Editor Tip: Pair the patches with the sorbet-like Face Freezie Cooling Primer + Moisturizer—infused with snow mushroom and niacinamide—to prep skin with intense hydration.
Material: Silicone | Duration of Use: 2 years
Best for Puffiness: 4AM Skin Overtime Undereye Mask
Why It’s Worth It: Late night? The 4AM Skin Overtime Undereye Masks will help hide the evidence. These comfy, lightweight patches help your skin-care products penetrate better and deliver hydration morning or night. (All you need is 10 to 20 minutes, so whatever works with your schedule!) The patches are emblazoned with the brand’s slogan “late nights, early mornings,” which about sums it up.
Editor Tip: Patch-test these masks with the skin-care products you plan to use before applying them to your face. 4AM Skin explains that the patches can intensify the effects of your products, so make sure the combo of patch and product isn’t too strong for you.
Material: Silicone | Duration of Use: 1 year or longer
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using reusable undereye masks?
David Kim, MD, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist explains to Allure that undereye masks can offer a range of benefits. “Eye masks can occlude the undereye area to improve the delivery of active ingredients, whether for hydration or brightening,” says Dr. Kim. In the case of reusable undereye masks, the silicone works as a vacuum-like seal to better deliver the active ingredients you find in skin-care products like gels and serums.
If you choose not to use skin-care products in tandem with a reusable eye mask, you can still benefit from the cooling effects of a refrigerated patch. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Robert Anolik, MD, previously explained to Allure that eye puffiness occurs from vessel dilation, and placing a cool object on the undereyes can help the vessels constrict to reduce swelling. Adam Friedman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Washington, DC, added that in addition to reducing puffiness, coolness can help relieve itchiness in the eye area, which “can worsen puffy eyes due to rubbing them.”
How do I know if an undereye mask is working?
“Undereye masks are just like your eye creams or any skin-care product in that you have to be consistent and use it regularly to see a difference,” says Dr. Kim. “Don’t expect doing the eye mask one time before a special event will magically solve your skin concerns. Be steady and consistent.” With time, you’ll begin to notice softened fine lines and less morning-time eye puffiness. Often, reusable undereye masks are a tool to improve the effects of your skin-care products, so keep in mind that if you aren’t noticing improvement, consider adjusting the other products in your routine. Dieux also offers a handy guide on undereye mask placement, which can contribute to the overall efficacy of the patch.
Meet the experts
- David Kim, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- Robert Anolik, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- Adam Friedman, MD, a Washington, DC-based board-certified dermatologist
- Dendy Engelman, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
