6 Best Collagen Patches to Smooth, Hydrate, and Firm Skin

When it comes to collagen, more is better: This ingredient is growing in popularity, whether it’s available in supplements or infused into facial masks. Collagen patches are the latest version of this. That’s no surprise: This protein is an important part of the skin’s structure, acting as a scaffold to keep it firm, smooth, and supple. It naturally weakens with age (and through damage from external aggressors like UV rays), ultimately leading to wrinkles and fine lines over time.

FashionFavorite collagen patch:

Best for expression lines

Mixsoon Melting Collagen Neck and Forehead Mask

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Best for crow’s feet

Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Hydrogel Eye Mask

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But replenishing collagen—and making skin younger in the process—isn’t as simple as reinjecting collagen into the skin, especially when it comes to topical formulas. (For one thing, collagen itself is too big to really penetrate the skin barrier.) Instead, actives like retinol and peptides are better at actually boosting collagen production.

But according to Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, collagen patches can still work for different reasons. “For example, they can act as a very good moisturizer, drawing moisture from the air into the skin,” she says. “This softens fine lines, improves elasticity, and prevents moisture loss.” With that in mind, keep scrolling to see our picks and everything you need to know about incorporating them into your daily routine.

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Best Overall: CosRx Peptide Collagen Hydrogel Eye Patch

• Why we love it: Like many novel skin care products before it, collagen patches originated in Korea, so it’s no surprise that CosRx, best known for popularizing snail mucin in the United States, offers excellent collagen patches. It pairs collagen with peptides and adenosine, both of which work within the skin to promote its own collagen production. Additionally, “peptide collagen hydrogel locks in moisture, while antioxidants like niacinamide and caffeine reduce typical morning puffiness,” says Graf. The quote-shaped patches also allow you to apply them to the eye area and marionette lines around the forehead and mouth.
• Main ingredients: Collagen, peptides, caffeine, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
• Best for: Under the eyes, forehead, and around the mouth
• size: 60 patches

Best for expression lines: Mixsoon Melting Collagen Neck and Forehead Mask

• Why we love it: Forehead wrinkles, smile wrinkles, neck wrinkles – Mixsoon’s Melted Collagen Mask can erase them all with ease. The patch is infused with collagen and hydrolyzed collagen; the latter has been broken down into parts, which makes it easier for it to be absorbed deeper into the skin. Meanwhile, glutathione acts as an antioxidant to brighten skin tone, while hyaluronic acid absorbs moisture and locally plumps the skin.
• Main ingredients: Collagen, hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, glutathione
• Best for: Expression lines, dry or dehydrated skin
• size: 5 patches

Best for crow’s feet: Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Pure Hydrogel Eye Mask

• Why we love it: Graff recommends these eye masks because they’re an all-in-one option for a range of issues, including puffiness and dark circles. “They contain hydrolyzed collagen (which allows collagen to penetrate the skin) and caffeine to help wake up tired eyes,” she says. “Colloidal gold helps dark circle areas look lifted and firmer.” They come with a spatula for easy application, and the gel patches adhere easily and securely to the skin.
• Main ingredients: Colloidal gold, hydrolyzed collagen, caffeine
• Best for: Crow’s feet, dark circles, mature skin
• size: 60 patches

Best for neck lines: Anua Glass Skin Collagen Melting Patch

• Why we love it: These collagen patches are relatively large compared to other versions, which makes them particularly suitable for the neck or forehead – a direct mixture of collagen and PDRN (or salmon-derived PDRN) works to renew skin cells and smooth lines. The patches sit tightly against the skin for maximum absorption, and if you spray serum on the patch (or apply serum underneath), it will literally “melt” into the skin.
• Main ingredients: Collagen, PDRN
• Best for: People with loose neck skin
• size: 4 patches

Best for multiple uses: Mediheal Collagen Ampoule Pads

• Why we love it: The beauty of a toner pad is that it acts as a temporary collagen patch whenever (and whenever) you might need it. The combination of collagen, ceramides and milk protein enhances skin elasticity, making it soft and supple. It works on the eye area, smile lines, or both, and the pads are thoroughly saturated so they leave behind a serum you can dab onto your skin after removing them.
• Editing experience: “This product makes me use a hydrating toner pad and I love this from the Mediheal range. The Collagen Ampoule product leaves my skin hydrated and fully hydrated underneath the cream. I love that I can sweep it over my skin for a quick treatment or leave it on for a few minutes as a temporary mask.” —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor
• Main ingredients: Collagen, ceramide, milk protein extract, allantoin
• Best for: dry or sensitive skin
• size: 100 tablets

Best for Dark Circles: Abib Collagen Eye Patch

• Why we love it: If vegan skincare is a priority for you (and even if it’s not), you can safely power these gel patches with rose extract and vegan collagen. Whether you choose to use an adhesive gel patch, whether on your forehead or neck, both can support skin elasticity. But what makes these patches particularly effective for dark circles is that they contain caffeine and niacinamide, which target the root cause of dark circles—whether it’s a lack of sleep or sun exposure.
• Main ingredients: Rose of Jericho Extract, Collagen Extract, Niacinamide, Shea Butter, Caffeine, Allantoin
• Best for: puffiness or dark circles under the eyes
• size: 60 patches