DIY under eye mask

There are two DIY under eye masks in this post. One is a quick, 15-minute mask, and the other is for overnight use.

Both work great and are far more budget-friendly than buying an eye mask in-store, as well as being so much better for your skin!

The skin around the eyes can be one of the first areas that show signs of aging. 

After a long day, those fine lines under our eyes naturally get saggy, and I admit that my confidence dips when I look in the mirror and think, “Who the heck is this woman?”

So these DIY under eye masks are a fundamental tool to have beneath your belt.

I use an under eye mask exactly when I have moments like that – when I’m super self-conscious, and my mood is getting the better of me. 

Or when I’m getting ready for a night out and want to look my best!

There are actually two DIY eye mask recipes to share in this post, to be used at different times and for different occasions.

They both have their benefits!

One of the masks is only for 15 minutes max, and it really does smooth the lines under the eyes. 

This mask is great for evenings out or early mornings, to use as part of your beauty routine once or twice a week. 

The second is an overnight mask to add moisture and condition the under eye skin. 

I use this once or twice a week too, and I find results after a few weeks, whereby the 15-minute mask shows results almost right away. 

Read on to discover the recipes. The hardest bit is choosing which to try first!

What is an under eye mask?

An under eye mask is a product you apply to your skin, designed to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, slim down puffiness associated with tiredness, and reduce dark circles. 

The under eye masks in this post contain softening, nurturing ingredients which will help skin recover and aid in healing. 

I share this, as I believe the under eye skin needs extra special care and attention – not to be treated so roughly with aggressive ingredients. 

Why you’ll love these recipes

• You’ve got options! There are two homemade under eye mask recipes to choose from. That’s because they’re both to be used for different reasons. One is for overnight. The other is for a quick daytime perk-up. Read through both and decide which you’d like to make first!
• They really work. In my opinion, the turmeric and buttermilk mask shows effects quicker, but certainly, the honey mask is lovely too once you use it regularly (once or twice a week for best results.)
• They are easy to make. Simply mix the ingredients and apply – and be patient enough to leave them on for the specified time to work their magic. 

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DIY under eye mask recipes

Overnight eye mask

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 teaspoon of cold-pressed almond oil

Instructions:

Begin with a clean face. I like to cleanse my skin first to get rid of any dirt or grime.

Add the honey and almond oil to a small bowl.

Mix together the two ingredients until they are well combined.

Massage it into the skin under the eyes.

Leave on overnight for best results.

15-minute eye mask

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of whole milk
• 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder

Instructions:

Combine milk and lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes. Of course, if you have buttermilk on hand, you can skip this step.

In a small bowl, add 1 teaspoon of buttermilk and 1 teaspoon of turmeric.

Stir well until it forms a thick paste.

Apply under the eyes, being careful to avoid getting the mask in the eyes.

Let it sit for 15 minutes before washing it off.

Why these ingredients work

• Honey – is a true wonder food! Packed full of healing powers which are amazing for smoothing out fine lines and hydrating the skin. 
• Turmeric – is a well-known anti-inflammatory. It’s excellent for reducing puffiness and redness and battling under-eye circles. You can find turmeric in my sea moss face mask!
• Almond oil – A wonderfully soothing and hydration oil that really sinks and is readily absorbed by the skin.

Tips

• Start with a clean face to avoid rubbing dirt or makeup into the skin. I like to use a face wash or a cleansing oil.
• Use the tips of two fingers to apply the masks to the underneath of the eyes. That way, you can be sure to avoid getting any of the product into the eyes.
• Avoid using the under eye mask if you are a restless sleeper or prone to move around while you sleep.

Precautions

While both of these recipes are great as an under eye mask, proper care must be taken to avoid getting any of the product into the eyes.

Always perform a patch test before using either of these masks.

FAQs

Are these under eye masks suitable for all skin types?

My answer is yes in theory, but I always recommend doing a patch test every time before you use them, particularly around the eye area, as that is notoriously a sensitive region. 

Will turmeric stain my face?

There is a slight chance that the turmeric mask will leave a yellow hue if you leave it on for too long, which is why I only use this in the 15-minute mask. For 15 minutes, it should be fine. 

If there is some yellowing left over, you can always dab milk on the area to help reduce the discoloration and then cleanse as normal. 

Why use a DIY under eye mask?

The truth is that a lot of conventional under eye masks are expensive. And I don’t enjoy using them the same way I do these DIY under eye masks!

I much prefer using more natural ingredients, which can easily be found in your cabinet at home, making these DIY under eye masks as close to free as possible. 

Also – you can make many under eye masks using the same initial ingredients, making this far more budget-friendly than a conventional mask. 

One thing to note is this doesn’t keep well, so use it as soon as you’ve made it and make a fresh batch the next time round. 

I hope you enjoy these recipes! Feel free to leave a comment and share your experiences. 

If you enjoy making your own skin care recipes, I suggest reading one of these next.

• Natural eye cream
• Homemade night cream
• Homemade anti-aging serum
• DIY eye serum