Under-eye patches are great for solving concerns like dryness, puffiness, fine lines, and darkness. "The concept of an under-eye patch is to deliver an active ingredient in a concentrated way, basically under occlusion," explains Kavita Mariwalla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. "Think of an eye patch as an eye cream with a slightly stronger method of delivery," she says.
When shopping for under-eye patches, it's best to look for skin-benefiting ingredients. "Most eye patches have soothing ingredients like chamomile, hydrating humectants like hyaluronic acid, or ingredients that decrease swelling like caffeine and coffee extracts," explains Sandy Skotnicki, MD, a dermatologist in Toronto, Ontario, and Three Ships Beauty partner.
It's best to manage your expectations when using under-eye patches. They don't work miracles, but long-term commitment is key for getting the most out of them. "Under-eye patches work best on puffiness, and over time with regular use may decrease fine lines," Skotnicki says. "Typically, eye patches will not help with dark circles, but they could have a short-term plumping effect that decreases the visibility to the darkness following the few hours after using them." Ready to give it a shot? We gathered the best under-eye patches to reduce puffiness, fade dark circles, and reduce the appearance of crow's-feet.
