The 10 Best Under-Eye Patches for Puffiness, Tested & Vetted

By now, most of us are familiar with the powerhouse duo that is niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, but if you’re new to this skincare pairing, just know that they offer a one-two punch of brightening and hydration. Add the depuffing powers of caffeine, and you have an under-eye formula that’ll leave your skin looking snatched and feeling refreshed.

While these patches didn’t leave my skin feeling as silky smooth as our second pick on the list (Shiseido), they’re a more budget-friendly option that delivers serious results. (I certainly found this to be true, but it’s not just me: According to some promising data from a consumer study, 90 percent of participants saw a noticeable decrease in under-eye circles and puffiness after just 15 minutes of using the product.)

Overall, the patches are very lightweight, leaving behind a sheen of serum that refreshes achy eyes. I found myself savoring each pair—and appreciating how compact its packaging was, making it easy to travel with. Plus, they’re made without irritants like parabens and phthalates, so they’re a great pick if you’ve got sensitive skin.

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredients: caffeine, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
• One Package Contains: 6 pairs

For supercharged skincare, I turn to retinol. A premier ingredient for fighting wrinkles, this dermatologist-beloved active can help promote collagen production and cell turnover, resulting in smoother, firmer, more refreshed-looking skin overall. And while many retinol products can be too strong to use on the delicate area under the eyes, Shiseido has cracked the code to create luxurious eye patches that not only depuff but are designed to “steam press” the appearance of wrinkles without causing irritation. In addition to retinol, the patches contain the brand’s WrinkleResist24 formula, made with ingredients like chlorella extract and hyaluronic acid, which have both been shown to promote collagen production and reduce inflammation to help banish those bags.

At $70 for 12 pairs, Shiseido’s eye masks are definitely a splurge, but after testing them, the results blew me away. They’re papery thin and lightweight, so they don’t slip around, and had the largest coverage area of any patch I tried. More importantly, though, they offered an immediate soothing sensation and a soft, almost velvety feel to my skin that lasted the entire day. No other brand came close to that longevity. As a result, these masks have become my “break in case of emergency” must-have—as in, I didn’t sleep a wink the night before or have a major event coming up.

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredients: retinol, chlorella extract, hyaluronic acid
• One Package Contains: 12 pairs

Augustinus Bader is known for making the cult-favorite The Rich Cream (which has been hailed by PureWow editors for transforming their skin), so it stands to reason the brand’s under-eye patches don’t disappoint. They’re made with the same proprietary TFC8 formula, a blend of amino acids, high-grade vitamins and potent peptides, which are designed to rejuvenate skin from within. And after testing them, I can affirm that the patches provide a strong cooling sensation—which was almost menthol-like in its intensity—that gives way to smoother, tighter skin afterward. That tightness may take some getting used to, though I liked how my under-eye bags felt reduced, and that there wasn’t a ton of moisture to pat in afterward.

So, if you’re looking for a multitasking formula that can help diminish puffiness, dark circles *and* fine lines, turn to these luxe hydrogel patches. In addition to the signature TFC8 blend, ingredients like acetylated hyaluronic acid (which penetrates deeper and more effectively into the skin than regular ol’ HA), niacinamide and caffeine-packed green tea extract come together to hydrate, brighten and soothe the area. Don’t just take my word for it—based on a clinical trial conducted by the brand, users’ under-eye puffiness was visibly reduced by 89 percent after just four weeks of use. 

This, too, is a serious splurge, but if you’re headed to a wedding, anniversary or other special event and want to look and feel your best, it’s a worthwhile pick.

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredients: acetylated hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, green tea extract
• One Package Contains: 1 pair

While Pixi makes a set of under-eye patches specifically for depuffing (known as DetoxifEYE), for five years I’ve sworn by BeautifEYE. It contains ginseng, which can help reduce puffiness, yet these hydrogel patches also contain licorice and vitamin C to reduce the appearance of dark circles, which I really struggle with. I’ve found they reduce puffiness and dark circles decently, but they really excel at rejuvenating dry, tired eyes. The bright-eyed effect lasts most of the day, too.

Under-eye patches tend to be papery or rubbery in texture, and most of the latter are so thick they slip down your face if you wear them while sitting up. Not so with this set, which are so thin they barely move (but, I’ll be honest, you can’t clean the house while wearing them without having to readjust them repeatedly). It’s hard to beat the hydration for its price point, though.

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredients: Ginseng

If your morning routine is more of a scramble, opt for these under-eye patches. They really grip onto your skin and stay put—seriously, I once used them during a yoga flow and they didn’t budge—so you can multitask as you depuff. They’re made of a fine hydrogel fabric, giving them a slightly fuzzy exterior, but there’s still a nice cooling sensation as soon as you stick them on. There’s no goo to wipe off your hands, and my under-eyes felt tighter and more lifted afterward, which was a nice bonus.

The patches didn’t feel as hydrating as some of the others tested—though they do contain coconut oil to help moisturize. They also offer some promising ingredients with benefits beyond the typical depuff-and-soothe mask, including Chondrus crispus, or seaweed, for example, which is purported to protect the skin from blue light exposure (though research is limited here), and carob to combat free radical damage, per the brand.

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredients: Chondrus Crispus, Gingko Biloba
• One Package Contains: 8 pairs

Considering the brand’s eye patches have been worn by the likes of Jessica Alba and Leona Lewis, I felt I owed it—in the name of research!—to see what the fuss was about. And after trying Grace & Stella’s Restoring Eye Masks, I get the hype. At roughly $1 a pair, these gel patches are an affordable way to hydrate and plump your skin. They’re a little thicker, so they’re best worn while you relax (or binge Bridgerton), but I found the combination of retinol, sea moss and hyaluronic acid woke up my lids and made my under-eye bags less prominent. The results didn’t feel as long-lasting or dramatic as my top three picks, but this is a great affordable option.

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredients: sea moss
• One Package Contains: 24 pairs

Enriched with vitamin C, Holler and Glow’s under-eye masks stand out for brightening the area—both while you wear them and afterward. The glittery, star-spangled design seems meant for Instagram (or wearing while you post a GRWM TikTok), and they deliver a quick jolt of hydration, too.

While I didn’t notice as much in terms of overall depuffing, the skin around my eyes felt well moisturized, with slightly less noticeable bags and dark circles. They’re great to toss in your bag as you head to a girls’ weekend, or when you want a little self-care that makes you smile. (Because honestly, how can you not smile when wearing this pair?)

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredients: cica, vitamin C
• One Package Contains: 1 pair

While many under-eye patches hydrate your skin using hyaluronic acid, these star-spangled babies feature sodium hyaluronate, a moisturizing ingredient that’s even smaller per molecule (while holding 1,000 times its weight in water, according to Bliss). That may explain why these thin, single-use masks don’t budge, yet still hydrate. Their texture is a tad more papery than the jelly-like masks, so I found that as I talked and laughed, the corners would crinkle a bit, making them a tiny bit uncomfortable (but not so much that it would deter me from wearing them).

If you want to diminish under-eye bags and overall puffiness without slowing down your morning routine, these are a great option (much like the Rinna Beauty ones). Plus, with a recommended 15 to 20 minutes’ wear time—as opposed to the 20 to 30 minutes many brands on this list suggest—it’s a fast option if you’re short on time.

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredient: Sodium Hyaluronate
• One Package Contains: 5 pairs

I’ve tried a few reusable under-eye patches, and while I love their eco-friendly approach, I often find that the skin under my eyes gets hot and kind of sweaty—the opposite of how I want to feel when wearing an eye mask. These buck the trend, providing cooling relief from the moment you pop ‘em on.

The Barbiecore-pink cloth masks use the brand’s Mission Hydroactive technology to cool and soothe your eyes—an effect you can enjoy with just water, or by layering them atop your favorite serum. Using them is as simple as wetting them; just make sure to wring them before sticking them under your eyes so they’re not dripping for 10 to 20 minutes. My eyes felt less puffy, and I felt more alert overall after wearing them, even when I didn’t apply serum. Plus, it comes in a mesh carrying case that doubles as a laundry bag for when you need to clean them.

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredient: proprietary Mission Hydroactive technology
• One Package Contains: 1 pair

Caglia’s pick for the best under-eye patches for puffiness is this reusable pair that works with your favorite eye cream for a completely customizable experience. Want to depuff one day, and brighten another? Use these fun printed silicone masks to help lock in the benefits of any cream or serum you choose. Angela’s “favorite way to multitask” is to use her Gold Facial Cryo Set ($125) and “move [the Cryo tool] gently over the eye patch with eye cream underneath. The cold temperatures depuff incredibly well while moisture is locked in with the eye patch.” For the makeup lovers among us, use these masks while applying eyeshadow to catch fallout and keep your under-eyes looking flawless.

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredients: based on eye cream used
• One Package Contains: 1 pair

Did those under-eye bags come with a side of dark circles? Send ‘em back with the help of these vibrant under-eye patches, which are packed with ingredients that can help fade the darkness and bring the brightness. Energizing caffeine works to depuff the area by stimulating circulation, while antioxidants kojic acid and arbutin fade the look of excess pigmentation (aka dark circles). According to reviewers, they also have a cooling effect, but you can keep them in the fridge if you really want them to pack a refreshing punch that’s sure to wake up your skin.

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredients: caffeine, kojic acid, arbutrin
• One Package Contains: 6 pairs

If you have a friend or family member who always goes the extra mile, give them these under-eye patches as a reminder that they can take some time for self-care as well. I love how glamorous these under-eye patches look in their shimmery metallic foil finish, and I’m happy to report that they’re just as effective as they are stunning. Calendula oil is the active ingredient of choice for depuffing in these award-winning patches, but they also contain aloe leaf extract to help calm skin, camu camu extract for lightening up dark circles and hyaluronic acid for a dose of hydration.

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredients: calendula extract, hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf extract
• One Package Contains: 6 pairs

When a celebrity with glowing skin sings the praises of a skincare product, PureWow listens, and Drew Barrymore has gone on record saying these under-eye patches are her go-to. Plant-based and powerful, these under-eye patches contain skin-soothing shea butter, avocado oil and rosehip oil to target under-eye inflammation and can be used up to three times before disposal (so they’re as friendly to the environment as they are to your skin). In addition to Drew’s stamp of approval, the reviews of these eye masks from regular customers also hold up. “These actually work for inflammation” and “take away the lines under the eye area,” shoppers rave. One adds, “They are reusable. The case is sleek. They are worth the money.” Say less.

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredients: shea butter, avocado oil, rosehip oil
• One Package Contains: 6 pairs

While this list focuses on the best under-eye patches for puffiness, what about the surrounding areas? Fluid retention can hit there as well, and sometimes you need a mask that’ll combat puffiness in more than just the under-eye. Thanks to hero ingredients like niacinamide and brown seaweed, which studies show to have anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening benefits, this mask is as effective as it is fast-acting. In an independent clinical research study, a whopping 97 percent of participants noted reduced puffiness right after application, according to the brand. In short, it’s perfect for those groggy mornings when you need a facial refresh—fast.

FAST FACTS

• Depuffing Ingredients: brown seaweed, niacinamide 
• One Package Contains: 6 pairs