Getting my dark under-eye circles under control has been a process for me. There’s been a lot of trial and error. The hard part was no matter how much sleep I got, I would still have those dark circles. When I was actually tired, well, I was really out of luck. Cue the never-ending “you look so tired” remarks from strangers and some well-meaning friends.
I’ve experimented with a lot of things, and some of them have really worked! I finally found an under-eye serum that really makes that area so much brighter and more hydrated. I also talked to makeup artists about their best tips for using concealer on those dark circles. The main takeaway? Using a full-coverage concealer that is not too light and has a warm tone to it. When it comes to application, create a “triangle” with the concealer between the inner corner of the eye, the tip of the nose, and the outer corner of the eye.
While both of those things don’t permanently remove my under-eye circles, they do a good job of making them disguised and less noticeable. For those times when I really need a quick fix, I reach for my under-eye patches. They might be a good option for you when you’re in a pinch and don’t have the right concealer. Plus, some under-eye serums and creams take a few days to really take effect.
Under-eye masks have really taken off in the past couple of years, and for good reason. They have multiple benefits—some have anti-aging properties, some disappear under-eye circles, and others hydrate that very delicate area. But the best part is a lot of them work in 15 minutes or less. So you can have them on while you’re getting dressed for the day or making breakfast. I love using them before I have important Zoom meetings or presentations since I don’t have the luxury of a ring light to give me that ultra-glowy look. Plus, it’s just a nice, little moment of self-care.
Try it out for yourself. Take a look at some of the best eye patches below, based on specific needs.
These are some of my favorites for getting rid of dark circles and any puffiness. Plus, the metallic detail makes them a little different and Instagram worthy. The gold-foil ones have peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid to brighten and hydrate your eye area.
Infused with Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair tehcnology, these eye masks will leave your eyes refreshed. They also have some anti-aging benefits as they plump and hydrate the skin. Add these to your routine once a week—it will only take you 10 minutes.
Klorane is a cult-favorite French product, so if it’s trusted by cool French girls, it’s trusted by us. These contain cornflower extract, arnica, and chamomile to stimulate circulation and reduce dark circles.
The caffeine in these hydrogel eye patches really helps with dark circles and plumping the skin. Hyaluronic acid and aloe vera work to hydrate and soothe the eyes, too.
Okay, these are a total splurge, but you can’t deny that they’re a real luxury. Each eye mask is soaked in a 24-karat gold serum that’s formulated with seaweed, silk, and botanicals. They’re good for dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines.
The cool thing about these eye masks is that they’re reusable, so you’re not creating any extra waste. The eye patches don’t come with product. You get to choose your favorite gel, cream, or serum to use under your eyes. They’re currently sold out, but you can be added to the waiting list.
Shiseido’s eye masks are infused with retinol along with natural ingredients such as chlorella, mukurossi, and gambir extracts to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You can even use them around your mouth.
These are made to reverse the signs of aging by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and firming the delicate skin area. Powerful ingredients include peptides, Matrixyl 3000, arbutin, licorice root extract, and hyaluronic acid—all of which improve dark circles, hydrate, and promote skin elasticity.
You’ll notice lifted and firm skin after using these 24-karat gold-infused eye patches. They also contain caffeine to fight the puff and hydrolyzed collagen to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, you only need to leave them on for 10 minutes.
Skyn Iceland’s Eye Gels are some of the highest-rated eye patches out there. Packed with elastin and hexapeptide, the patches work to firm up the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You can also say goodbye to puffiness and any tiredness thanks to gingko biloba and coenzyme Q10.
I have these eye masks at home, and I really do think they make my under-eye skin feel firmer, and that’s just after 20 minutes of wearing them. They also feel so refreshing and luxurious. I love wearing these before a night out. Each mask contains ingredients like plankton extract and hyaluronic acid for a smoothing effect.
These aren’t exactly a quick fix that can be done in minutes like the other masks on this list, but they’re worth it for the results. You wear the patches overnight, and in the morning, you’ll wake up with smooth and energized skin. They’re designed to target wrinkles and fine lines and also lift and firm. Put them on the night before a big day.
Goodbye, puff. These eye patches contain caffeine, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to de-puff, banish dark circles, and lock in moisture. They’re also made of biocellulose, so they’re biodegradable.
When you see “sub-zero” in the name, you know these masks mean business. They’re designed to mimic extreme cold to totally de-puff and refresh your eyes. You can even store them in the fridge for an extra-cooling feel.
For a drugstore option, I like Yes To’s under-eye masks. They’re like having cucumber slices on your eyes because they work to calm, de-puff, and reduce dark circles in 10 minutes.
First, it’s fun that these come in a shooting-star shape. Second, they do such a good job at getting rid of the puff. Each mask contains a serum that has retinol, collagen, licorice extract, and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate.
Putting these eye masks on when you’re tired is just heavenly. They’re made of cooling gel, so they can calm and refresh the skin. Ingredients like rhodiola rosea root, baker’s yeast extract, golden herb extract, and hyaluronic acid work to reduce puffiness and thoroughly hydrate the eye area.
Along with de-puffing benefits, these hardworking eye masks target dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles. Each mask contains a serum infused with algae extract, vitamin B3, amino acids, and allantoin. You just need to leave them on for 10 minutes and massage in any extra serum after use.
Made from jade, this massage tool will cool and reduce puffiness. Pair it with a favorite eye serum or cream and glide it across the under-eye area.
Get the benefits of cryotherapy with these tools. You can use them all over your face, but especially to drain puffy eyes. Take the tip of the tools and gently glide from the corner of your eyes to your hairline.
Keep this one in the fridge for some sweet relief. I have a gel eye mask at home, and I like to use it to decompress after a long day.
Maybe the most luxe eye mask I’ve ever seen, this rose quartz mask is handmade and so cooling. It’s designed to reduce puffiness and dark circles while improving lymph drainage and circulation. It might also help you soothe headaches and tension.
This device massages and refreshes the area under your eyes with vibration technology. You can use it on the brow area, too. Next up, I Average 5 Hours of Sleep, But No One Knows Thanks to These 15 Eye Creams
