These Expert-Recommended Under Eye Patches Address Dark Circles and Wrinkles (2024)

These eye patches by skyn ICELAND are designed to work in only 10 minutes. Tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, these patches were ranked easiest to use. They received perfect marks by testers for a pleasant fragrance and for staying in place without leaving behind any unpleasant residue. In the Lab, they received high marks for diminishing fine lines and wrinkles by 23%.

Good Housekeeping testers also gave this set one of the highest scores for hydration. One tester said: Loved the way my under eye skin felt after using this product,” and that their skin “looked noticeably different.” The patches are generously sized and have an asymmetric shape which helps address a variety of concerns, while extending wide enough to reach crow’s feet. However, at over $4 per pair, they’re a pricey pick.

If you’re looking for effective, affordable under-eye patches that provide long-lasting hydration, look no further. These patches are saturated in hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin E to maintain supple, youthful-looking, and hydrated skin. Plus, over 1,000 shoppers on Amazon have given these patches five-stars.

User review: “I have been using these for years and have tried others and can say without a doubt nothing gives my under eyes moisture like these do and you CANNOT beat the price,” one Amazon reviewer wrote.

Also tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, these under eye patches come in at about $1.50 per use, making them a more budget-friendly choice that doesn’t skimp on results. The gel patches feel soothing upon application, and testers enjoyed that they stayed put during use and left a serum-like residue behind that consumers felt hydrated skin. However, some testers thought the patches were too saturated with serum.

Lab tests showed these patches improved the look of fine lines and wrinkles by 9% immediately after application and a quick five-minute usage time means you’ll see results fast. They’re not the cheapest price per pair on this list, but for the measurable results they offer, these offer the best value for the performance.

These patches contain a powerful cocktail of brightening ingredients like kojic acid, alpha arbutin, and niacinamide, making them “great for people that have hyperpigmentation and dark circles under their eyes,” Dr. Lal says. While those ingredients get to work on skin tone, the cooling hydrogel material of the patches helps to reduce under eye puffiness, with the brand claiming that results can be seen in just 15 minutes.

User review: “These are the best ones I have tried so far. They don’t slide off your face and are non-irritating. A noticeable difference in eye area too,” one Amazon shopper wrote.

Tackle puffiness under the eyes with these refreshing and hydrating patches recommended by Dr. Garshick. “The cooling sensation helps to reduce the appearance of puffiness,” she explains. “It also works as a great option for post-procedure to help reduce swelling and is a great option for those with sensitive skin.”

User review: “They stay in place and actually do what they say they will, smooth out fine lines and puffiness,” one Colorescience shopper wrote. “A great user experience and great results. Miles better than anything else I’ve tried.”

Dr. Lal uses these personally and loves that they contain effective ingredients for the under eye area like retinol, hyaluronic acid, and peptides. The patches “visibly reduce lines and wrinkles in two hours” and are designed with dissolving micro-cones on the underside of the patch that “help the product get into the skin better,” he explains.

User review: “These work to smooth wrinkles on the skin even after just one application. Of course you need to use them regularIy to maintain results especially when you are 62 years old like I am. I wear them at night while I sleep,” one Amazon shopper wrote.

Not only are these patches formulated to brighten the under eye area, but they are a hit for hydrating, smoothing, and depuffing the skin as well. “They have hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides which helps to hydrate and reduce the appearance of under eye wrinkles,” Dr. Lal explains. And while they’re on the pricier side, each jar come with 60 pairs.

User review: “I noticed immediately after using them for the first time that my wrinkles looked smoother and the under eye area looked more hydrated,” wrote one Amazon shopper.

Dr. Garshick recommended these “7-in-1 multitasking patches because they “address many different under eye concerns” with a blend of peptides, amino acids, and calendula extract to firm and soothe the skin. They also contain Camu camu, “which helps to brighten the under eye skin,” Dr. Garshick adds.

User review: “I put the mask on, felt great, easy to apply etc...I probably had them on for about 20 minutes. My usually dark blue under-eyes were almost totally clear and bright,” one Amazon shopper wrote. “I’ve never ever in my life had anything have this kind of impact.”

If you’re not interested in single-use patches, consider these reusable eye masks from Dieux, which are meant to increase the efficacy of your favorite eye cream or serum. According to the brand’s tests, the Forever Eye Mask lasted one year (with daily use) before the logo began to fade, making it one of the most sustainable options for the environment and your wallet. However, you’ll have to be sure to clean them after each use.

“These are a godsend for those who struggle to keep over-soaked eye patches in place and have no time to wait for the excess product to absorb,” Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann said. “The non-porous silicone patches are slender yet durable and quickly adhered to the skin, preventing evaporation and extending the product beyond the surface.” Plus, the patches come in an aluminum case for easy storage, and the patches are quick and easy to clean.

When it comes to anti-aging skincare, retinol is one of the best ingredients to include in your routine. That’s because it’s been proven to prevent and address visible signs of aging by amping up collagen production. Not only do these under eye patches contain encapsulated retinol (to reduce irritation), but they’re also formulated with firming peptides and a hydrating blend of hyaluronic acid. Plus, the patches have earned an overall rating of 4.7 stars on Sephora, with shoppers gushing over how their under eyes look “smoother and brighter.”

User review: “I love these eye masks. They are super easy to use and do not irritate the skin. They leave my under-eyes looking brighter and tighter,” one Sephora shopper wrote.

Another pick from skyn ICELAND, these dissolving microneedle patches are a favorite of Dr. Lal’s for their innovative technology. “These microneedles penetrate more deeply in the skin—where you want the ingredients to be—so it’s more targeted,” he explains. “They are all the rage right now.” With their microneedles, these patches deliver active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides to hydrate and firm the skin.

User review: “This product truly made a difference in the appearance of my under eye wrinkles! It greatly reduced the appearance and made the skin under my eyes look much smoother,” one Amazon shopper wrote.

“Combining a blend of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalene, and rose water, these under eye patches help to boost hydration improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” Dr. Garshick explains. Plus, these patches are made from a biocellulose hydrogel material, which the brand says helps to to absorb and lock in moisture.

User review: “This stuff is amazing. Easy to use, rehydrates my skin, and helps with under eye bags. Highly recommend,” wrote one Amazon shopper.

These ultra-hydrating and moisturizing eye patches were previously touted as a favorite of Drew Barrymore’s—and we can understand why. They are infused with nourishing shea butter, ceramides, and various plant oils to smooth and refresh tired under eyes on contact. Reviewers love these patches, too.

User review: “I love this product for smoothing under eye wrinkles and puffiness. I use them almost every morning,” one Amazon shopper wrote. “I have tried less expensive brands but they don’t work nearly as well.”

Reviewers on Amazon appreciate that these best-selling patches “stay securely in place without any annoying sliding down” almost as much as they enjoy how well they help with “reducing puffiness and dark circles.” The patches contain effective hydrating and nourishing ingredients and offer a cooling sensation to de-puff and hydrate the under eyes.

User review: “These eye masks are my favorite. Not only do they stay on my face while I run around the house and clean up but they also help with puffiness. They are never dry or make my under eyes feel dry. Highly recommend,” one Amazon shopper wrote.

Over 1,000 shoppers on Ulta awarded these patches with a five-star rating for their ability to soothe and refresh tired under eyes. Plus, the patches are formulated with calming and hydrating ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin, hemp seed oil, and green tea extract.

User review: “So soothing and cooling,” one Ulta reviewer wrote. “After 20 minutes my eyes are refreshed and the puffiness is gone. My skin looks great, smooth, bright and glowing.”

According to Dr. Lal and Dr. Garshick, regularly using under eye patches is helpful in keeping the skin healthy, hydrated, and moisturized. “With fewer oil glands in the under eye area, the skin tends to be drier and more prone to sensitivity and irritation,” Dr. Garshick adds, explaining the importance of taking special care of the under eye area with products like patches, masks, or creams.

Depending on the ingredients in the patches you choose, they can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brighten the skin and address dark circles, and de-puff the under eye area.

When it comes to picking the right under-eye patches for you, consider choosing a product that contains the right ingredients to target your unique concerns. Below, find the best ingredients based on your skin concern for every skin type and tone:

✔️Dryness. Dr. Garshick suggests looking for hyaluronic acid in under-eye patches to boost hydration, as well as ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier.

✔️Dark circles. If discoloration, dark circles, or hyperpigmentation is a concern of yours, Dr. Lal suggests choosing a product with vitamin C. Another ingredient that may help brighten the under eyes, according to Dr. Garshick, is niacinamide.

✔️Puffiness. To reduce puffiness, consider a product formulated with caffeine, which helps to de-puff the under-eye area by constricting the blood vessels in the skin, Dr. Garshick says.

✔️Anti-aging. Dr. Lal suggests looking for a product with retinol if your primary concerns are related to anti-aging since the vitamin A derivative helps boost collagen production to address fine lines and wrinkles. Peptides are another great anti-aging ingredient, Dr. Garshick adds, as they help firm and smooth the skin.

We tested the MIZON 24K Gold and Snail Hydrogel Patches and the Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Hydra-Gel Eye Patches. We spoke with Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ and Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NYC. We also sifted through countless product reviews to select the best under eye patches available.

The Best Overall Under Eye Patches, the Best Value Under Eye Patches, and the Best Reusable Under Eye Patches were tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab in their most recent test of under eye patches.