10 Benefits of Sleeping with an Eye Mask, Per Experts

There’s no straightforward trick to getting a better night’s sleep, but slipping on an eye mask could be a huge help. Believe it or not, there are actual advantages to wearing an eye mask. Not only are there improvements to the quality of slumber, but some skincare benefits are thrown into the mix, too.

Before we dive into all of those, though, let’s talk about how to find the best eye mask.

First, you want to find the right fit, considering “where the strap will hit, your sleep position, and the relative size you need,” says certified sleep science coach David Rubin. “If you have sensitive ears or are a side sleeper, look for a mask with a strap that hits above the ears to avoid added pressure. If you switch positions while sleeping, you’ll want a mask with a tighter-fitting, more adjustable strap.”

Once you find a good sleep mask, be careful not to tie it too tight. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD warns that this can lead to wrinkling and skin trauma.

The material of your eye mask will also affect your sleep differently. Zeichner recommends sticking to natural fibers like silk, “which have been shown at a microscopic level to be softer and gentler on the skin barrier, [and] try to avoid synthetics like polyester.”

Got all that, sleepyhead? Good. Now, it’s time to take your sleep to the next level. Ahead, read about the 10 main benefits of sleeping with an eye mask, as explained by experts.