Anyone who’s ever tried to fall asleep in a room where too much light is coming through knows that complete darkness can be key to getting a good night’s rest.
If you’re tossing and turning, then you may be looking for any way to get some solid sleep. Thankfully, that doesn’t have to mean investing in expensive blackout curtains or taking medication.
A quality eye mask can have many benefits, from better sleep quality to improved skin in the eye area when you wake up!
Surprising sleep mask benefits
Improve sleep quality
If you have problems sleeping at night, then would it be helpful to you to wear a sleep mask to bed? There seem to be many benefits of sleeping with an eye mask, and sleep quality is at the top of the list.
“Sleep masks can help you improve your sleep quality by keeping things dark and cozy, which helps your body produce melatonin (the sleep hormone),” says Carlie Gasia, a certified sleep science coach at Sleepopolis.
These sleep masks improve sleep quality in a variety of ways, from falling asleep faster to staying asleep.
Combatting jet lag
That sleep quality improvement offered by wearing a silk eye mask even extends to helping to adjust to various time zones and avoiding jet lag while getting a night’s rest while traveling.
The eye mask can help you to “ease into new time zones when you’re traveling,” says Gasia, as well as maintain a routine, important when traveling.
“Putting on a sleep mask can become a part of a nice little bedtime ritual that tells your brain it’s time to wind down,” adds Gasia.
Block out light
Whether trying to sleep in a room where too much light is escaping the blinds or in a well-lit setting, blocking out light sources can be a big part of getting a good night’s (or day’s, as the case may be) sleep.
“Sleep masks can be an integral part of your sleep routine, helping regulate your body’s internal clock by blocking out any distracting light,” says Julia Forbes, a sleep product expert at Sleep Advisor.
These sleep mask benefits are especially helpful if you’re someone who may be sensitive to light. “They’re great for relaxing and can even ease migraine symptoms triggered by bright lights,” says Forbes.
Prevent wrinkles
We’re always looking for ways to preserve our skin’s youthful appearance and prevent wrinkles. This is true in everything from our skincare routine to adding items like silk pillowcases to our bedding collection.
An additional benefit of wearing a satin or silk eye mask is that it can naturally help prevent wrinkles.
“Fabrics like cotton can absorb skin’s natural oils and tend to be rougher on the skin,” explains Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology. “Using a cotton pillowcase without shielding your eyes with an eye mask can cause friction, tugging your skin as it dehydrates it, accelerating the formation and exacerbating the appearance of wrinkles.”
Because silk is gentle and glides over the skin while it helps to retain moisture, wearing that silk eye mask will help maintain smooth, soft, and nourished skin, says Yadav.
Helps your eye cream do its job
We invest in pricey lotions and potions in an attempt to keep our eye area hydrated and nourished. But a cotton pillowcase can easily rub that eye cream off as we sleep, removing the cream before it can even do its job.
“Silk does not absorb as much moisture as cotton does, which makes this fabric a better pick for an eye mask when wearing eye cream,” says Yadav. “It’ll allow more of the cream to sink in so it can deliver its full benefits.”
Protect eyelashes
Whether you’re hoping to strengthen your natural lashes or preserve those gorgeous lash extensions, a good sleep mask can help.
In addition to tugging on the skin, cotton pillowcases can tug on your hair, including your eyelashes, and this could have detrimental effects on both natural and artificial lashes.
“A silk eye mask will glide across your eyelashes rather than tug on them, keeping them in place longer—and if you rub your eyes while you sleep, an eye mask will also physically deter you from doing so,” says Yadav.
Reap the sleep mask benefits with these Saatva options
Silk Eye Mask
Drift into dreamland with our sleep-enhancing eye mask made of the finest quality mulberry silk. It keeps light out for more uninterrupted sleep—no matter where you are.
Reap the sleep mask benefits with these Saatva options
Weighted Silk Eye Mask
Drift into dreamland with our sleep-enhancing weighted eye mask made of the finest quality mulberry silk. It blocks out light for more restful sleep as it gives your eyes the calming, therapeutic effect of deep pressure stimulation.
FAQs
Is it good to wear a sleeping mask?
Sleep masks can be a fantastic tool for improving sleep quality. “They create a dark, cozy environment that helps your body produce melatonin, which is essential for good sleep,” says Gasia. “Whether you’re trying to fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, or adjust to a new time zone, sleep masks can really help make a difference.”
Can I use a sleeping mask every night?
Using a sleep mask every night can be a great habit to build. “It helps signal to your brain that it’s time to sleep by blocking out light, which is especially helpful if it’s bright where you sleep or if you’re sensitive to light,” notes Gasia. “As long as it’s comfortable for you, there’s no harm in using a sleep mask nightly.”
While you can certainly use an eye mask every night, it’s very important to make sure you’re washing it regularly. “A lot of people forget to wash their eye masks, but bacteria can build up on them just like they can on your sheets or clothing, which increases your risks of breakouts or infection,” says Yadav. “I’d recommend washing your eye mask at least once a week.”
Find the best sleep mask for you at Saatva
Saatva has two sleep masks that will rise to the occasion (but help you to avoid rising before you’re ready!). You’ll wake up looking and feeling refreshed in the morning by trying out our silk eye mask and our weighted silk eye mask.
Saava Silk Eye Mask
Our
Blocks out light for restful sleep while protecting the delicate skin around the eyes
is made from mulberry silk and is naturally hypoallergenic and breathable. It will help to regulate your temperature so you can have a more restful night’s sleep, and the soothing silk will protect your delicate eye area.
Saatva Weighted Silk Eye Mask
Weighted blankets get a lot of attention for their calming and sleep-enhancing properties, but the same can be said about our
Like a calming, sleep-enhancing weighted blanket for tired eyes
. Made of mulberry silk, this weighted eye mask helps you to get better sleep by blocking out light but also uses deep pressure stimulation for a calming, therapeutic effect.
