If you’re having trouble sleeping, you’ve got to try one of these eye masks

If you’re having trouble sleeping, you’ve got to try one of these eye masks

11/18/2021

All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article

Getting a good night’s rest relies on a balance of hormones, comfort and darkness, which is exactly where an eye mask comes in handy. Here, Stylist looks into just how effective they are for sleeping and helps you select the best ones.

How are you sleeping right now? Like a baby, heading to bed early and racking up the hours? Or not at all: struggling to drift off and then struggling even more to stay asleep when you do? If the conversations I’ve been having with friends recently are anything to go by, when it comes to sleep, there just doesn’t appear to be a middle ground right now. 

According to the Sleep Foundation, most healthy adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night, however some (very impressive) individuals can run off a mere six hours. But for those of us who struggle to fall asleep, even the lower end of those estimates can feel pretty daunting. 

There are, of course, simple tactics you can use to help ease your way into sleep. You could use an essential oil-based bath or shower gel, like Elemental Herbology’s Lemongrass and Nutmeg Body Wash, £19 in the evening, or mist your pillow with a lavender-infused pillow spray. It makes sense — if we have set routines for our skin and hair, it’s only right that we create a sleep routine. And one step that many people praise for its ability to speed up the sleep process and simultaneously slow their body down is wearing an eye mask. 

Eye masks have long been thought to help with conditions from migraines to dry eyes. They can help people shut out the outside world and drift off. But are they really the helpful aid we need to improve our journey towards better sleep?

We spoke to sleep expert Anandi, also known as The Sleep Guru, to first uncover the reasons behind sleepless nights and then find out more about the benefits of wearing an eye mask. 

You may also like

How to sleep better: what the Stylist team does to wind down before bed

Why do some people find it hard to fall asleep?

“Your sleep is goverened by the light and dark cycles and if you respect those cycles, your body is able to get into a good rhythm.” says sleep expert, Anandi. “If your body is out of rhythm, you may be producing melatonin at the wrong time of day. Making sure you get plenty of daylight during the day is important, but make sure you cut down your light levels in the evening. Try and make sure the room is completely dark when you go to bed.”

What are the benefits of using eye masks for sleeping?

“The sleep hormones are light sensitive. It’s important to get out in day light as early in the morning as possible. In the evening, it’s important to make sure the lights are turned down so that the melatonin production is not inhibited,” explains Anandi. Light control and levels may seem like a dissmisable factor, but they play a huge part in our sleep pattern. “If there’s any light coming in through the curtains or any of the doors at night and you are a light sleeper, a sleep mask will help. If there’s no light, melatonin will be produced which is your sleep hormone,” she says. Masks block out the light when you’re having trouble doing so naturally.

Why is the light such an important factor when it comes to sleeping?

When we sleep, there’s a cycle our brains follow. According to Sleep.org, the first stage involves falling into a light sleep which takes around seven minutes. During this time, our brains send alpha waves, leaving us in a state where we’re calm, but not yet asleep. Stage two usually involves our brain waves slowing down and stages three and four involve our brains producing slower delta waves, where we go into a deep sleep. The final stage, REM (rapid eye movement) is where our brains become more active, playing a really crucial part in our learning and memory functions.

In a study conducted by the Sleep Foundation, they found that overall, the use of eye masks promoted better sleep and hormone balance through the effect they have on REM. The time the participants were in REM was longer, the time between the start of sleep (stage one) and the start of REM was shorter, they were less aroused and distracted and melatonin, the hormone responsible for light changes saw an increase.

 Who should use eye masks?

Anyone can wear an eye mask for sleeping, but, they’re particularly beneficial for those with certain sleep conditions. “If you’re an insomniac and you have issues, then an eye mask would be extremely helpful,” says Anandi. In addition to building up a sleep routine, the NHS also recommend to cut down on caffeine, exercising regularly and making your bed as comfortable as possible.

We know that eye masks can help us on our way to getting a more restful sleep quicker, but which masks help with what? Without going into a long rigmarole about the shapes, sizes and materials, we’ve curated a list of masks that are suited to particular needs.

You may also like

The best home fragrances: how to make your home smell amazing

These are the best eye masks for sleeping:

  • My Doris velvet eye mask

    The Drop: My Doris Velvet Eyemask

    You’ve got the luxe pyjamas, the silk pillowcase and weighted blanket – now My Doris’s embellished velvet eye masks are here to complete your bedtime set-up of dreams. 

    Available in three elegant colours – slate grey, midnight blue and magenta – each double-sided velvet mask features a beaded motif to elevate your slumber even more.

    Shop My Doris velvet eye mask at The Drop, £24

    buy now

  • Smug contoured 3D blackout sleep mask

    For those who are particularly precious about their eyelashes, Smug’s eye mask is sculpted to leave enough space in the eye area for movement. A friction-free option, these masks are available in five different designs, with bundles featuring memory foam earplugs.

    Shop Smug Contoured 3D Blackout Sleep Mask at Sleep Smug, £12

    buy now

  • Slip silk mask

    Made from the highest grade silk, each part of Slip’s masks are made of the material. From the filler, to the internal liner and the elastic band. 

    Shop Slip silk mask at Look Fantastic, £50

    buy now

  • Spacemasks

    Whether you deal with headaches or eye strain, Spacemasks eye masks are activated by air to retain moisture and provide a gentle heating effect. Scented with a soothing jasmine aroma, the foil masks are made for optimum relaxation. While they are disposable, they’re also fully recyclable.

    Shop Spacemasks at Cult Beauty, £15 for 5

    buy now

  • The White Company silk diamond-print piped eye mask

    The White Company silk diamond-print piped eye mask

    Nothing says dozing off in style like The White Company’s diamond-adorned navy eye mask. If you’re looking to dip a toe into celestial-inspired clothing, consider this your first stop. 

    Shop silk diamond-print piped eye mask at The White Company, £25

    buy now

  • Kitsch adjustable satin eye mask

    Kitsch eye mask in blush

    If you find that eye masks don’t really fit your face properly, this is the mask for you. It has clever adjustable straps for the ultimate black-out shield and ultra comfort.

    Shop Kitsch adjustable satin eye mask at Cult Beauty, £12.50

    buy now

  • Iluminage Skin rejuvenating eye mask with anti-aging copper technology

    Illuminage Skin Sleep Mask

    If you’re worried wearing an eye mask all night might break you out, this is the one for you. The silky fabric is enriched with copper extracts, that have clinically proven skincare benefits such as encouraging firmness, reducing fine lines, encouraging the renewal of skin cells and hydrating the skin from within. Fancy…

    Shop Iluminage Skin rejuvenating eye mask with anti-aging copper technology at Lookfantastic, £40

    Buy now

  • Tempur sleep mask

    TEMPUR sleep mask

    This is a great sleep mask for anyone who struggles to feel comfortable when wearing an eye mask. It’s filled with padded TEMPUR® patented material which moulds softly to your face for total darkness. 

    Shop sleep mask at Tempure, £30

    Buy now

  • Drowsy Tuscan Kiss silk sleep mask

    Drowsy silk sleep mask

    Picture an eye mask that feels like a literal hug and your first port of call should be Drowsy’s mask. Its thick adjustable, silk padded straps make getting to sleep all the more comfortable. 

    Shop Tuscan Kiss silk sleep mask at Drowsy, £59.95buy now

  • David Watson luxury eye mask

    The Drop: David Watson Luxury Eye Masks

    David Watson is all about celebrating artists’ visions with all of their products lovingly made in Britain. The fabrics are printed in Brighton and Worcestershire then hand-finished across the country. And their satin eye sleep mask is the perfect gift for this winter. Better still, choose from a selection of five patterns, including strawberry thief, blue sky, spotty, willow bough and ink. 

    Shop David Watson luxury eye mask at The Drop, £28

    buy now

Images: Getty and courtesy of brands

Source: Read Full Article