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 maintain your mind from absolutely switching off. A well-made sleep masks that blocks the sunshine might help you drift off quicker and keep asleep even by means of dawn.

So overlook these flimsy airline eye covers. Sleep masks have come a good distance, and the market is stuffed with a myriad of choices designed that can assist you go to sleep and preserve a great 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 kind affords, and the right way to get probably the most out of 1 so you possibly can sleep such as you imply it.

Don’t know the place to begin relating to buying a sleep masks to your wants? We’re right here to interrupt down all of the issues you must contemplate.

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 trying to enhance your nightly routine, the advantages of a sleep masks will be long-lasting after a great night time’s relaxation.

Gentle is probably the most highly effective cue to 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 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 may also help cognitive perform, 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 perform, 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 soothing and comforting expertise that may assist you wind down at night time.

“We now have 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 bit of sunshine strain there with this masks, it releases a hormone known as oxytocin, sometimes called the love hormone. It promotes leisure and luxury.”

In the event you’re vulnerable to migraines, eye masks is usually a easy and highly effective ally. Gentle strain across the eyes might help ease rigidity and enhance blood movement, 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 clean. Carrying a watch masks whilst you sleep protects the fragile pores and skin round your eyes from rubbing towards bedding or your arm, particularly if you happen to 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 might help tip the chances by boosting circulation in your face, and weighted eye masks might 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 find a masks that matches your face form. There are rounder faces, and there are slimmer, longer faces.” Make sure to 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 needs to be no gaps between the masks and your pores and skin, particularly across the nostril. Moreover, a number of sleep masks traits might have an effect on how properly it matches in your face.

Flat sleep masks are probably the most conventional kind you’ll see—a flat piece of cloth that covers the eyes. These varieties are usually lighter and extra compact, making them straightforward to journey with. Consolation could also be an element right here, since flat masks are likely to press towards the eyes, which some might 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 carrying it. Many sleep masks in the present day are designed with a contoured nostril or with out cloth across the nostril to forestall any mild from penetrating.

Some eye masks are constructed like swim goggles: They function two convex gaps that let 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 possibly can customise the match.

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