True story: I used to draw dark circles under my eyes in college to convince my professors that I was too tired to come to class. Seeing as I had to actually go to class for them to see my handiwork, this plan was definitely flawed, but it did help get me out of a few boring lectures. Now that I am actually perpetually exhausted, I’m a little annoyed that I was ever awake enough to run a scheme like this. Nowadays, there’s really no need to accentuate my already terrifying under eyes.
And it turns out, I’m not alone in this struggle. “First and foremost, people complain about dark circles,” says dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal. 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.
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.”
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 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.”
