2020 Korean Skincare | The Best Under Eye Patches, including Gel Eye Masks

Under-eye dark circles are a daily concern in this fast-paced world. They are the main reason behind the popularity of under-eye patches and gel eye masks. Once they start popping up, you may feel as though you are fighting a losing battle. In some cases, they even occur together with puffy eyes. Such a sight can dampen your morning.

There are several causes of dark circles, for example, smoking, inadequate sleep, certain medication, sleeping position, and drinking alcohol. Most of the causes form part of our lifestyles; thus, we choose to find ways to live with dark circles.

Lately, under-eye patches and under-eye masks have become popular, offering a quick fix to the daily morning problem. These solutions claim to fix puffy eyes and dark circles in just a few simple steps. But do they work? Can they brighten your morning in a short time? And if they do work, what are the best under eye patches and best under eye masks in the market?

In our latest post, we discuss dark circle solutions and the best under-eye products in the market.

The basics

What are dark circles?

These are dark circles that appear under the eye. Depending on your skin color, they may appear blue or purple to black or dark brown. They rarely cause any grave concern aside from the effect they have on appearance. Most people try to reduce this effect for superficial reasons.

Causes of dark circles

The area under the eye becomes dark due to hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is a condition in which patches of skin become darker than the surrounding skin. The dark color forms when the body overproduces melanin, which deposits in patches on the skin. Hyperpigmentation can also be a result of constricted blood vessels or thinning skin, especially under the eye. Blood pools around the eye cause the surrounding skin to appear darker than normal.

Other causes of dark circles include, 

• Poor sleeping habits
• Allergies
• An iron deficiency that can lead to anemia
• Rubbing your eyes frequently
• Getting overexposed to the sun
• Inherited genes
• Dehydration
• Aging

Some of the causes are avoidable while others may end up plaguing some people for the rest of their lives. Visiting a dermatologist when experiencing extended episodes of dark eye patches helps in discovering the cause and determining the solution early.

Remedies and solutions

Because of the cosmetic problems, people usually want to get rid of dark circles when they see them. Many remedies and solutions promise to get rid of these dark patches in an instant. Depending on the cause of the dark circles, some of these remedies may or may not work.

Under-eye home solutions

Getting good quality sleep. Arguably, many people who experience dark under-eye circles usually experience it because of inadequate sleep. If your dark circles are because of poor sleeping habits, then adjusting your sleep schedule can reduce dark circles and the swelling around your eye.

Teabags. They can help reduce puffiness around the eye and the dark circles. Tea has caffeine, which stimulates blood circulation around the eyes. It also has antioxidants properties, which help keep the skin healthy.

Cucumber. Applying cucumber to the eye can help soothe the eyes, especially after a tiring episode. Cucumbers also help reduce swelling. Because they contain a lot of water, they help moisturize the skin. The versatile vegetables also contain vitamin C which nourishes the skin around the eyes.

Makeup. Applying makeup to conceal under-eye dark circles is a go-to method for many of us. Keep in mind that makeup will only conceal them; however, the underlying problem will remain. Moreover, some of these makeup products may end up causing the dark circles.

Skincare products with antioxidants. Antioxidants can help reduce the dark patches below the eye. When buying skincare products, purchase those with antioxidants such as vitamins A and E.

Encouraging blood circulations through facials and cold compress. Dark circles appear due to poor blood circulation below the eye. Using cold compress or massaging that area can improve blood circulation, which reduces the dark patches.

These home solutions work, temporarily removing the dark patches, which keeps you going for the day.

Face rollers and Microneedling

Face rollers. Specifically, the rose quartz roller. Rose quartz rollers have immense benefits, which include getting rid of morning puffiness and dark under-eye circles. The rose quartz roller comes with two rolling heads; a large one for the face and a smaller one for hard to reach places like under the eye. You can find out more about rose quartz roller and its eye benefits in our previous blog post.

Microneedling. The procedure has a host of benefits that include getting rid of dark patches surrounding the eye. Using the derma roller, roll gently under the eye where the dark patches are visible. The procedure will stimulate collagen production, which will leave the skin appearing firmer. You can also apply hyaluronic acid after microneedling as it helps the skin absorb the product faster.

The two procedures are easily carried out from the comfort of your home. Further, you can also use other eye care products while face rolling or microneedling.

Under-eye patches

They have recently become popular due to their convenience. Skincare experts and celebrities recommend eye patches because of their rejuvenating effect on the skin around the eyes.

Under-eye patches are half-moon shaped patches that conveniently fit below the eye, where dark circles are common. The under-eye patches are enhanced with active ingredients and essential protein serums that give special skincare treatment to the under-eye area.

The eye patches seal in the nutrients they provide to the skin. Your skin is then able to absorb all the life-giving nutrients without losing any of the enriching skincare goodness. The effect is a clearer under-eye, free from any reminders of a long night. It also rids the skin of any puffiness leaving your eyes appearing refreshed. There are also suggestions that eye patches can help reduce wrinkles that appear with old age under the eye.

Other benefits of suing under-eye patches include,

• Skin appears firmer and lifted.
• Reducing blemishes and giving your skin tone a more even appearance.

How-to use under-eye patches

Depending on the brand, different under-eye patches have different instructions on how to wear them. However, these are the simple steps to follow when wearing a face mask,

1. Cleanse your face. Getting rid of dirt before wearing the eye patch keeps the skin clean and ready to absorb all the goodness in the eye patch.
2. Apply or wear the under-eye patch according to the manufacturer's instructions. Usually, most eye patches are worn for less than 20 minutes; however, they can be worn as long as recommended by the manufacturer.
3. Remove the eye-patch and follow with an eye cream or an eye serum for the best results.

Some eye patch designs require you to wear them overnight. These are usually preventive. You end up waking without puffy eyes or any dark circles.

The simple steps make under-eye patches an easy go-to eye care routine for many people. They also give a cooling and calming effect making them perfect as part of a daily morning routine.

The best under-eye patches

Under-eye patches will only work best when you have the right product. Because of their popularity, there are many product options in the market. Most of these may not work as well and end up giving eye patches a bad name.

Source under-eye patches from trusted stores that offer value for money in every purchase. While shopping, be keen on the price of the product. Products that are extremely below the market rate are a red flag. Quality eye patches cost anywhere between $40 and $150, depending on brand and add-ons.

Consider the ingredients of the eye patch when purchasing. Products with hyaluronic acid are among the best in the market. Hyaluronic acid is known to hydrate and plump up saggy skin. Other products contain ingredients like collagen, for example, collagen eye pads. Collagen also gives a hydrating effect around the eye area, which leaves the area glowing.

Some products feature specialized eye patches such as the Diamond hydrogel eye patch by JJ Ellie. The diamond powder gives the product an edge over other eye care products in the market. It makes the under-eye area smoother.

Gel eye masks

These are a special subcategory of eye masks. They are eye masks or eye patches with a gel-like substance composed of nutrients such as hyaluronic acid, retinol, and vitamins A and E. Some products have other specialized ingredients, for example, cucumber, diamond, or black diamond among other ingredients.

Unlike eye patches, gel eye masks are worn differently. The products are essentially a gel mask with eye cut-outs and a strap to hold it in place. Most gel eye masks are worn overnight as a preventive measure against the dark circles and morning puffiness. They also have other benefits that depend on their temperature.

For example, wearing cold gel eye masks at night will leave the skin around your eye firmer and brighter for that morning glow. Wearing a hot gel eye mask can be great for soothing migraines, headaches, and also clearing sinuses. You can easily warm the gel eye mask by placing it in a microwave for about 10 seconds, or you can cool it by placing it in the fridge.

The warm gel eye masks are also beneficial in reducing eye pain and discomfort from straining. For people who suffer from chronic dry eyes, the warm gel eye mask can help soothe the pain and hydrate the area around the eye. As a bonus, they can help you relax at whatever time of the day.

Some under-eye patches may be considered as gel eye masks. These are usually soaked in the eye mask gels containing the essential under-eye improving nutrients. Applying them is similar to applying the under-eye patches. The only difference in the application is massaging any excess product (gel) around the eye area. Rinsing is not necessary after the application.

Like the under-eye patches, finding the right gel eye mask is key to an amazing experience. Consider the price, the shop, and the type of eye gel that fills the eye masks. The gel eye masks also come in two broad categories that you can choose from: beaded gel eye masks and bead-free gel eye masks.

Under-eye medical treatment

Some people suffer from severe cases of morning puffiness and dark circles. They may need to see a dermatologist for advice on medical care for the condition. These medical solutions include,

1. Bleaching creams. Some topical creams have bleaching agents that help reduce the hyperpigmentation below the eye. Creams with hydroquinone and tretinoin are commonly prescribed in such cases. The drawback of these creams includes their side effects and their prolonged usage. Results of the creams are only seen after more than 3 months of usage.
2. Chemical peels. Peels using acids such as glycolic acids can help reduce hyperpigmentation under the eye. They are usually combined with bleaching creams for the best results.
3. Fillers. The thinning of skin or loss of fatty tissue just below the eye can cause dark circles to develop. By injecting fillers with hyaluronic acid gel or platelet-rich plasma under the eye, they can rejuvenate the skin around the area. It will appear firmer and brighter after filler injection.

Most of the medical therapies listed may end up costing more than the home remedies. Further, some of the procedures are invasive. They are likely to have unwanted side effects as opposed to the more convenient at-home solutions.

Do they work?

The big question surrounding home remedies is whether they work or not. Various claims are posted on the internet concerning the treatment for under-eye dark patches. Based on the responses to these claims and the growing popularity of the products, it is safe to conclude that under-eye patches and eye masks work.

From featuring in celebrity morning and night beauty routines to testimonials on YouTube, these dark patches solutions prove that they are worthy beauty investments. Further, they also have other added benefits that make them a healthy option.

Apart from giving you a morning glow, eye gels can also help reduce stress, tension, and headaches. Their soothing effect can help you relax after a long day at work or during the weekend to rejuvenate you for the coming week.

Under-eye patches for all of us

Most beauty trends are often attributed to women, which is mostly the case; however, this does not mean they do not work for men. Dark under-eye circles are a problem that plagues everyone, regardless of gender.

The benefits of under-eye patches and gel masks cut across every gender. They give everyone the morning glow they need to feel more confident to take on the day. Whatever kind of night you had will be wiped away by a few simple steps that invigorate and firm up your skin.

Do not let gender biases prevent you from achieving your best look.

Do's and Don'ts

To get the best out of gel masks and under-eye patches, here are is a list of things to follow,

1. For patches, do not apply any serum or cream before wearing the patches. They simply will not work.
2. There is no limit to the number of times you can apply patches. The more you do, the better results you will achieve.
3. Eye patches are also protective of the delicate skin around the eye. Wear them when using sheet masks with intense treatments such as retinol to protect the skin surrounding the eye.
4. Always read the manufacturers' instructions. They are written by professionals who know how to get the best out of the beauty products.
5. Never reuse eye patches. They are designed for single use only.
6. Do not heat or cool eye patches and gels for too long. Prolonged exposure to such temperatures affects how the serum will work.
7. Wear eye-patches for the duration of time recommended by the manufacturer. Wearing eye patches for long may cause them to dry out and stick to your skin. Removing them once they dry out is a potential hazard to your eye and the surrounding skin. They may also dry out your skin in the process.
8. It is possible to use eye patches for other parts of the body; however, they may not work as well because they are specifically designed for the eye.

Verdict

Many under-eye treatments help with dark patches. At-home treatments are the most convenient and preferred by the market. These include solutions like under-eye masks, eye gels, eye patches, face rollers, and microneedling. All these treatments greatly improve the appearance of dark circles, while simultaneously reducing puffiness.

For the best results, always source under-eye masks and products from reliable sources. Sourcing them from questionable places may lead to disappointment and mistrust in the eye-care products.

Maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and taking proper care of your eyes will reduce or eliminate dark under-eye circles. Seek further medical advice if the problem persists.