Lack of rest may not be the only thing causing dark circles and puffiness under your eyes. In fact, lifestyle factors like eating salty foods, smoking and drinking wine can all contribute to fluid accumulating in the under-eye area. Under-eye patches can help: Like eye creams, they can tackle common concerns like fine lines, inflammation and puffiness in that area.
These patches are designed to fit the under-eye area and many come with ingredients like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to target various skin concerns. We spoke to dermatologists about what to consider when shopping for under-eye masks, including which ingredients meet the gold standard and which ones work best to target specific skin concerns like puffiness, fine lines, dark circles and more. We also compiled expert-recommended patches and NBC Select staff favorites to help brighten, hydrate, de-puff and smooth your under eyes.
SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best under-eye patches | Best under-eye patches and masks | Do eye masks really work? | How to apply under-eye patches | Why trust NBC Select?
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How we picked the best under-eye patches
To help you find the best under-eye patches, our experts recommend considering the following:
- Under-eye concern: When shopping for under-eye patches, consider how you want your skin to look and feel afterward. Some common concerns include dryness, puffiness, and fine lines. Knowing what you want to target will help you narrow down the search and find ingredients tailored to that particular treatment.
- Ingredients: Certain ingredients will help you combat and prevent some of these concerns. Ingredients, including retinol and retinol alternatives, will help minimize the appearance of fine lines, while others, including vitamin C, will help brighten your under-eyes and combat dark circles. If you’re looking to depuff, consider patches with ingredients like caffeine. For those who want to hydrate, consider patches with hyaluronic acid or glycerin, as these will add and draw moisture to the area.
- Price: Under-eye patches will vary in price depending on whether they’re sold individually or in packs and sets. This list includes singles, packs and sets with prices as low as $5 and upwards to $135.
Related
The best under-eye patches and masks in 2024
Below are a handful of expert-recommended under-eye patches that are formulated to nourish the under-eye area. All of the patches we recommend include expert-approved ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Best overall: Grace & Stella Energizing Eye Masks
- Feels cooling on the skin
- Improves fine lines, puffiness
- Good for sensitive under eyes
- Hard to remove from packaging
These cooling hydrogel masks are packed with powerful ingredients, including amino acids and hyaluronic acid, to brighten and moisturize your skin, while sea moss helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, according to the brand. These Grace & Stella patches are also a win for NBC Select 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.
Type: Gel patches | Active Ingredients: Amino acids and hyaluronic acid | Rating: 4.3-star average rating from 25,385 reviews on Amazon
Best patches with caffeine: Good Molecules Caffeine Energizing Hydrogel Eye Patches
- Multipurpose
- Safe for all skin types
- Non-slip
- Nothing to note at this time
Brighten, hydrate and depuff your under eyes with these fragrance-free patches, which have a 4.3-star average rating from over 750 reviews at Good Molecules. Suitable for all skin types and morning or nighttime use, these patches have caffeine to reduce puffiness, niacinamide to combat fine lines and uneven skin tone, and hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin, according to the brand.
Type: Hydrogel patches | Active Ingredients: Caffeine, licorice extract and peptides | Rating: 4.3-star average rating from 967 reviews on Amazon
Best for puffiness: Peace Out Puffy Under-Eye Patches
- Cooling
- Don't slip or slide down
- Large surface area
- Very thin
- Hard to take out of packaging
These Peace Out patches combine caffeine, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to reduce puffiness and brighten up the under-eye area, according to the brand. “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 come in a pack of six, and the brand recommends leaving them on for 15 minutes.
Type: Gel patches | Active Ingredients: Caffeine, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid | Rating: 4.4-star average rating from 316 reviews at Sephora
Best for brightening: Drmtlgy Brightening Eye Masks
- Brightens the under eyes
- Travel-friendly container
- Includes a spatula
- Slide down easily
These patches have a blend of ingredients, including caffeine, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, to refresh and revitalize the under-eye area, says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist. These masks also provide a cooling effect that helps reduce puffiness, especially if stored in the refrigerator, according to the brand.
Type: Hydrogel patches | Active Ingredients: Caffeine, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide | Rating: 4.2-star average rating from 1,638 reviews on Amazon
Best for dark circles: Pacifica Eye Bright Vitamin C Spot Serum Mask
- Improves dark circles
- Provides a cooling effect
- Hard to remove from packaging
If you want to target dark circles, consider these biodegradable patches. Like many of the options on our list, these unscented patches, which have a 4.3-star average rating from over 870 reviews at Ulta, include ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. However, they also have aloe to hydrate and soothe the skin, while marine plant extract helps continue providing hydrating benefits, according to the brand. You can purchase these individually or purchase them in a pack of four.
Type: Biocellulose patches | Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, sea kelp and biocellulose extract | Rating: 4.5-star average rating from 163 reviews on Amazon
Best soothing: PUR Mellow Eyes Hemp-Infused Eye Patches
- Hydrating
- Travel-friendly container
- Improves puffiness
- Hard to remove from packaging
The experts we spoke to gave these eye patches a thumbs up when it comes to combating puffiness thanks to a cooling cucumber extract. They contain glycerin to moisturize, niacinamide to improve skin tone and texture, sodium hyaluronic acid to hydrate and hemp seed and argan oils to smooth out the skin, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King. “It also offers antioxidants to help with brightening and anti-aging,” she says.
Type: Hydrogel patches | Active Ingredients: Hemp seed oil and sodium hyaluronate | Rating: 4-star average rating from 217 reviews on Amazon
Best for travel: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
- Hydrating
- Includes spatula
- Improves puffiness
- High price point
Celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney recommends these eye patches because they are great to use at home and while traveling. “They come in a great little container and can be applied super easily in the morning or at night,” Henney says. The patches have hyaluronic acid, as well as caffeine to depuff and marshmallow extract to soften your skin, according to the brand. There’s also an included spatula to lift and separate the patches.
Type: Gel patches | Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, marshmallow extract and caffeine| Rating: 4.4-star average rating from 778 reviews on Amazon
Best patches with a retinol alternative: Jaxon Lane Bro Mask Cooling Eye Gels with Bakuchiol
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Feels cooling on the skin
- Has a retinol alternative
- Individually packaged
If you have sensitive skin, consider these eye patches recommended by King. They feel cooling on the skin, help target the appearance of fine lines and hydrate the under-eye area, she says. They also have bakuchiol, which is a retinol alternative that’s suitable for sensitive skin, says King. The patches have niacinamide to help brighten and improve any texture, as well as caffeine to de-puff the skin, according to King.
Type: Gel patches | Active Ingredients: Vitamin B3, collagen and peptides | Rating: 4.4-star average rating from 413 reviews on Amazon
Best cooling: Skyn Iceland HydroCool Firming Eye Gel Pads
- Improves fine lines
- Feels cooling on the skin
- Individually packaged
The Skyn Iceland eye gel pads are great for dark circles thanks to topical ingredients like green tea polyphenols and caffeine, which can help reduce puffiness and brighten the under-eye area, experts previously told us. NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin loves these patches and pops them into the fridge to create a cooling effect that helps with swelling and de-puffing. Free of parabens and silicones, these pads can help seal moisture and plump the skin in just 10 minutes, according to the brand.
Type: Gel patches | Active Ingredients: Acetyl hexapeptide-8 and hydrolyzed extensin | Rating: 4.4-star average rating from 3,938 reviews on Amazon
Best budget-friendly: Loops Under Eye Mask
- Improves fine lines
- Non-slip
- Can irritate sensitive skin
- Individually packaged
These multi-vitamin masks have niacinamide for their brightening effects and retinol to minimize the appearance of fine lines by increasing cell turnover, according to the brand. These patches are suitable for all skin types as they are free from common irritants, including fragrances, dyes and drying alcohol. You can purchase these masks, which have a 4.9-star average rating from over 180 reviews at Target, individually or in a pack of five.
Type: Hydrogel patches | Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, retinol and pearl extract | Rating: 4.5-star average rating from 267 reviews on Amazon
Best hydrating: Colorescience Total Eye Hydrogel Treatment Masks
- Improves puffiness
- Non-slip
- Individually packaged
- Higher price point
If you want hydrating patches that also offer a cooling sensation, consider these, which come recommended by King. To add to the cool feeling and maximize its depuffing effects, place your 12-patch pack in the fridge and take it out whenever you’re getting ready, according to the brand. Wear the patches for at least 10 minutes, and don’t worry about needing to lie down or stay still as you wear them since the hydrogels are non-slippery, according to Colorescience.
Type: Hydrogel patches | Active Ingredients: Aldavine 5X and NS phytomoist | Rating: 4.8-star average rating from 103 reviews at Colorscience
Best splurge: Chanel Le Lift Anti-Wrinkle Flash Eye Revitalizer
- Includes a roll-on serum
- Targets fine lines
- High price point
- Individually packaged
If you’re looking to invest in your eye patches, consider these from Chanel, which come recommended by Dr. Rachel Westbay, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City. You can apply the roll-on serum to your under-eye area and then place the hydrogel patches on top(the brand recommends leaving them on for 10 minutes). The rollerball also helps move fluid away from the under eye, according to the brand. “The purpose of the hydrogel patches is to create an evaporation-free barrier. This ensures the ingredients contained within the serum are maximally absorbed by the skin,” says Westbay.
Type: Hydrogel patches | Active Ingredients: Le lift | Rating: 4.5-star average rating from 24 reviews at Chanel
Best reusable: Dieux Forever Eye Mask
- Reusable and travel-friendly
- Hydrating
- Catches makeup fallout
- Nothing to note at this time
Unlike most under-eye patches on this list, this reusable set doesn’t actually contain any skin care ingredients. Instead, they’re meant to assist your existing eye creams almost like a shield. They’ll last about a year with daily use and proper care, according to the brand. NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson owns them and can attest that they do what they say they’ll do.
Type: Reusable patches | Active Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide and peptides | Rating: 4.7-star average rating from 587 reviews at Dieux
Topicals Faded Under Eye Mask
- Non-slip adhesive
- Brightens under eyes
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Nothing to note at this time
If slippery, slimy eye masks aren’t for you, these Topicals masks are right up your alley. They’re almost like puffy stickers that kids love — they’re sticky and won’t slide around on your face. The sticky, slightly cooling gel is made with niacinamide for brightening and caffeine for temporary depuffing, according to the brand.
Type: Hydrogel patches | Active Ingredients: Caffeine, kojic acid and arbutin | Rating: 4.5-star average rating from 904 reviews on Amazon
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch for Tired Eyes
- Improves puffiness
- No sticky residue
- Hydrating
- Hard to remove from packaging
Hero Cosmetics makes some of our favorite pimple patches and we also really like these under-eye patches, made with a sturdy, silicone-like material. Like others on the list, these include niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and energize the skin.
Type: Hydrogel patches | Active Ingredients: Tri-hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and panthenol, allantoin | Rating: 4.7-star average rating from 286 reviews on Hero Cosmetics
111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Eye Mask
- Firms under-eye area
- Hydrating
- High price point
- Individually packaged
Westbay loves these eye masks because of their potent retinol formula to increase cell turnover and fight wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. It also has rosehip, which is rich in vitamin C and helps fight free radical damage and promote skin cell turnover, according to the brand.
Type: Hydrogel patches | Active Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide | Rating: 4.9-star average rating from 103 reviews at Saks Fifth Avenue
Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Eye Masks
- Retains heat
- Non-slip
- Individually packaged
Yes, it’s fancy to have gold foil eye masks, but it actually serves a purpose: The top foil layer helps retain heat and prevent moisture from evaporating off the skin, which allows the underlying serum to dive deeper into your skin’s layers, according to the brand. You can leave these masks on for 10 to 15 minutes to help depuff, brighten and prime your under eyes for makeup, according to the brand.
Type: Foil patches | Active Ingredients: Peptides, amino acids and hyaluronic acid | Rating: 4.5-star average rating from 2,618 reviews on Amazon
Peace Out Skin Care Retinol Eye Lift Patches
- Has retinol
- Targets upper eyelid
- May irritate sensitive skin
Targeting both your under-eye area and your eyelids, these patches focus on firming and hydrating the skin with ingredients like encapsulated retinol, hyaluronic acid and peptides, according to the brand. “My skin feels hydrated and fresh after using them, and it looks more rejuvenated,” says Malin. Although these patches may be a little challenging to put on, once they’re in the right place, they stay on well, according to Malin.
Type: Biocellulose patches | Active Ingredients: Encapsulated retinol, peptide complex and tri-hyaluronic acid | Rating: 4.7-star average rating from 306 reviews at Sephora
Patchology On Ice Gels
- Provides a cooling effect
- Fast acting
- Improves fine lines, puffiness
- Packaged individually
Patchology has several under-eye patches to choose from, and we’ve tried them all. Our favorites are the Patchology On Ice Gels because they mimic the old-school beauty tip of sticking a cold spoon under your eyes (which, yes, we still do sometimes). You can store these in your fridge to leave the skin under your eyes looking a little tighter and depuffed.
Type: Gel patches | Active Ingredients: Peptides, cloudberry oil and bakuchiol | Rating: 4.9-star average rating from 108 reviews on Ulta
Pixi BeautifEYE Brightening Eye Patches
- Improves dark circles
- Safe for all skin types
- Easy to apply
- Nothing to note at this time
Suitable for all skin types, these patches brighten and even skin tone while also hydrating the under-eye area with the help of key ingredients, including vitamin C, licorice and ginseng, according to the brand. Safe for daily use, you can apply these patches to your skin, but be sure to use the spatula that comes with the tub to help separate them from one another. These patches, which have a 4.3-star average rating from over 280 reviews at Target, come with 30 pairs per tub to last you an entire month if used daily.
Type: Gel patches | Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, licorice and ginseng | Rating: 4.3-star average rating from 308 reviews at Target
Florence by Mills Floating Under The Eyes Depuffing Gel Pads
- Multipurpose
- Cloud design
- Travel-friendly packaging
- May slip down
If you’re looking to simultaneously combat puffiness and hydrate your skin, consider these patches, which have a 4.7-star average rating from over 120 reviews at Target. They’re infused with caffeine, green tea and cactus extract, according to the brand. One tub of the gel patches comes with 30 pairs, each with a cloud-like design.
Type: Gel patches | Active Ingredients: Caffeine, green tea extract and cactus extract | Rating: 4.6-star average rating from 133 reviews at Ulta
Pacifica Beauty Reusable Under Eye Masks
- Reusable
- Silicone material
- Thick patches
- May slip down
To help her skin better absorb her favorite eye serum, Malin applies these reusable eye masks on top, which create a seal over her under-eye area. “The reusable masks are easy to clean — I just rinse them off with warm water, let them air dry, and they still maintain their stick well over time,” she says.
Type: Reusable patches | Active Ingredient: Silicone | Rating: 4.2-star average rating from 149 reviews at Ulta
Related
Do eye masks really work?
Yes, under-eye patches can provide a quick pick-me-up because their active ingredients are highly concentrated and infuse quickly into your skin, according to our experts. However, for long-lasting results, you may need to incorporate other skin care products and ingredients like vitamin C or retinoids like tretinoin to build up the 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.
How to apply an eye mask
Although you should generally leave eye masks on for around 10 to 20 minutes, it’s important to follow a few general tips to maximize the benefits, according to King.
- Apply on clean and dry skin. This will help your skin absorb the ingredients found in the patches’ serum.
- Leave it on. Depending on the specific patch, it will have certain instructions to follow. However, you want to make sure that you are leaving it on long enough so that the skin can absorb the ingredients. However, you don’t want to leave it on too long because your skin might start drying out, experts told us.
- Morning vs. nighttime routine. If you’re looking to help depuff the under-eye area, consider applying patches in the morning because puffiness worsens during this time of day. If you are looking for smoothing or plumping effects, you might want to consider applying them as the first step in your “getting ready” routine before applying your makeup for a day or night out.
- Moisturize afterwards. After removing your under-eye patches, you should apply a moisturizer to help lock in the added hydration.
Meet our experts
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 an associate reporter covering skin care and hair care, whose recent stories include roundups of the best body washes for sensitive skin and lip masks. For this story, she interviewed experts and researched highly rated patches and masks that were in line with expert guidance.
Barbara Booth is a former CNBC reporter whose work spans a wide range of business and social topics, including work/life issues, international business and personal finance. In addition to CNBC, her work has been seen in USA Today, Huffington Post, Yahoo Finance, HerMoney, and for various television news programs, including the Nightly Business Report.
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