Swimming Under the Eyes Gel Pads

There is a very specific moment in recent skincare history when under-eye patches stopped being something you used quietly in your bathroom and became something you photographed for the internet. Florence by Mills understood this shift perfectly when they launched the Swimming Under the Eyes Gel Pads — whale-shaped, photogenically translucent, and designed to make you look like you were doing something cute and intentional while your skincare worked.

But cute does not automatically mean effective, and the skincare community has rightfully learned to be skeptical of products that seem designed primarily for Instagram. So the relevant question is not whether these patches look good in a selfie — they do, obviously — but whether the fifteen minutes they spend on your face actually accomplish anything.

The answer, honestly, is a qualified yes. The formula is better than it needs to be for a product that could coast entirely on aesthetics. Niacinamide sitting third in the ingredient list — after water and glycerin — suggests a meaningful concentration of the ingredient, not a trace dusting for label purposes. Niacinamide is one of the best-studied brightening actives in dermatology, and its ability to inhibit melanin transfer to the skin surface is directly relevant to addressing pigmented dark circles. Sodium hyaluronate provides the plumping effect by drawing water into the thin under-eye skin, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate — a licorice root derivative — adds a second brightening pathway through its anti-inflammatory and tyrosinase-inhibiting properties.

The gel pad format itself is functional, not just decorative. The occlusive gel creates a sealed micro-environment that keeps the active-rich essence in direct contact with the skin for the full treatment duration, enhancing absorption compared to simply patting an eye cream underneath your eyes. The cooling effect of the gel is genuinely soothing, particularly for puffy morning eyes, and the adhesion is good enough to stay in place while you go about your morning routine.

The whale shape extends coverage slightly wider than standard crescent eye patches, treating more of the cheekbone and outer under-eye area. Whether this constitutes a genuine functional advantage or a convenient marketing distinction is debatable, but the extra coverage does feel more thorough during use.

After fifteen minutes — the brand's recommended treatment time — the skin underneath looks demonstrably smoother, more hydrated, and subtly brighter. The effect is real and visible, particularly if you started with dehydrated or slightly dull under-eye skin. This makes them genuinely useful for pre-event or pre-meeting prep, and the brightening effect helps concealer apply more evenly.

The honest limitation is duration. The plumping and brightening effects are temporary, lasting roughly four to six hours before the under-eye area returns to its baseline state. This is not a product defect — it is the reality of topical hydration treatments. No eye patch, regardless of price, permanently resolves dark circles in fifteen minutes. The value is in the temporary improvement, and how well the formula supports cumulative benefits with daily use.

With consistent daily use over several weeks, the niacinamide and licorice root do contribute to gradual brightening that extends beyond the immediate post-patch window. This is where the formula earns its keep — the actives provide genuine long-term benefits layered on top of the immediate cosmetic improvement.

At $34 for 30 pairs, each treatment costs roughly $1.13 — comparable to other branded eye patches and significantly less than luxury options. The jar format is more environmentally conscious than individually wrapped pairs, though the single-use nature of the patches themselves still generates waste. The fragrance-free, vegan, cruelty-free formulation is genuinely clean and well-suited for the delicate eye area.

Florence by Mills built a viral product that also happens to work reasonably well. The formula is not revolutionary, but it is thoughtfully composed with proven brightening and hydrating actives at what appear to be functional concentrations. For anyone who wants their skincare routine to include a fun, effective, and photogenic under-eye treatment, the Swimming Under the Eyes Gel Pads deliver on both the aesthetic promise and the functional one — within the realistic limits of what a fifteen-minute topical treatment can accomplish.

Formula

The Science

The formula's brightening strategy relies primarily on niacinamide and dipotassium glycyrrhizate, which address dark circles through complementary mechanisms. Niacinamide inhibits the transfer of melanosomes from melanocytes to keratinocytes, effectively reducing the appearance of pigmented dark circles. A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology (2002) demonstrated that topical niacinamide significantly reduced hyperpigmentation in a controlled trial, with effects visible after 4 weeks of consistent application.

Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, derived from licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), provides anti-inflammatory benefits through inhibition of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and cyclooxygenase activity. Research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food has shown that licorice-derived compounds effectively reduce melanin production through tyrosinase inhibition, providing a second brightening pathway distinct from niacinamide's mechanism.

Sodium hyaluronate, the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid with a lower molecular weight than the parent compound, penetrates more readily into the epidermis. In the occlusive environment created by the gel pad, this penetration is further enhanced — studies on occlusive delivery systems published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics have demonstrated that occlusion increases transepidermal penetration of hydrophilic actives by 2-5 fold compared to open application.

The temporary plumping effect results from sodium hyaluronate's water-binding capacity — each molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. This hydration-driven plumping visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and dehydration creases in the thin periorbital skin, though the effect diminishes as the water redistributes over several hours.

References

1. The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer — British Journal of Dermatology (2002)

Dermatologist Perspective

Board-certified dermatologists view under-eye patches as useful supplementary treatments rather than standalone solutions for dark circles. The niacinamide and licorice root derivative in this formula are both recognized brightening agents in dermatological practice, and dermatologists note that the occlusive gel pad delivery system enhances their penetration compared to conventional eye creams. Dermatologists typically advise patients that dark circles have multiple potential causes — including genetics, thin skin, vascular congestion, and pigmentation — and that topical patches are most effective for pigmentation-driven and dehydration-related darkness, while structural or vascular causes may require different interventions.

Guidance

The Swimming Under the Eyes Gel Pads became one of Florence by Mills' breakout products, driven largely by their photogenic whale shape that dominated Instagram and TikTok skincare routines. The product tapped into the self-care ritual trend among Gen Z consumers, turning a functional under-eye treatment into a shareable moment.

About Florence by Mills Emerging Brand (2–5 years)

Florence by Mills launched in 2019 as a clean beauty brand associated with actress Millie Bobby Brown, targeting Gen Z consumers. The brand is dermatologist-tested and cruelty-free, with products designed for simplicity and accessibility rather than clinical innovation.

Brand founded: 2019 · Product launched: 2019

Myth vs. Reality

Myth

Under-eye patches permanently remove dark circles and bags.

Reality

These gel pads provide temporary hydration and brightening effects that last several hours. Dark circles caused by genetics, thin skin, or vascular issues require consistent treatment with targeted ingredients over months — or may not respond to topical products at all. These patches are best viewed as a temporary boost, not a cure.

Myth

The whale shape is just a gimmick with no functional benefit.

Reality

While primarily a design choice, the whale shape does provide slightly wider coverage than traditional crescent-shaped eye patches, extending treatment to the upper cheekbone area where hydration and brightening are also beneficial. The adhesion is comparable to standard shapes.

FAQ

Common Praise

"Adorable whale shape makes skincare feel fun and approachable"

"Immediate plumping and brightening effect under the eyes"

"Fragrance-free and non-irritating even on sensitive under-eye skin"

"Great for pre-event prep and selfie-ready skin"

"Hydrating without being heavy or leaving residue"

Common Complaints

"Effects are mostly temporary and fade within hours"

"Price per pair is high for single-use disposable patches"

"Not significantly more effective than a good eye cream for long-term results"

"Packaging creates single-use plastic waste"

"Whale shape can be impractical for some eye shapes"

Notable Endorsements

Dermatologist-testedOne of Florence by Mills' bestselling products

Appears In

best eye cream for dark circles best eye cream for dullness

Related Conditions

dark circles dullness dehydration

Related Ingredients

niacinamide hyaluronic acid licorice root allantoin