7 best under-eye patches for 2026, tested by a beauty writer

As a brand renowned for its instant firm eye tightener (£22, Cultbeauty.co.uk), I knew I’d be in good hands with Peter Thomas Roth. And the brand’s 24k gold under-eye masks were the best under-eye masks I tested for a number of reasons. They were sturdier than others I’ve tried, and didn’t pierce when prodded with the included spatula. They felt comfortable in situ and didn’t slip and slide about.

They started working almost immediately, and while some eye masks are only cooling, these were a different kettle of fish. The targeted area felt jolted awake, and my skin was instantly hydrated and tightened. And this is hardly surprising, considering they’re backed with a powerhouse of skincare ingredients, including collagen, caffeine and hyaluronic acid. After wearing them for the recommended 15 minutes, my under-eyes looked springy and bright – despite it being 10pm.

Grace and Stella’s affordable eye patches have done quite the social media circuit after joining TikTok Shop in 2023. Though you’d be forgiven for querying the legitimacy of TikTok shop’s endless stream of products, I can confirm there’s nothing untoward about Grace and Stella.

At this price point, some compromises are to be expected. The gel patches are thicker than their premium competitors, for example, Elemis’ below, meaning they don’t offer the same fit. They are also more prone to slipping, and their angled (as opposed to the common curve) shape can take a little manoeuvring to sit neatly under the eyes. That said, they’re still easy enough to apply.

Formula-wise, those with sensitive skin should note the inclusion of preservatives, such as propylene glycol, which may cause irritation. The energising patches did exactly what they promised, though, leaving the under-eye area feeling firmer and noticeably refreshed. There was a fleeting sense of dryness afterwards, but it felt surface-level rather than genuinely dehydrating.

If you’re looking to give your under-eyes a bit of TLC for a special occasion, or you’re not sure you’ll make use of 30 pairs, the Boots vitamin C hydrogel eye mask pair are the option I’d recommend.

Combining ascorbic acid (the chemical name for vitamin C) with glycerin, these affordable gel masks are like a glass of orange juice for your under-eyes – and are certainly the best option if you’re looking for a brightening effect.

Tending to any thirsty skin immediately, my skin looked plumper and more luminous after just an hour’s wear. I also noted a decrease in the usual blue-purple hue under my eye. In the long term, these will help minimise areas of hyperpigmentation, especially if you wear them regularly.

Dieux Skin’s forever masks are as much a fashion statement as they are an effective under-eye treatment – and that’s ok. But their beauty isn’t limited to the funky graphics; on the contrary, these ‘forever’ masks are reusable. The general idea is that the smooth silicone sits atop your existing under-eye skincare, creating a seal to ensure you get the most out of your products. For me, this sounded ideal for my under-eye retinol (Medik8’s crystal retinal ceramide eye, £42, Cultbeauty.co.uk), given that I only use it at night and, as a front sleeper, probably waste half of it on my pillow.

The patches applied seamlessly, sitting flush against my skin and staying firmly put through the night. After removal, it left a subtle imprint in the skin. While this wasn’t painful, I wouldn’t want the patches to further any signs of ageing to my under-eye area, so I’d recommend wearing them during the day when you’re less likely to nudge them out of place. They had a cooling and comfortable effect, and my eyes looked surprisingly bright at 6am after removal.

Elemin’s pro-collagen hydragel eye masks are the best cooling formula. Using different algae to try and mimic collagen’s firming effects, they feel like an instant ice bath when applied.

While plenty of eye patches can feel tingly while they get to work, Elemis’s formula provides comfort. Despite using them after a particularly tiring day, my under-eyes felt soothed, and I felt the area being revitalised by the second.

After removing the masks, my eyes no longer looked hollow with fatigue, and the fine lines under my lower lash line were less visible. Overall, the patches left my eyes renewed with hydration and provided a cooling tonic to the impact of pollution and central heating on the skin.

Spotted backstage at the 2025 Victoria’s Secret fashion show, the Topicals faded under-eye masks are designed to minimise hyperpigmentation. They’re comprised of caffeine, vitamin C, niacinamide and antioxidants, and work to de-puff, brighten and prevent melanin production in the under-eye area.

The patches felt different to others I tried, owing to the gel texture on one side and soft fabric on the other. They weren’t slippery or cooling (though you can put them in the fridge) and stayed put easily through a 15-minute treatment. This also meant they were drier than similar brightening masks (see Boots’ above) and didn’t feel as hydrating.

The redeeming qualities come from the vitamin C and antioxidants – arbutin and kojic acid – which left my under eyes visibly lighter and smoother after just one wear. In fact, they made quick work of some post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation under my left eye, and I could hardly see the freckle-like mark after wearing the masks four times over two weeks. If it’s good enough for the supermodels, it’s good enough for me.

During my tests, the Summer Fridays jet lag eye patches were found to be the best soothing under-eye patches.

Unlike others I tested, such as Grace and Stella’s, the serum didn’t dribble down my face when I removed the masks from the sleeve. They delivered an instant hit of hydration, while the added caffeine helped shake off any lingering signs of tiredness.

Those prone to under-eye irritation will appreciate the inclusion of allantoin, which helps soothe discomfort. I’m prone to sensitivity under my eyes after removing heavy makeup, but I found the masks especially comforting after makeup removal. What Epsom salts are to aching muscles, these eye patches are to sore eyes.

My only gripe is the fit: they don’t cling as closely to the lower lash line as I’d like, sitting instead along the tear trough and upper cheekbones.