Eye patches look cool, scream self-care. But do they work?

India Today

2 days ago

So, here is the thing about eye patches! From Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra Jonas to Anne Hathaway and beauty mogul Hailey Bieber, everyone seems to love them. They give you that feel-good factor, make it look like you're taking great care of yourself, and we must add, they look super cool too. Some even feature quirky, eye-catching slogans.With so many beauty brands jumping on the trend, there is a clear marketing deluge as well. This means eye patches of various kinds are now readily available across a wide range of budgets.
Suhana Khan and Hailey Bieber are among celebrities who swear by eye patches.
Eye patches are silicone or gel-based pads soaked in serum, designed to be placed under the eyes for 10–30 minutes. They come in both single-use (mostly sold as a set of 30 patches) and reusable variants.While the single-use patches are infused with beneficial ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, retinol, snail mucin, and more to leave your under-eye area hydrated and brighter, the reusable silicone versions require you to apply your own skincare, like a serum, cream, or gel.These reusable patches help the ingredients penetrate more deeply and leave your under-eyes (and dry spots) feeling ultra-refreshed. That's what the brands selling them in quirky tin boxes claim.Apart from being a skincare step, eye patches are also emerging as a style statement. Just like a cool new T-shirt or your new sunscreen charm, an eye patch is a way to announce your personality trait.
Colourful cases, quirky designs: Reusable eye patches double as a style symbol. Images: Gush Beauty (left), Tint Cosmetics (centre) and D'You (right)
Headed out to the office? Stick on these patches under your eyes while you're still in the car. Having a cosy girls' night in? A pair of eye patches can be your extra BFF and the perfect accomplice as you indulge in self-care chats. If your eye patch is super quirky, you can even wear it while grocery shopping. Oh, and it'll keep your eyes hydrated as you devour another episode on Netflix (or perhaps a good book).
Influencer and beauty brand Inde Wild's founder Diipa Buller-Khosla flaunts eye patches
Eye patches pass off as a lifestyle statement in today's little treat culture, where using a certain sunscreen or jumping on the latest Insta-approved fad (think matcha, labubus) makes us feel relevant and in control. But beyond all that, do eye patches actually offer any real skincare benefits? We took the question to dermatologists. Turns out they can be good, but only as an instant pick-me-up.The benefitsExperts agree that eye patches can help reduce puffiness, hydrate the otherwise thin under-eye area, and to some extent also help in reducing dark circles.You, however, have to be regular with the usage to see results.'Under-eye patches are excellent, especially for lazy and tired eyes. However, the results are very short term. If you don't apply it for a few days, the results vanish,' says Dr Deepali Bhardwaj, Delhi-based dermatologist and founder of Elska Skin Clinic.Can delay ageing'The biggest benefit comes from eye patches that contain ingredients like collagen or hyaluronic acid, along with anti-ageing components. They work by acting as humectants, like glycerin, which essentially hydrate the skin. Since the under-eye area is quite delicate and thin, this added hydration helps the skin appear plumper and more youthful,' she adds.Ingredients like green tea extracts, niacinamide, vitamin C or peptides in your eye patches can also help lighten dark circles, but the results are surface level only.
Pool time with eye patches ft. Alia Bhatt
'If you're dealing with dark circles, it's a good idea to check for any vitamin deficiencies and address them alongside using eye patches. The patches can help temporarily. If the root cause (like a deficiency or lack of sleep) isn't treated, the dark circles will likely return, especially if you skip using the patches for a couple of days,' explains Dr Deepali Bhardwaj.Choosing eye patches'Some of the ingredients to look for in single-use eye patches include hyaluronic acid, caffeine, peptides, niacinamide, vitamin C, ceramides, low-strength retinol, and panthenol,' says Dr SC Bharija, senior consultant, dermatology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.While panthenol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid help keep the under-eye area hydrated and moisturised, caffeine, niacinamide, and vitamin C aid in brightening. Retinol and ceramides help prevent and address signs of ageing, such as fine lines.You can also choose a serum of your choice (also depending on the issue you want to address) in case of using silicone reusable eye patches.Place each patch under your eye, about 1–2 cm below the lash line. Smooth it down to ensure full contact with the skin. Leave it on for 10–20 minutes. Then, remove the patches and pat in the excess serum. You can now follow up with an eye cream or a moisturiser.Hygiene factorDon't take hygiene lightly while using reusable eye patches. Bathrooms can especially be a source of infections. Ensure to clean them after each use, and put them in their box. Frequently clean that box as well.Dr Bhardwaj suggests storing eye patches in a bedside drawer rather than in the bathroom.Finall(e)y(e):Though helpful, stylish, and a fun addition to your self-care routine, eye patches aren't exactly a must-have. However, if used regularly, they can offer a quick boost of hydration, help reduce puffiness, and make your under-eye area look fresher — even if just for a little while.So, are you eyeing eye patches now?
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