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To test it, lie down in your preferred sleeping position and move around a little—if the mask feels restrictive or moves when you do, you may need to adjust the tightness.
Material benefits
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The material affects the thickness and opacity of the sleep mask to light. You should also consider the materials that make up these sleep aids, since they will be snug against your face throughout the night.
Silk
This fine material is in fashion in the world of beauty, since It has been clinically tested be biocompatible with human skin, promoting hydration, improving skin elasticity and increasing cell regeneration (which reduces fine lines and wrinkles).
Cotton
Cotton is the best choice for eye masks: it’s comfortable, easy to wash, durable, and breathable. Keep in mind that cotton absorbs moisture, so it’s best to avoid this material if you use an eye cream at night.
Satin
Soft and smooth, satin is an ideal material for sleep masks for people with sensitive skin. Because of the soft texture of the material, friction against hair or skin is less likely to cause irritation.
Polyester
“There are studies showing that polyester masks help improve sleep quality and produce a feeling of freshness or relaxation,” says DelRosso. Polyester is also usually less expensive and is resistant to stretching and wrinkling over time, ensuring durability and longevity in use.
Features to consider
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Today’s sleep masks are packed with enhancements that complement your sleep patterns and preferences. If you’re looking to upgrade your plain sleep mask, here are some features to consider.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy sleep masks combine the benefits of blocking light with the use of essential oils to achieve therapeutic effects. Some essential oils, such as lavender and chamomile, are known for their relaxing and anti-stress properties, while others, such as peppermint and eucalyptus, can help with headaches. Sleep masks are sometimes filled with flax seeds and rice infused with these essential oils, which creates a weighting effect while also providing aromatherapeutic benefits.
Weight
You’ve probably heard of weighted blankets and their benefits; the same concept applies to sleep masks. As we mentioned earlier, gentle pressure around the eyes is a physiological means of relaxation and stress relief. Weighted eye masks can also help relax facial muscles and reduce discomfort in the sinus cavities.
Cooling
“There’s a device that treats insomnia by cooling the forehead. There may be some properties about (cooling masks) that have that cooling sensation or that feeling or that calming feeling. All those racing thoughts and sending messages to the brain that this is going to be a proposed mechanism,” DelRosso says. Some sleep masks are designed to be cooled with cooling gel inserts, while others are made with breathable, temperature-regulating fabric (like polyester) that releases heat.
Speakers
After 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 or mask outside noise, or listen to guided meditation, soft music or white noise to relax.
When should I avoid sleeping masks?
Sleep masks are a simple way to help your sleep cycle, but there are some circumstances in which a sleep mask should not be used.
“If someone has glaucoma or an eye infection, you wouldn’t leave air trapped there,” Carroll says.