What to Search for When Shopping for a Sleep Masks (2025)

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

So overlook these flimsy airline eye covers. Sleep masks have come a great distance, and the market is full of a myriad of choices designed that can assist you go to sleep and preserve night time’s relaxation. From luxurious silk masks to high-tech sleeping goggles, there’s a sleep masks for each want. Under, we break down what to search for in a sleep masks, the advantages every sort provides, and how you can get probably 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 in the case of buying a sleep masks on your wants? We’re right here to interrupt down all of the issues you need to take into account.

For higher sleep throughout, try our information to the Finest Sleep Masks, in addition to different sleep-related guides, together with Finest Mattresses, Finest Sheets, Finest Pillows, and Finest Natural 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 night time’s relaxation.

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

“Most analysis has been carried out in hospitals because of the noise and lights,” says sleep doctor 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 protecting their eyes, we will promote higher manufacturing of melatonin and ship higher alerts to our mind.” Carrying sleep masks at night time may also help cognitive operate, together with reminiscence, alertness, and episodic studying, in accordance with a examine from the Sleep Analysis Society.

Carrying sleep masks at night time may also help cognitive operate, together with reminiscence, alertness, and episodic studying, in accordance with a examine from the Sleep Analysis Society.

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

“We’ve got contact receptors in every single place on our pores and skin, together with across the eyes,” licensed sleep professional Annika Carroll says. “If we apply a bit of bit of sunshine stress there with this masks, it releases a hormone referred to as oxytocin, sometimes called the love hormone. It promotes rest and luxury.”

In the event you’re vulnerable 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 movement, whereas whole darkness helps cut back mild sensitivity, a standard migraine set off.

Friction breaks down the pores and skin’s elastin and collagen, the proteins that hold your face agency and easy. Carrying a watch masks when you sleep protects the fragile pores and skin round your eyes from rubbing in opposition to bedding or your arm, particularly for those who 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 Think about?

Sleep masks matches aren’t common, Carroll says: “I discover that there’s a little bit of trial and error to find a masks that matches your face form. There are rounder faces, and there are slimmer, longer faces.” You’ll want to strive on a brand new sleep masks earlier than giving it a whirl; the masks ought to press gently in opposition to your face with out feeling too tight, and there needs 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 effectively it matches in your face.

Flat sleep masks are probably the most conventional sort you’ll see—a flat piece of cloth that covers the eyes. These sorts are typically 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 in opposition to the eyes, which some could discover bothersome.

A typical 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 immediately 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 mean you can totally open and shut your eyes beneath the masks with out letting any mild in. Eye cups are particularly helpful 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 in opposition to your eyes or snag your hair when 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, study the product to find any clasps or adjustable closures. In the event you’re a again sleeper, you may favor this piece on the aspect of your head. Abdomen sleepers could discover a clasp on the again extra snug. For many who change positions often, take into account an unobtrusive adjustment and/or closure mechanism like slim Velcro, a magnetic closure, or a slide buckle.