What Do Under-Eye Patches Do + Benefits

The under-eye area is some of the thinnest and most sensitive skin on the entire body.

Because of how vulnerable it is, under-eye concerns are one of the most common complaints that many people — especially as they age — have about their appearance. 

From dark circles to puffiness to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, taking care of the under-eye area is essential. You can target your under-eye area with your skin care routine in many ways, but under-eye patches may be one of the most effective. 

What do under-eye patches do? How can you utilize their benefits to help look your best? Skin Pharm has everything you need to know.

Why is the skin under the eyes so delicate?

The key to treating the under-eye area is understanding it. As we said, the skin under your eyes is some of the thinnest skin you have. Because of how thin it is, it’s easier to see the tiny blood vessels that exist there — especially as you start to age and lose more of the subcutaneous fat under the eyes. 

Lifestyle factors, like lack of quality sleep and alcohol use, can also play a part in how your under-eye area looks. Health issues, like allergies, are also a component. 

Because of this, it’s not just crucial to get your skin care routine under control. You may also need to visit your doctor and take a look at how you’re treating your body.

However, under-eye patches (especially when you choose active ingredients that help combat the specific concerns you may have) are a way to help improve the appearance of the area. Unfortunately, you can’t treat the skin under your eyes the same way you would skin on other parts of your face. Because it is so delicate, it needs to be treated less aggressively. 

What are under-eye patches?

There are many ways you can deliver active ingredients to the under-eye area — creams, serums, and more. However, very few of them are more effective than an under-eye patch. 

The beauty of these patches is that they work with your existing products, making them more potent. Instead of applying them and hoping for the best, under-eye patches hold that product into place and help push it even deeper into your skin.

Common active ingredients in under-eye patches include:

• Bakuchiol:Bakuchiol is a plant extract that works similarly to retinol, with less intense side effects (like redness and irritation). With regular use, bakuchiol can help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and make the under-eye area appear far more youthful. 

• Caffeine:Although it may sound strange to consider caffeine as an active ingredient in under-eye skin care, it’s more beneficial than you may think. Caffeine manages blood flow in the skin, making it appear firmer and tighter. It is also an antioxidant, helping to protect the under-eye area from free radical damage. 

• Hyaluronic acid:Hydration is a crucial target of any skin care product. Without moisture, it can’t protect the skin barrier and give the skin what it needs to heal and look its best. In the vulnerable under-eye area, hydration is even more essential. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most effective ways to promote hydration of the under-eye area. 

• Vitamin E:Vitamin E is helpful for combatting dark circles in the under-eye area, which is why it’s a frequent addition to many under-eye patches’ active ingredient lists. Like caffeine, vitamin E is an antioxidant. It can help boost the effectiveness of sunscreen as well, as ultraviolet radiation is one of the key triggers in premature aging of the skin.

How do I use under-eye patches?

Under-eye patches are simple to use — all you need is a clean face, the products you want to use with them and the patches themselves. 

You can stick with a single product, like Eye Sculpt or Youth Serum, or combine them by using one of our recommended “recipes.” What you’ll do is apply your product (or products) directly to your under-eye area — we recommend using your ring finger for even less friction and pressure against your skin — and then wait for at least 10 seconds. 

After 10 seconds, apply your under-eye patches directly on top of the product. Leave them in place for 10 to 20 minutes, then remove them. Our under-eye patches are designed to be reusable, so rinse them off with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water before storing them back in their case. 

Once your patches have been removed, rub any leftover product into your skin and follow with a supportive moisturizer. You can’t beat one last boost of hydration — especially in such a sensitive area. 

If you really want to increase the patches' ability to help minimize swelling under your eyes, put them in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before using them. Cold temperatures can be beneficial because of vasoconstriction—the way that the cold shrinks blood vessels (and thus, can reduce swelling).

However, regardless of what under-eye products you use, you must use them on clean skin. Any buildup or debris on your skin will stop products from penetrating your skin as deeply as they need to. Clean skin means wide-open pores and more effective skin care products.

To sum things up...

What do under-eye patches do? If used appropriately, they can help combat dark circles, reduce puffiness and keep the under-eye area looking fresh and youthful. 

For other ways to help your skin look and feel its best, Skin Pharm is here for you. We have skin care products and treatments that can help take your routine to the next level. 

We’d love to talk to you and come up with a plan today. We’d love to do a consult with you so we can help you reach all of your goals.

Peer review

This article was medically reviewed by Madeline Stoffer, MSN, NP-BC, a board-certified nurse practitioner with 6 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology.

SOURCES:

Hills and Valleys: Understanding the Under-Eye | PMC

Treatments of Infra-Orbital Dark Circles by Various Etiologies | PMC

Caffeine in Skincare: Its Role in Skin Cancer, Sun Protection, and Cosmetics | PubMed

Physiology of Cold Exposure - Nutritional Needs In Cold And In High-Altitude Environments - NCBI Bookshelf | PubMed