If you find yourself lying awake in bed at night, you’re not alone. According to the National Sleep Foundation, about one-third of adults struggle with a chronic sleep disorder.
One of the most common problems is trouble sleeping — and there is a wonder drug on the market that could make your life a lot easier: a sleep mask.
Sleep masks help block out any light that can interrupt your natural sleeping process, which can have an incredible effect on your overall quality of life. There are plenty of really great brands and styles on the market, so it can be hard to know where to start.
Do Sleep Masks Really Work?
Yes, sleep masks can work wonders for people struggling to get a good night’s sleep.
When you are expecting to sleep, your brain releases melatonin. Melatonin is what helps you to fall asleep fast, and it usually remains elevated for an hour or so after you’ve fallen asleep. This is great.
However, melatonin production is inhibited by light entering your eyes. So if the light coming through your curtains or blinds gets in your eyes at night, melatonin levels stay low and it’s hard for you to enter deep sleep.
This is where a sleep mask comes in handy. It helps block out light, keeping melatonin elevated and helping you get some shut-eye fast.
Eye Mask Reviews
I’ve put together a list of my top five sleep masks, including the best ones at both high and low prices. I tried to include a range of price options to help you find the perfect fit. To help you decide which one is right for you, here are some great things to note about these products:
Bedtime Bliss Sleep Mask
Bedtime Bliss makes high-quality contoured sleep masks made with fabric that has been certified hypoallergenic, so it’s safe for everyone. They come with cotton and silk liners that are removable and washable.
These eye masks are extremely good at blocking artificial light, and let you relax in total darkness for best sleep. These eye masks are super soft, so you never have to worry about being irritated when you wear them throughout the night.
This is a low-cost option with great reviews. It’s comfortable, lightweight, and features an adjustable strap.
The Dream Essentials Sweet Dream Contoured
The Dream Essentials contoured masks is another excellent choice since it comes in so many colours and designs to fit anyone’s unique sense of style. Like the others I’ve mentioned, it has a removable, washable silk eye pad, so you can always make sure you have fresh pads on hand if your favourite one gets dirty or starts to feel used. The eye mask is also very comfortable, so it won’t irritate your face as you get some beauty sleep. Also, unlike some other masks we’ve reviewed, because of its contoured nature, the mask can sit comfortably over the nose bridge.
All in all, this is a great choice for anyone who wants a sleep eye mask that will keep them comfortable night after night.
The Original Drowsy Sleep
The Original Drowsy has been one of the most popular eye masks on the market for years because of its comfort level. It comes in several different colour options, including black, pink, white and brown, so you can find one that matches your taste perfectly.
The mask itself fits snugly over your eyes to eliminate light distractions while you get a good night’s rest. Still, it also includes two removable silk eye covers that are completely washable in case they get dirty during the night.
Panda Bamboo
The Sleepy Panda sleep eye mask is another really great choice for people buying the perfect sleep aids for better sleep. It’s padded with a soft material, so you won’t have to worry about it being uncomfortable at all. It also comes with an extra pair of eye pads that can be removed or replaced if they get dirty at any point, so you never have to worry about any buildup. It is not machine washable, and is wipe clean only.
Panda is also one of the most affordable of my top picks. In fact, I was very surprised by its low price tag since it’s quite sophisticated looking. A lot of people have been using this product for years now and continue to recommend it as one of their favourite options for eye masks.
Sleep Master Deluxe
The Sleep Master Deluxe is so comfortable that it can be worn throughout the day, but it’s also designed to block out unwanted light whenever you sleep. Unlike others here, it’s made of satin, which is one of the best types of fabric to use when it comes to light-blocking properties. In fact, this product was voted the Number #1 Sleep mask in the USA in 2016 & best rated in UK 2018
You can also remove or replace the eye covers if they become dirty or uncomfortable, so there are no pressures involved when you are trying to rest. If you want to make sure you never miss another morning alarm because of light pollution, this sleep eye mask and earplugs are a game-changer and definitely the way to go.
Slip Silk
The Slip Silk sleep mask is designed to be comfortable and breathable throughout the night, which is why it’s made from 100% pure silk. It feels super soft and flannel-like against your skin, and it won’t stick to your hair if you wear it during the day. It even comes with a removable flannel liner that can be washed if any dust or bacteria collects on it as you use this sleep mask.
The mulberry silk is less absorbent and unobtrusive than other materials, meaning makeup and false eyelashes can stay in place if you don’t have time to attend to your tired eyes before going to bed. The elastic strap is also not too tight, just perfect enough to fit men and women, even people with lots of bushy or long hair.
FitGlam Natural Silk
Sleepglam makes sleep masks that are perfect for those who want to minimize light exposure during the night. Their eye masks are made of 100% mulberry silk, so they’re very breathable and less absorbent, so you won’t feel any light leaking through them during the night.
The eye mask itself is also very soft, placing only very gentle pressure when worn, it won’t irritate your eyes or face if you’re sensitive to anything placed around your eyes. It also comes with an adjustable strap for the perfect fit and customization.
How To Use a Sleep Mask
Once you have a sleep mask, you need to make sure you use it properly to get the best results. Here’s how I do it:
Set up your sleep environment
make sure there are no lights in the room you sleep in that could disrupt your sleep patterns. This includes turning off any night lights or external light sources that could cause problems for you. Consider using blackout curtains if you don’t have some already. Complete darkness is always preferred for a better night’s sleep.
Adjust your sleep mask
you should have a sleep mask that fits around your eyes comfortably, but doesn’t move around during the night. If it does, then there is a chance that light will enter your eyes and keep you from falling asleep.
Set the time
you need to have a consistent bedtime ritual you can stick to, just like with any other aspect of life. You need to be able to doze off as soon as your head hits the pillow and stay asleep as long as possible.
Make it part of your routine
you need to make sure that you sleep with your mask on every night. The more you do this, the easier it will be for you to fall asleep fast. So keep at it!
What Is The Best Material For a Sleep Mask?
Why use cotton eye masks?
The material that most sleep masks are made of is usually cotton. This is because it genuinely works the best to block light due to its highly absorbent nature. Cotton also has the benefit of being a very breathable fabric, meaning that your eyes won’t be too warm or uncomfortable throughout the night.
Some other materials that are sometimes used for sleep masks include polyester and silk fabric, but these aren’t as good at blocking out all the light as cotton. That said, there are some quality sleep masks made from these materials on the market if you prefer them over cotton.
Pure silk sleep mask
The silk eye mask is a great choice if you want something that is super soft against your skin for those sleepless nights. Pure silk is also an expensive material, so in general, these masks are more expensive than cotton ones. However, if cost isn’t much of an issue for you, then this may be an appealing option. A natural silk sleep mask feels very luxurious and is soft on sore and puffy eyes.
Polyester sleep mask
Polyester eye masks are designed to be really soft against your eyes; many people find them very comfortable to wear. You’ll find that the bigger brands usually use polyester for their high-end models, but there are lots of budget models out there that still use polyester fabric.
Latex sleep mask
Latex is a material that you might have heard of before if you’re vegan or allergic to animal products. Many people are allergic to latex, so if you are, it’s not something that I’d recommend. Latex masks are usually less expensive than cotton masks, but they are more likely to have an unpleasant odor. So if you have a latex allergy, be sure to only buy hypoallergenic products.
Cotton sleep mask with attached ear muffs
If you want the added protection of ear muffs along with your eye mask, then this might be the best option for you. You can find these models at a variety of price points, from really cheap to quite expensive. I’ve found the best value options are simple, boring designs made from very cheap materials. So choose a model that fits your needs and your budget!
Price
Some of these sleeping masks are cheap, while others are more expensive. If you want something cheap, stick to the budget models, but remember that quality suffers when you go for really cheap products. If you can afford it, get something of good quality; you won’t regret it!
Design
The designs on these sleep masks range from very simple to more colourful and fancy. The simpler models tend to be the best value for money, but if you have a favourite colour or a really cool design in mind, then I encourage you to buy that one!
The Final Word
There’s no doubt that a sleep mask can improve slumber and help you achieve a deeper sleep. However, there is no such thing as a perfect mask for all people and all situations. Some people may want to wear a bright and flashy mask, while others might want to wear something that blends in with their bedroom decor. Some people may even prefer to use earplugs at night, while others use eye masks and earplugs together. If you’re looking for the best sleep masks on the market today, you must know your specific needs before buying one. Hopefully, this little guide will help you find the right one for your needs.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends so they can sleep better too. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, so you never miss a thing!
Kevin Bridgford is a passionate sleep researcher and writer for SleepInfo.co.uk. He combines his academic background and personal interest to provide readers with evidence-based, practical advice on sleep health. In his free time, Kevin enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors.