As a beauty writer and certified Pilates instructor, I consider myself in the know regarding what women wear to their workout classes. From the brands that are killing the athleisure game, to the deodorants and fragrances that manage to withstand intense exercise, I’m privy to it all.
But there’s one burgeoning trend at the intersection of beauty and fitness has even me raising an eyebrow: Women are increasingly wearing under-eye patches while they workout, and better yet, documenting it online: Countless videos on TikTok show women sporting their patches as they walk on the treadmill, head to their Pilates classes, and bang out weighted sit-ups at the gym.
The appeal is understandable. Status-symbol brands such as Chanel, Dior and YSE sell under-eye patches emblazoned with their recognizable logos. The under-eye area is notorious for causing cosmetic concerns such as bags, dark circles and hollows, so an opportunity to take care of the skin under your eyes while exercising your body seems like an obvious win-win. Plus, the patches are a quick and easy way to conceal the under-eye area if you feel insecure about it—similar to wearing a cute pimple patch when you’re breaking out.
Meet the experts: Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Shafer Clinic. Ava Shamban, MD, is a cosmetic dermatologist and founder of AVA MD in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.
But many under-eye masks are intended to be worn for short periods of time: We’re talkin’ five or 10 minutes, maybe 20 minutes max—raising concerns about whether wearing these masks during sweat sessions is actually doing more harm than good for the skin. “From a dermatological perspective, I do think the shift toward wearing under-eye patches out in public reflects more of a trend and ritual than a truly beneficial skincare habit,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Shafer Clinic.
Here’s what dermatologists think of the trend and everything else you need to know—including the benefits under-eye patches provide the skin, whether they’re safe to wear while you exercise, and other steps you can take to nourish the skin beneath the windows to the soul.
What are the benefits of under-eye patches?
Generally speaking, under-eye skincare comes in three forms: masks/patches, creams, and serums. Each category has their own perks: Eye creams are typically best for infusing the area with long-lasting hydration—they’re often applied at night, when the skin’s natural repair mechanisms are in full-force and it could really use the extra moisture. Serums, meanwhile, usually contain active ingredients that can help target specific concerns such as dark spots and wrinkling.
Under-eye patches fall somewhere in between the two. They’re commonly used to brighten and de-puff the skin using popular actives such as vitamin C and niacinamide, much like a serum. But they also infuse intense but short-term hydration into the area using ingredients like glycerin, akin to an eye cream. They usually achieve these benefits through occlusion, which is when a product or particular ingredient forms a physical barrier on the skin’s surface to seal in moisture and other active ingredients, Dr. Engelman says.
Patches also tend to utilize humectants (ingredients that attract and bind to water) like hyaluronic acid to provide extra moisture to the skin. And other active ingredients like caffeine—which temporarily constricts blood vessels and reduces visible puffiness, according to research—are frequently added to under-eye patches as well.
Using patches containing ingredients actually proven to work can contribute to an under-eye area that appears much more luminous and youthful, but these effects are temporary. Translation: Patches don’t create any lasting structural change in the skin, Dr. Engelman adds, but instead provide an ephemeral refreshed look.
But as long as you manage your expectations, under-eye patches can hold a meaningful place in your skincare routine, experts say. Reusable silicone patches, for instance, are better for the environment than single-use versions, Dr. Engelman says. Plus, they help amplify the effects of eye cream formulas by creating that occlusive barrier and preventing evaporation of active ingredients.
Picking out patches that are actually worth your money can be a doozy. Here are some options you can count on: They won’t clog your pores, and they don’t contain potent ingredients (such as high-concentration retinoids, chemical exfoliants, or alcohols) that are likely to irritate sensitive under-eye skin:
Can I wear under-eye patches while I work out?
I’m sorry to disappoint, but the downsides of wearing patches while you’re pumping iron likely outweigh the benefits. Here’s a quick breakdown of all the reasons why this is a beauty trend worth skipping:
- The under-eye area is particularly sensitive: The skin under our eyes is especially thin, and as we age it only loosens and thins out even more, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The area also has fewer oil glands, Dr. Shamban explains, which makes the skin under the eyes naturally drier and more delicate than other areas of the face. That means exposing the skin to the ingredients in under-eye patches—whether it be the active ingredients meant to improve the skin, or merely the adhesives used to bind the product to the face—are more likely to cause irritation when you wear the patches for the duration of a full workout.
- Wearing patches for too long can cause dryness: It may seem paradoxical that wearing an under-eye patch with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin can make the skin more dry. After all, those components are supposed to help patches infuse the skin with moisture, right? Well as previously mentioned, most eye patches need 20 minutes or less to work their magic. And if they’re worn for much longer, the patch can begin to dry up and ‘steal’ your skin’s own moisture, says Ava Shamban, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist and founder of AVA MD in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. As a result, you’re left with skin that’s drier and more crepey than you started with. Plus, when patches are pulled off dried-out skin, it “can cause micro-trauma or tears,” Dr. Shamban adds, “leading to further irritation, rash, or other reactions.” Yikes.
- Exercise may make the patches less effective: Whether you’re doing a hot yoga class, or just really pushing yourself to the limits during a workout sessions, chances are, you’re hot and sweaty. And that’s exactly what’s working against you when wearing under-eye patches. “Sweat, heat, and friction can cause the patches to shift, trap moisture against the skin, and increase the risk of irritation or sensitivity in an already delicate area,” Dr. Engelman says. And when sweat gets trapped in the skin, you open a pandora’s box of other skin issues. Namely, you raise your risk of developing a heat rash, according to the Mayo Clinic. These rashes can be itchy and cause small blisters or even deep, inflamed lumps. Who wants to deal with that?
Look, it’s tempting to want to try to kill two birds with one stone by optimizing your self-care routine. But in this case, it’s best to keep your skincare routine and workout regimen separate. Instead of rockin’ your patches as you workout, apply them to clean, dry skin, Dr. Engelman says. This will allow the active ingredients to absorb into your face without having to compete with movement and sweat, she adds.
If you’re looking for other ways to enhance your under-eye skincare routine, don’t worry: You’re not out of options. A quick addition you can make to your regimen is a daily sunscreen, which can be “far more impactful” than under-eye patches for fending off signs of aging, Dr. Engelman says. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays causes damage in that accelerates signs of skin aging such as crepey skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Using a sunscreen every day with a sun protection factor of at least 30 can delay the aging process, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
For those already on the sunscreen bandwagon who want to give their under-eyes a little extra TLC, consider adding an at-home facial massage to your routine. Rubbing the area with a cold gua sha or facial roller is an excellent way to reduce the appearance of puffiness and improve blood flow to the area, Women’s Health previously reported. Plus, it just feels incredibly relaxing.
The Bottom Line: Leave your under-eye patches behind on your way to the gym.
Under-eye patches can be a genuinely effective way to refresh and revitalize your complexion—just not mid-burpee. The skin under your eyes is too delicate, and your workout is too sweaty, to make this trend worth the risk. So if you want to snap a cute mirror selfie in your designer set before you head out to the gym? Go for it. But do yourself (and your skin) a favor and peel them off before you break a sweat.
