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Five of the best eye mask patches for a quick under-eye pick-me-up

Five of the best eye mask patches for a quick under-eye pick-me-up

There was a time when a full-face sheet mask was part of an essential skincare routine pre-party or special event.

That’s still a great idea, but these days the pace of life and our desire for skin products that work quickly, means being rendered immobile by a slippy, drippy face mask is less than ideal.

Instead, sticking to a consistent skincare routine that prioritises hydration and protection is the best idea. Then, embrace what the beauty industry is calling ‘flash rituals’ when you need a quick pick me up.

Flash rituals relate to the uptake of micro beauty moments like the use of face mists, lip scrubs and depuffing face rollers incorporated into consumers’ lives to break up the working from home lifestyle, to create little moments of pleasure or give quick, visible results.

The use of stick-on, serum-soaked eye masks are a great example.

What are eye patches for?

The skin under our eyes is notoriously sensitive and thin, not to mention a billboard for fatigue during times of stress, when fine lines, dark circles and puffiness all come into play. Or, when you’re burning the candle at both ends with seasonal events and celebrations. Eating salty foods or consuming excess alcohol can also contribute to morning puffiness.

Using an eye cream every evening is a great idea to treat this delicate area, and of course a brightening concealer can work wonders too.

But if you just want to quickly refresh and plump skin so it looks its best, applying eye masks can deliver, and help seal in, deep hydration as well as other beneficial ingredients to help you look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

The bonus is, you can move around and do other things, even attend to your hair if you like, while wearing the eye patches.

Most include moisture-promoting ingredients like hyaluronic acid while others offer ceramides, anti-aging ingredients like retinol and brightening agents like caffeine and niacinamide. The quick skincare hit can help ensure your makeup goes on more smoothly afterwards too, should you be wearing any.

Some patches are made from serum-soaked cotton, delivering ingredients to your skin. Others, made of hydrogel, are coated in serum and form an evaporation-free barrier. This ensures the ingredients contained within the serum are best absorbed by the skin.

How to use eye patches

To use, cleanse skin and apply each patch so it adheres close to your under-eye area, covering the space where skin naturally creases and out towards your crows-feet lines. Most patches are designed to be worn for between 10-20 minutes.

A pro-tip is to pop the patches in the fridge for a few minutes prior to application. The subsequent cooling effect will help further tackle any puffiness.

Given the patches are generally single-use, for an eco-friendly option look for those labeled compostable or biodegradable.

Patchology Eye Revive FlashPatch 5 Minute Hydrogels

The gel texture of these popular patches gives a beautiful soothing, cooling sensation which is fabulous on tired, tight-feeling skin. Key ingredients include caffeine, sodium hyaluronate and centella asiatica a blend that promises to work in just five minutes, tackling puffiness, darkness and firming skin.

Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Express Eye Mask

Designed as less of a quick fix and more of an ongoing targeted treatment, these nonetheless work a treat in a pinch to refresh and brighten before an event or occasion. The Rolls Royce of eye masks contain retinol, high-grade-hyaluronic acid, and plant extracts which means the effects last longer than just a few hours. They come in a 12-pack to smooth and soothe your under-eyes.

Garnier Hydra Bomb Eye Tissue Mask

An affordable option, we like the way this superhero-style mask extends right around the eyes, delivering a burst of soothing hydration with coconut water and hyaluronic acid. The tissue it is made of is home compostable too!

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Mask

Another icon that can’t be overlooked. Estée Lauder has designed genius packaging which means the eye pads come dry and you crack the little liquid chamber to break seal and release the formula onto pads, then massage gently to ensure pads are fully saturated. Then, these hydrating, brightening wonders are ready to apply and do a beautiful job of refreshing the area and minimizing fine lines. They come in a pack of 4 pairs.

111SKIN Rose Gold Eye Mask

A dedicated eye version of 111-SKIN’s celebrity favourite rose gold face mask, this pair comes loaded with antioxidant-rich colloidal gold and rose damask extract to boost skin’s radiance. Developed by renowned UK cosmetic surgeon, Dr Yannis Alexandrides, this skincare line is luxe but delivers on its promises.

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