Have you ever had one of those nights where you toss and turn in bed, and nothing seems to help? Are you constantly struggling to get a full night's rest during the workweek? You may find sleeping hard on trains and planes with ambient light on. No matter what's obstructing your sleep, know we've all been there. Over 50 to 70 million Americans struggle with chronic sleep disorders. If you aren't getting enough sleep, it can impact your mood, anxiety levels, and self-esteem. That's where silk eye masks become an invaluable nighttime necessity.
It may surprise you to know that there are many benefits of sleeping with an eye mask on at night. An eye mask is a light cover you put over your eyes when you sleep to block out light and help improve your sleep patterns, no matter where you are. The best part? It can also enhance your beauty sleep.
In this article, we'll look at how eye masks work and the benefits of sleeping with an eye mask at night.
Here's everything you need to know:
Do Sleep Eye Masks Work? What the Data Says
Think of your sleep eye mask as a blackout curtain for your eyes. You can easily slip it on at night to stimulate darkness and increase your REM sleep cycle. Countless studies show that sleep eye masks can increase your total sleep time and prolong your sleep time.
The data doesn't lie. If you’re wearing an eye mask for sleeping benefits, there can be long-lasting effects you can look forward to. There are many different types of sleep masks. Some of the most popular include silk, weighted, and heated. When exploring the benefits of sleeping with an eye mask, you'll want to consider the different advantages of each to find one that suits your needs.
How Wearing a Silk Eye Mask Helps With Your Skin
If you’re wearing an eye mask for sleeping benefits, it may surprise you that your skin will benefit, too. One of the most popular materials for an eye mask is silk. Manufacturers make silk eye masks with this luxurious material to improve your sleep patterns and help you maintain a youthful complexion. Wearing a silk eye mask to bed regularly can have long-lasting benefits.
Here's what you can look forward to:
Eye Masks Help with Acne
Are you tired of waking up to find a few new pimples or blemishes? A silk mask works as a protective barrier, protecting your skin from the oils and bacteria that gather on your pillowcase. Cotton is the main component of most pillowcases, and it can transfer oils and bacteria to your face, leading to clogged pores and unwanted breakouts.
Silk has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that repel moisture and prevent bacteria from growing, which can help you wake up with a cleansed, clear complexion every morning. If you're struggling with constant acne breakouts, consider switching out your pillowcase for a silk pillowcase instead.
…and Wrinkles
The skin under your eyes is delicate and fragile, which means it's more susceptible to signs of aging. The silk fibers of the silk mask can help reduce moisture loss during the night, which in turn, will help keep your skin plump and supple, eliminating crow's feet, fine lines, and wrinkles.
…and Under Eye Circles
There's nothing worse than waking up to a puffy face. Silk masks can also help depuff the face and eliminate dark under-eye circles. The material will help keep the skin around your eyes moist throughout the night, helping you achieve a more energized appearance when you wake up.
10 Other Benefits of Wearing an Eye Mask to Sleep
Eye masks help you sleep, but there are also other positives. Eye masks have long-lasting benefits for your skin, sleep patterns, and mental health. Simply keeping one on your nightstand can provide any of the following benefits:
Improve Efficiency of Your Favorite Eye Cream
Eye creams help hydrate the skin, reduce dark circles, and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. Wearing an eye mask to sleep after you apply your favorite eye cream before bed can help with product absorption and improve the effectiveness of the ingredients in the formula.
Our best-selling eye product, The Eye Cream, features a quick-absorbing formula with vitamin C, niacinamide, and vitamin B5. When paired with a silk eye mask, you can maximize the efficiency of the high-quality ingredients and experience long-lasting results. During our 12-week user trials, 99% agreed that use improved the overall appearance of the eye area, and 99% agreed that it made tired eyes appear refreshed, radiant, and well-rested.
Improve Sleep While Traveling
Do you struggle to sleep on planes? With an eye mask, you can block out the ambient light and help your body feel more relaxed while in flight. Most sleep masks are also portable and easy to carry with you on the go.
Increase REM Sleep
REM stands for rapid eye movement. Most individuals need at least 90 minutes of REM sleep every night to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. However, if you're tossing and turning throughout the night or struggling with getting eight hours of sleep, you may get less REM sleep than you think. With an eye mask, you can eliminate distractions that keep you up at night and help your body fall asleep quicker, inevitably increasing how much REM sleep you get over time.
Minimize Distractions
Whether the TV or the lights are on, or your partner is still awake reading a book in bed, these tiny distractions can impact your sleep quality. With a sleep mask, you can minimize distractions and focus on falling asleep faster.
Reduce Dry Eyes
There are many reasons why you may wake up with dry eyes. Whether it's a change in hormones, medication, or too much screen time, a heated eye mask can stimulate oil production at night to reduce dryness and irritation.
Help You Fall Asleep Faster
There's nothing worse than not being able to fall asleep at a decent hour. Whether stressed with work or having a lot on your mind, a sleep mask can help your mind and body relax after a long day. The mask can help you fall asleep quicker or give you time to focus on mindfulness and meditation.
Improve Your Naps
Need to take a quick nap after work but struggling to create a relaxing environment in the middle of the day? An eye mask can help reduce distractions and help you fall asleep quicker. This is a great way to take a quick 20-minute nap and rejuvenate after a long day.
May Help Reduce Inflammation
Struggling with eczema or psoriasis? With an eye mask, you can minimize friction caused by the pillow when tossing and turning at night, keeping inflammation at bay and improving the visual appearance of your skin.
Promotes Relaxation
The darkness created by an eye mask can help your body promote more melatonin, improve your sleep patterns, and feel more relaxed.
Natural Mood Booster
Eye masks can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. They're also an easy way to promote mindfulness. In the morning, you'll feel relaxed and energized, ready to take on the day.
Alternatives to Sleep Masks
If you don't want to sleep with an eye mask every night, other alternatives can enhance your sleep patterns and protect your skin during the night:
● Invest in Blackout Curtains: Great for improving sleep patterns and minimizing distractions. However, they can be expensive.
● Silk Pillowcase: Causes less friction than a traditional pillowcase. This makes them perfect for minimizing wrinkles, reducing hair breakage, and helping your skin retain moisture during the night.
● Lifestyle Changes: Ensuring you're minimizing screen time, working out regularly, and avoiding excessive drinking can help depuff your skin and improve your sleep patterns.
● Herbal Treatments: Melatonin and other natural herbs and supplements can help you fall asleep quicker. You'll want to be mindful of your intake and avoid growing reliant.