A few years ago, my face starting reacting to any kind of makeup I used, and eye makeup was the worst. I know it’s hard to keep from rubbing your eyes when they are itchy and watering. Not to mention, it messes up the makeup you worked so hard to put on.
The best mascara for sensitive eyes is Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer. In addition to being a dual purpose primer and mascara, it’s buildable, smudge free, and easy to remove. Plus, it has been dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested and it’s cruelty free.
However, what works for me might not work for you, which is why I included several options in the list below. The most important factors to consider when looking for sensitive-eye products are the ingredients and whether or not an ophthalmologist approves it. In addition, sensitive eye mascaras are generally smudge proof but not waterproof.
In this post, I’ve listed my favorite mascaras for sensitive eyes below along with some other tips for managing mascara application with sensitive eyes.
Quick Comparison: Best Mascara for Sensitive Eyes
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Editor's Choice  |
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Runner-Up  |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
The Best Mascara for Sensitive Eyes
1. Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer – Our Pick!
Our number one pick for the best mascara for sensitive eyes is the Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer! A dual function of primer plus mascara in one tube, this will help you achieve amazing length, volume, and overall lash definition without sacrificing allergic and adverse reactions with every swipe. The lash primer this mascara comes with gets your lashes ready for the application of mascara and will even help intensify its color payoff. Its formula is very gentle on sensitive eyes and can conveniently be used for contact lens wearers.
Dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested, this has been proven safe to be used even on those with very sensitive eyes. It’s also been formulated without parabens, silicones, mineral oil, and synthetic fragrances. And on top of being a proudly safe and non-toxic makeup, this one is also cruelty-free. With this in your hands every time you need to apply your mascara, you are sure you’re using only the best in the business.
Every swipe of the rich mascara formula on your lashes promises you extreme length and sky-high lifted lashes. Your lashes are sure to be lengthened with every use but no worries as you wouldn’t need to achieve it with the usual clumps. It also doesn’t flake, run, or smudge throughout the day so you’re sure you can end the day with the lashes you started it with. The formula itself is also fairly buildable that you can coat your lashes multiple times and still not end up with clumpy lashes.
Because this Honest Beauty mascara comes with its own primer you can conveniently use with it, it allows your mascara to glide on lashes much smoothly and even help it last longer. The brush’s specially-molded bristles are able to pick up every lash and coat them with the mascara, so rest assured no lash is left behind and you get an even, beautiful finish.
A quick reminder that this is not a waterproof formula, though it is smudge-proof and long-lasting. A quick plus with its non-waterproof formula is that it’s very easy to remove at the end of the day and wouldn’t risk causing even more sensitivities on your already sensitive eyes.
Pros:
- Mascara + Primer
- Gives lashes extreme length, definition, and lift
- Gentle formula for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
- Dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested
- No harmful ingredients and non-toxic
- Cruelty-free
- No clumping and flaking
- Run and smudge-free
- Buildable formula
- Primer improves color and length of wear
- Picks up every lash
- Easy to remove
Cons:
- Not waterproof
2. Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara – Best for Healthy Lashes!
The next item on our list of the best mascaras for sensitive eyes and our choice for the best for healthy lashes is the Healthy Lengths Mascara from skincare brand Neutrogena! If what you’re looking for is a mascara that will not only instantly lengthen and define your lashes but will also nourish and strengthen them, you might want to check this one out. This mascara promises to lengthen and strengthen your lashes from the inside out with every swipe to help you grow them to their best condition.
Enriched with vitamin E, rice protein, and olive oil, this Neutrogena mascara will nourish and strengthen your lashes so that you achieve healthy lashes in the long run on top of instantly defining and lengthening them. Dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested, this is formulated to be gentle and safe to use by those with sensitive eyes and by contact lens wearers. Its formula promises to not cause burning sensations on the eyes.
Everytime you use this mascara as part of your makeup routine, you are sure to start your day with long but natural-looking lashes. And no worries, this one lengthens without clumping so you’re comfortable to wear this one for an entire day. This promises to stay in place throughout the day without smudging or running so you can say goodbye to racoon eyes we all know too well.
The brush of this Neutrogena mascara allows you to easily get into the corners of your lashes and makes sure they are evenly coated with the nourishing mascara formula. The long-lasting and all day wearing mascara allows you to achieve healthy and long lashes without clumps and flakes. It’s currently available in 3 shades: carbon black, black, and brown for your preference. This is also a non-waterproof formula and fairly easy to remove at the end of the day.
Pros:
- Ideal for achieving healthy lashes
- Lengthens and strengthens lashes from inside out
- Gives lashes great length instantly
- Dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested
- Gentle and safe to use for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
- Long and natural-looking lashes
- No clumping or flaking
- Smudge and run-proof
- All day wear
- Available in 3 shades
- Easy to wash off
Cons:
- Not waterproof
3. Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara – Best for Natural Lashes!
Our next favorite mascara for sensitive eyes and our pick for the best natural lashes is the Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara! If what you’re going for everytime you apply your mascara is a more natural and subtle look, hold on to your seat for this one. With this mascara in your daily makeup routine, you are sure to achieve YLBB – your lashes but better! This promises you long lashes that can last you for an entire day while maintaining its natural and subtle look.
As this has been ophthalmologist-tested, this is totally safe to use on sensitive eyes and for those who regularly wear lenses. It’s also been formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS, and synthetic fragrances, and has never been tested on animals – you are sure you only use safe and clean makeup with this in your hands. This is available in two shades: black brown and classic brown.
Formulated with 100% natural ingredients including jojoba oil and glycerin, this natural mascara is sure to be nourishing and moisturizing while being gentle on your eyes every time you use this at the start of your day. Its consistency is not too thick and will not cause clumping upon application and allows you to smoothly apply and comfortably wear it all day. This is also flake-free and smudge-proof.
Like the items before this one, this is also not waterproof, but no worries as this will not end up running or smudging throughout the day. It also helps that you can easily remove it at the end of the day so you won’t need to put too much force on your already sensitive eyes. But if what you’re hoping to achieve is a dramatic or bold look, you might want to look for something else on our list as this will not provide you with that.
Pros:
- Ideal for natural-looking lashes
- 100% natural origin
- Dermatologist-tested
- Safe and gentle for sensitive eyes and contact lenses wearer
- All day wearing formula
- No harmful ingredients
- No flaking and clumping
- Run and smudge-proof
- Nourishing and moisturizing
- Easy to remove
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Not for bold or dramatic lashes
4. Clinique High Impact Mascara
The Clinique High Impact Mascara also made it into our list of the best mascaras for sensitive eyes! A volumizing and lengthening mascara, this promises you maximum lash volume and length with every swipe. This is able to give you lush and bold lashes that’s perfect for bolder and more dramatic looks. If this is something that interests you, be sure to check this one out. This promises to give you amazing lash volume and definition without ever being clumpy or heavy on your lashes.
Dermatologist, ophthalmologist, and allergy-tested, this Clinique lengthening and volumizing mascara is sure to be safe and gentle to use on sensitive eyes. It’s also been formulated without parabens, phthalates, oil, and fragrance so it for sure wouldn’t further aggravate your already sensitive eyes. You are sure to achieve long and voluminous lashes with this in your hands every time you use it as part of your makeup routine. Though it gives you lashes definition, it doesn’t feel heavy on your lashes at all.
The brush and applicator this Clinique mascara comes with is efficient at reaching every lash and allows you to apply the product evenly. Though some users have shared that the brush can sometimes take out an excess amount of product so be sure to be extra careful on that. This is also a non-waterproof formula but promises to stay on your lashes all day to keep your lash length, volume, and intense color. The non-waterproof formula also comes in handy when it’s time to remove it at the end of the day.
Pros:
- Volumizing and lengthening
- Lush, bold, and dramatic lashes
- Lightweight and doesn’t feel heavy on lashes
- No clumping and flaking
- Dermatologist, ophthalmologist, and allergy-tested
- No harsh ingredients
- Brush catches every lash for even application
- Easy to remove and wash off
- Long-wearing intense color
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Brush can take out too much product than needed
5. Maybelline New York Full ‘N Soft Washable Mascara
The last item that made it into our list of favorite mascaras for sensitive eyes is the Full ‘N Soft Washable Mascara from beauty brand Maybelline New York! Infused with an advanced thickening formula with vitamin E, this mascara promises to nourish your lashes from the inside out on top of offering you instantly long and full lashes for days. The formula also softens and promotes softer and healthier lashes in the long run.
Ophthalmologist and hypoallergenic-tested, this Maybelline New York mascara is very gentle and safe to use for sensitive eyes and those who wear contact lenses on a regular basis. It’s also been designed with a Quick Dissolve System that allows users to quickly remove the mascara and prevent lash loss. This is not waterproof but is resistant. It’s a washable formula that’s very easy to remove and wash off at the end of the day so as not to further aggravate your sensitive eyes.
The washable mascara is another great choice for those hoping to achieve a more natural and subtle mascara look. If what you’re looking for is something that will give you dramatic and bolder looks, you might want to check another item on our list. Though a washable formula, this is long-lasting and lasts all day on your lashes. There is also no smudging, flaking, or running with this one in your makeup routine.
Pros:
- Advanced thickening formula
- Nourishes lashes from inside out
- Softer and healthier lashes
- Ophthalmologist and hypoallergenic-tested
- Gentle and safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
- Quick Dissolve System to prevent lash loss
- Water-resistant formula
- Natural and subtle mascara look
- No flaking, clumping, smudging, and running
- Lasts all day
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Not for dramatic and bold looks
How Do I Know if I Have Sensitive Eyes and What Causes Them?
When someone has sensitive skin around eyes but doesn’t know it yet, it’s pretty easy to spot its symptoms:
- Eyes itch after application of makeup product
- Burning and stinging sensation on the eyes
- Redness and swelling on and around the area
- Rashes may appear around the eyes
- Watery eyes
If you’ve experienced any of the symptoms above whenever you’re applying mascara or any other eye makeup, yours is a possible case of sensitive eyes. If you do, you might want to look for a mascara that’s sensitive skin-friendly so you can avoid further allergic reactions.
So what causes the allergic reactions you get from your makeup product, specifically mascara?
Allergic reactions and irritation can be caused by a number of reasons. One of these reasons being the ingredients in the mascara – specifically parabens, artificial fragrance, silicone, and the like. It’s better to avoid mascaras with any of these listed in its ingredients.
I get the appeal of waterproof mascaras, I do, but the truth is they can often be bad for sensitive eyes. As waterproof mascara formulas are harder to remove when you’re at the end of the day, it requires a lot of work that can often be abrasive on your already sensitive eyes. It’s good to give your eyes a break by going for non-waterproof mascaras but still have smudge-proof formulas to ensure its long-wearing and staying factor.
How to Choose the Best Mascara for Sensitive Eyes
When you have sensitive eyes and have often experienced allergic reactions to many of the eye makeup you have used before, it’s important for you to know what factors to consider in buying your new mascara.
Ophthalmologist, dermatologist, allergy-tested
One of the first thighs you should be looking at your new mascara is the label that says that the product is ophthalmologist, dermatologist, or allergy-tested. A hypoallergenic mascara is also a great go-to for those with sensitive eyes.
This of course, wouldn’t mean that everyone will react favorably with the product because everyone reacts differently to makeup products. But this specification will assure you that the product testing has been done and overseen by professionals. When extra steps like this have been made, it gives you a little more assurance of its safety to use.
Ingredients
The next thing you should be factoring in with buying your new mascara is its list of ingredients. As someone who has sensitive eyes, it’s especially important that you always read through the ingredients list. Make sure you aren’t sensitive or allergic to any of the items listed. You should also make sure it doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients and only contain safe ones that are good for you.
If you want to be extra careful so as not to aggravate your sensitive eyes, it’s always a good idea to go for something natural as they contain generally safer ingredients. See our article on ingredients in mascara.
Non-waterproof mascara
If you have very sensitive eyes, it’s better to choose a mascara that isn’t waterproof. Though many have sworn by their favorite waterproof mascaras, this may not always be a good thing, especially for those with sensitive eyes. Waterproof would mean that it can be a bit difficult to remove at the end of the day. Using too much force and pressure on your eyes in the process of removing your mascara can cause even more sensitivities.
It would be a good idea for your eyes to get a non-waterproof formula mascara that is also smudge-proof.
Conclusion
When you have sensitive eyes, it’s important that you take extra caution in choosing your new mascara. With so many choices that claim to be hypoallergenic, it can be confusing to choose.
My top pick for the best mascara for sensitive eyes is the Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer for its lash lifting, defining, and lengthening capabilities! It’s a 2-in-1 combination of primer and mascara that will definitely help you achieve better results that will last longer.
I hope the list, review, and guide above will help you find your new favorite mascara. Happy and healthy makeup shopping!