Does Wearing Your Eye Patches Outside Do Anything, or Is It Just Performative?

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.@annehathaway / @selenagomezThere’s something about wearing eye patches that gives you a certain sense of power. Maybe it’s the illusion that you have your life together, or maybe it’s just that wearing them makes even doing nothing feel productive. Either way, eye patches have officially become a skincare status symbol, with brands like Rhode, Rare Beauty, and even Alo getting in on the trend with their own branded versions.And while there’s something undeniably satisfying about wearing them to grab a matcha, on the StairMaster, or even on a plane, are we actually doing our skin any favors, or are we just marinating our under-eyes in whatever germs happen to be lurking around us? Because as much as we love the convenience, the outside world is, unfortunately, disgusting, and there are some places eye patches simply should not go.Below, I ask two board-certified dermatologists what you need to know about wearing hydrogel eye patches in public, from whether they’re safe to wear outside to what happens when you sweat or fly in them.Is it safe to wear eye patches outside?According to board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, hydrogel eye patches are designed to be applied to clean, dry skin for a specific amount of time, usually somewhere between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the product. So “while wearing eye patches outside has certainly become a trend, from a dermatological perspective, there isn’t really an added skincare benefit to wearing them while running errands or exercising,” she says. “You’ll get the most predictable results by applying them to freshly cleansed skin in a clean environment and following the product’s directions.”That doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a breakout the second you step outside with eye patches on, but there is a reason dermatologists prefer applying them to clean skin. Board-certified dermatologist Toral Vaidya, MD, explains that most hydrogel patches are largely water- and humectant-based, relying on ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, and work in part through occlusion. “This means they form a seal over the skin that traps the actives underneath so they can absorb into the skin more effectively,” she explains. “That occlusive seal locks in whatever is already sitting on your skin at the time of application, so they’re really designed as a controlled, at-home step, applied right after cleansing.”Should you wear eye patches to the gym?“Potentially, yes, but exercising in eye patches is something I would generally skip,” says Dr. Engelman. When you exercise, you’re producing sweat and heat, and the patches can trap that moisture against your skin while also moving around and creating friction. That combination can increase the risk of irritation, particularly because the skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than much of the rest of the face.Dr. Vaidya adds that because the patch creates an occlusive barrier, sweat and excess oil can become trapped underneath it. In some cases, trapped sweat and heat can also aggravate conditions like milia.What about on the plane?Turns out, the plane might actually be one of the better places to break out your eye patches. “Airplane cabins have very low humidity, so it’s easy for skin to become dehydrated, especially around the eyes,” says Dr. Engelman. “A hydrating eye mask can provide that occlusive layer to help minimize water loss and give the eye area an immediate boost of hydration.”Dr. Vaidya agrees that the dry cabin air can make a hydrating treatment appealing, but says she’s more cautious about the environment itself. “For me, the bigger concern with an airline skincare routine is hygiene,” she warns. “There are more opportunities for bacteria to transfer onto your skin while performing a routine.”Dr. Engelman recommends applying your patches onto clean skin, using clean hands, then removing them after the recommended amount of time rather than wearing them throughout the entire flight.But... don’t let us stop youIf you’re not ready to give up your eye patches for your daily GRWM routine, we’re not here to stop you. You just might want to be a little more selective about where and when you wear them.“Start with clean skin and clean hands, and make sure you’re following the recommended wear time rather than leaving the patches on indefinitely,” says Dr. Engelman. Hydrogel patches are formulated to deliver their ingredients within a specific window of time, so leaving them on longer than recommended won’t necessarily make them work better and may actually increase the potential for irritation.She also recommends avoiding them during strenuous exercise or anywhere you’ll be sweating heavily, and never reusing a single-use patch. If you notice burning, itching, redness, or discomfort, remove them immediately. Once you remove the patches, apply sunscreen if you’ll be going outside, says Dr. Engelman. Dr. Vaidya similarly recommends keeping the rest of your skincare routine simple, noting that because hydrogel patches are occlusive and increase absorption, layering active serums underneath them can increase the chances of irritation.Final verdictSo, can you wear your eye patches to get a matcha? Technically, yes. But if you want to get the most out of them, your bathroom counter is probably a better home for them than the StairMaster.Meet the expertsDendy Engelman​, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in New York, New York. Dr. Engelman specializes in cosmetic dermatology and is an expert in all types of injections, including lip filler and Botox.Toral Vaidya, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York, New York.Why trust Cosmopolitan? Iman Balagam is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan, and she’s been writing about beauty for more than five years.Iman Balagam is a freelance writer who has been in the beauty industry for nearly five years. She has written for and contributed to top women’s magazines and digital brands such as Harper's BAZAAR, Allure, Byrdie, Elle and more. She will try *nearly* anything and spends a lot of time looking for new ways to store her beauty products in a small New York apartment.