My name is Kaitlyn McLintock, and I struggle with dark circles, puffiness, and a generally tired appearance. That’s because I am, in fact, tired. Like so many other people on the planet, I have a million and one things to do and not enough hours in the day to do them. Pair that with a new puppy who wakes me up in the wee hours of the morning, and I find myself short on sleep but not on stress.
Luckily, I have a vast collection of eye patches that help me fake a full eight hours of sleep. More often than not, I wake up, slap on a set, and pour myself a coffee before going forward with my day. The right ones brighten and de-puff my under eyes so I look wide awake. Or, at least, less tired than I did before.
I thought I knew all the best ones, but I was wrong. Recently, while taking a cross-country road trip to attend a friend’s wedding and camp in national parks, I used a new set I’d never heard of before. TBH, I didn’t have high expectations. I thought they might do a little something, but there was no way they could contend with my sleeping schedule (after all, I was sleeping in rough campgrounds for no more than four or five hours a night). However, I was wrong. They visibly brightened, de-puffed, and refreshed my tired eyes, and I have the pictures to prove it.
YSE Beauty
Overachiever Brightening Eye Masks
Founded by Molly Sims, this brand is pronounced “wise” beauty, and it’s what I have to thank for my new favorite eye patches. Each box of the Overachiever Brightening Eye Masks includes six patches—three for each eye. They offer an instant cooling effect to help de-puff, and they’re packed with good-for-skin ingredients like…
-Vitamin C: Every editor’s favorite antioxidant for brightening and anti-aging effects
-Peptides: Short-chain amino acids that help firm and plump the skin
-Allantoin: An effective skin-soothing and barrier-strengthening ingredient
While these ingredients are all incredible for brightening, hydrating, smoothing, and plumping the under-eye area, I think the real magic is the combination of their active ingredients with their hydrogel material. Hydrogel is the same stuff they use in pimple patches and face masks to grip the skin and help hydrate and protect it.
The hydrogel construction means these eye patches stay firmly where they’re placed (there’s no annoying slippage, I promise!). And, what’s more, I think it even helps de-puff and smooth the under-eye area. I mean…my results were so good, that I can’t help but speculate about what kind of magic is happening here.
Click through the pictures (below) to see my before-and-afters.
That difference is crazy, right? There are no filters or brightening effects going on in these photos. I snapped them in the midst of my road trip after waking up less than an hour before. To me, my under-eye area looks so much smoother and brighter after wearing the eye patches for 15 minutes. I was actually shocked.
Another “After” Picture…
Again, I don’t know what kind of magic YSE Beauty is working, but I’m going to keep a small stockpile of these eye patches on hand for the foreseeable future.
Shop 10 More Eye-Awakening Products
LANEIGE
Bouncy & Firm Eye Brightening Sleeping Mask
This overnight eye cream uses peony extract and a collagen complex to plump and firm the skin for brighter, more youthful-looking eyes come morning.
The INKEY List
Caffeine De-Puffing + Dark Circle Eye Cream
Caffeine is the gold-standard ingredient for de-puffing.
innisfree
Green Tea Caffeine Bright-Eye Serum With Niacinamide
Here’s another caffeine-infused eye product. This one combines the de-puffing ingredient with antioxidant-rich green tea extract and brightening niacinamide.
Kiehl’s Since 1851
Mini Creamy Eye Treatment With Avocado
This eye cream’s avocado formula is so soothing and moisturizing for tired eyes.
OLEHENRIKSEN
Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Brightening Eye Crème
Brighten dark circles and discoloration with the iconic Banana Bright Eye Cream.
Sunday Riley
5 Stars Retinol + Niacinamide Eye Serum
This effective eye serum uses a star combo of retinol and niacinamide.
Summer Fridays
Jet Lag Overnight Eye Serum for Fine Lines & Wrinkles With Gentle Retinol Blend
Another retinol eye serum, this one is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Sunday Riley
Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream
I love this one. It brightens, de-puffs, and contours the eye area in one swipe.
Paula’s Choice
C5 Super Boost Eye Cream
Paula’s Choice C5 Super Boost Eye Cream is so good for brightening.
COSRX
Cosrx Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream (0.85 Fl. Oz.)
Reap all the benefits of snail mucin on the eye area with this soothing, hydrating, and barrier-strengthening product. I love that this one layers well under makeup.
