By now, we’re all used to wearing eye-catching beauty gadgets: LED face masks that look like they belong at a concert, hair-growth helmets that seem NASA-engineered, and cooling eye masks that could double as a superhero accessory. While the first two have scientific backing, 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.”
Audrey Matney, a medical esthetician and founder of 123 Beauty Lab in New York City, calls a cooling eye mask your “on-call reset button.” It’s useful in various situations, whether you’re dealing with chronic puffiness (as a quick fix during a flare-up) or prepping for seamless makeup application (so concealer glides on smoothly and stays put). Just 10 to 15 minutes with a pre-chilled mask can leave your under-eyes looking brighter and tauter.
Here are some of our favorites:
Best for Sleep: Manta COOL Sleep Mask
$49 $39 (20% off) at AMAZON
Why We Love It: “Wearing this is a surprisingly effective headache hack,” says Matney. The mask’s eye cups contain ceramic beads that chill in the freezer, providing a steady, gentle coolness that soothes the eyes while you sleep. “This is ideal for overnight prevention of fluid buildup,” adds Dr. Yadav. Its unique design blocks almost all light, making it perfect for those who sleep best in total darkness or enjoy midday naps.
Key Features: Ceramic cooling beads, near-total blackout 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
$16 at REVOLVE
Why We Love It: Dr. Yadav notes that this budget-friendly mask stays cold enough to effectively reduce inflammation. “This 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. It can also be microwaved briefly for hot therapy.
Key Features: Can be frozen overnight for cold therapy or microwaved for warmth
Type: Reusable gel bead mask
Best Massaging: Renpho Eyeris 3 Eye Massager with Heat & Cooling
$100 $66 (34% off) at AMAZON
Why We Love It: The Renpho Eyeris 3 is more of an eye-care gadget than a traditional 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 connectivity for your own playlists, this mask brings a spa-like experience to your living room—or offers easy relief from end-of-day migraines.
Key Features: Combines cooling, heat, and massage; built-in music and Bluetooth; adjustable settings
Type: Electric eye massager with cooling and heating functionsProduct Features:
– Bluetooth connectivity
– 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
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Best Eye Patches: NYX Cosmetics Face Freezie Reusable Cooling Undereye Patches
Price: $24 at Amazon
Why We Love It:
These reusable patches are affordable and portable, making them ideal for on-the-go use—perfect for flights, nights, and weekends. They work well for quick depuffing or prepping the skin for makeup. Their slim design means they don’t get or stay as cold as thicker gel masks, but they’re still refreshing for the delicate eye area. Note: You’ll need to lie down to keep them in place, so get comfortable before applying.
Key Features:
– Undereye-shaped patches filled with freezable cooling gel
Type: Reusable gel patches
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Best for Self-Care: Mount Lai Jade Eye Mask
Price: $48 at Nordstrom
Why We Love It:
This mask offers a “zen escape,” using naturally chilled jade to reduce puffiness and tension. While jade provides a milder and shorter-lasting cooling effect compared to gel masks, it’s still deeply relaxing. As Dr. Yadav notes, “This is less about medical cooling and more about a luxurious ritual.”
Key Features:
– Woven mask with jade for light pressure
– Can be refrigerated for added cooling
Type: Jade crystal eye mask
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Everything You Need to Know
Do cooling eye masks really work?
Yes, cooling eye masks work, but they mainly offer short-term benefits like depuffing and soothing. They’re especially helpful after allergies, crying, cosmetic procedures, or long days in front of a screen. While they can make the eye area look better instantly, they won’t change pigment or genetics. If you have severe dark circles or persistent puffiness, an eye mask alone is unlikely to make a significant difference.
The Benefits of a Cooling Eye Mask
Cooling eye masks are like an upgraded cold compress. They help calm puffiness, reduce swelling, and soothe tired or irritated eyes. The cold temperature constricts blood vessels, making the skin look smoother and less swollen. Cooling also reduces nerve sensitivity, providing quick relief from irritation or tenderness.
Aesthetically, these masks can make you look more rested and youthful by smoothing puffiness and allowing light to reflect more evenly. They also help create a smoother base for makeup application.
When should you use a cooling eye mask?
Use a cooling eye mask in the morning if you wake up with puffy eyes, after traveling (especially flying, as cabin pressure can cause undereye puffiness), after long nights, or in the days following in-office eye procedures. Dr. Yadav recommends 10–20 minutes per use. For gentle cooling, store the mask in the fridge; for stronger depuffing, use the freezer.
How We Tested
When testing and reviewing products, we take a holistic approach to deliver thorough and reliable insights.We provide well-rounded product recommendations by drawing on Vogue’s extensive network of experts—including board-certified dermatologists and celebrity estheticians—to gain professional insight into the industry’s top products, the very ones these specialists use with their own clients. We combine their expertise with our editorial standards to create the carefully curated selections you find on our site.
For cooling eye masks, we chose the best options based on key features, weight, additional benefits, material, and the specific skin and body care concerns they target. To do this, we combined expert advice with customer reviews to decide which products to 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs 5 Cooling Eye Masks for Puffiness Dark Circles
Beginner General Questions
1 What exactly is a cooling eye mask
A cooling eye mask is a product designed to be placed over the eyes It uses coolness to help reduce swelling soothe irritation and temporarily minimize the appearance of dark circles
2 How do cooling masks help with puffiness and dark circles
The cold temperature causes blood vessels to constrict which reduces fluid buildup and swelling This can also make the bluish tint of dilated veins under the thin eye skin less visible temporarily improving dark circles The cooling sensation also helps soothe tired eyes
3 Are these masks safe for my skin
Generally yes Most are designed to be gentle However always check the material if you have sensitive skin or allergies Avoid applying anything frozen directly to the skin chilled is best
4 How long should I leave a cooling mask on
Typically 1020 minutes is sufficient Follow the specific product instructions Longer isnt necessarily better and can sometimes irritate the delicate eye area
5 Can I use these masks every day
Yes for most types daily use is safe and can be part of a morning or evening routine However listen to your skinif you notice any irritation reduce frequency
Advanced Practical Questions
6 Whats the difference between gel bead masks hydrogel patches and fabric masks
Gel Bead Masks Flexible masks filled with gel beads often reusable meant to be chilled Great for general cooling and puffiness
Hydrogel Patches Singleuse seruminfused patches that adhere to the skin They cool hydrate and deliver ingredients like caffeine or hyaluronic acid
Fabric Masks Disposable or reusable cloth masks soaked in a serum or essence They offer cooling and hydration similar to a facial sheet mask but for the eyes
7 Which type is best for severe morning puffiness
A reusable