Do you really need eye patches? About effective and ecological alternatives in eye care

Eye patches have enjoyed unwavering popularity for years among people looking for a quick refresher effect. Known for their "wow-effect", they are eagerly shown on TikTok and Instagram - as a morning ritual before an important event, evening relief after a long day or an element of a fashionable self-care routine. Cooling, gel, gold or infused with caffeine - they look spectacular, give a pleasant feeling on the skin and allow you to feel like you are in a home spa for a moment.

But do eye patches really care? Should they be treated as a permanent part of your routine, or just a quick trick for “effects”? Criticisms are increasingly being voiced – not only because of their superficial effect, but also because of their negative impact on the environment . Most eye patches available on the market are disposable products, packaged in plastic trays and foil sachets that cannot be recycled. They work temporarily, but the trace they leave behind remains for a long time.

In times when conscious care goes hand in hand with caring for the planet, it is worth asking yourself: is there not a better, more sustainable alternative to eye patches?

Eye Patches – More Harm Than Good?

Disposability and ecological footprint

Eye patches, while often seen as a luxury skincare item, have serious ecological consequences. Most are single-use products, packaged in plastic trays and foil pouches that are not recyclable. The hydrogel materials they are made from are also non-biodegradable, meaning that after a short period of use, they end up in landfills where they remain for hundreds of years.

According to Eurostat, around 83.4 million tonnes of packaging waste were generated in the European Union in 2022, of which 19% was plastic waste. On average, 36.1 kg of plastic packaging waste was generated per EU resident, of which only 41% was recycled.

In the context of cosmetics, as much as 95% of packaging ends up in the trash after a single use, making the cosmetics industry one of the largest producers of packaging waste.

Superficial effect, not care

While eye patches can provide temporary relief by moisturizing and reducing puffiness, their long-term effectiveness in combating wrinkles, loss of firmness, and discoloration is limited. They work primarily superficially, delivering active ingredients only to the outer layers of the epidermis.

Dermatology experts emphasize that many active ingredients contained in patches, such as collagen or peptides, have a limited ability to penetrate the skin barrier in the short time of application. There is also a lack of solid scientific evidence confirming their long-term effectiveness in reducing the signs of aging. Boston Derm Advocate

Furthermore, relying on patches as the main part of your under-eye care routine can lead you to neglect the regular use of more effective products, such as creams or serums, which offer better results with less environmental impact.

In light of this information, it is worth considering more sustainable and effective alternatives for the care of the delicate skin around the eyes.

Effective skin care under the eyes – what to use instead of patches?

The skin around the eyes is one of the thinnest and most sensitive areas on our face. This is where the first signs of fatigue, stress and aging appear – dark circles, puffiness and fine lines. That is why regular and thoughtful care is so important, which not only brings quick results, but also works in the long term.

Are eye patches the only solution?

While eye patches have gained huge popularity thanks to social media and the quick “wow” effect, they are not the only – or always the best – solution. More and more people are reaching for eye care products in reusable packaging, such as glass jars or pump bottles. This is not only a more ecological option, but also often more effective.

Why is it worth choosing an eye cream or serum?

Products such as creams or serums have several significant advantages over disposable pads:

• Continuous use: Regular application in the morning and evening brings better, more visible results than sporadic use of patches.
• Higher concentration of active ingredients: A good quality eye serum contains highly concentrated ingredients that effectively fight wrinkles, puffiness and discoloration.
• Eco-friendly packaging: By choosing cosmetics in glass or recyclable bottles, you reduce the amount of plastic waste – unlike pads, which are disposable and often individually packaged.
• Better match to skin needs: Creams and serums can be precisely matched to skin type and specific concerns – from hydration to anti-wrinkle action.

Natural alternatives from Orientan – no plastic, no compromises

Eye care doesn’t have to mean a mountain of disposable plastic or compromises between effectiveness and composition. In fact, two well-chosen cosmetics are enough – an eye and eyelid serum and an eye cream – to effectively care for the delicate skin of this area.

Below are three products from Orientan that can replace disposable eye patches – more effectively and more consciously.

Eye cream with ceramides - rebuilding and soothing

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This cream is a rescue for dry, tired skin with a weakened protective barrier . Thanks to the combination of ceramides , which rebuild the hydrolipid layer, with trehalose (moisturizes and protects against water loss) and marula oil (rich in antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids), the cream brings deep regeneration, relief and hydration .

For whom?

• People with dry or sensitive skin around the eyes
• Those who need relief after e.g. treatments or intense exposure to the sun

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Eye cream with snail slime - smoothing and brightening

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For those who are struggling with dark circles, puffiness and signs of aging. This non-vegan cream combines the action of snail slime (smoothing, repairing the epidermis) with caffeine (reducing puffiness) and squalane (hydration and lipid protection). The result? Brightening of the eyes, reduction of bags under the eyes and improvement of skin elasticity .

For whom?

• People with visible signs of fatigue
• Mature skin with visible wrinkles and loss of firmness

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Reishi Eye and Eyelid Serum – the adaptogenic power of mushrooms

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If you are looking for a product with a versatile anti-aging effect , the Reishi mushroom serum will be a bullseye. It also contains bakuchiol - a plant-based alternative to retinol, and caffeine for better microcirculation. The light, rich formula will also work great on the eyelids, providing a lifting, drainage and firming effect.

For whom?

• Mature, demanding skin with signs of stress
• For those who also want to take care of their eyelids

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H2: Summary – Instead of plastic, choose care with sense

• Eye patches are a passing trend that does neither your skin nor the planet any good.
• When choosing Orientana cream or serum:
  • you act long-term,
  • you provide your skin with strong active ingredients,
  • you reduce disposable waste.

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