The Brick carries twin beds in their entry-level, mid-range, and premium tiers, with prices typically ranging from $199 for basic foam to $999 for brand-name innerspring or hybrid models. Their selection focuses on high-volume national brands with frequent promotional pricing and bundled delivery deals. Mattress Miracle at 441½ West Street in Brantford offers a different shopping experience from big-box retailers. Dorothy notes that while The Brick provides wide selection and promotional pricing, our showroom offers something large chain stores cannot: personalized guidance from sleep specialists who know every mattress on the floor by name, without commission-driven upselling, in a quiet environment where you can test each bed without feeling rushed or watched. Call (519) 770-0001.
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How Light Suppresses Melatonin Even Through Closed Eyelids
Most people assume that closing their eyes provides sufficient darkness for sleep. This assumption is understandable but incorrect. The human eyelid is translucent, not opaque. Multiple research studies have measured the actual light transmission through closed eyelids and found values ranging from 5 to 15 percent of ambient light, depending on the individual's eyelid thickness and pigmentation.
In practical terms, this means that in a room with 100 lux of illumination (a moderately lit bedroom at night), approximately 5 to 15 lux of light is reaching the retina even through closed eyelids. The retinal photoreceptors responsible for circadian regulation, the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) containing the photopigment melanopsin, are exquisitely sensitive to light at night. Research has shown that exposures as low as 1 lux of blue-enriched light can suppress melatonin secretion.
- Streetlights and exterior illumination: In urban areas across Ontario, including Brantford, Hamilton, and Cambridge, streetlight intrusion through curtains or blinds is common. LED streetlights, which have strong blue-light components, are particularly effective at melatonin suppression.
- Partner's reading light: A bedside lamp or tablet screen used by a partner who sleeps later can reach the sleeping partner's retinas even through closed lids.
- Electronic standby lights: The glow from televisions on standby, cable boxes, routers, and other electronics can accumulate to meaningful levels in a dark room.
- Early morning sunlight: In summer months at Canadian latitudes, sunrise can occur before 6 a.m. Eastward-facing windows without blackout curtains allow early light to enter the bedroom and reduce the final sleep cycles.
- Shift work and napping: Shift workers who sleep during daylight hours and people who take daytime naps face full ambient daylight, which the body strongly resists sleeping through.
The melatonin suppression mechanism is not the only problem with light during sleep. Research also indicates that light exposure during the night shifts the circadian clock, contributing to phase delays (difficulty falling asleep earlier the next night) and can disrupt the depth of sleep stages even when it does not cause full awakening. A 2013 study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (Gooley et al.) documented that even modest room light before and during sleep significantly suppressed melatonin and altered circadian timing.
The solution is straightforward: eliminate light at the retina. This can be achieved through room darkening (blackout curtains, sealing light gaps) or through wearing a well-fitted, total-blackout sleep mask. Many people find the combination most effective.
Eye Pads vs. Sleep Masks: Understanding the Difference
The terms "eye pads," "eye patches," "sleep masks," and "eye masks" are used interchangeably in some contexts and distinctly in others. Understanding the functional categories helps you identify the right product for your specific need.
Eye pads (beauty/skincare context): Small, typically single-use or multi-use pads placed under or over the eyes to deliver skincare ingredients (hyaluronic acid, caffeine, peptides, collagen), reduce puffiness through cooling or compression, or provide a relaxing sensation. These are beauty products first. They are not designed to block light and are not worn throughout sleep because they lack a strap system and are often used lying down for 10 to 20 minutes rather than for a full night.
Sleep masks (darkness context): Covering the full eye area with a strap system designed to stay in place during sleep. The primary function is blocking light. Quality varies enormously from thin flat fabric masks that do not achieve total blackout to contoured, padded designs that create a light-sealed cavity around each eye.
Hybrid products: A growing category of products bridges these two purposes. Weighted eye masks, silk masks with cooling properties, and masks with detachable gel inserts serve both darkness and skin/relaxation functions. These are generally more expensive than either category alone but can be worthwhile for people who want both benefits.
Types of Eye Covers for Sleep
Within the sleep mask category, several distinct constructions serve different needs.
Flat fabric masks: The simplest design. A flat piece of fabric, typically cotton, polyester, or a fabric blend, with a strap. These are the least expensive option and the most common. The limitation is that they press against closed eyelids, which some people find uncomfortable, and they rarely achieve total blackout because they cannot form a complete seal around the nose bridge and cheeks. Best for light sleepers who need minimal darkness improvement and are not sensitive to pressure on the eyes.
Silk sleep masks: Flat or slightly padded masks made from mulberry or charmeuse silk. Silk has a naturally cool, smooth feel that is gentle on delicate eye area skin. Quality silk masks are also slightly more opaque than standard fabric. The silk does not absorb skincare products from the eye area as aggressively as cotton, which is relevant for people who apply eye creams or serums before sleep. Silk masks are a popular recommendation in the beauty-sleep community for both their darkness and their skin-gentleness.
Contoured (3D) memory foam masks: These masks have moulded eye cups that create a physical gap between the fabric and the eyelids. The contoured design achieves two things: it eliminates pressure on the eyes entirely (important for people who find flat masks uncomfortable or who have concerns about eyelash extensions or eye procedures), and it creates a better seal around the eye area that is more effective at blocking light. Memory foam contoured masks are generally considered the highest performers for total blackout. They are heavier than fabric masks and may not suit stomach sleepers.
Cooling gel masks: Masks with a gel layer that can be refrigerated before use to provide a cooling effect. The cooling sensation is vasoconstrictive, reducing periocular puffiness through a similar mechanism to cold compresses. Some cooling masks are designed for relaxation use (10 to 20 minutes lying down) rather than overnight wear. Those designed for overnight use typically have a soft outer layer and a removable gel insert so the gel can be replaced without washing the whole mask.
Weighted eye masks: A newer category. These masks contain small weighted beads (typically glass or steel) distributed across the eye area to apply gentle, even pressure. The mechanism is similar to weighted blankets: gentle pressure activates the parasympathetic nervous system and may reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Weighted masks are heavier and slightly warmer than standard masks, which some people love and others find uncomfortable.
Heated masks: Battery-powered or USB-powered masks that provide gentle warmth to the eye area. Warmth increases blood circulation and can relieve dry eye symptoms and tension around the eyes. These are primarily for therapeutic use (dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction) rather than sleep darkness specifically, but some people find the warmth relaxing as a pre-sleep ritual.
What to Look for in a Sleep Mask
With the market flooded with options at every price point, a practical checklist helps separate quality products from marketing-heavy underperformers.
- Total blackout vs. light filtering: Test by trying the mask on in a lit room and checking whether any light penetrates at the nose bridge, cheeks, or through the fabric. A quality total-blackout mask should produce near-complete darkness. Light filtering masks that merely reduce rather than eliminate light are appropriate for people who need some ambient light perception (for night waking with children, for example) but are not optimal for sleep quality.
- Eye pressure: Press the mask against your face and check whether the fabric or foam contacts your closed eyelids directly. For most people, zero eye contact is preferable. If you have REM sleep behaviour disorder, wear lash extensions, or have had recent eye surgery, a contoured no-touch design is essential.
- Strap system: A single back strap is standard but can dig in at the back of the head, which is uncomfortable for back sleepers. Adjustable straps are better. Some masks use a top-head strap (looping over the crown rather than behind the head) which eliminates pressure at the back of the skull. Double-strap systems offer the best adjustment options.
- Strap material: Wide, soft straps made from the same fabric as the mask or from a stretchy, smooth material are far more comfortable for extended wear than thin elastic, which can cause headaches or pressure marks.
- Face contact material: Silk, soft cotton, and high-quality memory foam are the most comfortable against the eye area skin. Rough polyester, hard foam edges, and materials with seams across the contact surface cause irritation with extended wear.
- Washability: Any mask worn regularly against the skin near the eyes should be washable. Check that the mask is machine or hand-washable and that washing does not degrade the blackout capability.
- Weight and bulk: Heavier, thicker masks offer better blackout but are harder to sleep in for side and stomach sleepers. Balance the darkness requirement against your primary sleep position.
Eye Pads for Puffy Eyes: How They Work
Eye puffiness on waking has several causes, including fluid accumulation from lying flat overnight (reduced lymphatic drainage), allergies, crying, alcohol consumption, and salt-heavy evening eating. Eye pads designed to address puffiness work through two main mechanisms.
Cooling and vasoconstriction: Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, reducing local blood flow and fluid accumulation. Gel eye pads stored in the refrigerator or freezer compartment deliver this cooling effect directly to the periocular area. The effect is temporary, typically lasting 20 to 60 minutes, but is useful for morning preparation before events or workdays.
Active ingredient delivery: Many commercial eye pads contain ingredients intended to address puffiness through biological mechanisms. Common active ingredients include caffeine (which constricts blood vessels and may reduce fluid accumulation), hyaluronic acid (which draws moisture and plumps the skin), peptides (which claim to address structural causes of puffiness), and green tea extract (antioxidant and mild vasoconstriction).
The evidence for active ingredient eye pads is mixed. Caffeine has the strongest topical evidence for periocular puffiness reduction. Peptides and collagen-claiming products have weaker direct evidence but are widely used. For practical purposes, the cooling effect from refrigerated pads is likely the primary mechanism regardless of the ingredient list.
Eye pads used for puffiness are typically applied for 10 to 20 minutes as part of a pre-sleep or post-sleep routine rather than worn during sleep itself. Using them before sleep as part of your wind-down routine can serve the dual purpose of delivering skincare benefits and creating a sensory signal that it is time to relax, which can be useful in building sleep onset associations.
Sleep Position and Eye Cover Compatibility
Your primary sleep position matters when choosing a sleep mask.
Back sleepers: Have the most options. Contoured, bulky, and weighted masks all work well for back sleepers since there is no surface for the mask to press against. The main consideration is the strap at the back of the head. Top-head straps are comfortable for back sleepers who find the back-of-head strap annoying.
Side sleepers: Need to consider that the mask will press against the pillow on the down side. Contoured memory foam masks compress on one side, which may create uneven pressure. A flat silk mask or a thin flat fabric mask often works better for side sleepers because it does not add significant bulk. The strap must be low-profile enough not to add significant lump where the head rests on the pillow.
Stomach sleepers: The most challenging position for any sleep mask. Contoured masks, weighted masks, and bulky designs are incompatible with stomach sleeping because of the pressure they create when the face is against the pillow. Thin flat masks are the only practical option for confirmed stomach sleepers, and even these may shift during the night.
Hygiene and Care for Sleep Masks
A sleep mask worn nightly accumulates skin oils, skincare product residue, sweat, and environmental debris. Proper care extends the mask's life and prevents skin issues around the delicate eye area.
For silk masks: hand wash in cool water with a silk-safe detergent, never machine wash or wring out, roll in a towel to remove excess water, and air dry flat. Wash every one to two weeks with nightly use.
For cotton and polyester masks: most can be machine washed on a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Air dry rather than machine dry to preserve elastic straps. Wash every one to two weeks with regular use.
For memory foam contoured masks: typically cannot be machine washed as the foam degrades. Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap, allow to air dry completely before next use. The fabric cover, if removable, can usually be washed separately.
For gel eye pads and cooling inserts: follow manufacturer instructions. Many are single-use. Reusable gel inserts should be cleaned between uses to prevent bacterial growth, particularly around the eye area.
The Full Picture: Sleep Environment
A sleep mask addresses one component of the sleep environment: light. But sleep quality is the product of the whole environment working together. Temperature, noise, surface comfort, and partner disturbance all contribute alongside light.
If you are already wearing a sleep mask and addressing light but still waking frequently, feeling unrefreshed, or experiencing partner disturbance, the mattress itself may be contributing. Mattresses that transfer motion, sleep hot, or no longer provide adequate support can undermine sleep quality in ways that no sleep mask compensates for.
At Mattress Miracle in Brantford, we think about sleep environment holistically. A sleep mask is one tool; the mattress is another, arguably the most foundational one. See our articles on sleeping mask benefits, beauty sleep and what it actually means, and bedroom light and sleep for more on optimising your sleep environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can light get through closed eyelids while sleeping?
Yes. Approximately 10 percent of ambient light passes through closed eyelids and reaches the retina. This is sufficient to suppress melatonin production and disrupt sleep architecture, particularly in bright environments such as bedrooms with streetlights, early morning sun, or sleeping near a partner's wake-up light.
What is the difference between eye pads and sleep masks?
Eye pads are primarily beauty-oriented products placed over the eyes to reduce puffiness or deliver skincare ingredients. Sleep masks are darkness-focused products worn to block light during sleep. The distinction is blurring as some products serve both functions, but the core purpose differs: eye pads prioritise skin benefits, sleep masks prioritise darkness.
Do sleep masks actually improve sleep quality?
Yes, with evidence. A 2010 study in Critical Care Medicine found that combining earplugs and eye masks in ICU patients significantly increased REM sleep, reduced arousals, and improved perceived sleep quality. Research supports that eliminating light exposure via eye masks increases melatonin production and improves sleep onset latency and continuity in light-sensitive environments.
What should I look for in a sleep mask?
Key features include: total blackout capability, whether the mask exerts pressure on the eyes (contoured designs avoid this), strap adjustability and material, the fabric against the skin (silk and cotton are most comfortable), and washability. For stomach sleepers, flat masks work better than contoured ones.
Are cooling eye pads good for sleep?
Cooling gel eye pads help with periocular puffiness and provide a relaxing sensation before sleep but are not designed for wearing during sleep as they lack a strap system. For the cooling benefit during sleep, look for sleep masks with gel inserts designed to be worn overnight, or use a contoured silk mask which feels cool initially against the skin.
References
- Hu, R.F., Jiang, X.Y., Zeng, Y.M., Chen, X.Y., & Zhang, Y.H. (2010). Effects of earplugs and eye masks on nocturnal sleep, melatonin and cortisol in healthy subjects. Sleep Medicine, 11(7), 663-668.
- Gooley, J.J., et al. (2011). Exposure to room light before bedtime suppresses melatonin onset and shortens melatonin duration in humans. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 96(3), E463-E472.
- Lockley, S.W., Brainard, G.C., & Czeisler, C.A. (2003). High sensitivity of the human circadian melatonin rhythm to resetting by short wavelength light. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 88(9), 4502-4505.
- Walker, M. (2017). Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams. New York: Scribner.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle, 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON, (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.
If you are working to improve your sleep environment and want to know whether your mattress is also part of the equation, come in and talk to us.
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- Radwan A, Fess P, James D, et al. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment. Sleep Health. 2015;1(4):257-267.
- Caggiari G, Talesa GR, Toro G, et al. What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. 2021;22(1):51.
- CertiPUR-US. What is Certified Foam? Consumer standards for foam emissions and chemistry.