What do the patches look like?
Patches cannot be confused with anything else. As a rule, they are thin pieces of gel that are smooth to the touch and melt slightly in your hands. The shape of gel stickers usually resembles a crescent, one end of which has a rounded outline - this shape allows you to maximize coverage of the area under the eyes, where the skin needs special hydration and nutrition. Some manufacturers bring a playful aspect and make patches in the shape of a heart, which consists of two half stickers for each eye.
And the latest trend in Korea is fabric patches. They are made from the same fabric as traditional face masks. In essence, these are full-fledged fabric eye masks impregnated with a special composition. But in this article we will look at traditional ones on a water-gel (hydrogel) basis. We'll talk about fabric stickers separately.
How patches work
Hydrogel patches are based on a dense and smooth-to-touch gel, which is obtained from brown algae. The hydrogel perfectly retains moisture, adheres well and, under the influence of temperature, deeply moisturizes the skin, giving it the beneficial substances with which it is impregnated. This material is environmentally friendly and safe; it is also used in the food industry.
The skin in the eye area is very thin and sensitive and requires a special approach. She is more susceptible to external factors and ages faster. And under modern living conditions: poor ecology, lack of sleep and constant stress, even young girls complain about wrinkles under their eyes. Well, dark circles and swelling have become constant companions for many. Patches help quickly tidy up the skin under the eyes and slow down the aging process.
Reviews
Hydrogel patches make a different impression on everyone. But still, the majority of those who have used them are satisfied. Cosmetologists can definitely say about the possible benefits and harms of a product.
Reviews from cosmetologists
In general, reviews from cosmetologists about hydrogel patches are positive. They claim that the products really help get rid of many imperfections in the area around the eyes. But these products are just express help, and not a therapeutic and (or) corrective remedy for years.
The cumulative result is present in some patches. This applies, first of all, to those containing hyaluronic acid. Such products are used in comprehensive rejuvenation programs.
Cosmetologists use professional products in their work. They have larger packaging volumes. The same applies to the concentration of active components. It is also significantly enlarged.
Customer Reviews
Many consumers are satisfied with the results of using express products to eliminate imperfections in the epidermis around the eyes. Most note a noticeable effect, especially with regard to moisturizing, smoothing, and toning.
Not everyone can remove dark circles. But it is not at all necessary that the problem is the poor quality of the patches. Perhaps the hydrogel product was simply chosen incorrectly.
Almost everyone notices the specific effects of products. They tingle and/or tingle slightly. But there is no irritation or redness observed. The exception is when the impregnation gets on the mucous membrane.
Eye patches: composition
As we said above, hydrogel patches are based on a special gel made from brown algae. In the composition, it can be presented in two varieties: agar-agar (Agar) or carrageenan (Carrageenan / Chondrus Crispus Extract).
Gel stickers, which include more than 5 additives: extracts from plants, fruits and other components, are considered richer in composition and, accordingly, more effective. And the more, the better. Often in their composition you can find aloe extract, Asian centella, snail mucin, gold, pearl powder, swallow's nests and other useful ingredients.
If you want gel stickers to solve a specific problem, pay attention to the following ingredients in the composition.
- Rose extract is perfect for young girls. It delicately moisturizes the skin and stimulates its blood circulation.
- Shea butter, horse fat, swallow's nest extract - suitable for older skin, have a powerful nourishing and smoothing effect.
- Snake venom is good at smoothing out wrinkles, but in reality it rather has a prolonged antioxidant effect, like red wine extract.
- Seaweed is best for relieving swelling. The fact is that seafood contains a large amount of minerals, which ensure lymph flow and reduce swelling under the eyes.
- Aloe, collagen and hyaluronic acid are excellent moisturizers.
- Pearl powder and vitamin C, which is found in citrus fruits, removes dark circles and brightens well.
Right choice
How to choose the right patches for the skin around the eyes?
- Pay primary attention to the composition of the product. It is he who determines the main purpose. Collagen moisturizes and rejuvenates. The same goes for hyaluronic acid and peptides. Plant extracts refresh, and vitamins saturate the skin with beneficial microelements;
- It is not at all necessary to immediately buy a standard package of 30 or 60 pieces. You can purchase a pair to try and evaluate the effect. Moreover, it will be unpleasant if an allergy is discovered to the product, then the pack will be completely unsuitable for use.
- take into account the characteristics of the skin. Use products containing oil concentrates with caution if you are allergic to them. Consider the content of other irritants;
- study reviews from cosmetologists and consumers, read the description of the product. From these sources, sometimes you can glean important information that will push you to make a purchase or, on the contrary, make you refuse it;
- balance price and quality. Don't think that only an expensive product can be good. Patches from the middle price category also turn out to be worthy;
Where to buy patches? In St. Petersburg, Moscow and other Russian cities, you can purchase the product in retail cosmetics stores. From anywhere in the Russian Federation - in online stores, as well as through a catalog in a cosmetic network.
How to use patches correctly
It is better to stick patches on clean and toned skin. It is believed that it is correct to apply them with a narrow, sharp edge to the inner corners of the eyes, and with a wide edge to the area adjacent to the temples. But in reality there is no single rule. You can apply the patches however you want, depending on the result you want to achieve. A wide area in the temple area will help relieve swelling and lighten circles, near the nose - smooth out wrinkles and additionally moisturize the dry skin of the wings of the nose.
Did you know that gel stickers can be used not only under the eyes? They are also applied to other areas of the skin that require hydration: to the nasolabial folds, on the forehead and even on dry elbows.
When express care is required
Korean patches can be designed for both one-time and reusable use. For example, if the goal is simply to give freshness to your face, you can use disposable ones. If you need to “heal” the skin, remove peeling, smooth out wrinkles, you will need to regularly use reusable ones.
This express care can be done at any convenient time: after a hard day at work or a sleepless night, before breakfast or while cleaning the house. Within twenty minutes, while the express mask has an effect, you can do any business. After removing the mask, the skin around the eyes will take on a fresh, rested look.
How long to keep patches under the eyes
The standard time for using the product is 20-30 minutes. The minimum time for them to take effect is 10 minutes. If you forgot to note the time, look at the condition of the sticker - you feel that it has given up all the moisture and has begun to stick to the skin - remove it. It is not recommended to keep the hydrogel on the skin in the eye area for longer than 30 minutes, much less leave it overnight. The fact is that it has a reverse reaction and after thirty minutes begins to “take away” moisture.
Remember the most important rule - patches cannot be overexposed!
Could it be an allergy?
When using patches, allergic reactions often occur, which is not surprising, given the multi-component nature of the product. Before using patches, it is worth conducting a sensitivity test to the components of the product. To do this, open the package with pads, dip your finger in the impregnation, and apply it to the skin of your wrist or behind your ear. If no redness, burning, itching, or rash appears within 15 to 20 minutes, you can safely use eye patches.
Advice!
To avoid unpleasant consequences, try to use eye patches from trusted manufacturers.
How often can patches be used?
Some people use gel stickers daily in courses of 30 days, some every 2-3 days, and some exclusively before an important event. In fact, there are no restrictions. It is not necessary to use patches within a month if there are 30 pairs in a jar. As a rule, the shelf life allows you to “stretch out” the pleasure for longer. But if you want to achieve lasting results - increase the firmness and elasticity of the skin and forget about circles and puffiness under the eyes - make it a habit to use them every morning before applying makeup.
An open jar should not be kept for more than two months. You can see the expiration date of an opened product on the packaging; it is indicated by an icon and is calculated in months. For example, “12M” means use within 12 months.
Popular opinion about the Korean novelty
Getting acquainted with samples of Korean cosmetics allows you to use natural and effective cosmetics in your arsenal that ensure long-lasting youthfulness of your facial skin. Many women, having tried unique products of Korean origin for caring for the complex area around the eyes, noted that their problems were resolved very quickly. Today, Korean cosmetics are available to all European women. If you doubt the quality of the offer of Korean brands, there is always the opportunity to study the reviews of those who have already identified for themselves the most effective facial care line from the many offered.
In particular, many women note the high effectiveness of eye patches containing gold. They provide more lasting results. But this does not mean that hydrogel pads are replacing fabric and silicone options. Silicone ones are preferred due to the possibility of repeated use. But fabric ones are valued for the variety of fillers.
For the most part, samples of Korean cosmetics - patches - are characterized by consumer reviews as the best product for caring for problem areas of facial skin.
How and where to store patches
Many manufacturers recommend storing patches in the refrigerator. This way they retain their properties longer and relieve swelling better. But this is not necessary, you can simply put them in a dark, cool place.
In an already open jar, it is necessary to close the lid tightly so that the moisture does not evaporate. For the same purpose, it is not necessary to tear off and throw away the protective membrane, this way you will protect the patches from drying out.
Storage rules
Many people value patches for their cooling effect on the skin, and to further enhance this effect, store the packaging in the refrigerator. However, such storage is not at all necessary. Hydrogel applicator strips are initially placed in an emulsion, which is saturated with useful components and retains the moisture content of the product.
The packaging can be kept at room temperature, but preferably somewhere cooler and not exposed to direct sunlight. However, the most important thing during storage is to follow three important rules:
- Close the jar tightly each time;
- Remove patches only with a spatula (usually included in the kit);
- Do not place already used strips in the packaging.
Compliance with these recommendations will preserve the quality of the stickers throughout the entire stage of their use and prevent the proliferation of pathogenic microflora in the serum.
How to make patches at home
If you love DIY home remedies and want to experiment with gel stickers, the recipe is very simple.
You will need:
- 1 teaspoon agar-agar seaweed;
- 100 ml hot water;
- additional supplements depending on the goal you want to achieve (lemon juice, aloe, chamomile or green tea).
As a result, you will end up with rather large bars of gel with a very modest composition, which will most likely slide off in the process, and it will be completely impossible to walk with them. But if you want, experiment.
How to choose patches
To begin with, we note that you can use the product at any age. But experts still believe that the most suitable period is from 25 to 45 years. At 25 years old, the skin is still able to cope with problems and recover on its own, but after 45, more powerful products will be needed.
Thus, you should choose patches based on your age, current skin needs and problems that need to be solved. Our ingredient cheat sheet in point No. 4 (“what are patches for”) or our consultants will help you choose the ones that are right for you.
How much do eye patches cost?
The cost of patches varies depending on the brand, the number of stickers in the package and the concentration of certain ingredients. Let's say that some patches contain gold in an amount of 10 ppm (per mille), and in others - 100 ppm. The number of useful extracts can also vary: from 5 to 10 or more. So for one pair of gel stickers you can pay from 45 to 350 rubles, for 30 pairs (or 60 pieces - more often the quantity is indicated on the package per piece) - from 950 to 2,000 rubles and more.
We hope we have answered all your questions. And if not, we will be happy to answer! Ask them in the comments. Go to the website and choose the patches you like in our catalog.
Be charming!
