Eye Patches

What are eye patches?

Eye patches – also called under-eye patches or eye pads – are crescent-shaped pads that you place under your eyes. They are soaked in a concentrated serum and stick to the skin while the actives absorb. In Korea they’re as much a part of the morning routine as coffee is for us.

What types are there?

• Hydrogel patches: The most popular kind. The gel holds a lot of liquid, feels cool and hugs the skin well. Many are transparent or shimmer in colour.
• Sheet or fabric patches: Similar to a sheet mask, just smaller. They release a lot of serum but dry out faster.
• Microneedle patches: Tiny dissolving needles made of hyaluronic acid, usually worn overnight. They’re more of an intensive treatment for fine lines.

What do eye patches do?

• De-puffing: The cooling effect briefly constricts the vessels and reduces puffiness – especially if you keep the patches in the fridge.
• Hydration: The pad seals the serum onto the skin. Fine dehydration lines look smoother afterwards.
• Active boost: Depending on the formula, they contain hyaluronic acid, peptides, PDRN, collagen, caffeine or brightening vitamin C.

Eye patches work mainly instantly and short-term. For lasting results against dark circles, you also need regular eye care and sunscreen.

How to use eye patches

1. Cleanse your face and apply a toner.
2. Lift the patches out of the jar with the spatula provided – not with your fingers, so the serum stays hygienic.
3. Place them just below the lash line with the wide end facing outwards. Many patches also fit the forehead, smile lines or the corners of the mouth.
4. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes – not overnight, unless the pack explicitly says so.
5. Remove and gently pat in the remaining serum. Follow with eye cream and, in the morning, sunscreen.

Two to three times a week, or before special occasions, is ideal. Use each pair only once.

Korean eye patches

From our range: the PDRN Retinal Eye Patch Glow Jelly and the Jericho Rose Jelly Collagen Eye Patches by Abib, the Revive Under Eye Patches by Beauty of Joseon, the PDRN Pink Caffeine Collagen Eye Patches by medicube, The Peptide Collagen Hydrogel Eye Patches by COSRX and the Collagen Peptide Eye Patches by Biodance. You’ll find them all in our Korean eye patches collection.

What does the research say?

There are hardly any standalone studies on classic hydrogel pads – their effect is mainly down to cooling, hydration and the actives they contain. For microneedle patches with hyaluronic acid, a clinical study showed a visible improvement in crow’s feet (Choi et al., Dermatologic Therapy, 2017).