SLEEP is so important for our mental and physical health, but a lot of us aren’t getting enough of it.
So we've rounded up some of the best sleep masks to help you get some much needed rest.
Do sleep masks really work?
The sleep chemical, melatonin, is produced when your brain senses complete darkness, which helps you sleep better and deeper.
But often, we don't sleep in total darkness.
Your curtains or blinds might not block out the light for example, or perhaps you have lots of gadgets in the room.
Or perhaps you work at night and need to nap during the day.
Whatever the reason, eye masks can be a shortcut to achieving total darkness - as long as they fit properly.
We've tested a small selection of eye masks and rounded up some alternatives below.
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We tested: Sensory Retreats Dreamy Eyes self-heating eye masks
- Sensory Retreats Dreamy Eyes masks, £15 from FeelUnique - buy here
Unlike most of the eye masks we’ve featured, the Sensory Retreats Dreamy Eyes masks are single use.
Each gently scented mask comes individually wrapped, and as soon as you open it up, it starts to warm up.
The side touching your face is a super soft material that feels just like soft cotton wool, and you secure it in place using two elastic straps that go behind your ears.
Once it’s on, it completely blocks out all the light thanks to the cutouts that help mould the mask to your face.
This one was actually a surprise winner for us.
We weren’t sure whether having a hot cover over our eyes would help us sleep - fortunately this completely proved us wrong as we nodded off in minutes without realising.
We were also impressed by the fit, and loved how the scent wasn’t overwhelming at all.
As it’s single use, we wouldn’t recommend it for everyday use - but if you’re feeling particularly stressed or having trouble sleeping, it could be one to try.
We tested: William Morris eye mask and hand cream letterbox gift set
- William Morris eye mask gift set, £25 from MoonPig - buy here
Greetings and birthday cards giant MoonPig have expanded into gifts that can be posted through the letterbox and this William Morris eye mask and hand cream set is among the options available.
The velvet eye mask features one of the gorgeous classic designs from Morris & Co and is filled with dried lavender.
The fabric is soft to touch and the padded mask is incredibly comfortable to wear.
While testing it out, we found the smell a little overwhelming, although this should fade over time.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that because it contains real lavender, you won’t be able to wash it - unless you’re happy to take it apart and stitch it back together.
For a gift though, we think it’s pretty decent value for money, especially when you factor in the trio of hand creams that you get with it.
We tested: This Is Silk eye mask
- This Is Silk eye mask, £21.99 from This Is Silk - buy here
This oversized eye mask from This Is Silk is available in a range of colours and has been handmade using 22 momme silk.
Momme is basically the thread count used for silk and can range between 11 and 25.
The higher the count, the higher the density and the heavier it will be. Because of that, 22 momme is generally thought of as the perfect balance between weight and quality.
We thought this mask looked and felt lovely and luxurious and, because it came in a gift box, would make a lovely present for someone.
It's also available in a few different colours so it's easy to find a shade that suits you.
The oversized design meant that it completely blocked out the light without putting any pressure on our skin.
However, because the fabric is so soft and silky, the mask does slip off by the morning.
It’s not a big problem if your bedroom is dark or you’re a heavy sleeper but otherwise you may find yourself waking up before your alarm goes off in the morning.
We tested: Echor Total Blackout eye mask
- Echor Total Blackout eye mask, £17.99 from Echor - buy here
The Echor Total Blackout eye mask is one of the bulkier designs we tested but it could be just right for those with false eyelashes or are having a nap during the day.
The side touching the face is padded with soft foam that raises the eye mask away from your eyes.
It means there’s zero rub on your eyelids, which should keep any lashes or eye makeup intact.
The design also features extra flaps around the nose that ensure maximum light blocking and we found it’s effective for different sized noses as well.
And unlike most eye masks, the strap on this one is adjustable so it’s easy to find a comfortable fit.
That said, it’s not one we would recommend to side sleepers - the foam padding means the eye mask is raised on all sides and you can definitely feel it pressing into your face when you’re lying on your side.
We tested: HoMedics travel eye mask with built-in headphones
- HoMedics travel eye mask, £17.99 from Homedics - buy here
The HoMedics travel eye mask has a few different features built into one accessory.
As well as being a blackout eye mask, it’s fitted with a mini battery-powered motor that gently vibrates when it’s on to give you a head massage.
It also features built-in headphones - a cable is provided - so you can listen to music or a podcast.
And as the straps are made from velcro, it’s easy to adjust the size to suit you.
This is definitely the largest and bulkiest eye mask we tried and we found that it was quite awkward to put on, especially when it came to positioning the headphones in the right place.
Once it’s on, it does fit pretty snugly and the moleskin-style fabric was really soft to the touch.
We found this eye mask quite relaxing for meditation - it blocks out all the light and the headphones create a surround sound feel - but we think it’s a bit too bulky to sleep on comfortably.
Soap & Glory The Rest Assured sleep mask
- Soap & Glory The Rest Assured sleep mask, £6.50 from Boots - buy here
Your eyes are working constantly, so give them the love they're entitled to with this cooling gel eye mask from Soap & Glory.
Straight from the fridge, it’ll soothe your eyes immediately.
The gel mask is detachable with its own elastic strap, so you can wear it separately if you wish. Just make sure you wash it well in between uses.
Slip Silk sleep mask
- Slip Silk sleep mask, £50 from LookFantastic - buy here
For an alternatively silk sleep mask, try this one from SlipSilk.
Crafted from high quality 22 momme mulberry silk, this baby pink sleep mask is lustrous and soft but also durable.
You can also get it in a few other shades.
It's baggy but not oversized, so would work if you have a smaller face.
How often should I use eye masks?
You can use your eye mask as often as you need - just make sure they're washed regularly if you're using them every night.
Ideally, they should be cleaned at least weekly - see below.
Can you wash eye masks?
Anything that comes in regular contact with your skin needs to be washed frequently.
Just like you'd wash your pillowcases and clothes, you need to keep your eye mask germ free.
Most of the time you can machine wash your eye mask with the rest of your load, but double-check the washing instructions before you chuck it in.
Many sleep masks are made of silk, which you'll need to hand wash in cold water with a gentle soap and line dry.
MORE FROM SUN SELECTS FASHION
Enjoyed our roundup of the best eye masks for sleeping? We’ve designed Sun Selects to help you find everything you need when you’re shopping around the web.
If you want to find more of our fashion recommendations, check out our dedicated Sun Selects fashion section.
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