We’ve all been there before. Waking up tired from a restless night or simply needing a glowy boost before a big event. While facials are ideal for the latter, there’s a quick hack that solves the conundrum, and it only involves one skin-care item: under-eye patches. Designed to deliver a surge of ingredients to your under-eyes, these patches pack a punch when it comes to refreshing your skin. They brighten, tighten, smooth and invigorate the area, making you look awake and rejuvenated in minutes. While it’s true that they work wonders for your under-eyes, they’re now being used on other areas of the face. It makes sense; if a few minutes of use can do all of that for the skin under your eyes, it should do the same in other places. In a method similar to the toner pad fad that previously swept TikTok, people are placing under-eye masks on their foreheads and around their mouths to combat fine lines and get a quick glow up. But does it really work? Ahead, we spoke with two dermatologists to find out.
Feature experts
- Rachel Nazarian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Richard Bottiglione, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Phoenix, AZ
How under-eye patches work
Under-eye patches are loaded with active ingredients to target specific skin concerns. Like an eye serum or cream, they deliver specialized formulas in concentrated doses. “The ingredients are under occlusion, which means the thick and covered characteristic of these masks helps the ingredients penetrate skin more effectively and faster,” says New York dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD. For certain conditions, under-eye patches can have immediate results, working quickly to fix the issue. Puffiness and hydration are two prime examples that often affect the delicate skin under and around the eyes. However, with the right ingredients, Dr. Nazarian notes that they can also be beneficial for solving anti-aging issues in the short term. “Many eye masks address multiple common skin concerns, such as discoloration and fine lines, gently and without irritation,” adds Dr. Nazarian.
The skin benefits of under-eye patches
The skin benefits of these patches are vast, and according to the experts, they can be just as useful for the rest of your face. The key lies in the ingredients and overall purpose of the under-eye patch. Before adding your favorite patches all over your face, Phoenix, AZ dermatologist Richard Bottiglione, MD recommends assessing the ingredients first. “You need to know the ingredients in the mask to understand what type of outcome or results to expect,” he says. If you’re using under-eye patches with potent actives, you’ll benefit from the occlusion factor and likely see results after removing them. Dr. Nazarian adds that fine lines can appear filled-in and plump within only a few minutes if the right ingredients are used.
How to use under-eye patches on your face
“Placement matters, so make sure you’re applying directly over the areas you want to target, and leave on for five minutes or more if directed,” says Dr. Nazarian. She explains that placing the patches on fine lines from dry or thin skin is ideal, as they respond to topical products better and quicker than deep-set lines. The forehead area between the brows, better known as the 11s, is a prime example. With minimally set lines, an under-eye patch formulated to lift and tighten can have its advantages. Laugh lines may be a bit harder to diminish, depending on their depth. According to Dr. Nazarian, movement and dynamic lines, such as smile lines, can be slightly improved with consistent use, while moderate to severe lines are best treated with other cosmetic treatments. If you’re looking to brighten and quickly freshen your skin, she recommends using under-patches that have a cocktail of ingredients ranging from antioxidants, anti-inflammatory ingredients and hydrators. By addressing several issues at once, you can have a quick glow-up or fake a well-rested look.