How to buy a sleep mask: fit, materials, and features to look for

To test, lie down in your preferred sleeping position and move around a bit — if the mask feels tight or shifts when you move, you may need to adjust the tightness.

Material Gains

The material will affect the thickness of the eye mask and how opaque it is to the light, and since these masks will be in close contact with your face all night, it’s important to pay attention to the material.

silk

This premium material is all the rage in the beauty industry because it’s biocompatible with human skin and clinically proven to support moisturization, increase skin elasticity, and promote cell renewal (reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles).

cotton

Cotton is the best material for an eye mask. It’s comfortable, easy to wash, durable, and breathable. Cotton absorbs moisture, so if you use eye cream at night, it’s best to avoid this material.

satin

Smooth and soft, satin is the perfect eye mask material for those with sensitive skin. The gentle texture of the material reduces irritation caused by friction with hair and skin.

polyester

“Research has shown that polyester masks can improve sleep quality and provide a feeling of coolness and relaxation,” says Del Rosso. Polyester is generally affordable and resists stretching and wrinkling over time, ensuring durability and longevity.

Notable Features

Today’s sleep masks are packed with features to suit your sleep patterns and preferences, so if you’re looking to upgrade your simple sleep mask, here are some features to consider.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy sleep masks combine light blocking with the use of therapeutic essential oils. Certain essential oils, such as lavender and chamomile, are known for their relaxing and stress relieving properties, while others, such as spearmint and eucalyptus, can help with headaches. Sleep masks are sometimes filled with flax seeds or rice that have been infused with these essential oils, creating a weighted effect and providing aromatherapy benefits.

weight

You’ve probably heard a lot of buzz about weighted blankets and their benefits. The same concept applies to sleep masks. As mentioned above, applying gentle pressure around the eyes is a physiological way to relax and reduce stress. Weighted eye masks can also help relax your facial muscles and reduce sinus discomfort.

cooling

“There are devices that treat insomnia by cooling the forehead.[Cooling masks]may have properties that give you a cooling or calming sensation. Your thoughts are racing, and they send a message to your brain that this is one of the mechanisms,” Del Rosso says. Some sleep masks are designed to cool with refrigerable gel inserts, while others are made from breathable, temperature-regulating fabrics (such as polyester) that release heat.

speaker

After sight, sound plays a key role in getting a good night’s sleep. Today, some high-tech sleep masks even have built-in speakers near the ears, through which users can block out or mask outside noises or listen to guided meditations, calming music, or white noise to relax.

When should you avoid a sleep mask?

While a sleep mask is an easy way to aid your sleep cycle, there are some situations in which you shouldn’t use a sleep mask.

“If you have someone with glaucoma or an eye infection, you want to make sure they’re not trapping air in there,” Carroll says.