Why Sleep Masks are Beneficial at Bedtime

Think eye masks are only for the facial room at the spa? Think again! Eye masks are a wonderful way to enhance your sleep experience and even lengthen it. Also called sleep masks, eye masks worn at bedtime can help you fall asleep faster and improve the quality of your sleep by blocking out light and distractions. They can also help you sleep more deeply and enhance your sleep cycle. One study even found that wearing a sleep mask can increase the amount and quality of REM sleep you get.

Sleeping with an eye mask has several benefits:

Reduced eye irritation

Sleep masks can help relieve dry, irritated eyes that you might wake up with if you have a heater, air conditioner or air purifier running while you sleep. Sleep masks can also help reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.

Relaxation

The soft material and gentle pressure of a sleep mask can have a calming effect and help you feel soothed.

Reduced inflammation

If you have eczema or psoriasis, a sleep mask can help minimize friction from your pillow and keep inflammation down.

Improved mood

Better sleep can improve your mood, and waking up feeling refreshed can help you take on the day.

Other benefits

Sleep masks can also help you take naps, overcome jetlag, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines around your eyes.

How often you should use an overnight sleep mask depends on your preferences. Some can be used nightly; others are best used once or twice per week. The sleep masks you use should have instructions on the label that tell you exactly how often they can be used.

The Rize Comfort Sleep Mask, for example, is okay for nightly use. It features a 100% blackout design so it's effective even in broad daylight. The Comfort Sleep Mask can be customized and adjusted to any face size or shape with the adjustable strap and eye pieces and has a lightweight design to reduce pressure on the eyes and face. It retails for $39.

A silk sleep mask is also okay for nightly use and bonus, has benefits for your hair and skin. Handcrafted from 100% Mulberry Silk, the Rize Silk Sleep Mask is naturally hypoallergenic, encourages anti-aging benefits for the skin, helps prevent signs of fatigue, and hydrates and reduces friction on your skin as you sleep. It retails for $35.

Finally, self-heating sleep masks are becoming more and more popular, but aren’t recommended for nightly use. Some manufacturers even offer masks infused with essential oils to promote relaxation and better rest. The Rize Disposable Heat Mask, for example, is available in lavender or chamomile and heats up after you remove it from the package in 30 seconds. Designed to promote relaxation anytime, anywhere, these masks, like other sleep masks, help reduce eye strain and fatigue. A box of five disposable masks retails for $19.

Sleep masks help you awake with a more refreshed feeling. Incorporating a sleep mask into your bedtime routine is a simple yet effective way to improve your sleep quality and recharge yourself for the next day. If you find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night, waking up frequently, or struggling with light disturbances, a sleep mask may be just what you need to effectively call it a night!