The 13 Best Under-Eye Patches for Brightening and Hydrating, According to Dermatologists

Wake up your eyes with a targeted eye mask.

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Ever reach for under-eye patches the same way you reach for a glass of wine at 5 p.m. on a Friday? I do—because just like your go-to glass of vino, there’s an under-eye mask for every skincare need and mood, whether it’s a luxe, heavy-hitting pair you use to soothe puffy eyes before a big night out or a budget-friendly pack you stockpile for everyday moments.

But with thousands of options, finding the perfect under-eye patch for you can feel daunting. To help sort through the hundreds of masks on the market, I've curated a guide to the best under-eye patches to tackle every concern, whether you’re dealing with dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, or just need a little brightening boost.

For expert intel, I also spoke with three board-certified dermatologists—Karan Lal, MD, Kristina Collins, MD, and Hadley King, MD—to break down exactly what under-eye patches can (and can’t) do and which ingredients are worth the hype. Spoiler: hyaluronic acid, caffeine, ceramides, vitamin C, retinol, niacinamide, and peptides are basically your under-eye's ingredient dream team.

Ahead, discover the 12 best under-eye patches on the market right now, all endorsed by Marie Claire editors, dermatologists, and beauty lovers everywhere.

The Best Under-Eye Patches

Samantha Holender using the 111Skin cryo eye maks

Samantha swears by the 111Skin Cryo Eye Masks for being both sensitive-skin friendly and impressively effective.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

Marisa Petrarca using the Talika Eye Therapy Patches

Marisa feels instantly Parisian-chic (and hydrated!) whenever she uses the reusable Talika Eye Therapy Patches.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

Marisa using the COSRX under-eye patches.

Marisa Petrarca loves the hydrating, serum-drenched formula of the COSRX under-eye patches.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

Marisa Petrarca using the Peter Thomas Roth Under-Eye Patches

Marisa loves the depuffing benefits of Peter Thomas Roth's 24k Gold Pure Luxury Lift Firm Hydra-Gel Eye Patches.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Under-Eye Patches

Marisa always travels with the Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Eye Masks.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

natasha wearing babor under eye patches

Natasha loves these patches when she's traveling.

(Image credit: Natasha Marsh)

What to Look For In Under-Eye Patches

  • Hydrating Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Oil, and Shea Butter

All three dermatologists I spoke to recommended hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the delicate under-eye area while temporarily plumping fine lines and wrinkles. Dr. King also told Marie Claire that another key humectant to look for in under-eye patches and masks is glycerin. Like hyaluronic acid, glycerin attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin hydrated.

Emollients and occlusives are also effective ingredients in under-eye masks to complete the hydration trifecta. "Emollients like jojoba and argan oils and ceramides help to support the skin barrier," while "occlusives help to lock in moisture," says Dr. King.

  • De-Puffing Ingredients: Caffeine

Dr. Collins and Dr. King consider caffeine the "it" ingredient for tackling under-eye puffiness caused by fluid retention, allergies, lack of sleep—you name it. Dr. Collins explains that caffeine is a "vasoconstrictive ingredient," meaning it reduces blood flow in the area where you apply the under-eye mask, helping to decrease redness, swelling, and, of course, puffiness.

  • Brightening Ingredients: Niacinamide and Vitamin C

If you've already checked out our guide to the best under-eye patches, you've likely spotted one of Dr. King's go-to ingredients: niacinamide—a multitasker that tackles dark circles caused by hyperpigmentation. Another heavy-hitter is vitamin C, which brightens up stubborn dark areas. Then there's hyaluronic acid for plumping, plus skin-strengthening retinol and peptides that thicken that delicate under-eye skin and, in turn, make dark circles way less noticeable.

  • Fragrance-Free Formulations

"I always look for products formulated without fragrances," Dr. Collins tells us. Fragrances, whether natural or synthetic, can be irritating, especially for those with sensitive skin. (For your convenience, I've noted which of the above under-eye patches contain essential oils or added fragrance.)

What Are the Benefits of Under-Eye Patches?

  • Hydration

Hydration does more than just add moisture—it also plumps fine lines and wrinkles and makes applying your makeup easier. Dr. Collins agrees: "Under-eye patches can work great for immediate hydration of the delicate skin surrounding the eye," she says. "This hydration helps to temporarily minimize the appearance of fine lines and can make makeup application smoother and more even."

  • De-Puffing

Under-eye patches can also provide temporary de-puffing of the skin around the eyes. Dr. Collins suggests choosing masks made of a gel-like substance called "hydrogel" (most eye masks made of this note it on their product pages), which offers a cooling effect, plus the aforementioned expert de-puffer, caffeine.

  • Fine Line and Wrinkle Reduction

Ingredients like hyaluronic acid can temporarily plump fine lines and wrinkles. For more permanent results, however, that's less likely—though not impossible, according to Dr. Collins. "Under-eye patches may or may not help with dark circles or long-term wrinkle control," she explains. "When they do include active ingredients like retinol, they can potentially help with long-term wrinkle reduction, but then again, actives like retinol or peptides are likely overall more effective in leave-on products like overnight moisturizer."

How to Use Under-Eye Patches

The specifics of using under-eye patches depend on which of the 15 formulas above you choose, but the general approach remains the same. "I recommend applying them as part of your getting ready to go out routine after cleansing the skin and before makeup," says Dr. King. As for how often to use them, Dr. Lal advises checking the packaging, though two to three times a week is usually ideal. (Using them daily might be overkill and could lead to local irritation, he warns.)

Timing is ultimately a matter of personal preference, but if you ask Dr. Collins, she'll say, "My favorite use for under-eye patches is as a pre-treatment for the eyes before putting on makeup for a night out, a big presentation, or any other event. I think the immediate gratification effects of hydration and depuffing are perfect in preparation for looking your best. I like to put the eye patch on while I work on my hair, search for an outfit, or do my upper eyelid makeup. Because most results are temporary, under-eye patches are most helpful when used right before you want to look your best."

Why Trust Marie Claire

Meet The Experts

dermatologist Dr. Kristina Collins
Dr. Kristina Collins

Kristina Collins, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in Mohs micrographic surgery, as well as surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She graduated Summa cum Laude with dual degrees in Microbiology and Political Science from the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University. She was awarded the prestigious Canby Robinson Scholarship and earned her M.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, graduating as valedictorian. She was also named Tennessee Woman in Medicine of the Year for co-founding Shade Tree Family Clinic, a free medical clinic that continues to serve thousands of uninsured patients in Nashville each year.

Dr. Collins completed her dermatology residency through the Harvard Combined Dermatology Program, gaining experience at top hospitals, including Massachusetts General, Brigham and Women's, and Boston Children's. She further honed her expertise with a fellowship in Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Procedural Dermatology at the Lahey Clinic and Harvard Dermatology, specializing in skin cancer treatment, reconstruction, laser surgery, and cosmetic procedures. During her fellowship, she also served as a clinical instructor at both Harvard Department of Dermatology and Tufts University.

Dr. Hadley King headshot
Dr. Hadley King

Hadley King, MD is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology.  She is also a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. King graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in biochemistry. She received her MD from Columbia University. She trained in medicine at Greenwich Hospital, affiliated with the Yale University School of Medicine, and completed her dermatology residency at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. After residency, Dr. King worked as an attending physician at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, during which time she specialized in cutaneous oncology and photodynamic therapy.  

She also has a background in immunology and her research has been published in a variety of medical journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Dr. Karan Lal
Dr. Karan Lal

Originally from New York City, Karan Lal, DO, grew up in Queens and attended Hunter Science High School in Manhattan. He graduated summa cum laude from the New York Institute of Technology, where he completed a rigorous seven-year accelerated combined medical program. He was selected to be an academic medical scholar, during which he received a Master of Science in neuroscience and a scholarship for three years of medical school and graduate training. He was elected to the Sigma Sigma Phi and Psi Sigma Alpha medical honor societies. He completed his internal medicine internship at the University of Connecticut Medical Center where he was elected intern of the year. He completed a three-year dermatology residency at the University of Massachusetts, where he was elected chief resident. He continued at the University of Massachusetts to complete a pediatric dermatology fellowship, where he gained an interest in vascular anomalies, pediatric laser, and dermatologic surgery of pediatric patients.

Dr. Lal specializes in pediatric and adult dermatology, laser surgery, soft tissue filler augmentation, body sculpting, melanocyte keratinocyte transplant surgery for vitiligo and hypopigmentation, pigmentary abnormalities of the skin and enjoys treating patients from birth onwards. He is an expert in atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, melasma, psoriasis, and hidradenitis and has worked in specialty clinics among experts.

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Marisa Petrarca
Marisa Petrarca
Freelance Beauty Writer

Marisa Petrarca is a writer and editor based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, specializing in beauty, wellness, fashion, and lifestyle. She previously served as the Senior Beauty and Fashion Editor at Grazia USA and Beauty and Style Editor at Us Weekly. Her expertise spans breaking beauty news, shopping roundups, product reviews, and explainer articles on popular topics in skin, makeup, and aesthetics. Her work has been featured in PS, Cosmopolitan, Allure, NewBeauty, InStyle, and The Zoe Report, among others. Marisa holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from Wagner College. Follow her on Instagram @Marisa Petrarca.

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