How to Buy a Sleep Mask

Forget those flimsy airline eye covers. Sleep masks have come a long way, and the market is filled with a myriad of options designed to help you fall asleep and maintain a good night’s rest. From luxurious silk masks to high-tech sleeping goggles, there’s a sleep mask for every need.

Sleep physician Lourdes DelRosso highlights the importance of quality sleep and how a simple intervention such as light-blocking masks can play a significant role. “Most research has been conducted in hospitals due to the noise and lights,” DelRosso says. “Providing sleep masks and earplugs to hospitalized patients has been studied and published, showing that patients experience deeper and more restful sleep. Just by covering their eyes, we can promote better production of melatonin and send better signals to our brain.”

Wearing sleep masks at night can also aid cognitive function, including memory, alertness, and episodic learning, according to a study from the Sleep Research Society.

And it’s not just the blackout effect of sleep masks that gives users a well-rested night. Sleep masks are a healthy sleep association, providing a relaxing and comforting experience that can help you wind down at night.

“We have touch receptors everywhere on our skin, including around the eyes,” certified sleep expert Annika Carroll says. “If we apply a little bit of light pressure there with this mask, it releases a hormone called oxytocin, often referred to as the love hormone. It promotes relaxation and comfort.”

Don’t know where to start when it comes to purchasing a sleep mask for your needs? We’re here to break down all the things you should consider.

For better sleep all around, check out our other sleep-related guides, including Best Sheets, Best Pillows, Best Mattresses, Best Cooling Mattresses, and Do You Need a Duvet?

• What Shape and Fit Should I Consider?
• Material Benefits
• Features to Look For
• When Should I Avoid Sleep Masks?
• How to Wash a Sleep Mask

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What Shape and Fit Should I Consider?

Sleep mask fits aren’t universal, Carroll says: “I find that there’s a bit of trial and error in finding a mask that fits your face shape. There are rounder faces, and there are slimmer, longer faces.” Be sure to try on a new sleep mask before giving it a whirl; the mask should press gently against your face without feeling too tight, and there should be no gaps between the mask and your skin, especially around the nose area. Additionally, several sleep mask characteristics may affect how well it fits on your face.

Flat sleep masks are the most traditional type you’ll see—they're a flat piece of fabric that covers the eyes with no contouring. These types are generally lighter and more compact, making them easy to travel with.

A common problem with traditional slip-on sleep masks is the bridge of the nose lifting the mask, allowing light to seep in and defeating the purpose of wearing it. Many sleep masks today are designed with a contoured nose or without fabric around the nose to prevent any light from penetrating.

Some eye masks are built like swim goggles: They feature two convex gaps that allow you to fully open and close your eyes beneath the mask without letting any light in. Eye cups are especially beneficial for people with sensitive eyes and for people who wear eyelash extensions.

Too loose, and the mask will fall off throughout the night. Too tight, and it could uncomfortably press against your eyes or snag your hair while you’re sleeping. Luckily, many sleep masks come with an adjustable strap so you can customize the fit.

When shopping for a sleep mask, examine the product to locate any clasps or adjustable closures. If you're a back sleeper, you might prefer this piece on the side of your head. Stomach sleepers may find a clasp at the back more comfortable. For those who change positions frequently, consider an unobtrusive adjustment and/or closure mechanism like slim Velcro, a magnetic closure, or a slide buckle.

When testing it out, lie in your preferred sleep position and move around a bit—if the mask feels restrictive or shifts when you do, you may need to adjust the tightness.

The material affects the thickness and the opacity of the sleep mask against light. You should also be cognizant of the materials that make up these sleep aids since they’ll be hugging your face all night long.

This fine material is all the rage in the beauty world as it has been clinically proven to be biocompatible with human skin, supporting hydration, improving skin elasticity, and increasing cellular regeneration (which reduces fine lines and wrinkles).

Cotton is the goldilocks of eye masks; it’s comfortable, easy to wash, durable, and breathable. Be mindful that cotton absorbs moisture, so this material may be best avoided if you use an eye cream at night.

Smooth and soft, satin is a great sleep mask material for those with sensitive skin. Due to the material's gentle texture, the friction against your hair or skin is less likely to cause irritation.

“There are studies that show that polyester masks help improve sleep quality and that there is a feeling of coolness or relaxation,” DelRosso says. Polyester is also typically more budget-friendly and is resistant to stretching and wrinkling over time, ensuring durability and longevity in use.

Today’s sleep masks are filled with enhancements that complement sleep patterns and preferences. If you’re looking to upgrade your simple sleep mask, here are some features to consider.

Aromatherapy sleep masks combine the benefits of light-blocking with the use of essential oils for therapeutic effects. Certain essential oils, such as lavender and chamomile, are known for their relaxing and stress-relieving properties, while others, like spearmint and eucalyptus, can help with headaches. Sleep masks are sometimes filled with flaxseed and rice infused with these essential oils, creating a weighted effect as well as providing aromatherapeutic benefits.

You’ve heard the buzz around weighted blankets and their benefits; the same concept applies to sleep masks. As we mentioned above, gentle pressure around the eyes is a physiological means for relaxation and stress relief. Weighted eye masks can also help relax facial muscles and reduce discomfort in sinus cavities.

“There is a device that treats insomnia by cooling the forehead. There may be some properties about [cooling masks] that have that feeling of cooling or that feeling or that sensation of calm. All those racing thoughts and sending the messages to the brain that this is gonna be one proposed mechanism,” DelRosso says. Some sleep masks are engineered to be cooled with refrigerable gel inserts, while others are made with breathable temperature-regulating fabric (like polyester) that releases heat.

Second to sight, sound plays a crucial role in a good night’s sleep—so much so that today, some high-tech sleep masks even come with speakers built into the areas near the ears. Through them, users can block out or mask outside noise, or listen to guided meditation, soft music, or white noise to relax.

Sleep masks are a simple way to help your sleep cycle, but there are a few circumstances in which one should not use a sleep mask.

“If someone has glaucoma, or has an eye infection, I would not trap air there,” Carroll says.

DelRosso adds that those with sleep apnea or other breathing disorders should consult with their doctor before using a sleep mask, as it may interfere with their condition or CPAP machine.

No matter how clean you think your face is when you rest your head on your pillow at night, sleep masks can accumulate dirt, oils, dust, and more allergens that could potentially lead to breakouts or infections.

Before wearing a sleep mask, be sure that your face is freshly cleansed to remove all makeup, dirt, oils, and buildup that may have accumulated on your skin throughout the day.

Here’s how to wash a sleep mask:

1. Review the manufacturer’s instructions. Different mask materials might require different cleaning methods, but this method should work for most materials.
2. Remove components. If the eye mask has any removable parts like eye cups, straps, or clasps, be sure to remove those before washing.
3. Hand wash. Submerge the mask in a bowl of lukewarm water and a mild detergent. Gently massage the mask with your fingers, paying special attention to any areas with stains or buildup.
4. Rinse. Run the mask under lukewarm running water to remove any remaining soap residue.
5. Air dry. Set the mask on a dry surface and let air dry.

When not in use, store your sleep mask in a secure location such as inside your nightstand or a dresser drawer. This way, the eye mask will be shielded from things like animal dander and dust that could potentially irritate your eyes at night.