sleep mask benefits

Pros and Cons of Eye Sleep Masks (Benefits, Dangers & Side Effects)

What are the pros and cons of eye masks? When it comes to staying in tip-top shape, quality sleep is just as important as having enough sleep. A lot of people swear by eye masks or sleeping masks when it comes to helping them achieve this much sought-after quality sleep. But what exactly are the benefits of sleeping with an eye mask? Will it really help you to sleep better or are eye masks bad for you? Are there any side effects or dangers of regular and weighted eye masks? 

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Pros and Cons of Eye Masks

Eye mask promotes quality sleep by blocking out light and other distractions. It helps to protect your eyes, keeps insomnia away and can even prevent wrinkles. You can get all these pros at no great cost and sleep masks and even weighted eye masks are almost completely risk-free. One of the side effects or con of the regular sleep mask is that it presses against your eyelashes and that’s bad for eyelash extensions or uncomfortable if you have long eyelashes. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix for that – 3D sleep masks.

If you don’t like the feel of something against your eyes or have eyelash extensions, then you’ll love the sleep masks by MZOO or Comfort+ Advanced Premium Eye Mask by Zenesse Health. These masks have 3D eye cavity cups so it’s airy inside. The Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask feels smooth and cool against your skin. Plus, it’s suitable even for people with sensitive skin and allergies. In fact, silk helps to prevent wrinkles and if you want to take care of your face as well as hair, an affordable 100% silk pillowcase is the way to go. 

NEWGOCooling Hot and Cold Therapy Eye Mask is perfect for headaches, stress relief, and puffy eyes. If you suffer from dry eyes, check out the best eye mask for dry eyes in 2024.

eye mask prevent wrinkles

Should You Wear an Eye Mask to Bed?

While some people might think that eye masks are just frivolous and consider them a fashion statement, there are a lot of benefits that come with wearing an eye mask to bed, benefits that you should be taking advantage of.

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 33 percent of American adults aren’t getting the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep per day.

Since lack of sleep can increase one’s risk for car accidents and innumerable diseases, getting enough quality sleep is a must.

Give a try to a sleeping mask before you turn to sleeping pills. It’s a much safer solution and doesn’t have any side effects.

Can Wearing a Sleep Mask Hurt or Damage Your Eyes?

Sleep mask itself won’t hurt nor damage your eyes. However, if your eye mask is on too tight, it may cause blurry vision when you wake up and that’s bad for your eyes.

Fortunately, there’s an easy fix for that – just loosen your eye mask or buy a new one that fits better.

Can sleep masks cause wrinkles?

Eye masks can either cause or prevent wrinkles. What the heck does that even mean you may ask. Well, if you’re wearing your sleep mask too tight it will press against your skin and create sleep impressions and that can cause wrinkles.

On the other hand, silk is known to prevent wrinkles as it doesn’t create friction and helps prevent abrasion of the skin. So, that instead of causing wrinkles, silk sleep masks actually prevent them.

Are eye masks bad for your skin?

Not necessarily but eye masks made of cheap and low-quality materials can be bad for your skin and even cause allergies if you have sensitive skin.

Sleep masks are affordable so if your eye mask causes irritations or discomfort, get a new mask and make sure it’s made of high-quality natural materials.

Again, silk sleep mask is perfect for sensitive skin.
You might want to get a silk pillowcase as well if you want to really take care of your face and hair. I recommend this highly rated 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase.

Finally, if you’re serious about the health of your skin and can afford it, silk bedding is the way to go.

It’s definitely not cheap and you’re probably thinking are silk sheets worth it. Well, we have a whole article about exactly that as well as the list of the best silk sheets available on the market in 2024.

Benefits of Sleeping with an Eye Mask

Using an eye mask or sleeping mask is a safe way of giving yourself each night a refreshing sleep after a hard day of work. For a more detailed information on how sleeping with an eye mask can benefit you, please read on.

1. An eye mask helps you to sleep better.

Our circadian rhythm, which helps our body figure out when it is time to sleep or wake up, is greatly influenced by light. The darker it is, the more melatonin our body produces to put us into a deep sleep.

Deep sleep is important because it is at this stage of sleep that our body can heal itself. It is linked to better skin health, improved cognition, a stronger immune system, and better eating habits.

A sleep mask is especially helpful if, for some reason, you can’t sleep in complete darkness at night. In fact, there’s a Chinese study conducted in 2010 that found that participants who used sleep masks and earplugs experienced more REM sleep, woke up less in the middle of the night, and achieved higher melatonin levels. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is the stage of sleep wherein your brain is active while your body is inactive.

Later on, once you’re used to wearing a sleep mask, your brain will have trained itself to recognize the sleep mask as a signal that it’s time for bed. Hence, you’ll have an easier time falling asleep.

2. Sleep masks are affordable and safe.

Unlike other sleeping aids, eye masks are cost-effective and free from any side effects. Be it prescription or over-the-counter sleeping aids, they have a negative effect on your body clock.

You’ll also get poor quality sleep when you use sleeping pills. Even worse, they can cause you to overdose or get addicted.

Eye masks are risk-free and better for your health in the long run. You can go for something very simple or one that is trendy and even high-tech. As long as you find one that fits you properly and you’re comfortable with it, you’re almost guaranteed a better sleep.

3. Sleep masks can help you protect your eyes.

Aside from helping your eyes get some rest, there are soothing gel masks which can prevent them from getting puffy. These are especially helpful if you have a long day ahead of you and you want to be feeling and looking at your best.

Plus, some people can’t fully close their eyes when they sleep. This can cause their eyes to get dry. With the help of an eye mask that has been especially designed to keep the eyes hydrated, people with this condition can sleep with no worries.

NEWGOCooling Gel Eye Mask is the best selling hot/cold eye mask on Amazon.

It is easy to use, fast and very affordable.

Click here to see the current price and read reviews

4. Keep insomnia away with an eye mask.

eye mask side effects

Since eye masks promote deep sleep, it’s a good way of combating insomnia. You can even get ones that are infused with herbs like lavender to help you sleep even better. If it’s noise that’s keeping you awake, there are some eye masks that come with earplugs as well. Or if you want nothing but the best check out best earplugs for sleeping.

5. They are convenient.

Eye masks are easy to use, and they can be your traveling companion anywhere you go. Even when you’re away from the comfort of your own bed, your eye mask will help you feel comfortable enough to get a good slumber.

You can also use it any time of the day. This means that if you have a night shift or experiencing jet lag, you can still sleep well during the day since your sleep mask will block out the light for you. It’s even better when you pair it with earplugs.

6. Sleep masks prevent wrinkles.

do sleep masks work

On top of helping you get some beauty sleep, you’ll be happy to know that sleep masks help in taking care of your skin too. The sleep impressions that you see on your face when you wake up in the morning encourage collagen breakdown. This means that it can lead to crow’s feet and wrinkles.

The sleep mask acts as a barrier that protects the skin around your eyes where people tend to get wrinkles first. If you are prone to acne, you’ll want to find an eye mask that is breathable and made from organic materials to prevent breakouts.

7. Eye masks can provide pain relief.

silk eye mask benefits

Be it regular headaches or migraines, eye masks can help you relieve the pain by blocking the light which can make your condition worse.

There are some eye masks which can be placed in the freezer before using so that the cooling sensation can help relieve the pain. This also works well for tired eyes after a long day of staring at the computer.

8. There are endless varieties to choose from.

There are different types of eye masks that you can choose from depending on your needs. There are soothing gel masks, herbs-infused ones, sleep masks that come with earplugs, breathable eye masks, and the ones with funny or cute designs.

They also differ in terms of material, design, shape and fit. All you need to do is find the right sleep mask for your needs.

Side Effects of Sleep Masks

So, are there any side effects? It’s a completely reasonable question to ask. I’m happy to inform you  that sleep masks are very safe and have no side effects that you should worry about. 

Best Sleep Masks in 2024

To give you an idea on where to start looking, here are a couple of recommendations that you can check out. 

Comfort+ Advanced Premium Sleep Mask for Women & Men

Best 3D Sleep Mask

pros cons eye mask
health benefits sleep better

First, I highly recommend the Comfort+ Advanced Premium Sleep Mask, the best 3D sleep mask in the market today.

It is brought to us by Zenesse Health which is a well-being brand that specializes in developing therapeutic products to support the needs of people with physical and mental challenges, so you know that you really are in good hands.

Its 3D eye cavity cups are airy and breathable but capable of completely blocking out the light. Plus, it can be easily adjusted and made from premium materials.

Click here to see the current price and read real reviews

Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask

Best Silk Sleep Mask

If you’re a silk lover looking for a sleep mask that will feel silky against your skin, look no further than the best silk sleep mask, the Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask.

The 19 momme mulberry silk on both sides makes it very luxurious while still being able to be breathable and cool against your skin.

You can even get it with a nose baffle and dual straps.

Click here to see the current price and read real reviews

Conclusion

So, Are Eye Masks Good or Bad?

do eye masks help

By now you already know that eye masks are not bad for you. There are barely any side effects. Even gel and weighted eye masks don’t have any dangers to them.

Instead, sleep masks help you to sleep better. This is especially true if you are looking for an affordable and risk-free sleep option. Its ability to completely block out the light will encourage your body to get high quality sleep.

Not only that, it can protect your eyes from drying if you sleep with your eyes partially open. Sleep masks can keep the wrinkles and crow’s feet away as well by preventing sleep lines from forming as you sleep.

It’s affordable and convenient. Not to mention that sleep masks are very easy to use. Best of all, it’s very effective in helping you get that deep sleep that your body needs every night. So, why not take advantage of these sleep mask benefits!

Best 3D eye masks: sleep masks by MZOO and Comfort+ Advanced Premium Eye Mask by Zenesse Health.  The Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask is perfect for silk lovers. NEWGOCooling Hot and Cold Therapy Gel Eye Mask is great for headaches, stress relief, and puffy eyes.

See the best-selling sleep masks in 2024 on Amazon

Good night!