Patches under the eyes are universal cosmetic means. Many dermatologists and cosmetologists call patches an ambulance for imperfections. And it is!
These under-eye masks do not require a special approach; you can use them along with any care system. The hydrogel eye patch is fantastic to use before a working day, going out, or visiting any event. We are finding out whether should we expect a special effect from under-eye patches.
How Do Patches Work?
Patches are such eye masks that work on the principle of compression. Due to the so-called “cushion”, the active ingredients included in the patches take longer to absorb, dry out more slowly, and penetrate the skin better.
The active substance in patches, as a rule, is hyaluronic acid. However, some products may contain retinol, caffeine, Centella, niacinamide, and vitamin C. Such means, in addition to powerful drainage, also provide an anti-age and anti puffiness effect.
Besides, they make the skin under the eyes lighter, relieve visible swelling, and moisturize the epidermis.
How to Use Patches Correctly?
You do not need to leave patches on the skin for long: after 20-30 minutes, the masks lose their effectiveness. Therefore, applying them at night is an absolutely pointless and even harmful practice for the skin.
The thing is that after drying, patches can negatively affect the skin, so the optimal exposure time for most options is 15-20 minutes unless another time is specified in the instructions.
The principle of application for all variants of a patch is the same: they are glued to thoroughly cleansed dry skin “from the inside out”. For example:
- under the eyes, they are glued from the inner corner of the eye to the outer one;
- on the oval and forehead — from the middle to the lateral areas.
To remove the given under-eye masks, gently hold the skin without letting it stretch.
However, there are contraindications:
- conjunctivitis;
- dermatitis and eczema on the skin under the eyes;
- sensitivity to the active components of patches;
- skin damage.
In any case, it would be useful to consult with your cosmetologist when choosing a patch.
How to Achieve Better Results by Using Patches Under the Eyes?
You may have already encountered such a problem when using an eye mask: you apply patches according to the instructions, leave them to be affected at the right time, and take them off, but there is no result.
Then you decide to buy more expensive ones, but they don’t work again. And this happens from time to time.
Do patches bring an effect? Yes, but you need to know how to use them correctly. Follow the rules and get the desired result:
- Patches should be applied to clean and dry skin.
- To get the patches, use a special spatula. It is highly undesirable to extract them with your hands: microbes can get into the essence, which can subsequently cause inflammation.
- Gently apply the patches and smooth them out with your fingers, removing the air from them.
- Apply given masks at the right time of day. Moisturizing ones for the skin around the eyes should be used exclusively in the morning, or even better — in the early morning.
- Do not overexpose the patches — when they are completely dry, they take moisture from the skin, and you can get the opposite effect. Hydrogel likes to be wet: this ingredient first gives off moisture and then takes it back.
- After use, spread the remaining serum with your fingertips along the massage lines.
At the end of the procedure, apply a moisturizer. Thus, you will fix the liquid ingredients that came from the patches.
