I've been extremely lucky in my life not to have spent too much time thinking about the comfort of my eyes until recently when eyeliner wrecked havoc on my makeup by triggering nonstop tears. The sleek, sharp winged liner that I loved for lifting and defining my face was reduced to a smudged mess in a matter of minutes—and all it took was using an eyeliner that didn't agree with my lash line. I spent the day with a tissue in hand, dabbing away every few minutes at the streams of pigment making their way down my cheeks.
In the end, I traded the eyeliner for another and experienced much better results but I never once looked at the original product's packaging to know what irritated my eyes. But what better way to learn, than with the help of an industry expert? Below, with the guidance of a dermatologist, we'll be diving into the world of hypoallergenic eyeliners and identifying which products on the market should make it into your makeup bag.
What Does It Mean for an Eyeliner to be Hypoallergenic?
For a better idea of which ingredients to be on the lookout for the next time we're shopping for eyeliners that are safe for use on our sensitive eyes, we tapped NYC-based Board Certified Dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, Gloria Lin, MD, FAAD. According to Lin, when 'hypoallergenic' is applied to a particular product, it means that the product's formula is less likely to cause a reaction when used. However, it's important to note that this does not mean that there is zero risk.
When looking at options for eyeliners that fall in the hypoallergenic category, it's also important to note that there is official definition for the term; as it's dependent on the use of specific ingredients and how they're regulated. "The 'hypoallergenic' label is also not regulated by the FDA, so brands or products could use this for their marketing without undergoing strict testing," explains Lin. "In addition, the terms 'clean' or 'natural' do not mean that something is hypoallergenic." In other words, what may be safe for someone else, doesn't mean it will work on your skin.
Which Ingredients Should Be Avoided?
Lin tells us the ingredients that could potentially irritate your sensitive eyes are fragrances, parabens, formaldehyde, propylene glycol, lanolin, and metals. "It is important to note that both synthetic and natural fragrances, along with essential oils, can cause a reaction for certain people. Finding the product that is appropriate for your skin type can take trial and error," Lin says. She also warns against the relying on the trusted products you've used for years to always remain the same, as manufacturers can change the formulations.
Wondering which products could be the right fit? We've got you covered. Scroll on for the best ophthalmologist and dermatologist-tested eyeliners designed for use on sensitive eyes.
The Best Eyeliners for Sensitive Eyes, Listed
- Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense Eyeliner
- Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner
- RevitaLash Defining Liner
- Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eye Liner
- Chantecaille Le Stylo Ultra Slim
- Almay Crayon Contour Eyeliner Pencil
- Tower 28 Beauty OneLiner Lip Liner + Eyeliner + Cheek Pencil
- Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Beyond Eyeliner Pen
- Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Solstice
- Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Waterproof Liner
- Milk Makeup Infinity Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
- Chantecaille Luster Glide Silk Infused Eye Liner
- E.L.F. No Budge Retractable Waterline Eyeliner
- bareMinerals Mineralist Lasting Eyeliner
- Laura Mercier Caviar Tightline Eyeliner
1. Clinique Quickliner For Eyes Intense Eyeliner
This richly pigmented eyeliner offers instant intensity for the eyes using a formula that's free of irritating ingredients like parabens, mineral oil, and fragrances. The eyeliner pencil is also dual-ended and features a smudge tip to help you create a variety of looks in seconds.
Customer Review: "Great product! Goes on smoothly and stays in place all day. No problems with my sensitive eyes. Would definitely purchase again!"
2. Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner
If you love to wear a bold liner look but hate having to deal with smudging, try the Long-Wear Smudge-Proof Gel Eyeliner. Offering the precision of liquid liner with the ease of a gel-based formula, this eyeliner can help you create subtle to dramatic looks with hours of wear.
Customer Review: "I can wear this for about 6-8 hours at a time without seeing smudging or streaking. Good for tight-lining, not irritating at all!"
3. RevitaLash Defining Eyeliner
RevitaLash's aptly named eyeliner has a creamy formula that's easy-to-use and offers high-impact, long-lasting color. Designed with sensitive eyes in mind, this eyeliner pencil also features a built in sharpener and convenient smudge tool.
Customer Review: "I've never used such a silky smooth liner it applies so easily in my waterline and it doesn't make my eyes sting. [It] wears nicely through out the day didn't smudge once set."
4. Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eye Liner
Highly pigmented and long-lasting, Trish McEvoy's Intense Gel Eye Liner is one of the best on the market (psss... the hype is real!) The liner's waterproof, ultra-creamy formula glides onto the skin without tugging or skipping for a flawless application every time.
Customer Review: "This eye liner is perfect for your water line. It only takes one application and goes on in its full color. I have tried many other liners but never had one work this well. It is well worth the money."
5. Chantecaille Le Stylo Ultra Slim
If a sleep, sharp wing is what you're after, try using Chantecaille's Le Stylo Ultra Slim. The eyeliner pen features a fine brush tip that keeps your lines looking clean with control and precision. It's formula is also ophthalmologist, water-resistant and extremely long-lasting.
Customer Review: "This is the best eyeliner. It’s a doodle to use and smudges nicely for a smokey effect or stays sharp for definition. The brown flatters my blue eyes and it’s the one make up I use every day to make my eyes look more defined. Easily the best eye liner I’ve ever used."
6. Almay All-Day Eyeliner Pencil
Almay's Crayon Contour Eyeliner Pencil was created specifically for sensitive eyes, but is also clean, cruelty free, and fragrance free. Its creamy, water-resistant formula doesn't skip, snag, or fade throughout the day and is shelf-sharpening for ultra-crisp lines.
Customer Review: "I like this Almay Crayon Contour Water Resistant Eyeliner Pencil because it does not smear if my eyes water. I have allergies, so my eyes are always watering. The eyeliner stays on without smearing all over the place."
7. Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Beyond Eyeliner Pen
Using a waterproof eyeliner is a sure-fire way to make sure your eye makeup looks flawless all day (bonus points if the formula doesn't irritate your eyes). One of our favorites is this liquid eyeliner by Thrive Causemetics because it glides onto the skin and dries down quickly with intense pigments and a feather-free brush tip.
Customer Review: "This is by far the best eyeliner I've ever purchased. Not only does it stay on, but it glides on smoothly and sufficiently in one stroke, which saves time and supply."
8. Tower28 Beauty OneLiner Lip Liner + Eyeliner + Cheek Pencil
The creamy, high-pigment, non-drying matte color of Tower 28 Beauty's multi-purpose Oneliner can be used as a long-wearing eyeliner, but as as a lip liner and cheek pencil. Crafted using moisturizing marula oil and shea butter, it glides onto the skin without tugging or dragging.
Customer Review: "I only use these as lip liners but they are incredible for just that! Super creamy and pigmented, easy application, and stay on for hours. Not drying at all."
9. Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
For eyeliner that's comfortable to wear, but also offers high-impact color, use a pencil like Hourglass' Waterproof Gel Eyeliner. It's designed with a creamy, mineral-free formula that doesn't smudge, bleed, or fade with up to 12 hours of wear. Plus, it comes in five eye-catching and fashion-forward shades.
Customer Review: "I have always struggled to find the right eyeliners. My eyelids tend to transfer the color up into the creases and it looks awful at the end of the night. This doesn’t. Love the color too. Subtle for blending."
10. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Waterproof Liner
Clearly, we're big dans of Bobbi Browns eyeliner offerings. Another on of our must-haves, the Long-Wear Waterproof Liner, offers opaque, dense pigments in a silky smooth formula that's gentle on the eyes (i.e. perfect for tightlining), and strong enough to stay put until you're ready to remove it.
Customer Review: "I love this brow pencil! Its got a very fine tip so its easy to create tiny lines to mimic eye brown hairs, and get precision detail. I love that I don't have to sharpen it, and the brush at the other end. It last all day, and is a perfect brow pencil."
11. Milk Makeup Infinity Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
Beginners, this one is for you! Milk Makeup's creamy, twist-up eyeliner pencil helps you create limitless looks with a creamy formula infused with avocado oil, ceramides and aloe vera extract, to soothe and nourish the lash line with a smooth, tug-free application.
Customer Review: "I’m pretty impressed. The liner went on smooth and lasted all day. I did not notice any smudging. It was also very easy to take off with soap and water. I went back and bought a second one as a backup!"
12. Chantecaille Luster Glide Silk Infused Eye Liner
Here's another Chantecaille eyeliner find that can be used to create chic eye looks. Drawing inspiration from the texture and colors of Fortuny silks, this product has a transfer-proof and long-wearing, the rich offering major color payoff and shine. It's also free of all fragrance, mineral oil, and parabens.
Customer Review: "This is a lovely consistency, very creamy and pigmented but does not transfer. It is my favorite eyeliner as it feels in between a liquid/cream and a pencil in terms of its color payoff (can be smudged but also can be used for a more clean line). Would completely recommend.""
13. E.L.F. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner
Waterlining on sensitive eyes is made easy with this E.L.F. classic. Available in three versatile shades; this water-resistant, retractable eyeliner has a rich, creamy formula offering intense color and a matte finish. Did we mention it's also smudge-resistant, and incredibly long-lasting?
Customer Review: "This is one of the best eyeliners I've used. I've tried so many through a makeup subscription, and this outshined a ton of high end liners, no problem. It's easy to apply, glides on, and stays put. Rich color as well. Cannot beat it, especially at this price point."
14. bareMinerals Mineralist Lasting Eyeliner
If you love a colorful liner moment, you'll want to add this long-lasting gel eyeliner pencil to your makeup lineup ASAP. The Mineralist Lasting Eyeliner's waterproof formula is clean, mineral-based, richly pigmented, is safe for use on the waterline, and will stay put for 12 hours.
Customer Review: "Finally, a retractable soft eye liner pencil that goes on VERY smoothly, with no 'pulling', no breaking of the lead, and a retractable mechanism that actually works well. Will most definitely reorder!"
15. Laura Mercier Caviar Tightline Eyeliner
To round off our list, we have the Caviar Tightline Eyeliner. Formulated with rich pigments, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins; this gel-like eyeliner effortlessly glides onto the skin and can be used to tightline, eye line, and waterline as desired.
Customer Review: "Laura Mercier does it again with lux, creamy eyeliner. Caviar is a super rich with max color payoff. Glides on so smooth and stays put until you want it gone...even during allergy season!
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