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If I were to get stranded on a deserted island for the rest of my life, and I could only bring one thing, there’s a good chance it would be eyeliner. I’m addicted to eyeliner. For real, I can’t go a day without it.
So when I started having redness and irritation from my eyeliner, I was devastated. I thought I was going to have to give up my favorite type of makeup. But then, my friend told me about hypoallergenic eyeliners.
I went ahead and did my research and my prayers were answered! Keep reading to discover everything I learned about eyeliner for sensitive eyes and we highlight our best eyeliners for sensitive eyelids. You’ll be ready to pick up your own in no time.
Best Hypoallergenic Eyeliners For Sensitive Eyes
This is one of my favorites. I love the ingredients found in the Neutrogena hypoallergenic eyeliner. It includes nourishing olive oil, shea butter, and light diffusers.
This eyeliner comes with a built-in sharpener, which is great for fixing makeup on the go, while the smudger always gave me perfect edges. The color really helped to brighten my eyes and made the whites of my eyes really pop.
I used this eyeliner almost every day for about two weeks. I never experienced any irritation or redness in my eyes. With previous eyeliners, it only would have taken a day or two for the irritation to start.
I still rely on this eyeliner as an everyday makeup option, and I rest easy knowing I’m not putting harmful ingredients close to my eyes.
Key Features:
- Liner enhances eyes
- Smoothly glides on eyes
- Long lasting
Specification:
Pros
- Luminous color brightens eyes
- Nourishing olive oil, shea butter, and light diffusers
- Includes built-in sharpener and smudger
Cons
- Pencil breaks off easily
Need a hypoallergenic mascara and eyeliner set? Here it is!
The green tea liquid eyeliner for sensitive eyes is made with organic ingredients, and the formula won’t let you down. It’s some of the best hypoallergenic makeup I’ve used.
It made perfect lines that smudged just how I wanted them to for a subtle yet defined eye. The mascara gave me perfect volume and didn’t clump. I also only needed one coat for awesome coverage.
When I would wash this makeup off at night, it came off easily. I didn’t have to scrub and irritate my eyes like I would have to do with other brands. I also never experienced the dreaded raccoon eye after a long night out with friends.
This makeup is built to last without causing any reaction.
Key Features:
- Protects sensitive eyes
- Contains ECOCERT organic green tea
- Protects eye’s mucous membrane with natural origin wax fitting
Specification:
Pros
- Clear line without being spread
- Deep black line by real black pigment
- Sensitive eye solution
Cons
- Does not go on very thick
- Not water-proof
This eyeliner for sensitive eyes is designed to last a full 16 hours, and I have to agree with the company’s claim.
I was able to put this eyeliner on in the morning and I didn’t need to reapply at all during the day, even on super hot days when normal eyeliner would tend to run.
The built-in sharpener meant I would always have a clean surface to work with. I was able to get extra close to my lash line each and every time.
This eyeliner includes vitamin E, which helped to nourish my delicate eye area and seemed to protect it long after I took it off. This ingredient always seems to make a difference, so I recommend looking for it in any eyeliner you choose, especially if you have sensitive eyelids!
You’ll receive two eyeliners with this package, making it a great deal as well. You do have to press a little harder to get a dark line, but once you figure out the perfect pressure, it glides on strong and smooth.
Key Features:
- Defines eyes with color that stays on for 16-hours
- Vitamin E protects and nourishes delicate eyes
- Comes with a built-in sharpener
Specification:
Pros
- Smudge-proof formula
- Water-resistant
- Stays put
Cons
- Clumps
Finding a hypoallergenic liquid eyeliner that works can be difficult. But once I tried Helan Natural Mineral Liquid Eyeliner, I knew I had found the perfect option.
It’s paraben free, sulfate free, and nickel tested. It’s also vegan and of course hypoallergenic. I was reassured by the fact that it’s created in an environment certified by ECOCERT for Ethical and Sustainable Manufacturing. This stuff is the real deal.
It’s always a little more tricky applying a liquid eyeliner, but if you have the skills, you’ll love the look of this brand. The color is perfect and it stays in place.
You will have to use a makeup remover to completely take it off at the end of the night, so make sure you’re using a hypoallergenic version. If you do, you should be free from irritation from the moment you put it on to the moment you take it off.
Key Features:
- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben and Sulfate Free
- Created in an environment certified by ECOCERT for Ethical and Sustainable Manufacturing
Specification:
Pros
- Mineral Oil Free
- Vegan
Cons
- Smudges
Kroma makes a great eyeliner, but it is a little pricey compared to most. However, it lasts long and doesn’t take a ton of pressure to apply, so it won’t disappear on you too quickly.
You can choose from 11 colors, so no matter your skin tone or eyeshade, they’ll have a hue that’s perfect for accentuating your eyes.
With some eyeliners, you have to pull at the skin, which can cause small tears that leave you more prone to irritation. But this eyeliner pencil is designed to go on effortlessly. It lasts all day, and the color won’t fade on you.
Overall, this was one of my favorite eyeliners of all the hypoallergenic versions that I tried. Because of the price, I usually use this eyeliner for date night or special events rather than just trips to the grocery store.
But I love knowing that I have a great eyeliner ready to go at all times.
Key Features:
- Highly pigmented
- All-day wear formulas for a gorgeous look
- With 11 gorgeous colors
Specification:
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Smooth and effortless application
Cons
- Tends to harden and pull skin
Who says all eyeliners have to be brown or black? I like to have a little fun sometimes with my eye makeup, so I loved finding a dark blue hypoallergenic eyeliner that was easy to use and easy to love.
It’s technically a pencil eyeliner, but the gel formula makes it look like a liquid. If you have trouble with liquid eyeliners but love the look they give you, give this eyeliner a shot.
It includes vitamin E in its ingredients, and it’s very gentle on your eyes. The color is intense, but not overbearing.
It’s perfect for nights when you want to have a little fun but doesn’t want to worry if you stepped over the line.
There’s no parabens, no mineral oil, and no preservatives in the ingredients. The application is fast and easy.
Key Features:
- Glides on seamlessly
- Creates a solid color line
- Comes in 6 colors
Specification:
Pros
- Gentle on eyes, yet intensely colored and super-silky
- Waterproof
- Gives the concentrated color of a liquid liner in a silky, easy to apply pencil
Cons
- Difficult to apply a thin line
Buying Guide Questions
Why Do Some People Have Sensitive Eyes?
I know, it’s not fair. Some people get to use any kind of makeup in the world and never experience any irritation.
So why is it that some of us have more issues than others?
If you’re someone who experiences redness, itching, or watery eyes when using certain types of makeup, you’re not alone. The FDA says that one out of every four people have experienced reactions to beauty products.
Just like some people are allergic to certain types of food while others can eat all they want, sensitive eyes can’t be predicted or controlled. Your only option is to use eye makeup and other beauty products that are less likely to cause irritation and are made with your health in mind.
How to Check if You’re Allergic to Eyeliner?
It won’t be hard to tell if you’re allergic to eyeliner. You’ll experience at least one of the following symptoms:
Redness
Red eyes are not pretty eyes. If the whites of your eyes suddenly turn red, there’s a good chance you’re allergic to something that came into contact with your eye, or there’s an infection of some sort.
Watery
Our eyes can water from time to time, and it’s completely normal. But if your eyes seem to be excessively leaking, an allergic reaction might be to blame.
Puffiness
If the skin around your eyes puffs and swells after applying makeup, you might need to switch brands. This can happen with eyeliner and mascara.
There is hypoallergenic mascara available, just as there is eyeliner.
Itchiness
Nothing is more annoying than itchy eyes. While this can be a sign of seasonal allergies, it can also be a sign of a reaction from makeup.
Burning
Makeup shouldn’t hurt. Ever. If your eyes sting or burn after applying makeup, there is an ingredient in it that your body isn’t agreeing with.
Basically, if wearing makeup causes any type of discomfort, you might be allergic. There’s also the chance for infection, so it’s always important to keep your makeup clean, never share makeup or brushes, and to avoid direct contact with your eye during application.
If you’re unsure about having an eye allergy, a quick trip to your eye doctor or general practitioner can clear the question up. But in my experience, common sense is the best diagnosis for this common problem. If your makeup is bothering you, you do have options.
What Should You Do if You Have a Reaction?
If you experience any type of reaction, wash off your makeup with a gentle cleanser and keep the area clean and dry. Avoid any makeup or topical applications for at least 24 hours, longer if the irritation doesn’t seem to be improving.
If the reaction worsens, seek medical attention.
Most reactions don’t last long. But if you suffer through them and continue applying the makeup, they’ll never improve. They can actually worsen over time.
So don’t ignore a reaction! Take the appropriate steps to let the affected area heal and prevent it from happening again.
What Ingredients to Look for When Choosing a Hypoallergenic Eyeliner?
When choosing a hypoallergenic eyeliner, you want to make sure that all the included ingredients are natural. Organic is even better, but this is hard to do.
What’s more important is to know which ingredients to avoid. This includes fragrances, parabens, and just about anything with a name that you can’t pronounce.
More specifically, avoid mica, a common eye makeup ingredient. It’s not toxic, but it does have sharp edges which can irritate sensitive skin and leave you more prone to severe allergic reactions from other ingredients, because your skin is already cut open.
You should also avoid butylated hydroxyanisole, talc, dimethicone, and kohl, a common color additive.
How to Apply Eyeliner Safely?
Not sure if you’re properly applying your eyeliner for sensitive eyes? Are you concerned about irritating your already sensitive eyelids with an incompatible eyeliner?
Here’s a quick guide to reassure you. This guide focuses on using a pencil eyeliner and applying traditional lines. If you use a liquid eyeliner or keep on top of eyeliner trends, the directions might be a bit off. But the safety tips included are the same.
- Begin by sharpening your eye pencil. You’ll want to sharpen it every time to keep it clean.
- Make a dotted line starting at the outer corner of your eyelid and working in. Stay as close to your lashes as possible.
- Connect the dots with an eyeshadow that closely resembles your eyeliner. You should be using a small eyeshadow brush to do this. Blend and blur to soften the dots.
- Take what is left on your brush and swipe it below your lower lashes, starting at the outer corner and working in. Stop a little bit less than halfway across your lash line.
The most important steps to remember are to always keep sanitation in mind and keep the sharp tip of the pencil away from your eye. This is why drawing dots is better. It’s safer than tracing near such a delicate area.
How to Clean Your Pointed Eyeliner Brush?
It’s important to keep your makeup brushes clean, including your eyeliner brush. You use your eyeliner brush to help soften sharp edges of your eyeliner and blend into tough-to-reach spots.
Wash your eyeliner brush once a week. Use warm, soapy water (hypoallergenic soap works best) and then allow the brush to air dry before using it again. This is a crucial step in preventing the transfer of bacteria that can cause serious irritation and infections.
Parting Words
If you’ve had enough of irritated eyes, hypoallergenic eyeliner could be just what you need. You’ll be able to keep up with the latest makeup trends without the discomfort that comes along with sensitive eyes.
I love my new eyeliner for sensitive eyes and I hope you do, too. Don’t spend any more time struggling and suffering with irritation and redness. Pick up your own hypoallergenic eye makeup today and look your best by tonight!
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Thank you for sharing this information, really helps narrow my search for dealing with this new to me eyelid irritation I’m experiencing.
Thank you from a middle aged blonde woman with allergies to anything!
Very good assessment. Thank you so much!