Most of us rely on an arsenal of serums and moisturizers to achieve soft, smooth skin by morning, but what if we told you that the best sleep masks can also help. These silky pillows for your eyes and forehead not only improve sleep quality, but also work to minimize friction against your face, hair and lashes, which can prevent sleep lines, reduce hair and lash breakage and sometimes even control frizz if they wrap around your head. “Since sleep masks can help improve sleep, they’re also beneficial in maintaining consistent melatonin levels and avoiding cortisol spikes further protects against dryness, sensitivity, and excessive shedding of the skin,” says Dendy Engelman, MD and board-certified dermatologist based in NYC.
Here’s the thing, though. There’s tons and tons of sleep masks on the market, and sometimes it’s hard to discern which ones are actually more effective than others. Here, we tapped dermatologists, in addition to Glamour editors to share the best sleep masks they’ve ever tried. Our top overall pick was the Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask because it’s by far the most comfortable to wear, doesn’t cause creases in your hair, and leaves lashes and skin soft by morning. We also found great options under $30, as well as weighted picks that can help improve your REM.
The best sleep masks, at a glance
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How we tested sleep masks
We tested sleep masks over a period of a few weeks to months and evaluated by material, how well we were able to sleep, and how our skin and hair felt after use. The best sleep masks were made mostly from mulberry silk fabrics that felt soft and comfortable upon contact. The ones that made this list also stayed put throughout the night and didn’t fall off in our sleep. We paid attention to how we felt after waking up, if we got deep and uninterrupted sleep and how soft and smooth our skin, lashes and hair felt by morning. The best masks all helped us avoid dreaded sleep lines, too.
Best Overall: Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask
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Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask
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Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask
“I love Slip for its high-quality mulberry silk, which reduces friction and prevents skin creasing overnight. These masks are not only luxe and gorgeous, they also support skin hydration and help preserve smooth skin,” says Dr. Engelman. And we couldn’t help but agree — Slips mask is by far the best we’ve ever tried. It never leaves creases in hair and does a great job of staying put all night long.
“I’ve been wearing Slip sleep masks for ages now,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary. “They definitely live up to the hype. They’re snug around the head but aren’t too tight, and I’ve never dealt with sleep lines on my face or creases on my hair after using them. They’re soft like clouds and completely block out the light, always giving me better sleep quality than other masks I’ve tried. TBH, I’ve also noticed a difference in the fine lines on my forehead after wearing this one for a couple of years now. I can’t go a night without this!”
Best Weighted: Kitsch Weighted Satin Sleep Mask
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Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Kitsch Weighted Satin Sleep Mask
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Kitsch Weighted Satin Sleep Mask
Weighted masks are beneficial if you’re looking to achieve a deep sleep, and this mask, which weighs in at 4.1 oz, is also infused with a light lavender scent that’s sure to help you relax. It’s gentle when you wear it and completely blocks out light.
“I like to use this mask when I’m in need of a deep sleep, especially when traveling. It’s weighted but not overly heavy, which I appreciate, and definitely keeps me asleep. I would recommend using a regular sleep mask first to get used to sleeping with something covering your eyes before diving into using a weighted mask, which can be a bit intense for some people. The scent is lovely, though, and I like that it’s available on Amazon for a quick purchase,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Best for Travel: Blissy Silk Sleep Mask
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Original photo from Carolyn Frazier testing Blissy Silk Sleep Mask
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Dr. Engelman is a big fan of Blissy sleep masks because they’re breathable and help guarantee a good night’s sleep. “Blissy is great for travel, and is made from 100% mulberry silk and stays cool and comfortable through the night, helping to minimize irritation and moisture loss,” she says.
“The silk of this mask felt extra luxurious, and I love that it blocked the light completely so that I could sleep through the night on my summer vacation. Bonus: it came in with a silk travel case that made it a breeze to pack,” says Condé Nast executive account director of beauty retail Carolyn Frazier.
Best for Dry Skin: Quince Mulberry Silk Beauty Sleep Mask
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Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Quince Mulberry Silk Beauty Sleep Mask
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Quince Mulberry Silk Beauty Sleep Mask
“While sleep masks alone are not a treatment for the skin, they can offer benefits such as keeping skin hydrated by retaining moisture,” says Howard Sobel, MD, clinical attending cosmetics dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital. This 100% mulberry silk mask is hypoallergenic and helps keep skin hydrated overnight, making it a great pick for those who need more moisture.
“This super plush mask not only blocks out light but does a great job at making my skin, eyes and hair feel hydrated in the morning. It’s also super comfortable and doesn’t slip,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
PS: If you want a discount before purchasing, check out our Quince coupon codes here.
Best for Hair and Lashes: Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask
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Original photo from Charlotte Twine testing Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask
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The unique, extra-wide and adjustable strap on this mask wraps around your head with a velcro closure. Not only does this feature help earplugs stay in place, but it totally eliminates the possibility of hair creases you might experience with a thinner strap, and the adjustability helps ensure a gentle touch on your delicate lashes.
“This comfy sleep mask provides total blackout and plush cushioning, which promotes deeper sleep and reduces stress on the skin. It’s ideal for anyone looking to pair beauty sleep with actual skin benefits,” says Dr. Engelman. “This silk mask is such a treat—so soft and pillowy, slippery and cool to the touch, and with a pretty dusty rose color, to boot. I dropped off to sleep pretty much immediately. I shouldn’t have worried about the mask snagging in my hair—the Velcro-like closure was easy to put on and take off. The mask also prevented my hair from twisting and knotting in my sleep, lowering the chances of breakage. Also, as a side-sleeper, I was happy that the extremely cushy mask prevented the typical creases of ‘bed face’ the next morning,” says Glamour contributor Charlotte Twine.
Best for Falling Asleep Faster: Nodpod Gentle Pressure Silk Sleep Mask
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Original photo from Malia Griggs testing Nodpod Gentle Pressure Silk Sleep Mask
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Nodpod Gentle Pressure Silk Sleep Mask
The Nodpod is a crowd favorite amongst Glamour editors because it provides gentle pressure with a slightly weighted material and ergonomic design. This one has no straps, meaning it will slip off if you toss and turn, and instead rests gently on your face to help you fall asleep faster.
