Derms Say These Undereye Gel Patches Smooth Wrinkles (2024)

We tried tons of undereye masks, and this one takes the cake for our all-time favorite. Why? It's the most hydrating option on this list and it doesn't slip off your face, which we feel is super hard to find in an undereye mask.

ICYMI, Wander Beauty basically started the undereye mask trend. This OG mask is made with peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid to improve your skin's texture, tone, and hydration. It's also expert-approved by Garshik and dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD.

"I love that this mask is made with three different layers that allow the formula to penetrate the skin deeply and prevent it from sliding off the face, so you can multitask while you wear it," says Dr. Engelman.

Many testers who tried this mask say it helps improve the look of morning undereye puffiness (big ups!). But, we found that leaving the mask in the fridge results in even more of a smoothing experience. However, those with more sensitive skin report having occasional redness with this mask when using it after the fridge.

Another pro? We love the construction of this mask, as the material is super light and flexible versus the conventional plastic material found in a lot of other eye patches we tried.

Read More: Best Retinol Eye Creams

I would be remiss if I didn't mention my personal fave patch from Patchology. It contains hyaluronic acid (hi, hydrated, plump skin) and feels super cool under the eyes to de-puff and smooth out that area.

"This gel patch is ideal for those looking to decrease signs of aging around the eye area," says dermatologist Anar Mikailov, MD. He mentions that there's resveratrol, a natural antioxidant found in grapes that helps improve barrier function, and other antioxidants that provide protection against oxidizing agents that can age the skin.

Our testers say that, after using this patch, they've noticed a reduction in puffiness, wrinkles, and discoloration near the eyes. But, one con they noticed was that the mask can tend to slide out of place after a while, which knocked it down a few points on our list.

Our testers are loving these eye masks from Live Tinted. Why? They're packed with copper peptides and banana extract to reduce puffiness and smooth fine lines. Some testers saw noticeable results, like less puffiness, after using them consistently for just a month.

WH assistant love and life editor Addison Aloian also chimes in, adding that this patch allows for an easier makeup application process because it makes the skin feel so smooth. It also leaves skin looking glowy and feeling hydrated. "Not only is the patch super cute—it's shaped like a sun—but it also genuinely hydrates and brighten my undereye area," she says.

Dr. Mikailov says that, along with a mix of peptides to help stimulate collagen production, this eye mask contains niacinamide, bakuchiol, caffeine, and Vitamin C. He explains that bakuchiol is a great retinol alternative that helps stimulate collagen production.

WH Associate fashion and commerce editor Lily Wohlner also gave this patch a try and loves how flexible it is under the eye. However, she did note that it does tend to slip down the face because it's super thin.

In our experience, this undereye mask is basically an expert at reducing dark circles and fine lines. And, you can thank hydrating hyaluronic acid for that. Plus, this mask has a cooling feel, so it helps with puffiness and tired-looking eyes too.

Brighter skin, dark circles, and puffiness are just a few perks that us testers love after using the mask consistently. Side note: this option comes with a lot of serum, so it may slip down your face over time. But, you can use the extra serum in the bag to apply under the eye for lasting hydration while you snooze or to wear under your makeup.

Need even more convincing? We've seen Jessica Alba post about this mask on her Instagram story time and time again, noting that she's a major fan.

Most masks on this list only need 10 minutes on the skin, but this one takes 20 minutes to fully deliver results. We usually opt for the shorter duration since we're often pressed for time. However, 20 minutes does fly by when you have a good book in hand (pro tip!).

This vitamin C-packed eye patch is perfect for helping brighten up the undereye area while reducing signs of aging and puffiness with the help of caffeine.

Yeah, it's a little pricier, but our testers say it's totally worth it if you have the budget. Many of them agree that the gel patch is also easy to apply. Plus, our testers say that the patch reduced discoloration and fine lines within just a few weeks.

Derms also deem this patch worth the money. "The key ingredient in this mask is THD Ascorbate Vitamin C, which is 50 times more powerful than other forms of vitamin C," says Dr. Engelman. Dr. Mikailov adds that this is especially good for surface dark spots that need brightening rather than deeper dark circles.

Read More: Best Eye Creams For Wrinkles

This option just might be one of the most tech-forward eye patches we've seen. It features bioactive dissolving microneedles (yup!) that are filled with hard-hitting ingredients that melt down into the skin's surface layers to hydrate and firm. The ingredients in question? Hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and a hexapeptide complex to combat wrinkles.

During testing, we found that that the spikes on the patch are def noticeable, but not super prickly to the point of discomfort. As the brand notes, you feel a slight tickle upon application, which is how you know it's working.

You have to wear this patch for at least two hours, and you can even wear it overnight to increase absorption. As we mentioned with the Grace & Stella pads, we prefer patches that work harder in shorter increments of time, as wearing something heavy under the eyes for long periods can get uncomfortable. We feel similarly when it comes to this patch, however this option is extremely lightweight, so we feel more comfortable wearing it for longer. One other con: We wish it came with more patches than just one for $18. However, you can opt for the eight pack, which is $144 (pricey, we know).

As the name suggests, this patch is meant to soothe tired-looking eyes. So, for those of you who have a lot of sleepless nights, this is your winner. Infused with caffeine, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, dozens of our testers say it reduces puffiness and dark circles. And, they say they notice an even bigger difference when used straight out of the fridge.

"I often recommend Peace Out’s acne patch for the face, but I also love the brand’s eye patches," says Dr. Engelman. "It's so effective at quickly bringing down puffiness and brightening and smoothing the under-eyes." She adds that the patch is biodegradable and made with biocellulose, which helps the formula deeply penetrate the skin.

WH assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert also gave this patch a test, and said it totes delivered on her high expectations. "The patch was super easy to apply and fit snuggly under my eyes," she says. Another pro? It wasn't completely soaked in serum, as that sometimes makes the process a bit messy. "This one had just the right amount, which also meant that it didn't slide off my face while I was using it."

Talbert also has very sensitive skin, so she's always cautious when it comes to trying things out, but this didn't give her any issues. "It also didn’t have much of a scent, which put my mind at ease since fragrance tends to be an early indicator that my skin might not like a product."

Like many other patches, this option can tend to slide down the face, so it's best worn while lying down. The patch is also on the larger side, which makes it feel a bit bulky.

If you're willing to make a bigger financial investment for some suuuper high-quality eye patches, look no further. Testers say the Celestial Black Diamond Eye Mask from 111SKIN is definitely worth the buzz (and the $$). It contains retinol, which increases cellular turnover and helps treat fine lines, wrinkles, and dehydration. Plus, there's also the holy grail, hyaluronic acid, in the formula.

If you need more convincing, WH editors swear by this mask. “So many undereye gels flop off, but this one really sticks onto your skin and adds moisture," says WH beauty director Brian Underwood. "I take it on planes, and it's very plumping because of the hyaluronic acid."

While you don't have to leave this mask on for hours like the Skyn Iceland option, the brand recommends letting it sit for 20 minutes, which, in beauty editor time, feels like hours. We wish the mask did its thing in a shorter amount of time, like many of the other options on this list.

Yes, a lot of products on this list are known to brighten, but this mask from Faded features both kojic acid and tranexamic acid, which brighten and treat discoloration on the skin. Both ingredients are known to help with pigmentation concerns, so you can rest assured that bright undereyes are on the horizon with these babies.

After a few weeks of using this patch twice weekly, our tester says she noticed a huge change in her dark circles. Plus, she notes that it sticks to her face super well, even after reusing it. (Yup all patches are reusable, so you really get a bang for your buck.) Lastly, our tester told us she experienced no dryness or sensitivity with this patch.

One con to note: For the price, we do wish there were more patches in the box.

Meet the experts

• Lauren Penzi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
• Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
• Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
• Anar Mikailov, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Skintensive.
• Dendy Engelman, MD, is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Shafer Clinic.

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Eye Creams for Dark Circles | Anti-Aging Eye Creams | Drugstore Eye Creams | Eye Serums | Retinol Eye Creams | Eye Creams For Wrinkles