buuk.top / Kristin Kempa
While working as a makeup artist I regularly had clients that had all but given up on wearing eye makeup. Anyone with sensitive eyes knows that using an irritating eye product even just once can leave you looking red and puffy for days. For most people one bad experience is enough to put them off ever attempting a winged liner or smokey eye again. But by selecting products that avoid harsh chemicals and applying them gently, even people with the most delicate eyes can create almost any makeup look.
Beauty products are so packed full of ingredients it can be a minefield trying to single out exactly which ones are causing you to react. Board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD explains, “Eye sensitivity can be caused by a variety of factors. Allergens, pollutants and environmental aggressors present in the air can all cause sensitization of the eyes, which may manifest as redness, itchiness, scratchiness or irritation.”
It may be difficult to pinpoint exactly what sets your eyes off, but Engelman specifically recommends avoiding products that contain common irritants such as synthetic fragrances and colors, sulfates, parabens, talc, alcohol, essential oils, and preservatives like formaldehyde.
We conducted hours of research on the best makeup for those with sensitive eyes. After evaluating products based on their ingredient lists and if they are dermatologist tested, we consulted a makeup artist and dermatologist for their top picks.
Blinc Micropoint Pen at Amazon
BareMinerals Mineralist Eyeshadow Palette at Amazon
La Roche Posay Toleriane Extension Mascara at Walmart
essence Bye Bye Panda Eyes Tubing Mascara at Amazon
Tarte Sugar Rush Easy on the Eye Pencil Liner at Ulta
Physicians Formula 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner at Amazon
Glo Skin Beauty Under Eye Concealer Duo at Amazon
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm at Amazon
In This Article
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Best Ballpoint Liner
Blinc Micropoint Pen
Amazon
Felt tip for precise application
Suitable for contact lens wearers
Highly pigmented jet black finish
Doesn’t bleed, pull or skip when applying
Tip may be too thin for some wearers
While other trends come and go black eyeliner is the one beauty staple that transcends the ages. From Cleopatra to Brigitte Bardot, there is no doubt that a sweep of liner on your top lid enhances your eyes and elevates any makeup look. Those with sensitive eyes however may be feeling a little left out since this go-to look for many can often leave them looking more pandaesque than chic and regal. Blinc, the makeup brand that only focuses on eye products has come up with the perfect solution with their Micropoint Pen to ensure easy application with no irritating ingredients. Free from sulfates, parabens and fragrance, its formula is also sweat, tear and steam proof. Created for long lasting wear and active lifestyles, whether you are exercising, working long hours or battling the elements, this eyeliner is made to last all day without ever smudging.
Dermatologist Tested: Yes | Cruelty Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $24
Best Eyeshadow
BareMinerals Mineralist Eyeshadow Palette
BareMinerals
View On Sephora
View On Walmart
Talc Free formula
Fully recyclable packaging
Matte and satin options
Ophthalmologist-tested
Color choices may not be vibrant enough for some wearers
If you have long dreamed about creating a multi-toned eyeshadow look but have always held back due to fears of seriously irritating your eyes then the BareMinerals Mineralist Eyeshadow Palette could be just what you need to help you finally achieve a fresh day look or a disco ready smokey eye. Created by combining cold-pressed botanicals and mineral pigments, these shadows soothe eyes with antioxidant and omega rich ingredients while also providing crease-proof colors in a variety of finishes. Get creative by mixing, layering and blending these warm and earthy shades in both matte and shimmer.
Dermatologist Tested: Yes | Cruelty Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $32
Best Mascara
La Roche Posay Toleriane Extension Mascara
Walmart
View On Thredup.com
View On Laroche-posay.us
Hypoallergenic formula
Fragrance and paraben free
Ophthalmologist Tested
Non-irritating for sensitive eyes
Sells out quickly, so maybe difficult to find
Mascara can wreak havoc on eyes due to how close it gets to sensitive areas. Even the slightest irritant can cause intolerable itching and redness. Long trusted by dermatologists as one of the best brands for delicate skin, La Roche Posay has formuted their Extension Mascara specifically not to aggravate sensitive eyes. This hypoallergenic mascara adds length and volume by separating the individual lashes and adding structure from the root to the tip. It also contains glycerin to act as a humectant and hydrate skin to avoid eyes drying out.
Dermatologist Tested: Yes | Cruelty Free: No
Price at time of publish: $50
Best Water-Resistant Mascara
essence Bye Bye Panda Eyes Tubing Mascara
Amazon
View On Ulta
View On Essencemakeup.com
Amazing Value
Free from parabens, oil, perfume and alcohol
Doesn’t smudge or flake
Some users may find the brush too big for the inner corners of the eye
This might be one of the mostly aptly named beauty products ever. Essence have created this tubing formula mascara to define lashes and prevent smudging. Tubing mascaras can be a great option for people with sensitive eyes as unlike regular mascaras that paint your lashes with pigment, tubing mascaras coat each individual lash in water-resistant “tubes”. This technique is far less likely to irritate eyes and result in messy looking eye makeup. The mascara is also free from harsh ingredients meaning it won’t leave you with the temptation to itch or scratch eyes.
Dermatologist Tested:No| Cruelty Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $5
Best Pencil Eyeliner
Tarte Sugar Rush Easy on the Eye Pencil Liner
Ulta
View On Tartecosmetics.com
Safe for inner rim
Long-lasting wear
Waterproof
Safe for contact lens wearers
Pencil tip may be too thick for some users
Tarte’s ophthalmologist tested pencil liner is so gentle that it glides along the lids creating a seamless and clean line to emphasize and accentuate the eyes. It can also be used along the waterline and in the inner corner due to its creamy texture. Its waterproof formula also means that it won’t smudge or bleed. Created from Amazonian clay and free from parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, triclosan and sodium lauryl sulfate this eyeliner comes in black, brown and bronze.
Dermatologist Tested:Yes| Cruelty Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $22
Best Liquid Liner
Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner
Ulta
View On Ulta
View On Walmart
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance and paraben free
Dermatologist approved
Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
Works well on mature eyes
Not waterproof
With or without sensitive eyes, applying liquid eyeliner can be one of the hardest makeup techniques to master. The ultra-fine tip of this liquid eyeliner makes it steady and easy to apply for even the most novice user. Physicians Formula are experts in creating beauty products for sensitive skin and the Ultra Fine Eyeliner is no different, providing both a jet black liquid liner finish combined with lash boosting serum for the base of the lashes.
Dermatologist Tested: Yes| Cruelty Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $11
Best Undereye Concealer
Glo Skin Beauty Under Eye Concealer Duo
Amazon
View On Walmart
View On Gloskinbeauty.com
Green tea extract to protect and calm
2 Shades
Oil Free
Silky texture
Some users may prefer a more full coverage concealer
Glo Skin Beauty comes recommended by dermatologist Dendy Engleman, MD, who praises how gentle their products are on the skin. These duo concealers are formulated with natural mineral pigments and vitamins A, C and E. The darker shade is designed to blur and correct skin while the lighter shade then brightens and lifts the under eye area. Suitable for all skin types and providing a semi-matte finish, this concealer offers both customizable color and nourishing ingredients for anyone with delicate skin.
Dermatologist Tested: Yes| Cruelty Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $34
Best Makeup Eye Remover
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
Sephora
View On Sephora
View On Kohls.com
Doesn’t strip or dry skin
Doesn’t leave any residue
Formaldehyde donor free
Available in various sizes
Some people may not like the fragrance
Now that you have finally found the right products to keep your sensitive eyes calm and under control, how you remove your eye makeup is just as important to keeping irritation at bay. This cleansing balm is the most soothing option to gently take away any products you have been wearing throughout the day and give your eyes some much needed hydration. Suitable for all skin types, massage this balm into your face to melt away makeup and dirt without stripping or drying out the skin.
Dermatologist Tested: Yes | Cruelty Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $36
Final Verdict
Mascara is probably top of most people’s desert island beauty products so if there is one essential for sensitive eyes it has to be the Essence Bye Bye Panda Mascara and its gentle tubing formula. The fact that it comes in at under $5 makes us love it even more. The Physicians Formula Liquid Eyeliner has also stolen our hearts due to how incredibly easy it makes applying a winged liner.
Clare Holden is a seasoned makeup artist and beauty journalist who has over 15 years experience working with different products for photoshoots, events and productions.
What to Look for in Makeup for Sensitive Eyes
Ingredients
Micais the most common mineral pigment used in eyeshadows for sensitive skin, it is generally less irritating and provides long lasting rich color in natural tones.1
Green tea extractis highly effective in reducing redness and aiding inflammation around the eye area.2
Glycerinenables the skin to retain moisture. It acts as a humectant so can provide relief if you suffer from dry eyes or wear contact lenses.3
Tips to Avoid Irritation
Look for products that are free from formaldehyde, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, parabens and talc. Be gentle with your application and use brushes with soft antimicrobial fibers to avoid infection.
Engelman explains how “the environment, pollen, dust, pollutants, mold, bacteria and smoke are common irritants that also affect sensitive eyes” and recommends keeping a pair of sunglasses on hand to avoid further aggravating eyes when outside.
Types of Products
Applying an eye base before any other products can help to reduce irritation and prevent smudging. Engelman says using a product like the Essential Eye Base from Glo Skin Beauty which contains ingredients such as cucumber and aloe vera will calm and soothe the eye area beforehand, therefore allowing for a cleaner looking finish.
For a fresh put together day look, start with an eye primer and keep it simple with mascara and some liquid eyeliner. Your eyes are generally at their most sensitive and puffy first thing in the morning so the less you touch them the better. For a more elevated evening look, use mineral pigment eyeshadows to create a soft blended smokey eye. Try to avoid glitter eyeshadows as these are almost guaranteed to cause irritation and stick mainly to creamy textures.
If you suffer from puffiness around the eye area, keep a teaspoon in the fridge and hold the back gently under the eyes and over the lid to reduce any inflammation before you get started. Be very light handed when applying eye makeup. Hold your brushes at the end and not at the tip like a pencil, make small circular movements to blend and avoid dragging product across the eye. If you are applying a product with your fingers use soft dabbing movements.
Cleansing balms or milks are the best option to remove eye makeup. Massage in the cleanser to melt away the product and then rinse with a face cloth. It is always recommended to double cleanse to ensure you get rid of all the product and impurities picked up throughout the day. If you have sensitive eyes please stay well away from face wipes.
Why Trust buuk.top
buuk.top contributing writer Clare Holden trained and worked as a makeup artist after graduating from her degree in Journalism. With over 15 years experience in the beauty industry and having tried and tested hundreds of products on every different type of skin and face shape, she now combines her love of writing with her knowledge and expertise of beauty and skincare products.
Article Sources
Iwegbue CMA, Bassey FI, Obi G, Tesi GO, Martincigh BS. Concentrations and exposure risks of some metals in facial cosmetics in Nigeria. Toxicol Rep. 2016;3:464-472. Published 2016 Apr 23. doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2016.04.004
OyetakinWhite P, Tribout H, Baron E. Protective mechanisms of green tea polyphenols in skin. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2012;2012:560682. doi:10.1155/2012/560682
Becker LC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Safety Assessment of Glycerin as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2019;38(3_suppl):6S-22S. doi:10.1177/1091581819883820
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