Having tried many different eye patches, I can say that the Berrisom Placenta Firming Hydrogel Eye Patch Set has dethroned the Kracie Hadabisei Eye Zone Masksas my favorite.
The round tub contains 30 pairs of hydrogel eye patches for a total of 60, and currently retails for US$19.85. The tub and box use a combination of burgundy and white colors that shows off the gold color of the paisley-shaped masks. There’s an extra plastic lid under the screw cap, along with a transparent spatula which you’ll definitely need. I keep the entire box in the fridge to keep it cool and prevent evaporation.
“Err, Placenta?”
That’s the question you’re probably asking right now. If there’s anything I’ve learned testing products for The Beauty Lab, it’s “Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it.” I remember cringing the first time I heard about snail slime in beauty products. Now, I hoard bottles and tubs of it.
Placental protein is listed as the sixth ingredient in these eye patches. According to EWG.org, placental protein is a mixture of proteins derived from animal placentas, and used as hair- or skin-conditioning agents and humectants. EWG gives it a score of 5, meaning it may pose moderate hazards to one’s health, but notes that there’s limited information available so far. COSDNA gives it the same score for safety, but doesn’t say if it’s a potential acne or irritant trigger. Those with sensitive skin or averse to using products with animal-originated ingredients may need to find an alternative.
Source: The Environmental Working Group (EWG)
As with all products, I tested a little of the serum on my skin for a few days before using the eye patches. With no adverse reactions, it’s now full steam ahead!
The Good Stuff
I’m actually more interested in the list of herbal and fruit extracts included in the essence like Japanese camellia, broccoli, tomato, chamomile, green tea, centella, aloe and more. There’s also hydrolyzed collagen, sodium hyaluronate, glycerin and allantoin as well as adenosine and arbutin. The last two particularly make me happy because they have proven brightening, firming and anti-aging properties which should help with my dark circles and dry eye area.
The hydrogel patches are quite thin and since they’re stacked in the tub, you’ll need that spatula to scoop them out individually. Despite their seeming thinness, the patches are drenched in essence but don’t drip. Their paisley (or comma, if you prefer) shapes are great because they sit well under the curves of my eyes and are long enough that the “tail” ends just outside my eyes. Great coverage! They’re also ideal to use for the sides of the mouth and nose (naso-labial) to prevent any smile lines from forming.
At this point, I’d already used about 12 pairs of the patches.
Handle With Care
I use these patches right after the essence/serum step in my routine so that my skin is still a little bit damp, and the masks will seal in all that goodness. However, scooping each patch with the tiny spatula is quite tricky. Sometimes I’d unintentionally scoop out two or three at once, and separating them was quite difficult as the patches are quite fragile. They’re easily torn using fingernails (and I don’t even have long fingernails) so I have to be very, very careful each time I position them under my eyes. I’ve torn a few patches but only at the edges where I usually tug them, and they still worked well. So don’t lose that spatula!
Always use the spatula.
What surprised me about these patches is that once they’re stuck on my skin, they stay on! While some eye or sheet masks tend to slip off with any movement, this set adheres to my skin without fail. I usually remove the patches after 20 to 25 minutes, or when they start peeling at the edges. Once they’re off, they look dry and wrinkled but my skin looks hydrated. I finish the rest of my regimen afterwards, including a dab of eye cream for good measure.
There’s a slight scent that accompanies the patches but dissipates quickly. Other than that, I’m quite pleased with the results I’m getting. I’m halfway through the tub and my eyes do look less dry each day, even with the low humidity in Hong Kong at the moment. I can’t see any noticeable improvement in my dark circles but then miracles don’t happen overnight. I’m prepared to finish this set to the end and then I’m going to buy another tub or two!