The sensitive skin around your eyes is a clear indicator of your lifestyle — be it poor sleep, stress, screen exposure, pollution, or even tears (for crying out loud)! And, while you may have little control over what goes on in your life, you can definitely improve the appearance of your skin with the best Korean eye masks. 

There is no wonder that eye masks have taken social media beauty trends by storm, as the benefits of these products are plenty! Many eye masks are formulated with hydrolyzed amino acids, collagen, or collagen-stimulating active molecules that diffuse the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin. Also, they essentially contain rich humectants and revitalizing properties that give a healthy glow to your skin, so you don’t look dull or tired. Bangalore-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Rasya Dixit says, “For (eye masks) to be effective, they need to be able to penetrate through the stratum corneum, which is a barrier on your skin”. 

However, many over-the-counter eye masks simply hydrate the layer of dead skin cells on your skin’s surface and give a temporary glow to your face, without much impact. “Products that are more effective are the ones that contain active molecules, such as vitamin C or hyaluronic acid," says Dixit. In addition, several botanical extracts and skin conditioners boost the benefits of such masks, while allowing the actives present in them to penetrate your skin better. 

Talking about the unique features of Korean eye masks, our contributor Bart Nanka, Executive at Mudbrick Herb Cottage, a herbal product brand, says, “Korean eye masks are far different from Western products. They use ingredients that would never be considered in Western markets like snail mucin, bee venom, and various herbal extracts. Their makeup & skincare products tend to be more water-based as well, making them suitable for sensitive skin.”

These factors seem like a lot for you to keep in mind before shopping. But stay rest assured as we have done the gruntwork to list the best products keeping the above factors in mind, so you don’t have to! Keep scrolling to learn more! 

 

• 1
  Best Cruelty-free Formula

  MIZON SNAIL REPAIR INTENSIVE GOLD EYE GEL PATCH - 30 Pairs

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With a nourishing blend of snail mucin and collagen peptides, these Korean eye masks boost skin’s elasticity and hydration to give a plump, healthy, and youthful appearance to the under-eye area. One of the key ingredients of this product is 24k gold nanoparticles, which are anecdotally proven and widely used to act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory film on your skin and keep environmental damage at bay. 

These masks are composed of highly-adhesive materials that melt onto your skin, so you don’t have to worry about them falling off! The infused skin-brightening ingredients such as grapefruit extracts make them incredible eye patches for dark circles. 

 

2

Best Cruelty-free Formula

Ana Cale’s natural beauty MULTI-EFFECT EYE TREATMENT MASK - 15 Pairs

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These Korean eye patches by Ana Cale are a refreshing alternative to most similar products, for several reasons. To begin with, the nourishing formula of the product is cruelty-free and composed of naturally-derived ingredients such as Irish moss and witch hazel extracts. And, this formula is safe for sensitive skin types as it doesn’t contain too many ingredients that may cause skin reactions. The hydrolyzed wheat protein infused in the product boosts your skin’s elasticity and replenishes the epidermal barrier, which is perfect for your under-eye region as the skin there is quite thin. 

 

3

Best Packaging

TONYMOLY CAT'S PURRFECT Brightening Eye Mask

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The Cat's Purrfect Brightening Eye Mask from TONYMOLY is pure indulgence and bliss for your eyes. Within just 15 minutes, the goodness of milk protein, pumpkin, watermelon, and lettuce extract can restore, hydrate, and rejuvenate your delicate skin. Also, it is ethically crafted and not tested on animals. All you have to do is lay back, position the masks gently over your eyes, leave them on for about 20 minutes, and let the natural magic unfold! Your self-care routine is going to feel so much better with this amazing skincare product that will let your eyes glow with newfound vitality.

4

Best for Puffy Eyes

SANITRO Eye Mask - 30 Pairs

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Sanitro’s Korean eye masks show an adhesive effect when exposed to your skin’s natural heat, which makes them stay put. These gel eye patches get dissolved in warm water, unlike other plastic, or silicone-based products — a great choice for your skin as well as the environment. Formulated with collagen and ginkgo biloba extracts, the product marvelously makes your skin plumper and smoothes out fine lines (1). Besides, the formula is also plush with other botanicals such as chamomile, rose, seaweed, and ginseng extracts as well as hyaluronic acid that nourishes the skin in the under-eye region. 

 

5

Best Pocket-friendly Choice

OLROM Collagen Recovery EYE MASK - 16 Pairs

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These Korean eye patches by Olrom are made with 100% organic ingredients, to provide optimal nourishment and prevent causing any skin reactions. Ingredients such as aloe vera extracts, hyaluronic acid, and coconut milk provide remarkable moisturization benefits to your skin while also making it soft and supple. The dead sea minerals work hand-in-hand with hydrolyzed collagen in the product to revitalize your skin and smoothen fine lines and imperfections. 

 

6

Best Anti-aging Formula

Cedlize PURE 24K Gold REVITALIZING EYE TREATMENT MASK - 30 Pairs

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The 24k gold nanoparticles infused in these Korean gel pads fortify your skin with antioxidant benefits and fight free radicals. It is an excellent anti-aging product as it contains essential amino acids and Coenzyme Q10, which improve natural collagen synthesis in your skin and prevent signs of aging (2) (3). The formula diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines to strengthen your skin and make it plumper. Plus, your skin will thank you for providing it with this humectant-rich formula that restores its lost water content. 

 

7

Most Affordable

PUREDERM COLLAGEN EYE ZONE MASK - 60 Pairs

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After a long day at work or a night of poor sleep, you can rely on these depuffing eye patches by Purederm to reduce tiredness from your under-eye area and revitalize the skin. The formula of this product consists of a special source of plant-based collagen — natto gum that works like a charm in plumping up the delicate skin in your under-eye region. In addition, the product also contains green tea and tropical fruit extracts that soothe inflammation and counteract oxidative stress to promote healthy, youthful skin. 

 

8

Most soothing

PETITFEE BLACK PEARL & GOLD HYDROGEL EYE PATCH - 30 Pairs

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Formulated with a plethora of botanical extracts such as green tea, slender bamboo, pine leaf, and grapefruit, these hydrogel eye patches by Petitfee provide intensive nourishment to your skin. These patches calm inflammation, reduce puffiness and instantly energize tired eyes, which results in a significant change in your appearance. The product gets its  luxurious edge owing to the infused gold and black pearl extracts in the formula. Hence, it is one of the best Korean eye masks to pamper yourself.

9

Most Non-greasy

PETITFEE GOLD HYDROGEL EYE PATCH

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These seaweed-infused hydrogel patches by Petitfee are a quick fix for puffy, swollen, and inflamed under-eyes. By leveraging the antioxidant properties of gold, these patches fight free radicals and external aggressors that aggravate the signs of aging on your skin. The formula is rich in humectants such as hyaluronic acid, aloe extracts, glycerin, and castor oil, which help restore the lost moisture content of your skin and replenish the dehydrated epidermal layer. Hence, this product works wonders in making your skin plump and healthy. 

 

10

Best for Dark Circles

LOOKATME HYDROGEL EYE PATCHES - 15 Pairs

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To spruce up your skincare routine, this set of eye patches by Lookatme comes in three invigorating flavors — green tea, and aloe vera to energize and nourish your skin, and rose to brighten dullness. These patches not only feel incredible but also indulge your senses in their fragrances. Infused with soluble collagen and essential vitamins, the formula improves the elasticity of your skin, makes it firmer, and gives it a lift. 

 

11

TONYMOLY MOISTURE BOOST Cooling Hydrogel Patches - 30 Pairs

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With the properties of saltwater ingredients such as spirulina, plankton, and seawater, these Korean eye masks by TonyMoly help improve the firmness and elasticity of your skin by stimulating collagen production. The infused formula is intensely hydrating and helps restore the lost youthful charm of the sensitive skin around your eyes. These moisture-drenched patches are suitable for all skin types and work marvelously to energize tired-looking eyes.

 

Now that you’ve seen our product recommendations for the best Korean eye masks, let us go through the following buying guide and steps to use to make the best of your product.

 

Here are some factors to consider when shopping for the best Korean eye masks:

Adhesive Properties: For the formula to show results, the eye patch must stay put under your eyes for the instructed duration. After all, you cannot expect yourself to keep holding the patches in place for 30 minutes or so! Hence, it is important that the product you get your hands on has excellent adhesive properties so that it sticks well on your skin and is also easy to take off after use. 

Anatomical Shape: Despite good adhesive properties, your eye mask would likely fall off if they are not anatomically cut to hug the natural contours of your eyes. And, such masks are notorious for getting the formula inside your eyes or allowing it to drip off. Hence, prioritize the shape of the mask before making a purchase. 

Anti-aging Benefits: Many over-the-counter Korean eye patches are specifically formulated to diminish the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet on your skin. Hence, they often include anti-aging ingredients such as Q10, soluble collagen, peptide complexes, niacinamide, vitamin C, and others that boost skin elasticity to make it firmer, tighter, and plumper. However, it is a good idea to skip retinol as while it is a good active ingredient to synthesize collagen, it may be too concentrated or strong to apply on a sensitive skin area under the eyes. 

In addition to collagen boosters, antioxidant-rich ingredients such as green tea, vitamin E, 24k gold nanoparticles, niacinamide, fruit extracts, etc. are very beneficial in fighting oxidative stress, which is a preventative measure for aging. 

Hydration Benefits: The sensitive skin around the eyes can easily lose its natural moisture content and gets dehydrated due to aging, stress, poor sleep, screen exposure, or other lifestyle factors. Hence, it is pivotal for your under-eye patches to include rich humectants such as hyaluronic acid, aloe juice, glycerin, squalene, etc. as well as occlusives such as sunflower seed oil to boost moisture and prevent trans-epidermal water loss. 

Revitalizing Benefits: To diminish the tired, inflamed, and puffy appearance of your under-eyes, it is beneficial to use a product with revitalizing ingredients such as green tea, caffeine, ginkgo biloba, etc. Also, extracts of centella asiatica, aloe vera, seaweed, algae, chamomile, etc. have incredible anti-inflammatory properties that marvelously soothe the under-eye region and give a cooling sensation. 

 

Here are a few simple steps to use a pair of Korean eye masks:

Step 1: Cleanse your skin with a mild face wash to remove any dirt, oil, or makeup residue. Follow up with a toner if you wish to. Do not apply any serums or moisturizers that you may use at this step. 

Step 2: Peel off your favorite hydrogel eye masks from their plastic films and place them gently over your under-eye area. 

Step 3: Allow the eye patches to stay on for 20-30 minutes or until they appear to shrink. But, some products suggest a longer duration so ensure you check the instruction manual before using.

Step 4: After taking the patches off, follow up with your hydrating serums and moisturizers. Don’t use an exfoliating product simultaneously as it can counter the collagen-boosting effects of the eye patches. 

Sharing more on the usage of Korean eye masks, our contributor Bart Nanka, says, “Usually using Korean eye masks 2-x per week is fine, less often if you have generally clear skin. As with every skincare routine, however, it truly varies person to person. We don’t recommend starting at a frequency greater than every other day, especially if you have sensitive skin and/or use several other skincare products.

Contributor: Bart Nanka, Executive at Mudbrick Herb Cottage