Sleep Mask

Sleep masks help when light is the reason you're not sleeping well, which is more common than people think. Even small amounts of light from a streetlamp, a partner's phone, or a charging cable suppress melatonin production and break the deep-sleep cycle. A well-fitted mask removes the light without disturbing the head, and for many sleepers that's the single biggest upgrade after a quality pillow.

A premium sleep mask uses a soft, breathable fabric on the side that touches the skin — Tencel is the upgrade from cotton, with a smoother fiber that reduces friction against eyelashes, skin, and hair. A structured shape keeps the mask lifted off the eyelids so there's no pressure on the eyes while you sleep. And an adjustable strap holds firm through the night without pulling hair or leaving marks.

Cheap masks fail on at least one of these: the fabric scratches or traps heat, the shape squashes the eyes, or the strap slips by 3am. Tencel's moisture-wicking properties also keep the skin-contact side cool and dry — cotton absorbs and holds, Tencel moves it away. The mask should disappear the moment you put it on.

Tencel is the practical upgrade from cotton: softer against skin, naturally breathable, and machine washable without special care. Silk is the alternative for sleepers who want the smoothest possible feel or who have skin sensitivities; it costs more and needs more careful washing. Our sleep masks use the same Tencel that goes into our pillowcases and sheets, finished without harsh softeners that would break down the fibre with regular washing.

Wash the mask weekly or every two weeks, depending on use. Hand wash or use a delicate machine cycle at 30 degrees Celsius with a mild detergent.

Skip fabric softener, which can leave residue near the eyes. Air dry, do not tumble dry, since the strap elastic can degrade with heat. With weekly washing, a quality mask lasts two years or more.

Sleep masks are typically sized to fit adult heads with an adjustable strap. Most fit head circumferences from about 50 to 60 cm.

The shape is what matters more than the size: contoured (concave) masks leave room for the eyes to blink and move during REM sleep, while flat masks press on the eyelids and can cause discomfort. Ours are shaped, not flat.

A mask still adds value in a dark room: it blocks the small light sources you don't notice (clocks, chargers, the gap under the door) and creates a complete dark environment that supports deeper sleep cycles. It also becomes essential when travelling, on flights, or for daytime naps. The investment is small and the upside compounds across years of better sleep.