What to Look for When Buying a Sleep Mask (2025)

When it’s time to wind down, even a skinny beam of streetlight coming by the curtains or the glow of a telephone charger can maintain your mind from absolutely switching off. A well-made sleep mask that blocks the sunshine may also help you drift off quicker and keep asleep even by dawn.

So neglect these flimsy airline eye covers. Sleep masks have come a great distance, and the market is stuffed with a myriad of choices designed that will help you go to sleep and preserve a very good night time’s relaxation. From luxurious silk masks to high-tech sleeping goggles, there’s a sleep masks for each want. Beneath, we break down what to search for in a sleep masks, the advantages every sort gives, and get essentially the most out of 1 so you’ll be able to sleep such as you imply it.

Don’t know the place to start out on the subject of buying a sleep masks in your wants? We’re right here to interrupt down all of the issues you need to contemplate.

For higher sleep throughout, try our information to the Best Sleep Masks, in addition to different sleep-related guides, together with Best Mattresses, Best Sheets, Best Pillows, and Best Organic Mattresses.

Sleep Masks Advantages

Sleep masks do extra than simply block out mild. Whether or not you’re jet-lagged, catching up after an evening shift, or just seeking to enhance your nightly routine, the advantages of a sleep masks could be long-lasting after a very good night time’s relaxation.

Gentle is essentially the most highly effective cue in your circadian rhythm. It basically tells your mind what time it’s. Even the tiniest bit of sunshine publicity can suppress melatonin and delay sleep.

“Most analysis has been performed in hospitals as a result of noise and lights,” says sleep physician Lourdes DelRosso. “Offering sleep masks and earplugs to hospitalized sufferers has been studied and revealed, exhibiting that sufferers expertise deeper and extra restful sleep. Simply by overlaying their eyes, we will promote higher manufacturing of melatonin and ship higher indicators to our mind.” Sporting sleep masks at night time can even assist cognitive operate, together with reminiscence, alertness, and episodic studying, in accordance with a study from the Sleep Research Society.

Sporting sleep masks at night time can even assist cognitive operate, together with reminiscence, alertness, and episodic studying, in accordance with a examine from the Sleep Research Society.

And it’s not simply the blackout impact of sleep masks that provides customers a well-rested night time. Sleep masks are a wholesome sleep affiliation, offering a calming and comforting expertise that may assist you to wind down at night time.

“We have now contact receptors in every single place on our pores and skin, together with across the eyes,” certified sleep expert Annika Carroll says. “If we apply a little bit bit of sunshine stress there with this masks, it releases a hormone known as oxytocin, sometimes called the love hormone. It promotes leisure and luxury.”

Should you’re susceptible to migraines, eye masks generally is a easy and highly effective ally. Gentle stress across the eyes may also help ease stress and enhance blood move, whereas whole darkness helps scale back mild sensitivity, a standard migraine set off.

Friction breaks down the pores and skin’s elastin and collagen, the proteins that maintain your face agency and easy. Sporting a watch masks whilst you sleep protects the fragile pores and skin round your eyes from rubbing towards bedding or your arm, particularly when you are likely to toss and switch.

Everyone knows the indicators of a tough night time of sleep: puffy eyes and darkish circles. A sleep masks may also help tip the percentages by boosting circulation in your face, and weighted eye masks may also help break up the surplus fluid across the eyes that results in puffiness.

What Form and Match Ought to I Contemplate?

Sleep masks matches aren’t common, Carroll says: “I discover that there’s a little bit of trial and error find a masks that matches your face form. There are rounder faces, and there are slimmer, longer faces.” You should definitely strive on a brand new sleep masks earlier than giving it a whirl; the masks ought to press gently towards your face with out feeling too tight, and there ought to be no gaps between the masks and your pores and skin, particularly across the nostril. Moreover, a number of sleep masks traits could have an effect on how nicely it matches in your face.

Flat sleep masks are essentially the most conventional sort you’ll see—a flat piece of cloth that covers the eyes. These varieties are usually lighter and extra compact, making them simple to journey with. Consolation could also be an element right here, since flat masks are likely to press towards the eyes, which some could discover bothersome.

A standard downside with conventional slip-on sleep masks is the bridge of the nostril lifting the masks, permitting mild to seep in and defeating the aim of sporting it. Many sleep masks at present are designed with a contoured nostril or with out cloth across the nostril to stop any mild from penetrating.

Some eye masks are constructed like swim goggles: They function two convex gaps that help you absolutely open and shut your eyes beneath the masks with out letting any mild in. Eye cups are particularly useful for individuals with delicate eyes and for individuals who put on eyelash extensions.

Too unfastened, and the masks will fall off all through the night time. Too tight, and it might uncomfortably press towards your eyes or snag your hair whilst you’re sleeping. Fortunately, many sleep masks include an adjustable strap so you’ll be able to customise the match.

When searching for a sleep masks, look at the product to find any clasps or adjustable closures. Should you’re a again sleeper, you may want this piece on the facet of your head. Abdomen sleepers could discover a clasp on the again extra snug. For many who change positions regularly, contemplate an unobtrusive adjustment and/or closure mechanism like slim Velcro, a magnetic closure, or a slide buckle.