eye patches as a pleasant, cooling moment for the skin, rather than a solution for circles or bags.
How to Apply Under Eye Patches
- Chill the jar. It is fine at room temperature, but popping it in the fridge as soon as it arrives gives a cooler feel on the skin.
- Start with clean, dry skin. Wash your face and pat the under-eye area until it is completely dry, with no cream or make-up left on it.
- Place, curve facing in. Use the little spatula from the jar rather than your fingers, and set each patch so its curved edge follows the line of your lower lashes without touching the eye itself.
- Leave them for a quarter of an hour, give or take. (Clear White and Pink say 15 to 20 minutes; Gold allows up to 30.) Sit back or carry on getting ready. Try not to talk too much or scrunch your face, which can lift the edges.
- Peel away, edge first. Lift each patch slowly, then use your ring finger to press whatever gel is left on your skin until it sinks in.
Replace the lid tightly after every use to keep the patches inside moist and clean.
How Often, and Can You Overdo It?
Daily use is not necessary. The directions for our Gold patches suggest using them a couple of times a week, maybe three, which is a sensible rhythm for any shade. If your skin is sensitive, start at the lower end and see how it feels. Keeping them on for longer than the directions say will not do more. Once the essence has soaked in or dried, the patch has done its job.
Leave them off skin that is broken, sore or irritated, and clear of the eyes themselves. Known sensitivity to skincare ingredients? Test one patch on a little patch of skin before using a pair.
Before You Peel One Off
Masks, patches, pads: is there a difference?
No. Brands use all three words for the small, crescent-shaped gel pieces worn below the eyes.
What about sleeping in them?
Not recommended. Their directions cover a short session, not a whole night. For something on your eyes until morning, a fabric sleep mask is a different product altogether.
Does the colour make a difference?
Not to what is inside. Clear White, Pink and Gold share the same ingredients, so it comes down to which look you like.
Can I reuse a patch?
Reach for a fresh pair every time. Once peeled off, the essence is spent and the patches go in the bin.
Where do they go in my skincare order?
First, straight after cleansing, because they need bare skin to cling to. Eye cream and moisturiser follow once the patches are off.
Pick Your Shade
Same six ingredients in every jar, ready in the fridge for your next routine. UK shipping is free once your order tops £20.
For cosmetic use on the skin below the eyes only. These patches have no medicinal purpose and do not treat any eye or skin condition. Suitable for adults. Never place them directly over the eyeball, and discontinue if any redness or itching develops.