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You can eat all of the superfoods, drink an ocean's worth of water, and plank until your arms can lift couches without breaking a sweat. But if you're not sleeping well at night, other positive habits aren't going to mean much. The best sleep masks on the market can't put the stress of that morning meeting out of your mind — but they can go a long way toward creating a comfortable, soothing environment that helps you sleep more deeply and get a solid seven to eight hours of shut-eye.
Unlike hi-tech inventions that help you get a better night's rest, the concept behind your average sleep mask is simple. Sleep masks are designed to filter out as much light as possible — though some are better at blocking out all light, while others allow soft ambient light through. They shouldn't squeeze your eyes shut, nor should their straps cause so much discomfort that you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night to rip them off your face.
Today's modern sleep masks are contoured to suit your face, but are also soft and breathable. They can be made of silk, cotton, velvet, and even foam — choosing the material that you find most comfortable has never been easier. You'll even find a few sleep masks on this list that will surprise you — some feature aromatherapy or boast depuffing benefits.
Whether you just started having trouble sleeping or have been meaning to test out an eye mask for a while, there's a unique design on this list for everyone, below.
1
A Silk Eye Pillow With A Removable Lavender Aromatherapy Muslin Bag
Asutra Premium Lavender Eye Silk Pillow, $17, Amazon
Sleep on silk and benefit from the soothing scent of lavender (which can help calm you into a deep slumber) when you opt for this luxe eye pillow. In addition to blocking out light and softly framing your face without adding pressure to your eyes, you can customize this purple sleep mask: It comes with a flexible muslin bag that can be filled with lavender buds and flax seed (or whatever other aromatherapy scent you prefer) and placed underneath — or you can fill the eye pillow itself.
2
An Activated Charcoal Eye Mask To Help With Dry Eyes And Puffiness
Morihata Binchotan Activated Charcoal Eye Mask, $26, Amazon
It seems like there isn't a single beauty or wellness product that can't benefit from activated charcoal — including this Japanese charcoal-infused eye mask. The mask itself is lined with organic cotton, has an adjustable band, and does a great job of blocking out most light. And its binchotan charcoal can alleviate dryness in your eyes and even help reduce puffiness.
3
A Best-Selling Sleep Mask Made From Foam That Blocks Out All Light
Bucky 40 Blinks Eye Sleep Mask, $10, Amazon
This cult-favorite sleep mask is lighter than most and made from latex-free molded foam that contours perfectly to your face — it's so soft, you won't even smudge your eye makeup while taking a nap. You can snag this mask in more than 20 colors and designs, and reviewers rave about how this is one mask that really and truly blocks out all light — even ambient lighting.
4
A Velvet Mask With Aromatherapy Benefits
DreamTime Sweet Dreams Sleep Mask, $22, Amazon
If velvet sounds dreamy to you, this sleep mask will not disappoint. It has nose flaps that block out light and is infused with lavender to help soothe anxiety and promote more restful sleep. It comes in one size, which one reviewer describes as "bigger" and "sturdier" than past versions of the mask. Its lavender scent is "subtle, but nice," according to one reviewer — just be sure you're okay with aromatherapy because the fragrance lingers.
5
A Sleep Mask With Copper Ion Technology That Could Keep Your Skin Radiant
Sleep Fountain Anti Aging Sleep Mask, $27, Amazon
Crafted from natural mulberry silk, which is breathable and feels like heaven on skin, this sleep mask has been infused with copper ions that have been woven through the inner fabric. Here's what that could mean: softer, more radiant skin around your eyes (in less than four weeks, according to the manufacturer and several happy reviewers) and less puffy eyes. At the very least, you'll benefit from a mask that reviewers say is incredible at blocking out light and is as soft as a feather.
6
A Breathable Mulberry Silk Mask With A Strap That Won't Get Tangled In Your Hair
Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask, $9, Amazon
Some sleep masks use velcro straps that can get tangled in your hair, which gives you one extra thing to worry about in the morning. But this mask has a strap with a plastic adjuster that stays in place at the back of your head, making it an especially comfortable choice for side sleepers. The mask itself is made from breathable, hypoallergenic mulberry silk on the inside and outside, which is a relief for allergy sufferers. It can be adjusted from 15.8 to 27.6 inches to fit everyone in the family.
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