Ever wondered what do eye patches do? You are not alone in that thought. Under-eye patches are skincare staples that focus only on the area around the eye, unlike the face mask that covers the whole face. They are simply tiny little sheets made especially for the delicate and tender skin beneath the eyes. By design, they improve the appearance of the under-eye skin by infusing ingredients into the skin. They are often like the regular sheet mask but are infused with a hydrogel that contains amazing glow-getting ingredients to help repair the skin. Under-eye patches contain collagen, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and antioxidants such as vitamins A, B, and C. These ingredients can hydrate, brighten and maintain the firmness of the skin.
Interestingly, you can apply these patches for some minutes before applying makeup. It helps to create a plump appearance around the eye area, making it easy for makeup to dry and last longer. Additionally, it creates a well-rested and relaxed appearance on the skin, which is needed for makeup application.
Causes Of Under-Eye Problems
The skin area under the eye is delicate and often quick to show any sign of an anomaly. The signs could be discolouration, sagged skin, spots, or even speckles. These signs do not appear on their own, they depend on certain triggers. Below are some of the few causes of under-eye problems.
1. Sleep Issues
Proper and adequate sleep is one sign of a healthy lifestyle. Poor or inadequate sleep can cause dark circles under the eyes. WHO recommends 8-10 hours of sleep every 24 hours for teenagers between the ages of 13 to 18. While adults between the ages of 18 to 60 need 7 hours or more of sleep per night. The inability to get these hours or incessant sleep interruptions can cause dark circles and eye bags.
2. Dehydration
Excess dehydration is one of the major causes of under-eye skin problems. The human body comprises roughly about 60% water. Thus, the need to hydrate often to sustain the body. The majority of water gets to the body through drinking water. The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom recommends drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day for adults. This quantity is enough to hydrate and maintain the body temperature and homeostasis. Consuming excess coffee, prepackaged drinks, and also soda can cause increased urine production, which leads to dehydration.
3. Ageing
Ageing is one of the major contributors to under-eye skin problems. As the human body ages, collagen level begins to reduce, causing the skin to lose flexibility and strength. This is a problem that affects several parts of the body and not just the under-eye skin area. Although under-eye skin is more obvious since the eyes tend to appear pushed back into the sockets.
4. Dry Climate
The human body comprises about 60% water and undue and prolonged exposure to hot regions with dry air can cause dehydration. The body will lose hydration through sweat, reducing the water level in the body. Additionally, the hot air tends to mop up moisture from the body, which leads to dehydration. This will be very clear in the skin around the eyes.
Other notable causes of under-eye skin issues include allergies, weight loss, vitamin deficiencies, trauma, genetics, sinus infections, and also smoking.
Benefits Of Eye Patches
Under-eye patches form part of the home skincare routine. They are available in different brands. Below are the five benefits of using eye patches.
1. Rehydrates Skin
If you are wondering what under-eye patches do, always remember that they have moisturizing effects. They contain nutrients that help to hydrate and soothe the skin, restoring the water balance. Consistent use of eye patches can leave your skin looking youthful and plump. Check out some natural beauty products you can use to maintain your skin glow while using eye patches.
2. Reduces Signs of Ageing
Wrinkles and sunken skin under the eye are usually associated with ageing. Correctly using under-eye patches at least once a week can ease wrinkles and sunken skin. Usually, under-eye patches can reduce crow’s feet, under-eye wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and frown lines. They can restore skin elasticity while softening it to look younger.
3. Reopens Skin Pores
Eye patches contain nutrients that help to refine the skin pores around the eye. The nutrients can penetrate deeply into the skin, improving the removal of oil and dead cells. Frequent use of these patches rejuvenates the skin by opening the pores for the skin to breathe.
4. Tightens Skin
The collagen level of the skin drops as we age, thereby causing a loss in skin elasticity. Some eye patches are designed to deposit collagen into the skin, thereby making it look firmer. The skin will appear fresher with the frequent use of eye patches.
5. Normalizes Skin Tone
Hyperpigmentation often occurs in the skin, causing it to have an uneven colour tone. Frequent use of under-eye patches can help even out the skin tone around the eye area. Additionally, eye patches can soothe the skin, reducing redness. Some eye patches can also reduce dark spots around the eye area. You can learn more about using under-eye patches to cure dark circles at home.
Eye Patch Expert Application Tips
It is important to consult your dermatologist before using any skincare products.
Always wash off makeup and clean the face properly before applying the patches. This will enable the skin to absorb the ingredients.
Apply a thin layer of your choice cream to seal the ingredients inside the skin pores. This should be done immediately after using the eye patch.
Avoid applying eye patches very close to the eyes to avoid irritation and redness of the eyes. If you notice any form of irritation or swelling after using eye patches, please discontinue use at once.
You can read more about under-eye patches in Women’s Health Magazine, NBC news and this article.