Are Augustinus Bader’s Under-Eye Patches Worth the Buy?
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My fascination with skincare began at a young age, as I snooped through my mom’s stash of bizarre-looking ampoules and cute little tubs of eye cream. I also became conscious of the skin around my eyes due to allergies, which caused those areas to become chronically puffy and itchy, with lingering dark circles I tried to minimize with refrigerated spoons.
Now that I’m in my 30s, my under-eyes remain a top concern. I’ve tried hundreds of eye creams and concealers, but I always return to popping on a pair of serum-soaked eye patches—which is why I was so eager to try the Eye Patches from Augustinus Bader. The brand’s serum and moisturizer always leave me with an instant glow, so I could not wait to see what their new patches could do for my eyes.
The Eye Patches (Single Pack)
$22.00
Augustinus BaderHow I tested
When I used the Eye Patches in the morning, I began my regimen by cleansing with Biojuve Conditioning Cleanse. After applying the patches and letting them sit for 20 minutes, I followed up with Orvos’s Satin Eye Gel Cream. And at night, I wore the patches and used my preferred under-eye cream, Orveda Eye Unveiler 422, for an added boost. Although I’m a fan of doubling up on some of my skincare essentials, I could see a clear difference in the hydration and overall brightness of my under-eyes before even reaching for the rest of my rotation.
Ease of use
One of the first things I noticed about the Eye Patches were their unique packaging. They come in a round, structured insert that makes them easier to remove than some of the alternatives on the market (which use a thinner plastic sheet, like a sticker). I also appreciated that they are not utterly drenched in serum. Not only did it make them stay put on my face—I even drove an hour and a half while wearing them with no slip—but they also feel less slimy and drip less when applied.
Because the Eye Patches do not budge—a huge benefit, as far as eye patches go—you can also pop them on at virtually any time of day without having to worry about them sliding around or falling off. (This is one of the main concerns mentioned by celebrity makeup artist Katrina Klein when she’s applying eye patches to clients before doing their makeup.) In fact, I am wearing them right now, as I write this piece!
What to look for in an under-eye patch
Celebrity facialist, dermatologic nurse practitioner, and N4 Skincare co-founder Natalie Aguilar considers eye patches an integral part of her skincare regimen. “Eye patches tend to be more effective than your typical eye cream in treating fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles, while [ideally] being formulated with gentler ingredients,” she says. This effectiveness is the result of a higher concentration of active ingredients being applied via a moisture-trapping substance such as silicone, hydrogel, or biocellulose.
The experts we spoke to favor the use of gentle, hydrating, anti-inflammatory ingredients for the sensitive skin around the eyes, and recommend avoiding barrier-degrading acids or retinol. Instead, you can strengthen the skin barrier with ingredients like ceramides or niacinamide. Free-radical-fighting (and brightening) antioxidants, circulation-stimulating caffeine, catechin-rich green tea, and gentle retinol alternatives like bakuchiol oil are among top picks cited by double-board certified oculofacial plastic surgeon Robert Schwarcz.
Aguilar is especially fond of storing all her eye products in the fridge, for a soothing boost of cryotherapy to promote circulation and brighten, stimulate lymph fluid and de-puff, and generally soothe. “Puffiness and fatigue are the main concerns my clients use eye patches to address, but [patches] can also give you that super boost if you need to look ready for an event,” she says. If you’re new to patches, try popping on a pair right after you cleanse, followed by eye cream (and sunscreen in the daytime). For best results, derms suggest using them two to three times per week.
Why do eyes show age faster?
Board-certified dermatologist Ranella Hirsch calls the eye area an “entry point to cosmetic dermatology” because concerns about fine lines and wrinkles developing into crow’s feet are so common. According to Schwarcz, who specializes in blepharoplasties (plastic surgery on the upper- and lower-eye areas), they really are the first area of the face to begin to show signs of aging. “The reason why is that the skin around the eyes is amongst the thinnest in the body,” he says.
This thin skin has “less structural collagen, elastin, and a lack of sebaceous glands,” adds Hirsch—which causes signs of aging to appear more rapidly. But, she says, “The good part is that because the skin is so thin, products and active ingredients can penetrate well and actually have a real impact.” In other words, your eye creams and eye patches can genuinely make a difference.
Are Bader’s eye patches worth it?
As previously mentioned, Augustinus Bader’s serum and moisturizer give me an immediate, noticeable glow. The brand attributes this to a proprietary TFC8 formulation of amino acids, vitamins, and synthesized molecules, which is also featured in the Eye Patches. The glow-enhancing formula is combined with brightening and hydrating ingredients—like acetylated hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and allantoin—for an instant under-eye refresh.
If I had to sum up my experience with the Eye Patches in three words, I’d say: brightened, tightened, and soothed. I think they are ideal in the morning, whether to prep for makeup or to soothe and brighten after a night of poor sleep. My under-eyes are pretty hollow, so I could not assess for de-puffing, but I absolutely saw a brightening glow. The Eye Patches leave skin feeling hydrated and smooth, and provide the perfect, taut base for your favorite under-eye concealer. Would I use them again? Yes—absolutely. Aguilar also considers herself a fan, noting visible results and calling the formula “pristine.”
The Eye Patches from Augustinus Bader retail for $22 for a single pack and $125 for a pack of six at augustinusbader.com.
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