The best sleep masks for an uninterrupted snooze – The Soothe Approved
Because counting sheep and milk before bed doesn’t cut it
Text: Tiff H
Can’t sleep? You’re in the same boat as 15.3% of the population in Singapore who struggle with insomnia. Difficulty getting to sleep. Trouble waking up. Constant early morning awakening and nights of disturbance — we feel you. “Lack of sleep can affect our mood, our short-term memory and our concentration levels,” says sleep expert Dave Gibson. “What’s more, it has also been linked to a host of health risks including obesity, diabetes and heart disease.” While severe cases call for sleeping pills and consultations with a sleep specialist, milder cases might be improved by behavioural changes such as keeping up good sleep hygiene.
A great way to ensure that your sleep cycle remains uninterrupted throughout the night is through the use of sleep masks. Studies have shown that environmental stimulus, especially light, lead to poorer perceived sleep quality, more light sleep, less REM sleep and lower melatonin levels. Eye masks therefore encourage deeper sleep by blocking light, including blue light from devices within your room, ultimately regulating your circadian rhythm. Also, wearing one makes you look kind of chic, a bit like Audrey Hepburn.
We’ve tried and tested a range of sleep masks that will help you get a good night’s sleep.
Best for: Complete blackout | Manta Sleep Mask | SGD 40.88
Ideal for back sleepers, the Manta Sleep Mask blocks light from every angle. We love that it’s infinitely adjustable, with the eye cups’ position, angle and strap tightness adjustable for your unique face fit. One of the most comfortable, the eye cups are made from tapered, breathable, soft foam and are designed to place zero pressure on your eyelids and lashes (perfect for those who swear by falsies!). The eye mask perfectly covers and conforms to your eyes, which blocks light even in daylight, making it ideal for power naps as well.
Best for: On a budget | Alaska Bear Natural Silk | SGD 27.86
Made with natural, hypoallergenic mulberry silk on both sides, this classic black sleep mask delivers breathability and comfort without breaking the bank. The natural fibre of the silk allows oxygen in while keeping dry air out. Additionally, the strap won’t tangle hair or snag pillows and is easy to adjust, ensuring that the mask fits perfectly on your face.
Best for: Pampering yourself | Morihata Binchotan Activated Charcoal Eye Mask | SGD 38.78
Softly padded with a silky satin front and an additional strip of fabric that contours around the face to block out brightness, this mask’s special touch is the charcoal powder that’s infused into the organic cotton that lines the back of the mask. Widely used in many beauty products to unclog pores and remove impurities and toxins, the charcoal also lessens the appearance of puffiness and bags (making it doubly desirable).
Best for: Anti-ageing | Nanotech Silk Bow With Eye Mask by Caternap™ | SGD 271.34
Touted as the most Instagrammable sleep mask, Caternap™’s luxuriously soft eye masks come adorned with an adorable bow, ideal for fashionable types looking to up their PJ game. However, the mask is not just about looks. Featuring Caternap™’s dry application nanotechnology, this sleeping mask enables the continuous infusion of essential skincare ingredients (including lavender oil, apricot oil, vitamin E, Hyaluronic acid, lipid complex and seaweed extract) into the delicate skin around your eyes and face.
Best for: Headache relief | IMAK Compression Eye Mask | SGD 18.89
Designed by an orthopaedic surgeon to provide relief from migraine headaches, tension headaches, sinus pain and eyestrain, this weighted eye mask conforms to your face and banishes lumination. It also contains ergoBeads that provide a gentle massage around the eyes. Ideal for a hot day in the tropics, you can also store the sleep mask in the freezer to provide soothing cool relief after a busy day (or night!). Pure bliss.
