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 way of the curtains or the glow of a cellphone charger can hold your mind from totally switching off. A well-made sleep masks that blocks the sunshine will help you drift off sooner and keep asleep even by way of dawn.

So neglect these flimsy airline eye covers. Sleep masks have come a great distance, and the market is crammed with a myriad of choices designed that can assist you go to sleep and keep a superb 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 the best way to get essentially the most out of 1 so you possibly can sleep such as you imply it.

Don’t know the place to begin 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 think about.

For higher sleep throughout, try our information to the Greatest Sleep Masks, in addition to different sleep-related guides, together with Greatest Mattresses, Greatest Sheets, Greatest Pillows, and Greatest 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 trying to enhance your nightly routine, the advantages of a sleep masks could be long-lasting after a superb night time’s relaxation.

Gentle is essentially 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 printed, 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.” Carrying sleep masks at night time also can support cognitive operate, together with reminiscence, alertness, and episodic studying, in line with a research from the Sleep Analysis Society.

Carrying sleep masks at night time also can support cognitive operate, together with reminiscence, alertness, and episodic studying, in line with a research 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 soothing and comforting expertise that may show you how to wind down at night time.

“We have now contact receptors all over the 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 strain there with this masks, it releases a hormone known as oxytocin, sometimes called the love hormone. It promotes rest and luxury.”

For those who’re liable to migraines, eye masks generally is a easy and highly effective ally. Gentle strain across the eyes will help ease rigidity and improve blood move, whereas complete darkness helps cut back mild sensitivity, a typical migraine set off.

Friction breaks down the pores and skin’s elastin and collagen, the proteins that hold your face agency and easy. Carrying an eye fixed masks when you sleep protects the fragile pores and skin round your eyes from rubbing in opposition to bedding or your arm, particularly when you are inclined to toss and switch.

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

What Form and Match Ought to I Contemplate?

Sleep masks suits 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 should definitely attempt 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 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 effectively it suits in your face.

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

A standard drawback 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 right this moment 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 characteristic two convex gaps that can help you totally 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 in opposition to your eyes or snag your hair when you’re sleeping. Fortunately, many sleep masks include an adjustable strap so you possibly can customise the match.

When purchasing for a sleep masks, look at the product to find any clasps or adjustable closures. For those who’re a again sleeper, you may want this piece on the aspect of your head. Abdomen sleepers could discover a clasp on the again extra comfy. For individuals who change positions continuously, think about an unobtrusive adjustment and/or closure mechanism like slim Velcro, a magnetic closure, or a slide buckle.