I love eye cream, but when it comes to miracle products, under-eye patches are the best. They can make tired eyes feel better in seconds, which is great for people like me who are always tired.
I’m one of those people. When someone asks me how I’m doing during the week, I usually say, “I’m tired.” (Yes, I know I’m a lot of fun.) But it does mean that I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat, anywhere and anytime.
It might not be as cool as being able to tie a cherry in a knot with my tongue (by the way, do people really do this?), but the only way to make up for a night of bad sleep is to take cat naps on the tube and sleep on the couch on the weekends. Well, that and having a stash of a certain product on hand for those mornings when you just can’t hide how tired you are.
Under-eye patches are my secret weapon for beauty. A must-have for makeup artists, these have been seen on everyone from Victoria Beckham to Ashley Graham getting ready for photo shoots and red carpet events. They work great to get rid of puffiness and dark circles in just a few minutes.
I don’t think you should use them every day, but they’re great on days when you need a little extra help, so they’re a great addition to your skincare routine.
What are the best patches to use under the eyes?
I think the best under-eye patches are the ones that are made with a gel-based formula. Many come in single packages (though some gems come in pots with a lot of them) and are soaked in hydrating serums that are made just for tired eyes. I don’t use them all the time, but when I do, I usually put on a pair after washing my face in the morning and then go about my morning routine. The best under-eye patches stay put, so you don’t have to worry about sitting still while they work.Emma Hoareau with an eye mask on
Should you wear under-eye patches at night or in the morning?
You can wear under-eye patches at any time of day and in any place because they are so flexible. (See: as part of your skincare routine on the plane, at your desk, or even while you’re out and about if you’re brave enough.)
That still doesn’t answer the question of whether it’s better to wear under-eye patches at night or in the morning, which is something we all want to know. In the end, it all depends on what ingredients are in the under-eye patches you’re using. Retinol-infused patches work best at night, while brightening and de-puffing patches work best in the morning.
How I Tried Out the Best Patches for Under the Eyes
I use under-eye patches all the time, but I went back through my favourites and tried a lot of different ones to see which pairs were the best. I put my dark circles to the test by making them the most hydrated, firmed, and even-toned they’ve ever been.
It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to under-eye patches because there are so many different prices and types. But don’t worry; I’m pretty sure I’ve tried most of them by now and know which eye masks are really worth the money.
The 11 Best Under-Eye Patches to Buy Right Now
111SKIN Cryo Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Mask, £85
Garnier Brightening Eye Mask with Vitamin C is the best cheap under-eye patch, costing £4.
Best cult classic under-eye patches: Pixi Dream-y Eye Patches Smoothing Eye Patches, £22
Patchology Mood Patch Perk Up Eye Gels are the best under-eye patches for getting rid of puffiness.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Eye Patches are the best under-eye patches for calming down.
1. Cryo Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Mask from 111SKIN
111SKIN Cryo Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Mask is the best luxury eye patch.
£85 for the 111SKIN Cryo Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Mask.
Main ingredients: seaweed, collagen, and peptide complex
8 pairs
“111Skin are the celebrity under-eye patches of choice, and I think they are worth the money,” says the editor. These work like magic to cool the eye area (trust me, it feels like you’ve kept them in the fridge), so they’re the best way to wake yourself up when you’re tired. — Mica Ricketts, a freelance beauty writer
Pros
Cooling effect gets rid of puffiness
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Cons
More expensive than other under-eye patches I tried
2. Vitamin C Garnier Brightening Eye Mask
Garnier Brightening Eye Mask With Vitamin C 5g is the best cheap eye patch.
Garnier Brightening Eye Mask with Vitamin C: £4.00. £2.00. Buy Now.
Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin are the main ingredients.
Pairs: 1
Review by an editor: “These Garnier under-eye patches are really great for the price.” They cool the skin and make it easy to get rid of dark circles. — Ricketts
Pros
Less expensive than your morning coffee.
Cons
You can only get one pair.
3. Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Skin Secrets Immediate Eye Revival Patches
Charlotte Tilbury’s Immediate Eye Revival Patches for Hollywood Skin SecretsThe best patches for under the eyes that can be used for more than one thing
Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte’s Hollywood Skin Secrets Immediate Eye Revival Patches cost £58.
BUY NOW
Marine biotech, glycerin, and allantoin are the main ingredients.
Pairs: 30
These hydrogel eye patches from Charlotte Tilbury are fairly new and should not be missed, according to the editor. You get 30 pairs to use, and each mask is full of the brand’s “Bio-Smooth Eye Contour Complex,” which helps to soothe and moisturise the skin. I always reach for these when my under-eyes need a little TLC because they feel so nice to put on. One thing to keep in mind is that they hold a lot of liquid, so it can be a little messy to put on. — Grace Lindsay, junior beauty editor.
Pros
These make fine lines look less noticeable.
Disadvantages
A little hard to put on
