By now, we’re all used to wearing some head-turning accoutrement in the name of beauty: LED face masks that wouldn’t be out of place at an EDM concert, hair-growth helmets that could have been crafted by NASA, and a variety of cooling eye masks that look like a superhero’s go-to accessory. The former two categories are backed by science, but what about cooling eye masks?
According to Toronto dermatologist Dr. Geeta Yadav, studies show that cooling can noticeably reduce puffiness, soothe irritation, and make the eye area feel more comfortable. “There’s science to this,” she says. “Cooling decreases inflammation and slows cellular activity in a way that protects delicate eyelid tissues and improves comfort.”
Vogue’s Favorite Cooling Eye Masks:
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Audrey Matney, a medical esthetician and the founder of 123 Beauty Lab in New York City, refers to a cooling eye mask as your “on-call reset button” that you can hit in a variety of situations, whether you’re dealing with chronic puffiness (“a quick fix you can reach for during a flare-up”) or need seamless makeup application (“it preps the area so the concealer glides on smooth and stays put”). Wearing a pre-chilled mask for just 10 to 15 minutes is all it takes to see brighter, tauter-looking under-eyes. Below, some of our favorites.
In This Story:
- Do cooling eye masks really work?
- What are the benefits of a cooling eye mask?
- When should you use a cooling eye mask?
- How We Tested
- Meet the Experts
Best for Sleep: Manta COOL Sleep Mask
- Why We Love It: “Wearing this is a surprisingly effective headache hack,” says Matney. The eye cups of the Manta Cool Sleep Mask contain ceramic beads that get chilly when stashed in the freezer, delivering a steady, gentle cooling effect that comfortably cradles and soothes the eye while you sleep. “This is ideal for overnight prevention of fluid buildup,” adds Dr. Yadav. The unique design of this mask allows for almost total blackout of light, making it ideal for those who sleep best in pitch darkness (or enjoy taking midday naps).
- Key Features: Ceramic cooling beads, near-night blocking design, moisture-wicking fabric, snag-free fasteners, adjustable strap
- Type: Fabric sleep mask with ceramic cooling beads
Best Affordable: Solaris Laboratories NY White Cryo Eye Mask
- Why We Love It: According to Dr. Yadav, this wallet-friendly mask is a good choice if you’re looking for a product that’ll stay cold enough to really quell inflammation. “This type of gel-filled cryo mask holds temperature extremely well, which is important for achieving the soothing and de-puffing effects shown in clinical studies,” she explains. In addition to being used for cold therapy, you can briefly pop this mask in the microwave for hot therapy, too.
- Key Features: Can be placed in the freezer overnight to be used cold or microwaved to be used warm
- Type: Reusable gel bead mask
Best Massaging: Renpho Eyeris 3 Eye Massager with Heat Cooling
- Why We Love It: The Renpho Eyeris 3 is more of an eye-care gadget than a traditional cooling mask—and it’s exceptional. “It combines cooling, heat, and massage, which makes it useful for eye strain, headaches, and puffiness,” says Dr. Yadav. “The controlled cooling feature is helpful for comfort, while the heat setting can relieve tension in the evening.” With built-in music (or Bluetooth, so you can pipe in your own playlists), owning this mask is like keeping a visit to your spa in your living room—or just an easy respite from the woes of end-of-day migraines.
- Key Features: Bluetooth; adjustable heat, vibration, and pressure settings; removable cooling gel mask; three different massage zones; built-in music and nature sounds
- Type: Battery-powered eye massaging mask with removable cooling gel mask
Best Eye Patches: NYX Cosmetics Face Freezie Reusable Cooling Undereye Patches
.jpg)
- Why We Love It: Due to their pocket-friendly size and reusable nature, Matney says that these patches are great for taming tension on-the-go; specifically, “perfect for flights, nights, and weekends,” she adds. Dr. Yadav points out that they’re best for quick depuff or makeup prep. As the slim design prevents them from getting or staying as cold as thicker gel masks; we like these for a refresh along the delicate skin of the eye. Note that you’ll have to stay horizontal to keep them in place so get comfortable before use!
- Key Features: Undereye-shaped patches filled with freezable cooling gel
- Type: Reusable gel patches
Best for Self-Care: Mount Lai Jade Eye Mask
.jpg)
- Why We Love It: Matney refers to this mask as a “zen escape,” with naturally chilled, balancing jade working to melt away puffiness and tension. It’s important to recognize that the cooling effect of jade is milder and doesn’t last as long as what you’d experience from a gel mask, but it’s relaxing all the same. “This is less about medical cooling and more about a luxurious ritual,” says Dr. Yadav.
- Key Features: Woven mask provides light pressure with jade; mask is easily refrigerated for added cooling
- Type: Jade crystal eye mask
Everything You Need to Know
Do cooling eye masks really work?
Yes, cooling eye masks work, but they largely provide short-term benefits, namely depuffing and soothing, per Dr. Yadav. “It is especially helpful after allergies, crying, a cosmetic procedure, or even just a long day at a screen,” she adds. With the help of a cooling eye mask, the eye area can instantly look better—but “expect results within the realm they can deliver,” notes Matney. “A cooling mask cannot change pigment or genetics.” If you have severe dark circles or under-eye puffiness that is present even after a restful vacation, an eye mask is unlikely to do much.
The Benefits of a Cooling Eye Mask
A supercharged, sometimes hi-tech version of a cold compress, cooling eye masks help calm puffiness, reduce swelling, and soothe tired or irritated eyes, Dr. Yadav explains. “The cold temperature gently constricts blood vessels, which explains why the skin under the eyes looks smoother and less swollen after use,” she explains. “Cooling also reduces nerve sensitivity around the eyes, which is why people often notice quick relief from irritation, itchiness, or post-procedure tenderness.”
In addition to offering physical relief, these eye masks offer aesthetic benefits as well. “A cooling eye mask is the quickest way to fake eight hours of sleep,” says Matney. As the cold contracts superficial vessels and smooths puffiness under the eye, light is able to reflect more cleanly, making the eye area appear well rested and more youthful. This also allows for smoother makeup application.
When should you use a cooling eye mask?
If you tend to wake up with puffy eyes, slap on a cooling eye mask first thing in the a.m. They’re also useful after traveling (especially if you’re flying, as “cabin pressure is notorious for ballooning the undereye,” says Matney), long nights up against tight deadlines, or in the first few days after in-office procedures around the eyes. “For most people, 10 to 20 minutes is enough,” advises Dr. Yadav. “You can place the mask in the fridge for gentle cooling or the freezer for stronger, goal-directed de-puffing.”
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to cooling eye masks, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: key features, weight, additional features, material, and the skin- and body-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Audrey Matney is a medical esthetician and the founder of 123 Beauty Lab in New York City.
- Dr. Geeta Yadav is a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto.
