Puffiness, Dark Circles, and Wrinkles Are No Match for These Under-Eye Masks
Armor for your insomnia.
Reviewed by Mona A. Gohara, M.D.Board-Certified DermatologistEven the most loyal, eight-hour sleepers can wake up with puffy under-eyes, stubborn dark circles, or fine lines. Whether you’re recovering from a red-eye flight, too many martinis, or just trying to look a bit more awake before your first meeting, under-eye patches offer a quick, effective fix. Packed with ingredients like caffeine, hyaluronic acid, retinol, and peptides, they work to actively depuff, hydrate, brighten, and smooth the delicate skin under your eyes. In short, they’re the skincare equivalent of a triple-shot latte—minus the annoying jitters.
Eye creams can work wonders for wrinkles and concealers can disguise dark circles, but there are few beauty products as instantly gratifying as under-eye patches. Just beware: they don’t always address the source of the issue—think of it as more of a temporary aesthetic band-aid. ”They work by creating a physical barrier, which forces the eyelid skin to interact with moisturizing and active ingredients closely and intimately,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nava Greenfield. ”I love them because they can make the skin temporarily appear fuller, plumper, and more hydrated—even if it is short-lived.”
Even better? They’re low-effort, high-reward. You can wear them while brushing your teeth, scrolling through your inbox, or prepping for a night out on the town. Regardless of if you're dealing with puffiness, dryness, dark circles, or all of the above, there’s a patch for that. In fact, we understand it's hard to choose just one—so we did the homework for you. We consulted skin experts, surveyed ELLE editors, and reviewed customer feedback to identify the 15 best under-eye patches for every concern.
Pros
- Sustainable
Cons
- May bunch up under eyes
You can forget about constantly refilling your stash and opt for these delightfully reusable patches that have taken TikTok by storm. Made of soft, medical-grade silicone, they’re packed with potent ingredients, such as niacinamide, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid, to visibly soothe, brighten, and plump the skin. Bonus: They’ll also help lock in your favorite skincare products for even better results.
Key ingredients: Glycerin, peptides, niacinamide
Pairs per pack: 1
Dieux rating: 4.7/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “The idea of a reusable eye mask is clever, but it also works. I’ve tried the Dieux eye mask (made of silicone) on top of my favorite eye cream on just one side. After a few minutes, the side with the mask was slightly brighter and less crepey-looking, which made my tired, grey eye circles on the other side stand out more. And you can keep using it—if not forever, then for a long time.”—Kathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director
Pros
- Gentle exfoliation
- Reduces hyperpigmentation
Cons
- Can be difficult to take out of the packaging
You may have seen these eye patches on the coolest beauty girls and boys, but there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the Topicals Faded Under Eye Masks. The formula features a host of healing and brightening ingredients, including caffeine, niacinamide, and kojic acid. In just 15 minutes, you’ll look like you’ve had your eight hours of sleep (even if you haven’t).
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, tranexamic acid, kojic acid, caffeine, arbutin
Pairs per pack: 6
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “When I think about buying a face mask, I tend to ask myself two questions: Are they effective? And are they cute enough to wear outside? With these, it’s a resounding yes to both. These hydrogel patches help fade discoloration and hydrate your eye area while delivering a soothing, cooling sensation. With my sensitive and dry skin, it’s really important for me to show my under eyes some extra love, so these always come in handy. I pop these on when I have some down time or if I’m running quick errands.”—Tasha Nicole Smith, beauty assistant
Pros
- Depuffs in 15 minutes
Cons
- Slides down easily
It's time to say "peace out" to puffy under-eyes. These bio-cellulose patches are filled with all the depuffing essentials—caffeine, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid. Plus, they tackle dryness and dark circles, too. Pro tip: store your packs in the fridge for extra-depuffing power.
Key ingredients: Bio-cellulose, caffeine, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
Pairs per pack: 6
Amazon rating: 3.6/5
An ELLE editor says: “I am extremely prone to puffy eyes. Whether it's a sodium-filled sushi dinner or one too many tequila shots during a girl's night out, I've become accustomed to waking up with puffy eye bags and lids. I've also become a pro at dealing with them. The Peace Out Puffy Eyes under-eye patches are my favorite for their quick, visible results and ultra-saturated feel. I always have an emergency pair ready-to-go in my fridge.”—Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty e-commerce writer
Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Pure Luxury Lift & Firm Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
Pros
- Helps firm and lift
Cons
- Shape may not work for everyone
These eye patches actually contain 24K gold, with skin care benefits that include firming and lifting. Meanwhile, hydrolyzed collagen helps airbrush out any fine lines, and caffeine shakes out that heavy feeling on your lids from early mornings.
Key ingredients: Collagen, caffeine, hyaluronic acid, gold
Pairs per pack: 30
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
Our expert says: “I’ve seen this mask on my feed countless times at this point, so I decided that I needed to try it for myself. These patches are indeed a true treat for my under-eyes; they depuff and smooth out the skin in the area within minutes, and I feel extra fancy having gold-infused masks on my face. They do smell slightly medicinal, but not in a bad way—the scent is nearly undetectable unless you’re placing them under your nose (which I wouldn’t recommend).”—Carol Lee, beauty writer
Pros
- No slipping
Cons
- Can tear easily
Patchology has mastered the art of creating eye patches for any situation. The Serve Chilled On Ice version soothes, firms, tightens, and smooths, all made possible thanks to peptides, bakuchiol, and cloudberry oil, which is chock-full of brightening vitamin C.
Key ingredients: Cloudberry oil, bakuchiol, peptides
Pairs per pack: 5
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
Our expert says: “Coffee doesn’t do anything for me, which is why I don’t drink it often. However, Patchology’s eye patches have become my personal wake-up trick. I slap a pair on in the morning, and I feel ten times more awake and aware of my surroundings than I did without them. They’re perfect even on busy mornings since I only need a few minutes with them to experience their effects.”—Carol Lee
Pros
- Pro-approved
Cons
- Slightly dry
Whether you're prepping for a full-glam makeup look or feeling dry after a long travel day, the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Eye Patches will deeply hydrate your under-eyes. They're one of Dr. Greenfield's go-tos, because “the hydrogel patches promote wound healing and lock in hydration,” she says. Meanwhile, “cucumber extract, caffeine, and peptides decrease swelling and puffiness.”
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, cucumber extract, hyaluronic acid
Pairs per pack: 6
Sephora rating: 4.7/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “These are perfect to pack for traveling and so portable. I love how hydrating it is. It left my under eyes dewy and moisturized. It’s the perfect pick me up in the morning as well as it helps depuff too! I also have very sensitive skin and it worked great for me.’
Pros
- Plumping
Cons
- Not as much serum as others
Brighter under-eyes are coming, especially if you try these sun-shaped masks. They’re soaked in a serum packed with banana extract and hydrogel to soothe and brighten. Plenty of copper peptides, which encourage collagen production and plump skin, are also in the mix.
Key ingredients: Copper, bakuchiol
Pairs per pack: 1
Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars
Our expert says: “These patches make it look like you have copper sun rays under your eyes. When running on minimal sleep, I put these on post-shower, and by the time I’m ready for work, it looks like I snuck in three additional hours of sleep. I love them!”—Danielle James, beauty expert
Pros
- Large size
Cons
- Doesn't fit well on everyone's face
While dark circles tend to fall underneath out eyes, dryness, wrinkles, and puffiness can land above and around our eyes as well. Fortunately, RéVive's Instant De-Puffing Gel Eye Mask targets the entire region with their superhero-style mask. It soothes, hydrates, depuffs, firms, and brightens—promising an all-over refreshed glow.
Key ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, antioxidants
Masks per pack: 6
Amazon rating: 5/5
An ELLE editor says: “As someone who struggles with dry, often puffy eye lids, it always bothered me that eye masks rarely target anywhere but the under-eyes. That is, until I discovered RéVive's Instant De-Puffing Gel Eye Mask. The large mask size ensures no area is left behind. And after 15 minutes, I'm left hydrated, depuffed, and glowing.”—Emma Aerin Becker
Pros
- Comes with a case
Cons
- Edges can lift
These reusable eye patches were created to help smooth and hydrate the under-eye area. If you travel a lot or are worried about losing a pair, this set comes with extras, so you can keep some at work or let a guest borrow a set when they come to visit.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, ceramides
Pairs per pack: 6
Talika rating: 4.9/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Drew Barrymore loves these eye patches, and I love them for the same reason. Much like the Dieux, they are also reusable but come in a set of three so that if you lose one or even two, you still always have a backup.”—Kathleen Hou
Pros
- Multi-purpose
Cons
- Takes 30 minutes
That's right, we're bringing our matcha obsession into our skin care. The Clearstem Matcha Eye Patches are Dr. Greenfield's all-time favorite. “I like that these have peptides, which can promote plumper, more hydrated skin,” she explains. The caffeine-induced depuffing will blow your mind—just give it 30 minutes to kick in.
Key ingredients: Caffeine, botanical antioxidants, peptides
Pairs per pack: 7
Clearstem rating: 4.8/5
A Clearstem reviewer says: “I am leaving a really good review because I like to give credit where credit is due! You can actually see the difference after using these. All the puffiness went away and my eyes felt nice and soft afterwards. Really excited to keep using these.”
Pros
- Non-irritating
Cons
- May dry out quickly
If you love indulging in spa nights on the regular, this pack of 24K gold- and hyaluronic acid-infused eye patches will have you covered. Amazon reviewers mention that they visibly help plump and smooth skin and are non-irritating.
Key ingredients: Collagen, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera
Pairs per pack: 16
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “A product I didn’t know I needed. As a mom, I hardly get any full eight-hour rest, so there are days when I look extremely exhausted, but this mask helps with uplighting my face to give me a refreshing look. I’ve made this a priority in my skincare routine, and you should too. Say bye bye to fine lines, dark spots, and more. Literally, it left my skin so soft and rejuvenated.”
Pros
- Aloe keeps under-eyes soothed
Cons
- Container may be too hefty for travel
You might not be at a spa with cucumber slices on your eyes, but this is the next best thing. These masks are nourishing, calming, and safe for even the most sensitive wearer. Pro tip: Pop these in the freezer for extra cooling effects.
Key ingredients: Caffeine, cucumber extract, aloe vera
Pairs per pack: 8
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “My favorite eye mask. I always keep a jar in the fridge so they are extra cold when I apply. Just a nice cool and refreshing eye mask.”
Pros
- Ultra-nourishing ingredients
Cons
- Can be slippery
Never underestimate the power of snail mucin. Yes, you read that right. The K-beauty staple is incredibly hydrating and nourishing. The Corsx Advanced Snail Hydrogel Eye Patch combines the hero ingredient with niacinamide for an extra boost of moisture and radiance underneath the eyes.
Key ingredients: Snail secretion filtrate, niacinamide
Pairs per pack: 30
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “I think my dark circles really stem from dehydration, because I swear that every single time I use this my dark circles are almost unnoticeable. They’re pretty large, so there’s a lot of coverage. And they stick to my face really well—I don’t need to worry about them falling off while I do stuff around the house. I leave them on for probably 20 or so minutes, or whenever I feel like they've dried, and my under-eyes look so much brighter and actually hydrated.”
Pros
- Softens the skin
Cons
- May leave behind a residue
You apply vitamin C to your face to deal with hyperpigmentation and dullness, so why not do the same for your under eyes? A jolt of caffeine in these works to banish puffiness. So, if your goal is to make everyone around you think you sleep for eight hours a night, these will do the trick.
Key ingredients: Caffeine, vitamin C
Pairs per pack: 30
Ulta rating: 4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I’ve never used a product that has worked as fast and as well as these eye hydrogels do. These brighten, soothe, depuff, and hydrate my under eyes all at the same time. I put them on in the morning, make my coffee and breakfast, and maybe do a few chores (I took down curtains yesterday morning while wearing them, and they stayed on fine). I also have very sensitive eyes and can’t use a lot of moisturizer and eye creams, but these don’t bother me at all.”
Meet the Experts
Dr. Karan Lal is a celebrity dermatologist currently practicing at Schweiger Dermatology Group.
Dr. Omar Ibrahimi is a dermatologist with Connecticut Skin Institute.
What are the most common under-eye complaints?
“Dark circles are multifactorial and can be due to loss of fat from aging, veins that are creating that dark appearance under the skin, and/or hyperpigmentation from chronic rubbing,” says Dr. Lal. “After dark circles, the next big complaint is wrinkling and crepiness. This is due to skin thinning as we age. Sun damage also contributes to skin thinning.”
Can under-eye patches really help with these issues?
A good skin care routine coupled with professional treatments can bring the results you desire. “The under-eye area is an area that needs procedures,” Dr. Lal adds. “Filler, neuromodulators, fractional ablative resurfacing, and or picosecond lasers are needed to truly make your under-eye issues better.”
Are there ingredients people should look for when trying to treat puffiness or dark circles?
“Yes, there are a variety of ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, caffeine, green tea, and niacinamide,” says Dr. Ibrahimi. “Ingredients like retinol or vitamin C can also help, but beware, these may be more irritating.” If you’re looking for some gold under-eye patches, beware that some people can find them sensitizing. “Gold can actually cause hyperpigmentation, and some people can be allergic to gold,” warns Dr. Lal. Gold and other heavy metals can leave a blue-gray pigment behind, but in most cases, this hyperpigmentation is reversible.
Is there a way to make under-eye patches more effective?
“Yes, applying them before bedtime and sleeping with them allows many uninterrupted hours of application where the ingredients will work,” says Dr. Ibrahimi.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors spoke with skin experts about the absolute best under-eye masks for delaying signs of aging, reducing puffiness, and reducing darkness. The authors personally tested several of these products and scoured reviews for the top-rated products on the market.
Mona Gohara, M.D. is a Yale-trained, board-certified dermatologist, Oberlin College-bred feminist, medical media expert, and member of the ELLE Beauty Advisory Board. Mona enjoys educating on skin health, skin cancer, skin of color, and sun protection. She has done this through writing, lecturing on the local, national, and international levels, and by engaging popular media. Mona is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, where she chaired the social media task force, The Women’s Dermatologic Society where she serves as president, and The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, where she chairs the DEI Work Group.
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