From your head to your toes, there's a treatment for everything nowadays, but few have caught the attention of the beauty world like under-eye masks. Perhaps it's the fact so many of us feel like we don't get enough sleep! A pampering step up from (although no doubt inspired by) a couple of slices of cucumber, they typically take the form of two sheet mask or gel pads that are placed beneath tired, puffy eyes to soothe, cool, and rejuvenate.
But it's not just dark circles, bags, or puffiness these magical masks can help with, as you'll also find those with anti-ageing extras like collagen or retinol to combat wrinkles or hydrating and brightening ingredients for dry or dull skin. Feeling intrigued? Today's buying guide will answer any questions you may have, and to make it a little easier we've also picked 10 affordable, effective masks to grab from Amazon, eBay and John Lewis. What late night?
Quick List - Top Under-Eye Masks
Skin Republic
A Drugstore Favourite That Erases the Night Before
Estée Lauder
A Rich Weekly Treatment to Rejuvenate and Refresh
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Depending on whether you're after an occasional mask to ease the effects of a night on the town, an anti-ageing treatment or something luxe for a self-care Sunday, the under-eye mask you pick will have different ingredients, aims, and usages. Here we'll look at which would be best for your needs.
There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to skincare, and most of us are usually looking for products that tackle more than just one thing. Here we'll list each concern and the effective ingredients that can help to target it, so you can mix and match them accordingly and find a mask that does what you need it to.
Whether it's from an all-nighter or just an awful night's sleep, most of us are no strangers to waking up with puffy eyes. Instead of holding a bag of frozen peas to your face before rushing out the door, we'd recommend an under-eye mask containing cooling ingredients like cucumber, arnica, aloe vera, and, wait for it, gold!
As well as soothing puffiness, nano-gold particles actually boast a whole host of under-eye benefits, such as hydrating the skin – which is good news seeing as ingredients like cucumber can be quite drying. You may also want to ensure there are other hydrators such as oils or butters to balance this out.
And finally, zingy caffeine-based ingredients such as coffee extract and green tea are also worth checking out as they have an almost instant effect at settling down puffiness.
Dark circles can appear for many reasons, and whilst this does include burning the candle, sometimes they're simply a part of your appearance. For example, they may be more apparent on those with thinner under-eye skin, in which case you could look for masks with retinol, which can help to thicken skin over time.
Other ingredients that can help to brighten darker under-eye areas include vitamin C, liquorice root extract, niacinamide (vitamin B3), and Ginkgo Biloba leaf or caffeine which boost circulation.
You may not know this, but there's actually a slight difference between dehydrated skin and skin suffering from dryness – essentially, dehydration refers to a lack of moisture produced by the skin, and dryness a lack of oils, but the two often go hand in hand. So how can we tackle both concerns in the under-eye area?
For dryness specifically, keep an eye out for masks containing plant oils such as olive or jojoba oil and skin-conditioning algae, and to tackle both dehydration and dryness, look to glycerin, and the current shining star of the beauty world, hyaluronic acid.
The skin under our eyes is much thinner and more delicate than on the rest of the face, which means it has fewer oil glands, and is more likely to lose elasticity and wrinkle as we age. As well as keeping under-eye skin hydrated, choose masks with antioxidants to renew and repair, and ingredients rich in vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids such as chlorella.
Many anti-aging masks contain collagen, which encourages the renewal of cells for a plumping, firming, crease-smoothing effect. Similarly, retinol has the ability to cause a surge in the amount of collagen your body naturally produces, so using these two side-by-side can double your chances in the battle against fine lines.
There are a few different varieties that fall beneath the under-eye mask umbrella, and within these categories, the time it takes each to work its magic will vary too. Check out the facts below and see whether you'd prefer a morning boost or an overnight healer!
Under-eye masks will usually only need to be left on for 10-20 minutes. The advantage of this, of course, is that you aren't limited to evening or overnight use – they're the ideal pick-me-up for groggy mornings that can be whacked on whilst you go about your other AM getting-ready tasks, leaving your eyes looking more 8 hours than 5.
These speedy treatments are also much-loved by frequent travellers, as you'll reap all of their cooling, awakening, and hydrating rewards without having to struggle with a rinse-off mask in a tiny aeroplane bathroom.
10-minute masks can come in gel or cream form, but if it's a quick turnaround you're after, you'll probably want to stick to patches. Checking the instructions should reveal the exact application time, which will be particularly useful if mornings (or evenings!) are a mad rush in your household.
Our skin does most of its healing while we sleep, so it makes sense to apply treatments with rejuvenating formulas whilst you slumber. With overnight masks, you'll also have the option of under-eye creams or gels, which may appeal more if you aren't keen on the disposable nature of patches, or if you prefer something more traditional.
Regardless of which you go for, the main draw of overnight treatments is that they're more intense, so will suit those looking for an extra boost alongside their regular eye cream. Bear in mind creams will probably be a pricier buy, although you do often get more mask for your money.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels | ![]() | The Best Multi-Use Under-Eye Mask for Every Skin Type | |
2 | Garnier Moisture Bomb Eye Tissue Mask | ![]() | Zingy, Moisturising and Easy on the Wallet | |
3 | Skin Republic Anti Dark Circles Brightening Eye Mask | ![]() | A Drugstore Favourite That Erases the Night Before | |
4 | Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Masks | ![]() | A Rich Weekly Treatment to Rejuvenate and Refresh | |
5 | Grace & Stella Anti-Wrinkle and Energising Eye Masks | ![]() | 100% Natural and 100% Glam | |
6 | Rodial Dragon's Blood Eye Masks | ![]() | Depuff, Hydrate and Tone With a Celebrity Favourite | |
7 | Mroobest Aloe Vera Eye Mask | ![]() | Versatile Patches for Every Eye Concern | |
8 | Shiseido Vital Perfection: Uplifting and Firming Express Eye Mask | ![]() | Steam-Press Wrinkles Instantly | |
9 | Glow Recipe Avocade Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask | ![]() | An Overnight Korean Skin Care Saviour | |
10 | Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks | ![]() | A Collagen-Rich Anti-Ageing Solution |
Where do we even start with these gel pads? For a start, they're vegan, cruelty-free, and free from harsh chemicals, and secondly, they're a cut above the rest! Hydrolysed extensin works to firm in the long term, whilst Icelandic glacier water, Arctic cloudberry and cranberry seed oils give a potent antioxidant surge that really shows.
We're still going: a blend of hexapeptide, ginkgo biloba leaf extract and co-enzyme Q-10 also smooth, brighten, and improve blood flow – in short, this is a mask that works for every skin type and every concern, so it's our winner!
Good old Garnier have made a great value, easily-accessible under-eye mask that's ideal for a first time try or those on a budget. It doesn't skimp on the ingredients either, offering a zingy shot of OJ (for that all-important vitamin C) to rejuvenate, and hyaluronic acid to put some moisture back where it's needed.
On top of dryness, dehydration, and puffiness, it's also a good shout for those with under-eye bags and dark contours or circles. Perfect for a morning wake up call!
Dark circles are no match for this super-affordable and effective mask. Unlike other under-eye masks, it's actually mask-shaped, so you can superhero your way through your morning routine whilst antioxidant-rich coffee bean extract, green tea, and vitamins C and B3 (niacinamide) brighten, boost cell renewal and restore radiance.
Not to forget licorice, an underrated skin care ingredient that excels at improving dark spots and circles and hyperpigmentation. The brand also have several other under-eye masks that are worth a look, in case you have a different concern such as anti-ageing or hydration.
If you know Estée Lauder, you'll probably know their Night Repair range, and these under-eye masks are the latest addition to the family. Using a rich concentration of their signature ChronoluxCB™ repair ingredients, they get to work as you sleep to leave eyes looking rested, luminous, and youthful.
There is a twist, though, and it's a good one – you need only leave them on for 10 minutes before bed, making them easy to fit into even the busiest weekly routine. Cool, refreshed, hydrated and plumped eyes in 10? Sign us up!
Could this be the most Insta-ready under-eye mask out there? Whether you love all things bling or you're just feeling the need for a totally extra pampering treatment, Grace & Stella's nano-gold-infused gel pads are bang on trend, but absolutely more than just a glitzy exterior.
There's also hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture, vitamin C for brightening and antioxidants, and rose oil to soothe and calm. Our favourite part, though, is the use of plant-based, vegan collagen which is very rare in collagen masks – it's usually animal-derived. They're also made with 100% natural ingredients, and can be used morning or night.
Game of Thrones fans needn't worry, as the 'dragon's blood' of Rodial's masks is actually from the Croton lechleri tree, used for its lifting, firming and anti-inflammatory properties. There's also a dose of both arnica and hyaluronic acid, making these a good match for both younger puffy eye- and dark circle-sufferers and mature eyes alike.
A UK celebrity favourite, we also think they're good value for money (for most of us normal folk) considering the innovative active ingredients, great reviews, and their multi-use appeal.
Truly an ingredient powerhouse, these multi-use masks don't just tackle one goal, but pretty much every under-eye concern. They include ingredients such as aloe extract, honey extract, nicotinamide, and deeply hydrating glycerin, to name a few.
These are 100% natural masks, which means they're biodegradable rather than just disposable, so they're an eco-friendly option. Not only are these patches suitable for a variety of eye-skin problems, but they can also be used on other parts of the face such as the forehead and chin.
Want a wrinkle-banishing mask, fast? These incredible under-eye sheets begin to work instantly to 'steam-press' away fine lines and creases, thanks to collagen-encouraging pure retinol and a bevvy of vitamin and mineral-rich plant extracts like Matsu extract and Benibana flower. Plus, they help with the reduction of signs of ageing with continued use, and are recommended as a 2-3 times weekly treatment.
For better results, it's recommended to combine this with the Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Eye Cream. The price may well be off-putting for some, as you'll have to reorder again in a month or so, but they do come from a very trusted high-end brand.
K-beauty brand Glow Recipe's overnight sleeping mask has great reviews a-plenty, thanks to its expertly balanced ingredient list of antioxidants including vitamin E and C, avocado oil, niacinamide, and caffeine-laced coffeeberry to banish puffiness and dark circles. It's also suitable for sensitive skin, as it's free from irritating chemical additives.
This cruelty-free skincare moisturises and brightens the delicate under-eye area, bringing out your inner glow. It comes in a glass jar with a spatula included for easier and tidier use. The only drawback is that if you're after a quick fix in the morning, you'll have to look elsewhere as this sleeping mask is best suited for overnight use, but it works intensely and is worth every penny!
It's no surprise that everyone's favourite luxury British beauty brand have created an extremely effective anti-ageing solution for the eyes. Packed with collagen and the ocean's finest plankton and chlorella extracts from algae, you'll notice instant skin-tightening and a visible smoothing of fine lines.
So far as moisturising delicate, mature under-eye skin, there's also the inclusion of hyaluronic acid for super-soft skin. They're rather pricey per mask for the average shopper, but the quality of the ingredients does make up for that somewhat.
Looking for other solutions for a sleep-deprived soul? Or perhaps you want to treat a stressed-out loved one to a few other relaxing, pampering goodies (that loved one can still be you, by the way) – whatever you need, we've got the buying guides and product recommendations to soothe your ailments!
Choosing the best under-eye mask shouldn't be another thing in life that causes stress, there are plenty of those! With the help of our guide, you should now be wise to the most effective ingredients to look for and the right type of mask – which should hopefully lead you to your new self-care skin saviour.
Author: Natasha Dziubajlo
No. 1: Skyn Iceland |Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels
No. 2: Garnier |Moisture Bomb Eye Tissue Mask
No. 3: Skin Republic |Anti Dark Circles Brightening Eye Mask
No. 4: Estée Lauder|Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Masks
No. 5: Grace & Stella |Anti-Wrinkle and Energising Eye Masks
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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