If like us you're burning the candle at both ends right now, chances are your skin will be bearing the brunt. When eight hours of sleep is out of the question, there's only so much concealer can do. So perk yourself up with a fatigue-fighting under-eye mask.
“The skin around the eye area is extremely fragile and is often neglected, and if not looked after correctly, can become dry, puffy and congested and age your face beyond your years," explains Noella Gabriel, cofounder of Elemis. "An eye mask will provide an instant boost of deep hydration, and have a cooling and anti-inflammatory effect.”
But if we're already investing in an eye cream, do we really need an eye mask as well? Gabriel thinks so: “An eye cream is a continuous everyday maintenance product to protect and support skin throughout the day, whereas an eye mask is like a booster, it delivers a concentrated surge of hydration instantly.” So there you have it. Despite your social calendar heating up as the temperature drops, your skin need not suffer.
Read on for our pick of the best masks for tired eyes, to see you through the end-of-year festivities.
These award-winning eye gels are popular for good reason. They're cooling, transdermal and effective, designed to alleviate the effects of stress on the skin. Enriched with hydrolysed elastin to increase firmness and acetyl hexapeptide to reduce visibility of fine lines, they're the perfect accompaniment to a high-adrenaline lifestyle.
Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels x8, £25, available at Marks & Spencer
These hydrating eye masks are formulated with a balance of naturally fermented coconut juice, brightening liquorice root extract and a bio-cellulose serum which reduces the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. We recommend popping a pair on first thing in the morning; by the time you've finished brushing your teeth, you'll be left with rejuvenated and luminous skin.
Starskin Eye Catcher Smoothing Coconut Bio-cellulose Second Skin Eye Mask x2, £8.50, available at Look Fantastic
Infused with Estée Lauder's famous Advanced Night Repair technology, these masks combat the stresses of modern life, whether that's lack of sleep, pollution or dehydration. They contain a highly concentrated dose of the brand's ChronoluxCB ingredient, which stimulates the skin's reparative process, being both soothing and hydrating.
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Recovery Eye Mask x4, £36, available at Boots
Perfect before a big night out, Elemis's Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks are formulated with collagen-boosting potent plankton extract and skin-tightening padina pavonica. Gabriel says: "Use them whenever you need them most, depending on you and your lifestyle."
Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks x6, £47.50, available at Look Fantastic
Alleviate dark circles with these fatigue-fighting eye masks from Japanese beauty house, DHC. Infused with brightening mulberry and peony to combat discolouration, the olive leaf extracts and natural soy essence will eliminate puffiness and deliver much-needed antioxidants to tired eyes.
DHC Revitalising Moisture Strips x6, £8.75, available at Feel Unique
With 52% of women reportedly concerned about under-eye wrinkles, this fast-acting, dual-purpose treatment is one of few under-eye masks to contain the anti-ageing ingredient retinol, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and leaves the skin texture refined and awake.
Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask x12, £60, available at Space NK
Re-energise your eyes after all those late nights and winter weather damage with these eye patches, formulated with caffeine and aescin to improve the skin's radiance and increase circulation round the eye contour. They're perfect for an emergency eye care boost or a month-long treatment.
Institut Esthederm Eye Contour Lift Patches x10, £53, available at Feel Unique
These travel-friendly patches are the perfect pick-me-up for tired skin, and each set can be used up to three times, which gives you 18 treatments from six patches. With active ingredients including avocado, wheatgerm and musk rose, to revive and nourish skin, they're fast-acting and come in this pretty silver case. So if you're going away for Christmas, you have no excuse.
Talika Eye Therapy Patches x6, £50, available at Space NK
Rodial's dragon's blood is actually an extract from the South American tree, croton lechleri, which reduces redness and inflammation while the accompanying ingredients, arnica, hyaluronic acid and bio-cellulose, provide a de-puffing and intensely moisturising effect.
Rodial Dragon's Blood Eye Mask x8, £39, available at Marks & Spencer
Designed to bring vibrancy back to the eye area, these elastic hydrogel patches are filled with volufiline, an ingredient derived from plant extracts, to help lift and tighten sagging skin while promoting circulation. They're also formulated without parabens or sulphates.
DR JART+ Dermask Spot Jet Cheek & Eye Lift, £9, available at Selfridges
Great for the time-conscious, these concentrated eye masks will deliver a brighter and firmer appearance around the eye area in as little as five minutes. They're hydrating, soothing and perfect for a quick fix before a night on the town.
Trish McEvoy Instant Solutions Triangle of Light Eye Mask x8, £56, available at Harvey Nichols
Formulated with green tea, aloe vera and vitamins A and E, these eye masks improve elasticity and the cooling effect from the gel will de-puff and soothe swollen eyes. They're a refreshing boost after spending all day in an air-conditioned office, and almost as good as an extra hour in bed.
Beauty Pro Eye Therapy Under Eye Mask With Collagen And Green Tea Extract 3 applications, £4.95, available at Look Fantastic
Enriched with cucumber extract, these hydra-gel eye masks reduce the appearance of fine lines, including crow's feet, while the blend of aloe and chamomile will calm any inflammation. Offering a boost of hydration with a blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and hydrolysed collagen will leave the eye area visibly brighter.
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Hydra-Gel Eye Masks x60, £46.50, available at Look Fantastic
Like an energy drink for your eyes, these masks from Bliss leave you looking refreshed and more awake in just 15 minutes. They're enriched with cucumber extract to reduce puffiness and antioxidant vitamin C to deliver radiant and revitalised skin.
Bliss Triple Oxygen® Instant Energizing Eye Mask x4, £40, available at Marks & Spencer
This antioxidant-rich treatment combining vitamin E, kaolin and collagen is a welcome hydrating and firming boost for tired eyes. When late nights and early mornings start to wreak havoc on the most delicate part of your face, reach for these to improve suppleness and fine lines.
Christian Breton Anti-Wrinkle Eye Patches x3, £27, available at Look Fantastic
Oculoplastic surgeon and founder of MZ Skin, Dr. Maryam Zamani advises using these eye masks to restore radiance to fatigued skin. They're supercharged with hyaluronic acid, rose oil and seaweed to increase elasticity and minimise fine lines while also being vegan-friendly.
MZ Skin Hydra-Bright Golden Eye Treatment Mask x5, £65, available at Harrods
Want more like this?
A Guide To Anti-Ageing Eye Care, From Age 20 & Up
How To Look After The Skin Around Your Eyes – A Beginner’s Guide
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Beauty Jargon Explained By Experts
This Serum Will Change Your Skin — Want To Know What's In It?
The Repulsive Reason You Should Always Wash Your Pillowcases