When it comes to eye trends, there is one universal truth. The sore, tired look will never be en vogue.
We’re spending more and more of our days staring at one screen or another, be it our handsets on the commute into the office, a desktop computer during the 9 to 5, or a flatscreen as we unwind in front of the box in the evening.
According to a 2022 Uswitch report, the average adult in the UK spends five hours a day looking at a black mirror of some description - and that’s in addition to any screen-related work. It sounds like a lot - and it is - with your eyes bearing the brunt of the exposure.
Staring at screens for long periods rapidly slows your blink rate, putting the ocular surface at risk of drying out. Finishing your day by rubbing your eyes is the body’s attempt to stimulate the tear ducts into making more eye lubrication to give your peepers much-needed hydration. Contact lens wearers are at higher risk of developing dry eyes, but it can happen to anyone and tends to get more common with age (another thing to look forward to).
Eye drops can help hydrate stressed eyeballs, but there’s another tool that can help too: a heated eye mask.
What are the benefits of a heated eye mask?
Experts agree that using a warm compress up to twice a day can help to clear debris from the eyes and encourage the eye's oil-producing glands to open and lubricate the eye's delicate surface naturally.
You may not think it, but if you’re stressed, you can carry a lot of tension in your jaw. Finding 10 minutes to rest under a heated eye mask can help relax your facial muscles and ease migraines and headaches.
How often should you wear a heated eye mask?
If your eyes are feeling tired all day try wearing a heated mask for ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes before lights out to give them a little R&R.
Also, get into the habit of looking away from screens every so often when you’re at work and picking up a book instead of scrolling on your phone in your downtime to give your eyes a break.
If you’re looking to soothe tired and dry eyes, we’ve rounded up the best heated eye masks to check out now.
Shop the selection below
Optase Moist Heat Mask
Made specifically to battle conditions like Dry Eye, Blepharitis, MGD, Chalazion and Styes, Optase’s mask offers fast relief and can be reused time and again to soothe stressed eyes. The mask is filled with HydroBeads which draws in moisture from the air and releases a constant heat.
When needed, simply warm in the microwave on full power for 25 seconds and leave for a minute to cool slightly before laying it over your closed eyes. When it’s time for a clean, handwash with cold water and leave to air dry for at least 24 hours. One mask should be used per person - in this case, sharing is not caring.
Buy now £10.99, Boots
Therabody Smart Goggles Eye Mask & Eye Massager
For every rudimentary product, there is a younger, smarter counterpart. And so it is with heated eye masks, where, on one end of the scale are sticky self-heating versions and on the other is this souped-up stunner from Therabody.
The ‘Smart Goggles’ are like taking your eyes on a minibreak to Champneys, with vibration and massaging (yep, really) features in the mix alongside heat. It can even be paired with the Therabody app via Bluetooth to heighten your eyes’ rest time.
The foldable design comes with a soft case to keep it clean from dust and safe while travelling and is charged via USB-C making it an ideal travel companion.
Buy now £175.00, John Lewis
TensCare Oko Eye Massager with Air Pressure Vibration & Hot Compress
It's giving Robocop on a ski holiday, but if you're experiencing headaches as well as drained eyes, TensCare's eye massager is worth a punt.
The folding gadget offers relief to acupressure points with a healing cocktail of air pressure, vibration, and hot compress technology. Want to relax to the sound of your playlist? Enable Bluetooth to take your new self-care ritual to the next level.
Buy now £99.00, QVC
Aroma Season Cordless Heated Eye Mask
This electric heat mask offers two heating modes so you can adjust to the right level.
The cord-free design is useful for wearing on the sofa or in the car when there isn’t ready access to a mains power point. The ergonomic mask fits snugly around the eyes, completely blocking out light so that you can give your eyes the rest they deserve.
Made with a cotton casing and polyester filling, it’s so comfortable you might well doze off underneath it.
Buy now £32.99, Amazon
Silk Heated Eye Mask
When it hurts to keep your eyes open, find quick help with this self-heating mask that comes with a remote to tweak temperature (40°C to 55°C) as well as a timer function to turn it off in case the intended 10 minutes rest turns into a full-on nap. It fits securely thanks to the elasticated strap and will block out light so you can use it as a sleeping mask too.
Buy now £25.88, Amazon
Spacemasks Eye Mask Pack
Perfect for flights or stashing in your bag to use on your lunch break, Spacemask’s warm compress offers gentle relief for screen-strained eyes. The pack contains five jasmine-scented eye masks which will warm up once opened and last for 15 minutes. As well as aiding tear production, the masks aim to ease puffiness and dark circles around the delicate eye area.
Also available at Cult Beauty.
Buy now £16.50, Oliver Bonas
BeautyPro Warming Eye Mask (Pack of 5)
Scented with notes of calming chamomile, these self-warming eye mask offers gentle yet effective relief to sore eyes. Pop one on while you’re soaking in the tub or take onto a flight to shield your eyes from the cabin’s famously drying air.
Buy now £11.95, Lookfantastic
BeMyLady 16Pcs Heated Eye Mask for Dry Eyes
For those who don't want to force another gadget into their bag when they're going away, this box of 16 self-heating eye masks could be the answer. The compresses automatically get up to temperature thanks to the activated charcoal that lies within, with hydrated minerals and salts working to maintain a warm temperature that should last up to 15 minutes.
Relieving dry eyes as well as dark circles, we won't board another long-haul flight without one.
Buy now £16.14, Amazon
The Eye Doctor Hot & Cold Eye Compress
Offering a two-pronged approach to dry eyes and conditions like blepharitis and chalazion (eyelid cysts), this bundle includes a heat mask and wipes to refresh zapped peepers. The reusable mask comes with a washable cover and can be used as a cooling option if stored in the fridge as well as a soothing one when blasted for a short period in the microwave.
Buy now £21.99, Boots
Verdict
It may not have the bells and whistles of the hi-tech models, but if it's a reliable heat mask you're after, Optase is the trusty winner. It's easy to use, won't require charging and offers a consistent heat to soothe and refresh dull peepers.
That said, if you like the idea of a gentle eye massage along with the heated element, Therabody has it in the bag with its Smart Goggles.
