Swimming Under the Eyes Gel Pads
Gen Z Under-Eye Essential
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Niacinamide-forward formula provides genuine brightening benefits beyond simple hydration
- +Fragrance-free and dermatologist-tested for safe use on delicate under-eye skin
- +Gel pad occlusion enhances active ingredient absorption compared to standard eye creams
- +Immediate visible plumping and brightening effect useful for pre-event preparation
- +Vegan and Leaping Bunny cruelty-free with clean paraben-free formulation
- +Whale shape provides broader coverage extending to upper cheekbone area
- −Brightening and plumping effects are primarily temporary lasting only hours
- −Per-pair cost of roughly $1.13 adds up with daily use over time
- −Single-use patches generate packaging waste despite jar storage format
- −Not significantly more effective long-term than a well-formulated eye cream
- −Whale shape may not fit all eye shapes equally well
The full review.
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.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Aqua (Water, Eau), Glycerin, Niacinamide, Carrageenan, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Dextrin, Allantoin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sucrose, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Propanediol, Cyclodextrin, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hexylene Glycol, Calcium Chloride, Cellulose Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77007 (Ultramarines).
Skin match.
The science.
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
- 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
Where it fits in your routine.
Use clean fingers or the included spatula to remove one pair of gel pads from the jar. Place the wider end under the outer corner of each eye and press gently to secure adhesion. Leave on for 15 minutes. Remove patches and pat any remaining essence into the skin with your ring finger. Apply eye cream and the rest of your skincare routine next. Use daily or as needed before events.
At $34 for 30 pairs (roughly $1.13 per treatment), these patches price competitively in the mid-range eye patch market. Premium brands charge $3-8 per pair for similar hydrogel patches with comparable active ingredients. The niacinamide-forward approach and fragrance-free formulation offer better ingredient quality than many drugstore alternatives. However, for long-term under-eye care, a quality eye cream applied twice daily provides better cumulative value than single-use patches — use the patches as a supplementary treatment or pre-event boost rather than as the sole under-eye care product.
This is a fun, effective pre-event under-eye treatment with brightening ingredients. It works for young adults starting a skincare routine, people who like skincare rituals, or anyone with mild dark circles and under-eye dullness who wants a clean, fragrance-free formulation.
Topical patches provide temporary improvement, not structural correction for severe dark circles or deep under-eye bags. They also offer less value for budget-conscious consumers. A dedicated niacinamide eye cream for daily use has a lower per-application cost.
Product details.
Translucent, jelly-like gel pads soak in a lightweight hydrating essence. The gel feels cool and slippery on the skin and adheres well to the under-eye area.
Unscented — no detectable fragrance
Individual gel pad pairs come in a resealable jar. The whale-shaped pads are the brand's signature aesthetic detail — playful and recognizable.
The cool gel pads feel refreshing and soothe skin on first application. They adhere well without slipping, and the hydrating essence keeps the under-eye area moist during the 15-minute treatment. After removal, the skin looks temporarily plumper and brighter. There is no tingling, stinging, or irritation.
1 month with daily use (30 pairs)
12 months
All Year
The backstory.
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. This clean beauty brand associates with actress Millie Bobby Brown and targets Gen Z consumers. The brand is dermatologist-tested and cruelty-free. Its products focus on simplicity and accessibility instead of clinical innovation.
Common myths.
Under-eye patches permanently remove dark circles and bags.
These gel pads provide temporary hydration and brightening for several hours. Genetics, thin skin, or vascular issues cause dark circles that need months of targeted ingredients or may not respond to topical products. These patches provide a temporary boost, not a cure.
The whale shape is a gimmick and has no functional benefit.
The whale shape is mostly a design choice, but it covers more area than traditional crescent-shaped eye patches. This extends treatment to the upper cheekbone area for hydration and brightening. Adhesion is comparable to standard shapes.
FAQ.
How often should I use Florence by Mills Swimming Under the Eyes Gel Pads?
Use them daily in your morning routine for brightening, or save them for special occasions and pre-event prep. The 30-pair jar lasts one month with daily use. Use them daily for the best brightening results.
Myth
Do these eye patches actually work for dark circles?
The niacinamide and licorice root derivative brighten skin, but the effects are temporary and last only several hours after removal. For persistent dark circles, use these patches as a supplement to an eye cream containing consistent brightening ingredients.
How to Use
Can I wear these under makeup?
Yes — apply the patches to clean skin for 15 minutes before applying makeup. After removal, pat the remaining essence into the skin and let it absorb for one minute before you use concealer or foundation. This hydration helps makeup apply more smoothly under the eyes.
Are these eye patches suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes — the formula is fragrance-free, paraben-free, and dermatologist-tested. These ingredients are gentle for the delicate periorbital area. If you have a known sensitivity to any botanical extract, check the full ingredient list before use.
Packaging
Why are they shaped like whales?
The whale shape is Florence by Mills' signature design for their under-eye products. This playful aesthetic went viral on social media, but the wider coverage area also treats more under-eye and upper cheekbone skin than standard crescent-shaped patches.
What the community says.
"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"
"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"
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