Whenever my life feels like it's veering into disarray, my first step toward recovery is applying eye patches in the morning. Cool to the touch, the refreshing texture of an under-eye patch makes me feel like I'm making up for lost sleep. But here's the thing about eye patches: They often feel more performative than functional. That is, unless you're using them correctly.

Ahead, we asked board-certified dermatologists Howard Sobel, MD, Asmi Berry, DO, and Nava Greenfield, MD, whether eye patches actually work, how to use them properly so you're not just getting a placebo effect, and how they compare to eye creams. Read on for more.

Meet the Experts

Howard Sobel, MD, is a clinical attending dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital and the founder of Sobel Skin Rx.

Asmi Berry, DO, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles.

Nava Greenfield, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.

Under-eye patches are small, contoured patches typically made from a gel or hydrogel material infused with serum, Sobel says. "Their unique crescent shape allows them to sit comfortably under the eye to address the delicate skin around the area."

They're designed to sit under the eyes and deliver targeted ingredients to treat under-eye skincare concerns: "Most people use them to hydrate the skin under the eye, improve fine lines, wrinkles, and crow's feet, and reduce and ," says Sobel. While not all eye patches contain the same ingredients, they generally offer temporary benefits that help awaken the under-eye area and create a more refreshed appearance. Adds Berry: "They create an occlusive barrier, helping ingredients like caffeine, , and peptides absorb more effectively and faster into the delicate eye area."