If you’re looking to give your under-eyes that extra zhush to help you feel fresh and ready for the day, the best under-eye masks are fantastic for helping to instantly brighten your bags. Whether youre under a deal of stress, are struggling to get your eight hours or are genetically prone to them, dark under-eye circles can happen to us all. However, adding a hard-working under-eye mask to your arsenal can help transform tired peepers and luckily, there are plenty out there that are cut out for the job.

　　Most eye masks contain hyaluronic acid and caffeine which work as a power duo - perfect for de-puffing and reducing dark circles. They help brighten and hydrate your under-eyes for an instant refresh that wont betray your lack of sleep. Other potent ingredients include collagen, retinol, peptides and vitamin C which can also help reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles and fine lines that may already be creeping in.

　　You can apply an under-eye mask any time of day, but popping eye masks on in the morning after washing your face can really help fake a full night’s sleep. For your sacred self-care moments or before a big event, we recommend keeping your under-eye mask in the fridge for an extra de-puffing effect. A cold compress in itself can work wonders.

　　Weve rounded up the best under-eye masks to shop, starting from as little as just £3.

　　SHOP: The best under-eye masks 1. Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches

　　Best value for money

　　Boots/PixiPrice:14.67 (was £22)www.boots.com

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　　Had a late night and woken up with puffy eyes? Then these Pixi DetoxifEYE eye patches are here to save the day. They contain hyaluronic acid and caffeine which will quickly refresh and hydrate the under-eye area. Plus, the pack of 30 means you can store them in the fridge for an extra cool treat in your next self-care moment, with a handy little spatula to help gently lift them from the pile.

　　Reviewers found these masks to be soothing and moisturising, with most finding they had instant results. The only real complaint is that they can be a bit slimy, which risks them slowly moving down your face during wear. But thats only more reason to lie down and relax we say.

　　Pros ConsProsInstant resultsThey feel soothing and cooling - and the ability to store them in the fridge only makes for an extra refreshing treatGreat value for money - 30 in a pack!ConsCan be a bit slimy so they may move from the eye area during wear2. Garnier Moisture Bomb Eye Sheet Mask 

　　Best on a budget

　　Boots/ GarnierPrice:2.33 (was £3.49)www.boots.com

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　　This pair of under-eye masks from Garnier are an absolute bargain at under £2.50. Suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin, each patch is enriched with hyaluronic acid and orange juice to refresh and brighten the under-eye area. They help to plump the skin with moisture to reduce the appearance of fine lines and for that extra cool feeling, simply pop in the fridge before use. We also love that the sheet masks are cruelty-free and compostable, making them kind to both you and the planet.

　　Most reviewers were seriously impressed by how this eye mask brightened their under-eye, especially considering the price. They felt their skin felt lovely and soft after wear and while the size of the mask was good for some, for others it was a bit on the large side.

　　Pros ConsProsEco-friendly - the mask is cruelty-free and biodegradableBrightening results for mostLeaves skin feeling soft and smoothConsSome found them to be a bit big, and a bit too 'wet', for their liking3. Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches

　　Best for effective ingredients

　　LookFantastic/ Peter Thomas RothPrice:53www.lookfantastic.com

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　　The Peter Thomas Roth eye masks may be pricey, but they are famed for instantly softening the look of fine lines and dark circles. With a cocktail of hardworking ingredients (from caffeine to collagen and marshmallow root extract) the ultra-hydrating patches lock in hydration and moisture to elevate your daily routine. Much like the Pixi DetoxifEYE set, you get a whopping 30 pairs to last and it comes equipped with a spatula to lift and separate each from the pot without any going to waste. Though, as reviewers found, its definitely worth being careful as the masks are quite fragile.

　　They also thought these masks in particular were fab for giving an instant wake-up, which made them ideal to use before events or after long flights. The only real concern was that they were drier than expected with less serum left in the pot, but this hasnt seemed to hold back on their results.

　　Pros ConsProsPacked with hydrating and depuffing ingredientsInstant resultsGood value for money - you get 30 in a packConsA bit drier than expected for some reviewers4. Dieux Skin Forever Eye Masks

　　Best reusable under-eye mask

　　Cult Beauty/ DieuxPrice:22www.cultbeauty.co.uk

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　　If youre after an under-eye mask that doesnt rely on single-use products or plastics, the Dieux Skin Forever Eye Masks are your absolute go-tos. Sure, they dont have all the lovely ingredients that actually get to business, but using these silicone pads, you can apply and lock in your own gels and serums - something reviewers raved about. They found the eye masks stuck in place without shifting, were comfortable to wear and with the addition of product, helped to smooth and de-puff. Theyre easy to clean after use, and you can store them in the tin in the fridge, though you will need to ensure youre picking serums with the right ingredients to really maximise the effects.

　　Pros ConsProsReusable - so the most sustainable optionEasy to clean after useStay in place without sliding offConsYou will need to invest in serums/ creams alongside this to really achieve similar results to single-use options5. STARSKIN The Gold Eye Mask

　　LookFantastic/ STARSKINPrice:5.20 (was £6.50)www.lookfantastic.com

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　　Combatting anti-ageing signs such as puffiness, crow’s feet and fatigue, STARSKIN eye masks are pretty legendary at transforming tired eyes. They also promise a flawless make-up application, making them the perfect accompaniment for your next night out.

　　6. Revolution Skincare Gold Eye Hydrogel Hydrating Eye Patches

　　LookFantastic/ RevolutionPrice:10.50 (was £15)www.lookfantastic.com

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　　We can always count on Revolution for great formulas and purse-friendly price points. Containing 60 hydrating eye patches, they are infused with glycerin, allantoin, algae extract, and hyaluronic acid - which all help to eradicate puffy under-eye circles.

　　7. Patchology Eye Revive FlashPatch Rejuvenating Eye Gels

　　Space NK/ PatchologyPrice:14www.spacenk.com

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　　When it comes to smoothing out your under-eyes, Patchology has got you covered. A mix of hydrolysed collagen and caffeine, the brand says this will help the skin around your eyes look brighter and more radiant. For the best results, Patchology recommended using these before applying make-up or going to bed.

　　8. Nip+Fab Hyaluronic Fix Extreme4 Hydration Jelly Eye Patches

　　Boots/ Nip+FabPrice:15.96 (was £19.95)www.boots.com

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　　Next up are NIP+FABs Cooling Jelly Eye Patches. They are designed to soothe and depuff your under eyes and contain hyaluronic acid, tremella, and polyglutamic acid, which all work together to leave your eyes looking more awake. Did we mention, they are also vegan and cruelty-free?

　　9. Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks

　　Best premium under-eye masks

　　LookFantastic/ ElemisPrice:46.40 (was £58)www.lookfantastic.com

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　　If youre passionate about beauty, youll be no stranger to Elemis and the popular pro-collagen cleansing balm. Harnessing the same powerful hydration, these Elemis Eye Masks intensely moisturise the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines.

　　10. Florence By Mills Swimming Under The Eyes Gel Pads

　　Boots/ Florence By MillsPrice:34www.boots.com

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　　For quickly reducing dark circles, why not try Florence By Mills playful eye gel patches? With their fun whale design, they are enriched in coconut extract, sodium hyaluronate and pine extract which when combined all together help re-energise and de-puff your under-eyes.

　　11. BeautyPro Eye Therapy Under Eye Mask

　　LookFantastic/ BeautyProPrice:4.80 (was £6)www.lookfantastic.com

　　View offer How often should you use under-eye masks? It’s recommended to use under-eye patches two to three times a week for the best results, but ultimately you should follow what is recommended on the packet.

　　How to incorporate under-eye masks into your skincare routine? The great news is that you can use under-eye patches any time of the day to give your under-eye that extra pep.

　　Most people use under-eye patches in the morning – perfect for giving you that extra little wake-up. If you want to incorporate them into your morning routine, you should apply them after cleansing your skin but before you apply any other skincare products.

　　If you’d prefer to use them in the evening as a wind-down ritual, you should again apply after you’ve cleansed your skin and removed all your make-up, but before you apply any nighttime skincare products.

　　You can find some that are designed to be worn overnight to allow the ingredients sink in. However, you should only do this with those under-eye patches and masks that are designed specifically for that purpose – using regular under-eye masks overnight may instead dry out and irritate your skin.

　　What’s the cause of eye bags? One of the most common reasons people try out under-eye patches is to reduce the appearance of eye bags. Believe us, weve all been there.

　　Eye bags can result from many factors which include:

　　• Fatigue and poor sleep

　　• Allergies and sinus problems

　　• Smoking and drinking alcohol

　　• Ageing

　　• Too much sun exposure

　　• Genetically inherited

　　Making lifestyle changes where possible will ultimately help to combat the appearance of dark circles and puffiness in the long term. Whether thats getting more sleep (and not getting sucked into your FYP), reducing the consumption of alcohol, wearing SPF, and drinking more water.

　　That being said, under-eye patches are fab for reducing the appearance of dark circles in the short-term, alongside using cold compression such as a cooling eye mask to help reduce puffiness.

　　Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes Garden Product Editor at Bauer Media, specialising in home décor, furnishings and appliances. In her spare time, Ellie enjoys going to gigs in London, reading a good thriller and finding homeware inspiration online.