9 Best Sleep Eye Masks To Block Out Light For A Better Night's Rest In 2021
Never count sheep again.
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Suffice to say, sleep doesn’t come easily these days. One in three Americans aren’t waking up feeling rested and rejuvenated, according to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention. The smallest things can impact the quality of our sleep, like total overstimulation (thanks all day, everyday screens), anxiety, and even street lights sneaking in from your window. Sounds like a recipe for a night of tossing, turning, and staring at the ceiling, if you ask me.
Luckily, there’s an easy way to help you get reacquainted with your natural sleep cycles: a sleep mask. It might take a few test runs to find an eye mask that best fits your sleep preferences and comfort levels, but once you do, you’ll bring it anywhere there’s even the slimmest chance for shut-eye.
Not only can you channel your inner Holly Golightly, but studies have shown a sleep mask can also improve the quality of your Zzz’s. “Pure and simple, eye masks will help block light to boost your natural melatonin production for a deeper, longer sleep,” says Julie Sacks, meditation teacher and founder of Vie Wellbeing.
The best sleep masks shut out distractions, adding a comfortable weighted blanket-esque pressure to your eyes, and are made of fabric that's gentle on delicate skin, like silk. And, as someone who suffers from migraines and eye strain, throwing a gel-filled eye mask in the freezer for a couple of hours before bedtime is my favorite way to wind down.
Below, check out the nine best sleep mask options that are as stylish as they are snooze-inducing. Say good morning to waking up on the right side of the bed.
Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
This product has more than 11,000 reviews on Amazon—happy reviewers (and sleepers!) swear by it for a good night's rest. For just $16, both sides of the mask are made with Mulberry silk that’s designed not to tug or crease your eyelashes or skin.
nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask
nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask
If you enjoy the feeling of being buried under a weighted blanket, this eye pillow is for you. Touted as a “Hug for your head”, the adjustable blackout design applies even pressure across your head to lull you to sleep.
Brownmed IMAK Eye Mask
Brownmed IMAK Eye Mask
It’s not easy to catch Zzz’s in the midst of a gnarly migraine, but this mask can help. Designed by an orthopedic surgeon to alleviate headaches, sinus pain and eyestrain, the massaging ergoBeads apply pressure to all the right places.
ban.do Soft Padded Mask With Adjustable Strap
ban.do Soft Padded Mask With Adjustable Strap
Sweet dreams, Sleeping Beauty. This silky sleep mask has an adjustable strap to block out the sunlight and a kitchy embroidered phrase to tell everyone else to kindly GTFO.
Half Asleep Ruffle Sleep Mask
Half Asleep Ruffle Sleep Mask
Latina-owned, female-founded sleepwear brand Half Asleep uses sustainably-sourced, naturally-dyed materials—and the result is so comfy. The cute ruffle and soft-as-a-cloud fabric ushers dreamers into the definition of quality REM sleep.
CALPAK Silk Travel Neck Pillow & Eye Mask Set
CALPAK Silk Travel Neck Pillow & Eye Mask Set
Forget those boring travel masks the airlines give you. On your next big trip, pack this silk eye mask and neck pillow set in your carry-on so you can fly—and pass out—in style.
NEWGO Cooling Eye Mask
This style is ideal for anyone who wants to add a bit more self-care to their routine with ease. Simply store this in the fridge or freezer and take it out when you’re ready to crawl into bed. You can also zap it in the microwave if you’re in the mood for a hot compress.
OSTRICH PILLOW Ostrichpillow Light
OSTRICH PILLOW Ostrichpillow Light
This isn’t your typical sleep mask: its unique around-the-head design allows it to double as a travel pillow, too. Try wearing it around your forehead to cover your eyes or underneath the chin for your coziest commute ever.
The thick band makes it a great option for side sleepers who want to block their periperhal vision, too.
SLIP Silk Contour Sleep Mask
SLIP Silk Contour Sleep Mask
One of the biggest complaints about sleep masks is that your eyes feel stuck shut. This contoured 100% mulberry silk style allows you to blink as much as you want without feeling the pressure from the mask, and it features an anti-crease band so you don't mess up your 'do as you rest. If a silk feel and anti-crease band isn't important to you, but you like the contoured shape, opt for this $13 alternative.
Maddy Zollo Rusbosin is a freelance writer living in sunny Orlando, Florida. She loves writing about all things beauty since it gives her the excuse to play with makeup all day – and scare her husband while she's testing out the latest face masks.
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