Trending 29th April 2026 by Emily Molloy

Yes We All Love Under Eye Patches, But What Do They Actually Do?

Time to depuff

I’m not sure about anyone else’s social media feeds, but mine has been filled with photo dumps, GRWMs, and daily vlogs of the coolest creators wearing under eye patches.

There is just something that looks so chic and cool about a bare face with under eye patches on, and even a pair of sunnies on top, as you head out for your daily morning walk or trip out to grab a coffee. The more I see people wearing them, in particular the new caramelised banana range from Rhode’s collab with Justin Bieber, the more I want them.

As I was just about to add a pair of under eye patches to my basket, a friend asked me why I was getting them. The question stumped me because if I’m honest, they were being sold to me more as an accessory rather than a beauty product.

I knew they had something to do with tired eyes and dark circles, but I decided that before I bought into another beauty trend just for the aesthetics, I should really know what they are all about.

In my attempts to be the beauty angel on your shoulder, helping you make smarter purchasing choices, here is everything you need to know about eye patches before that impulsive purchase.

@farron__ I want to be guilty association PLEASE @rhode skin @Hailey Bieber #undereyepatches #rhodeskin ♬ original sound – Farron Clark

While some under eye patches target more underlying conditions, most of us buy them to help solve issues with dark circles, and tired eyes by brightening and hydrating the skin around the eyes.

This retention of moisture is helped by hyaluronic acid and glycerin, ingredients included a lot of under eye patches. These key ingredients help to prevent water loss which keeps our under eyes looking fresh and plump all day long.

As the skin under eyes is thin by nature, our natural collagen depletion makes this area especially vulnerable to signs of aging. The increase in moisture absorption, along with retinols and peptides that focus on stimulating the collagen we have, these products can help to smooth fine lines and give us that youthful look.

Popping under eye patches into the fridge before applying can have de-puffing effects, and you can even purchase some with caffeine and seaweed extract for that extra awakening on those days where keeping your eyes open is a tough task.

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A post shared by Jeanè Van Dam (@jeanevandam)

It’s recommend that under eye patches are worn for 10-20 minutes alongside your regular skin care routine. According to dermatologists, the best time to apply these patches is in the morning just after cleansing and just before applying any other skincare products. This is because the nutrients from the patches can be better absorbed when placed on clean skin.

Dermatologists also say that these patches are not a substitute for repeated daily skincare like creams and serums but should be used alongside them. While they can give instant results, don’t expect a long-term fix from these patches.

And while the smell of fresh roses or peppermint might seem appealing, it’s important to note that over fragranced patches might cause irritation and do the opposite of what they are formulated to do. Go for a fragrance-free patch if you can!

The placement of under eye patches has been a long-standing debate online, with some saying the bigger side should be on the inside, with others thinking the opposite. Thankfully, beauty brand Patchology have shared a how-to guide, for anybody confused.

If you are looking to target those pesky under eye bags, then the bigger end should be closer to the inner corners, aka the doll face. If you are looking to target crow’s feet, then the tapered side should fit right under the inner corner, for the scarecrow look.

Now that that’s all cleared up, here are some under eye patches to get yourself started on your bright eye journey – starting with Rhode, obviously.