What Makes a Good Under Eye Mask? Three Questions to Ask

Updated March 30, 2022
There are a lot of options when it comes to eye masks. But finding the right eye mask that'll help you get rid of tired and red puffy eyes, wrinkles, and eye bags takes a little bit of research.
Here are three questions you should always ask before buying an eye mask.
Question #1
What's the Eye Mask (Base) Made Of?
All under eye masks try to do one thing: deliver a liquid ingredient into the skin around your eyes.
But not all eye masks do it the same way. The primary difference is the base material that's used to make the eye mask.
Most eye masks use a paper or cotton sheet as the base. The problem with a sheet mask is it doesn't soak up as much serum, and as a result, when you put on the eye mask you'll absorb less of the ingredients into your skin.
What you should look for is an eye mask with a gel base, preferably hydrogel.
Hydrogel is an extremely absorbent polymer gel that can contains over 90% water and holds up to 500 times its own weight in liquid.
When used as an eye mask base, serum is locked directly into the hydrogel which also prevents the serum from evaporating. When a hydrogel mask is then placed on your skin, your skin will soak up every last drop of nourishment.

Question #2
What's In the Eye Mask Serum?
The next question is to see what ingredients are in the serum.
What you're looking for is a combination of ingredients that won't aggravate your skin, will work to tighten up the skin around your eyes, and depuff and reduce redness.
Check to make sure that the brand you're considering uses all natural and preferably organic ingredients. Avoid chemicals like parabens, sulfates, formaldehydes, and phthalates.
To reduce wrinkles and tighten skin, collagen and hyaluronic acid work great together to moisturize your skin and help you achieve a smoother complexion.
To reduce redness and puffiness the serum should include ingredients that act as an anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling. Look for oat peptides, scutellaria baicalensis (a root that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties), and even gold, which works to minimize visible reactions and fades acne and blemishes.
Question #3
Is the Eye Mask Easy to Use?
The final thing to look for: is the eye mask easy to use and will it fit into your lifestyle (and not the other way around)? And is it affordable?
Some eye masks require you wash it off after you're done. Others may require you to lay down during the entire treatment like what you would experience at a day spa.
Ideally an under eye mask allows you to put it on and then you can go about your usual business - whether it's typing on a computer, washing a load a laundry, or even just watching some Netflix!
Finally, a good eye mask doesn't need to cost an arm and a leg! Be wary of brands that charge upwards of $10 per eye mask; you can find just as good alternatives for a fraction of the cost.
Bonus Question: Is the Eye Mask Affordable?
Finally, a good eye mask doesn't need to cost an arm and a leg! Be wary of brands that charge upwards of $10 per eye mask; you can find just as good alternatives for a fraction of the cost.
Start your journey with a Doppeltree All Natural Rejuvenating Eye Mask.