DRMTLGY Eye Masks: How Long to Leave Them On and What to Pair

Hydrogel under-eye patches trace back to South Korea, according to one review paper, and early versions were cloth strips soaked in a sticky emulsion. The jelly kind most of us know now was popularized by Korean brands, and Petitfee is often credited with helping to make the hydrogel eye patch a K-beauty habit. Elle made the same point this September, saying K-beauty keeps bringing new skin care formats to the US.

DRMTLGY is a newer name in that story. The Los Angeles brand launched in 2017, is fully self-funded, and sold only on its own site until its retail debut at the end of 2025. Its press release names Scott Futterman as co-founder and CEO and Samuel Raoof as co-founder and COO, and says its products are made in an FDA-registered facility in Los Angeles.

When you search for drmtlgy brightening eye masks, you are looking at the FacialRX Brightening Eye Masks. The brand describes them as biodegradable hydrogel masks with caffeine, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, and says niacinamide, caffeine and licorice aim at the look of dark circles. Its own consumer-perception figures include 91% noticing reduced puffiness, which I read as the brand's claim and not a test of mine.

The first grid is DRMTLGY, from the eye masks to cleanser and sunscreen. The second grid is eye patches from other brands. My tip: the brand suggests keeping the masks in the fridge, and I would try that for puffy mornings.

The DRMTLGY FacialRX Brightening Eye Masks with Peptides and Hyaluronic Acid come as 30 pairs, and they are the hero of this grid. You apply them to clean, dry under-eyes for 10 to 15 minutes, then pat in the leftover serum. I would hand them to anyone with dull, tired-looking eyes and dry skin.

After that comes the eye step. DRMTLGY Luminous Eye Corrector SPF 41 is a 3-in-1 corrector that visibly reduces dark circles, smooths fine lines and protects against photoaging, so it works for mornings. HPR Firming and Smoothing Eye Cream is a retinoid under-eye treatment, which I would keep for nights and not layer with other strong actives.

For the rest of the face, the Needle-less Plumping and Smoothing Serum is a peptide serum with Cerapep Technology, and Peptide Night Cream has 5 peptides and 3 ceramides without a greasy feel. Pumpkin Enzyme Clarifying Mask is a self-warming exfoliating mask, so use it weekly, and treat it as the exfoliation step in the routine. Essential Face Cleanser is a hydrating cream cleanser with 11 botanical extracts that removes impurities without stripping, and SmrtSun Broad Spectrum SPF 45 is an invisible, non-greasy sunscreen with hyaluronic acid.

What I would skip: the retinoid eye cream and the enzyme mask on the same night. One active step at a time is plenty, especially around the eyes.

These are the patches I would compare. Summer Fridays Jet Lag are nonslip hydrogel patches with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, cucumber extract, caffeine and peptides. Topicals Faded has caffeine, kojic acid and arbutin, so it leans toward discoloration. Peace Out Caffeine Puffy patches are biocellulose with caffeine, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Find Comfort comes with 8 pairs and has caffeine, green tea and hyaluronic acid. It is the cooling, soothing one. Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox Hydra-Gel patches have cucumber, aloe and chamomile, and they are the calmest option here, though they have the lowest rating of the group at 3.9.

Yepoda The Depuff Eyespresso is a jar of caffeine and green tea patches, aimed at normal, dry and combination skin. Biodance Caviar PDRN Eye Patches pack caviar and PDRN, which is the choice if you are curious about the newer ingredient. Dolce&Gabbana No-Puff Caffeine patches use coffee extract and adenosine for a firming, awakening feel.

For puffiness, I would reach for caffeine patches chilled. For dark circles, look for niacinamide or kojic acid. Patches only do so much, so keep your expectations calm.

What I would skip: the PDRN patches if you are sensitive and new to the ingredient. Patch test on your arm first.

I think the DRMTLGY masks are a good place to start if you want brightening and hydration in ten minutes, and the brand's other eye steps are there if you like a full routine. If you just want to compare formats, try one hydrogel and one biocellulose pair side by side. Keep what makes your eyes look rested, and ignore the rest. Daily sunscreen is the step I would not skip, and the brand's own grid includes both an SPF eye corrector and a daily sunscreen. Patch or no patch, protect that thin skin every morning, and let the masks be the treat you reach for on tired days.