Best Sleep Masks

Ever wondered why it is advised to keep your sleeping environment dark? Light has profound effects on our sleep. It can pose a serious problem to our refreshing and sound sleep. Darkness is essential to sleep.

When our body is in complete darkness, i.e., when there is no light, our body gets a signal that the body needs to sleep.

But when our body is exposed to light at the wrong time, it disturbs our natural sleep-wake cycle and hampers our sleep.

Here is where the sleep masks come into the picture.

It not only limits exposure to light but also minimizes sleep disturbances caused by light. It improves sleep and is helpful for the people who wake up even by the slightest of disturbance.

Fitted onto your face, it provides a cocoon of darkness and helps a person to drift into his slumber. Also, it has been difficult for most of us to meditate due to numerous reasons.

Be it light or lack of concentration. Eye masks are man’s one of the most useful inventions.

1. Polyester fabric

PROS

• Sleep Masks designed with such material are pretty lightweight and soft to the skin. They have a soothing effect and are comfortable.
• One of the plus points of this fabric is that they are strong, resistant to stretching, shrinking, creating, and mildew and resistant to abrasion, which implies that it can be used in harsh climatic conditions.
• The main motive of sleep masks is to block light, and this fabric has light resistant properties, thereby blocking 100% light.
• Polyester is resistive to chemicals, so this makes it durable. So, this helps your sleep mask to maintain its shape and last longer.
• The best quality of this material is that it doesn’t absorb moisture, and hence, it isn’t easily stained. This helps in the laundry, which in turn requires less soap. It’s easier to clean.

CONS

• One always likes to buy stuff that pleases your eyes, but these fabrics are a little dull and unattractive.
• The air needs to pass through the material, but air does not pass through it. It can cause the person to feel sweaty.
• They are hydrophobic; that is, they do not allow moisture to pass through the material.
• Because of their composition, these fabrics are non-biodegradable. They aren’t eco-friendly.
• Because they look unattractive, this gives them a cheap appearance.

2. Silk

PROS

• The best quality of this fabric that appeals to everyone is the fact that it is ultra-soft. It makes it comfortable for people to use it.
• Because it is a natural fibre, it is bio-degradable, making it environment-friendly.
• It is one of the most hypoallergenic of all fabrics and is pretty fascinating and extremely beautiful.
• It is a highly resistive material, durable, and does not lose it’s shine even after heating and steaming or even if it is soaked in water.
• Silk can absorb about 30% of its weight in moisture without damping. It allows air to pass through it.
• It is very luxurious fabric and lightweight. It gives a soothing effect to the eyes.

CONS

• As it is made up of natural fibre, the sleep masks made up of this fabric is a little expensive than other fabrics.
• There is a little snag with this fabric. It leaves water spots, so these fabrics need to be carefully washed and dry cleaned.
• Also, they get yellowish and shrink with time.

3. Memory Foam

PROS

• Unlike other fabrics, it is vicious, and it’s elastic properties make it strong enough to withstand any pressure.
• Its amazing resistive nature makes it durable.
• It retains its properties for quite a long time.
• It is prepared with polyurethane that protects the sleep mask from debris and dirt. Therefore it prevents any sorts of skin allergies like acne or dust allergy.
• It is pretty easy to maintain and is also not very expensive. It has a reasonable cost.

CONS

• All the products of polyurethane are combustible; that is, they can catch fire and burn easily. As it is composed of polyurethane and so it is also combustible.
• It’s low resilience property; it’s hard to maintain.
• It does not allow air to pass through it because it is hard.

4. Mulberry silk

PROS

• It is a very flexible material that can be knit, woven, or spun without any problem.
• It is one of the best fabrics for making sleep masks as it regulates temperature.
• It absorbs moisture but does not let the person feel sweaty or the feeling of dampness.
• It allows air to pass through it. On the whole, it is a breathable fabric.
• It is an environment-friendly fabric and poses no threat to the environment. It is biodegradable and can be recycled without any problem.
• It is a pure fabric without any impurities. Also, it is odourless.
• It can be easily dyed with natural dyes.
• It does not require any unhealthy chemicals during manufacturing, making it the best material for the allergens.

CONS

• One of the problems faced with this fabric is that it requires special care to maintain it’s texture.
• When washed quite a few times, the material gets shrink.
• The fabric also gets damaged and shrinks when exposed to sunlight.
• It is preferred not to wash this material in machines; instead, it should be washed with hands.

5. Polyurethane foam

PROS

• Polyurethane foam is a suitable and most comfortable material for making sleep masks as it is one of the softest materials.
• Its durability is unquestionable, and it does not wear out with time.
• The materials designed with this material are elegant and simple.
• It has an effective thermal performance, which helps to reduce energy.

CONS

• The biggest disadvantage of this material is that it releases chemicals that can be dangerous for people, especially those facing any kind of respiratory problem.
• It reduces the flow of air, which in turn causes a lot of breathing problems.
• It is an expensive fabric as compared to the other fabrics used for making sleep masks.
• It is hygroscopic that means it tends to absorb moisture from the air, and hence, it is not very durable.
• It emits a foul smell and has a bad odour, which makes the person feel uneasy.
• Except for breathing problems, a person can also face skin allergies, including rashes and blindness or loss of consciousness if exposed to this type of material.

6. Satin 

PROS

• It a very elegant material that looks extremely attractive and is appealing to the eyes. It looks glossy and luxurious.
• It is extremely soft and is extremely comfortable.
• It is pretty lightweight and perfectly durable.
• It’s resistance to heat and easy to handle properties makes it a suitable fabric.

CONS

• The main disadvantage of this fabric is that it wrinkles easily.
• It is not stretchable material.
• Also, it does not allow the flow of air through it.

7. Cotton 

PROS

• It is an extremely lightweight and soft fabric that is very comfortable for people.
• It is not an expensive material and is pretty affordable.
• It allows air to pass through it.
• It can be dyed easily and allows air to pass through it.
• It can withstand hot temperatures and is soothing to the eyes.
• It is a natural fibre and does not irritate the skin.
• It keeps heat away or does not absorb heat and is a suitable fabric, especially in summers.

CONS

• Its colour fades away with subsequent washing.
• As it is a natural fibre, it can be easily damaged.
• It shrinks easily.
• It retains moisture and can absorb a large amount of moisture, which makes it shrink with time.
• It gets stained easily and is very difficult to wash.
• When exposed to sunlight, the fibre changes it’s colour and change to yellow.