We tested more than 50 under eye patches — these are the best for dark circles, dry skin and more
These masks are contoured to fit the under-eye area and are infused with ingredients like retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to nourish the skin.
Fatigue, high-sodium diets and various lifestyle factors can contribute to puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. Fortunately, under-eye patches and masks can provide a solution. Much like eye creams, these products address common concerns such as inflammation, fine lines and puffiness using potent ingredients like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
To help you identify the best under-eye masks for your needs, I consulted with dermatologists and compiled their top recommendations for various concerns. Our shopping experts also evaluated more than 50 different patches to determine the best options on the market.
Best overall
Grace & Stella Under-Eye Masks (24 Pairs)
$23.95
Amazon
Best for dark circles
YSE Beauty The Overachiever Brightening & Depuffing Eye Patches
$38.00
YSE Beauty
Best budget-friendly
Loops Under Eye Mask (5-Pack)
$20.99
Amazon
Best travel-friendly
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
$56.00
Amazon
Best hydrating
Colorescience Total Eye Hydrogel Treatment Masks
$84.00
Amazon
The best under-eye patches and masks
Below are several expert-recommended and editor-tested under-eye patches designed to address a variety of concerns.
These cooling hydrogel masks from Grace & Stella are packed with effective ingredients, such as amino acids and hyaluronic acid, to moisturize and brighten the skin, while sea moss helps minimize fine lines and wrinkles, according to the brand. They are a favorite of our updates editor Mili Godio, who swears by them. “I use them multiple times a week, and they’re extremely hydrating, which is great for my super dry under eyes,” she says. Reporter Zoe Malin is also a fan: “I never feel bad about using them daily because they’re frequently on sale,” she says. “I believe everyone should keep a box (or two) of [these under-eye masks] in their bathroom; I even have a drawer dedicated to them to make sure I know when I’m running out.”
Grace & Stella’s under-eye patches are available in three formulations: energizing, illuminating and moisturizing.
The Jet Lag line from Summer Fridays, which includes these under-eye patches, is a long-standing favorite among our staff. They feature a humectant blend of hyaluronic acid and glycerin to provide hydration to the under-eye area. “I love how well they stay on my under eyes,” says associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris. “Even when I’m walking around my room or doing the rest of my body care routine, they don’t slip at all like the other patches I’ve tested.” She also appreciates their soft texture, noting that they help soothe her skin when it feels dry after removing makeup or when she forgets to use a humidifier.
These eye patches from Summer Fridays feature a soft texture and a soothing formula that helps hydrate Morris’ dry under-eyes.
If you find slimy or slippery eye masks frustrating, these options from Topicals are a great alternative. “These are some of my favorite under eye masks because they fit comfortably under my eyes and don’t move around at all, which is a complaint I’ve had with other eye masks I’ve tried,” says associate social media editor Caitlin Cusack. “They instantly brighten my skin and I can tell they’ve reduced puffiness and my dark circles after just one wear.” The slightly cooling, sticky gel contains caffeine for temporary depuffing and niacinamide for brightening, according to the brand.
Associate social media editor Caitlin Cusack uses the Topicals masks several times a week because they reduce puffiness and dark circles under her eyes.
YSE Beauty The Overachiever Brightening & Depuffing Eye Patches
“These are the most recent under-eye patches I’ve tried, and I know I’m instantly going to repurchase them once I run out,” says Godio. “They don’t slip, they feel cooling on my skin and I can almost immediately see the brightening results after I wear them, which is a huge plus since I have intense dark circles.” They contain peptides, vitamin C and allantoin, which work in tandem to brighten, depuff and smooth fine lines. Each pack includes six patches.
Brighten, depuff and hydrate your under-eye area with these fragrance-free patches from the editor-favorite brand Good Molecules. Suitable for all skin types and safe for both morning and evening use, these patches utilize caffeine to reduce puffiness, niacinamide to target uneven skin tone and fine lines, and hyaluronic acid to moisturize.
These patches from Peace Out combine hyaluronic acid, caffeine and niacinamide to brighten the under-eye area and reduce puffiness. “I love using these patches in the morning, especially when I’ve had a long night or need a pick-me-up,” says Godio. “My under eyes feel instantly hydrated and smooth. Plus, the thin, gel-like patches feel cooling on my skin, which definitely helps with any puffiness.” They are sold in packs of six, and the brand suggests a 15-minute application time.
Godio uses these Peace Out patches on mornings when her eyes feel and look puffy and tired.
These patches feature a blend of ingredients including niacinamide, caffeine and hyaluronic acid to revitalize and refresh the under-eye area, says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist. According to the brand, these masks also offer a cooling sensation that helps minimize puffiness, especially if kept in the refrigerator.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
Celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney recommends these eye patches for their versatility at home and while traveling. “They come in a great little container and you can apply them super easily in the morning or at night,” says Henney. The patches contain marshmallow extract to soften skin, caffeine to depuff and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, according to the brand. They are also a favorite of Godio, who appreciates the included spatula for lifting and separating the patches.
Godio loves that these under-eye masks are both cooling and hydrating.
“I always put these on before I do my makeup, especially on a night out when I want to look extra good,” says Godio. “They leave my dry under eyes so much smoother, plumper and more hydrated, plus they stay perfectly in place while I get ready.” According to the brand, these patches provide a noticeable cooling effect while helping to reduce dark circles, fine lines and puffiness.
The Skyn Iceland eye gel pads are excellent for dark circles, as they contain topical ingredients like caffeine and green tea polyphenols that can brighten the area and reduce puffiness, according to experts. Malin enjoys these patches and stores them in the fridge to achieve a cooling effect that assists with de-puffing and swelling. She notes that they also help plump the skin and seal in moisture within just a few minutes.
These multi-vitamin masks contain retinol to minimize the appearance of fine lines and niacinamide to brighten, according to experts. Godio appreciates that these masks are free from common irritants like dyes, fragrances and drying alcohol, ensuring they don’t cause redness or itching on her sensitive skin.
If you are looking for hydrating patches that also provide a cooling sensation, consider these, which are recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King. To enhance the cooling effect and maximize depuffing, the brand suggests storing your 12-patch pack in the refrigerator. Colorescience notes that the hydrogels are non-slippery, so you don’t need to lie down while wearing them for at least 10 minutes.
If you are interested in investing in your eye care, consider these from Chanel, which are recommended by Dr. Rachel Westbay, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City. You apply the roll-on serum to the under-eye area before placing the hydrogel patches on top; the brand suggests leaving them on for 10 minutes.
Unlike most other options on this list, this reusable set does not contain skincare ingredients. Instead, they act as a shield to assist your existing eye creams. According to the brand, they will last about a year with proper care and daily use. Editorial director Lauren Swanson owns them and confirms that they perform as promised.
Esw Beauty Strawberry Matcha Latte Depuffing & Cooling Eye Gel
These patches are a perfect addition to my morning routine because they prep my skin for any makeup and help reduce the occasional puffiness I have to deal with. After 20 minutes or so, my under-eyes feel more refreshed and hydrated, plus I look more awake too. I also put these vegan hydrogel patches in the fridge for a cooling effect.
Hero Cosmetics produces some of our favorite pimple patches, but these under-eye versions are also a hit with our editors. They are crafted from a sturdy, silicone-like material, so they won’t slip or slide on your face. “I love how hydrating and depuffing they are. I always put these on in the morning to help me look more awake before work,” says Godio. Like others on the list, these contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to energize and hydrate the skin.
Westbay favors these eye masks for their potent retinol formula, which works to fight wrinkles, increase cell turnover and address hyperpigmentation. The brand notes that they also contain rosehip, which is rich in vitamin C to help promote skin cell turnover and combat free radical damage.
While gold foil eye masks may seem fancy, the top foil layer serves a functional purpose: it helps retain heat and prevents moisture from evaporating, allowing the underlying serum to penetrate deeper into the skin’s layers, according to the brand. You can leave these masks on for 10 to 15 minutes to brighten, depuff and prime your under eyes for makeup.
Patchology offers several under-eye patches, and our editors have tested them all. Our favorites are the Patchology On Ice Gels because they replicate the classic beauty trick of applying a cold spoon under the eyes. You can keep these in your refrigerator to help the skin under your eyes look tighter and depuffed.
How I picked the best under-eye patches
Experts suggest keeping the following factors in mind while evaluating and selecting these products:
Under-eye concern: Common issues include puffiness, dryness and fine lines. Identifying your primary concern will help you narrow your search to ingredients tailored to that specific treatment.
Ingredients: Certain components help address and prevent specific issues. Ingredients like retinol and its alternatives help minimize fine lines, while vitamin C helps brighten the area and lighten dark circles. For depuffing, look for patches containing caffeine. If hydration is your goal, seek out patches with glycerin or hyaluronic acid, as these draw moisture to the skin.
Price: The cost of under-eye patches varies based on whether they are sold in sets, packs or individually. This list includes options ranging from $5 to $135.
What do eye masks do?
Under-eye patches offer a quick boost because their concentrated active ingredients absorb rapidly into the skin, according to experts. However, for lasting results, you may need to incorporate other skincare products, such as retinoids like tretinoin or vitamin C, to build up elastin under the skin, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Karen Burke. “It takes six to eight months, but you will really see a difference,” she says.
Here are several key ingredients dermatologists recommend for treating specific under-eye concerns:
Hyaluronic acid: Helps hydrate, brighten and plump the skin, which can mask darkness and heal dryness, says Garshick.
Caffeine: Constricts blood vessels under the eyes, which helps reduce redness and puffiness, says Garshick.
Emollients: Ingredients like cyclomethicone and dimethicone lock in moisture, making the skin appear softer and smoother, experts say.
Retinol: A vitamin A derivative and the over-the-counter version of prescription retinoids that helps prevent wrinkles, fine lines and discoloration. However, start by using retinol-infused masks only a few times a week, as they can be drying and the under-eye skin is very sensitive, says Garshick. If you have sensitive skin, consider a mask with a retinol alternative like bakuchiol.
Vitamin C: An antioxidant that helps brighten the under-eye area, experts say.
Peptides: These are the building blocks of collagen, which help maintain skin firmness. Because the skin around the eye is thin, patches containing peptides help thicken and strengthen the area, says Garshick.
While you should generally leave eye masks on for 10 to 20 minutes, it is important to follow a few tips to maximize their benefits, says King.
Apply to clean, dry skin. This ensures your skin can effectively absorb the serum from the patches.
Leave them on. While each patch has specific instructions, you want to ensure you leave them on long enough for the skin to absorb the ingredients. However, avoid leaving them on too long, as the skin may begin to dry out, experts say.
Morning vs. nighttime routine. If you want to reduce puffiness, consider applying patches in the morning, as puffiness is often worse at that time. If you are looking for plumping or smoothing effects, you might apply them as the first step in your routine before applying makeup for the day or a night out.
Moisturize afterwards. You should apply a moisturizer after removing your under-eye patches to lock in hydration.
Dermatologists generally suggest leaving eye masks on for 10 to 20 minutes, but always check the packaging for specific recommendations.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Dr. Karen Burke is a board-certified dermatologist, research scientist and a clinical professor in the Department of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Icahn School of Medicine in New York.
Dr. Hadley King is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology. She is a clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
Dr. Rachel Westbay is a board-certified general and cosmetic dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City.
Tobi Henney is a celebrity makeup artist and former L’Oréal Paris Makeup Director for Australia.
Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Cornell.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bianca Alvarez is a former associate reporter at NBC Select who covered skin care and hair care. For this story, she interviewed experts and researched highly rated patches and masks that were in line with expert guidance.
