10 of the Best Under-Eye Patches for Puffiness, According to a Celebrity Esthetician

• Pros: potent ingredients, good for around the mouth as well as under-eyes
• Cons: should only use two to three times a week
• Depuffing Ingredients: retinol, chlorella extract, hyaluronic acid

For supercharged skincare, we turn to retinol. A premier ingredient for fighting wrinkles, this dermatologist-beloved active can help promote collagen production and cell turnover, resulting in smoother, firmer, more refreshed-looking skin overall. Many retinol products can be too strong to use on the delicate area under the eyes, but Shiseido has cracked the code to bring us these luxurious eye patches that not only depuff, but are designed to “steam press” the appearance of wrinkles. In addition to retinol, the patches contain the brand’s WrinkleResist24 formula, made with ingredients like chlorella extract and hyaluronic acid, which have both been shown to promote collagen production and reduce inflammation, two benefits that can help banish those bags.

• Pros: also targets dark circles, has cooling effect
• Cons: may get too sticky
• Depuffing Ingredients: caffeine, kojic acid, arbutrin

Did those under-eye bags come with a side of dark circles? Send ‘em back with the help of these funky printed under-eye patches, which are packed with actives that can help fade the darkness and bring the brightness. Energizing caffeine works to depuff the area by stimulating circulation, while antioxidant ingredients kojic acid and arbutin are shown to effectively fade the look of excess pigmentation (aka dark circles). According to reviewers, they also have a refreshing cooling effect, but you can keep them in the fridge if you really want them to pack a punch  that’s sure to wake up your skin.

• Pros: clean ingredients, targets multiple concerns
• Cons: expensive
• Depuffing Ingredients: acetylated hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, green tea extract

Augustinus Bader is known for making the cult-favorite The Rich Cream (which has been hailed by PureWow editors for transforming their skin), so it stands to reason the brand’s under-eye patches don’t disappoint. After all, they’re made with the same proprietary TFC8 formula, a blend of amino acids, high-grade vitamins and potent peptides which are designed to help rejuvenate skin from within. So if you’re looking for a multitasking formula that can help diminish puffiness, dark circles *and* fine lines, turn to these luxe-looking hydrogel patches. In addition to the signature TFC8 blend, ingredients like acetylated hyaluronic acid (which penetrates deeper and more effectively into the skin than regular ol’ HA), niacinamide and caffeine-packed green tea extract come together to hydrate, brighten and soothe the area. Don’t just take our word for it—based on a clinical trial conducted by the brand, users’ under-eye puffiness was visibly reduced by 89 percent after just four weeks of use. 

• Pros: claims evaluated via clinical trial, cooling without refrigeration, sturdy
• Cons: expensive
• Depuffing Ingredients: caffeine, vitamin C, niacinamide, ferulic acid

We’re all about a detox, but who knew our under-eyes could benefit from antioxidants as well? These under-eye patches may be our pick for best cooling under-eye patches (more on that in a moment), but they’re formulated with skin-protecting antioxidants vitamin c and ferulic acid, much like the cult-favorite serum by Skinceuiticals ($182), as well as depuffing staples caffeine and niacinamide. Not only will these under-eye patches give your skin a targeted application of these superstar ingredients, which studies show can help with everything from collagen production to wrinkle reduction, but they’re made of a hydrogel material that is specifically created to have a cooling effect without needing to be refrigerated (and after trying them, we can safely say you really do feel it).

While they are on the pricier side, they're some of the sturdiest under-eye patches we've tried (read: They don't fall off on your eye willy nilly or tear easily, like some of the other options we've tried on this list). Save them for special occasions and you’ll be wowed by the results.

• Pros: comes with cooling case, reusable
• Cons: doesn’t contain skincare formula
• Depuffing Ingredients: cooling feature

Nothing wreaks havoc on our eyes like travel (they’re called “red-eye flights” for a reason!), so it’s best to be prepared when planning your skincare for a trip. Pop these reusable silicone gel patches in your carry-on and you’ll be good to go. They target puffiness by providing a cooling sensation, which can help ease inflammation and swelling by constricting blood flow to the area. There’s no additional formula involved, so you don’t have to worry about getting sticky serum all over your hands and neck pillow while you depuff on the plane. Instead, you just set the patches in their portable, mirrored case to cool, and then stick them on when you (and your under-eyes) are ready to chill out. The case conveniently provides up to three hours of cooling time per charge, so you can plug it in between connecting flights and be good to go.

• Pros: soothing ingredients for sensitive skin, fragrance-free
• Cons: some reviewers say they slide off due to excess product
• Depuffing Ingredients: caffeine, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid

By now most of us know about the powerhouse duo of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, but if you’re new to this skincare pair, they’re the one-two punch of brightening and hydration. Add the puff-reducing powers of caffeine, and you have an under-eye formula that’ll leave your skin snatched and refreshed. The patches are made without irritants like parabens and phthalates, so they’re a great pick if you’ve got sensitive skin. According to some promising data from a consumer study, 90 percent of participants saw a noticeable decrease in under-eye circles and puffiness after just 15 minutes of using the product.

• Pros: multi-layered for efficacy and ease of use, award-winning
• Cons: some reviewers experienced irritation after use
• Depuffing Ingredients: calendula extract, hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf extract

If you have a friend or family member who always goes the extra mile, give them these under-eye patches as a soothing reminder that they can take some time for self-care as well. We love how glamorous these under-eye patches look in their shimmery metallic shades, but they’re just as effective as they are stunning. Calendula oil is the active ingredient of choice for depuffing in these award-winning patches, but they also contain aloe leaf extract to help calm skin, camu camu extract for dark circles and hyaluronic acid for a dose of hydration

• Pros: reusable (up to 3x), plant-based actives
• Cons: may lose sticking power over time
• Depuffing Ingredients: shea butter, avocado oil, rosehip oil

We love Drew Barrymore, and is it just us or does she look the same as she did in Never Been Kissed? When a celebrity with glowing skin sings the praises of a skincare product, we listen, and Drew has gone on record saying these under-eye patches are her go-to. Plant-based and powerful, these under-eye patches contain skin-soothing shea butter, avocado oil and rosehip oil to target under-eye inflammation and can be used up to three times before disposal (so they’re as friendly to the environment as they are to your skin). In addition to Drew’s stamp of approval, the reviews of these eye masks from regular customers also hold up. “These actually work for inflammation” and “take away the lines under the eye area,” shoppers rave. One adds, “They are reusable. The case is sleek. They are worth the money.” Need we say more?

• Pros: fast-acting, cover large surface area
• Cons: expensive
• Depuffing Ingredients: brown seaweed, niacinamide 

While this list focuses on the best under-eye patches for puffiness, what about the eyelid and surrounding areas? Fluid retention can hit there as well, and sometimes you need a mask that’ll combat puffiness in more than just the under-eye. Thanks to hero ingredients like niacinamide and brown seaweed, which studies show to have anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening benefits, this mask is as effective as it is fast-acting. In an independent clinical research study, a whopping 97 percent of participants noted reduced puffiness right after application, according to the brand. It’s perfect for those groggy mornings when you need a facial refresh—fast.

• Pros: pairs with your favorite eye cream, reusable
• Cons: doesn’t contain its own formula
• Depuffing Ingredients: based on eye cream used

Caglia’s pick for best under-eye patches for puffiness is this reusable pair that works with your favorite eye cream for a completely customizable experience. Want to depuff one day, and brighten another? Use these fun printed silicone masks to help lock in the benefits of any cream or serum you choose. Angela’s “favorite way to multitask” is to use her Gold Facial Cryo Set ($125) and “move gently over the eye patch with eye cream underneath. The cold temperatures depuff incredibly well while moisture is locked in with the eye patch.” For the makeup lovers among us, use these masks while applying eyeshadow to catch fallout and keep both your makeup and your under-eyes looking flawless.