Why 111Skin's Black Diamond Eye Masks Are Worth It

Welcome back to Worth It, a bi-weekly breakdown of the new beauty products I’ve tested and adored: I’m talking that drain-it-to-the-bottom-and-tell-my-friends-I’ve-found-The-One kind of love. If it's featured here, consider this my permission to splurge on it. Read on for the product you don’t want to live without, and catch up on the latest Worth It breakdown here.

THE PROMISE:

These indulgent eye masks, pitch black and smattered with glitter, were inspired by deep space—and for good reason. Their creator, cosmetic surgeon Dr. Yannis Alexandrides, helped create a serum for NASA astronauts to combat space's advances aging effects before founding London-based luxury brand 111Skin.

The science behind these hydrogel patches is just as stellar. Hyaluronic acid plumps the skin around the eyes, while a small amount of retinol—perfectly dosed for even sensitive skin—diminishes lines and wrinkles like crows feet. To reduce the appearance of pores and UV damage, a yarrow extract called Neurobiox imitates the resurfacing effects of glycolic acid without the irritation, and luxe black diamond particles help the formula absorb into the fragile skin it's targeting.

WHY I'M OBSESSED:

Regardless of age, almost everyone has crow's feet—those little creases at the outer corners of your eyes. As a 27-year-old who is now fully acquainted with all the lines cropping up on my complexion, I find these indentations comforting and characterizing, a sign of a life lived with emotions fully expressed. But sometimes, when I apply my makeup, they create tiny nooks where my concealer snags and my eyeshadow looks uneven. And they tend to appear more prominent after a poor night's sleep or when my skin is particularly parched. I've got eye creams on deck to smooth things over on a typical day, but if I've got a big event, a long flight, or a massive hangover, I whip out these patches.

Listen. I'm fully aware that you toss these little gummy stickers in the trash right after you use them, and that may feel like you're physically throwing money in the garbage. But these aren't your typical eye masks that mostly act as selfie fodder—they deliver near instant results, and the effect is cumulative. When I know my eye area needs a serious jolt, I slap on these slippery masks on for twenty minutes. Then, I peel them off to reveal undereyes that have been both plumped and tightened, freshening my entire gaze. The skin around my eyelids, often itchy from allergies or contacts, feels calmed. And though there's a small dose of retinol infused into the serum, my skin never looks red or feels over-sensitized—just rejuvenated, smooth, and better primed for my makeup. It's like I've taken a ride in Doc Brown's DeLorean to un-drink last night's inflammatory negronis or stop my teenage self from laying in tanning beds. And fine, since the masks look like a glittery night sky, I'll take a selfie or two... I'm only human.

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