What to Buy Skincare Products The 14 Best Mascaras for Sensitive Eyes Sculpt your lashes while avoiding eye irritation with these expert-approved mascaras. By Daley Quinn Daley Quinn Daley Quinn is a freelance beauty and health journalist who has covered the lifestyle space for over ten years. health's editorial guidelines Updated on May 31, 2023 Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Susan Bard, MD, is a board-certified general and procedural dermatologist with the American Board of Dermatology and a Fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery. learn more Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post. health's fact checking process In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews How We Selected What to Know Your Questions, Answered Who We Are We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Health / David Hattan If you suffer from sensitive eyes, you probably already know how much of a pain it can be to deal with mascara. From excessive smudging thanks to watery eyes to redness from an irritating formula, finding a mascara that won’t bother sensitive eyes can be a challenge. According to Ashley Brissette, MD, MSc, FRCSC, an ophthalmologist at Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and founder of Daily Practice, eye sensitivity is really common, especially with makeup. “Some common signs of sensitivity are redness (of the eyelids or the eyes themselves), watery eyes, itching or burning, swelling or puffy eyes, and blurry vision,” she explains. And any of these symptoms could be a sign that you have a sensitivity or allergy to eye makeup, she adds. When on the hunt for the best mascara for sensitive eyes, Dr. Brissette recommends choosing products that are ophthalmologist- or dermatologist-approved and safe for sensitive skin with excellent safety testing. To choose the best mascaras for sensitive eyes, we interviewed four experts for the exact mascaras they always recommend to their patients. Here are our doctor-approved top picks. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Beautycounter Think Big All-in-One Mascara at Ulta Jump to Review Best Drugstore: L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Lash Magnifying Mascara at Amazon Jump to Review Best Waterproof: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Waterproof Mascara at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Dry Eyes: Grande Cosmetics GrandeMASCARA Conditioning Peptide Mascara at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Allergies: Twenty/Twenty Clean Sweep Mascara at Amazon Jump to Review Best Hypoallergenic: Almay Length & Lift Mascara at Target Jump to Review Best Washable: Clinique High Impact Mascara at Target Jump to Review Best Lengthening: Lancôme Lengthening Mascara at Sephora Jump to Review Best Clean: MERIT Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara at Sephora Jump to Review Best for Contact Lens Wearers: Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Beautycounter Think Big All-in-One Mascara Ulta View On Ulta View On Beautycounter.com View On Goop.com Why We Like It The formula is clean and contains good-for-your-lashes ingredients. It’s Worth Noting This mascara is a bit difficult to wash off. An award-winning mascara that works to volumize, lift, and lengthen lashes, the Beautycounter Think Big All in One is our favorite overall pick. It has a clean formula and has minimal smudging, too. Carly Rose, OD, a board-certified optometrist and founder of Clear Eyes + Aesthetics in Cincinnati, OH, is a big fan of the Beautycounter Think Big All in One mascara for a few reasons. “Not only is this richly pigmented mascara EWG Verified, but it actually has conditioning tripeptides to help nourish your lashes,” she explains. “I always say that healthy lashes are beautiful lashes. That's the real secret in how to grow long, lushes lashes safely.” Some folks have complained that this mascara is difficult to wash off. If that’s the case for you, consider using a cleansing oil to remove your eye makeup, and then following it up with a second cleanser afterward. Price at time of publication: $30 Product Details: Size: 0.27 ouncesShades: 1Waterproof: NoHypoallergenic: NoOphthalmologist-Tested: No Best Drugstore L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Lash Magnifying Mascara Amazon View On Amazon Why We Like It It’s an affordable and ophthalmologist-tested mascara. It’s Worth Noting It gets a little clumpy if you don’t scrape the brush off a little. There are so many reasons to love the L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Lash Magnifying Mascara, including the fact that it’s only $13 and can be found at most drugstores nationwide. Jaimie DeRosa, MD, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, is a fan of this mascara for her clients. She loves this pick for those with sensitive eyes because it’s an ophthalmologist-tested mascara that is great for contact-lens wearers and helps to condition the lashes, too. “It is also easy to remove, so it doesn’t irritate the delicate eyelid skin,” she explains. While we appreciate how easy this pick is to wash off, it tends to get a bit clumpy if you’re not careful. It also might appear too thick upon application. To avoid this issue, try to remove some of the excess product from the brush by scraping it against the opening before applying it to your lashes. Price at time of publication: $13 Product Details: Size: 0.28 ouncesShades: 2Waterproof: NoHypoallergenic: NoOphthalmologist-Tested: Yes Best Waterproof La Roche-Posay Toleriane Waterproof Mascara Amazon View On Amazon Why We Like It This mascara is formulated for sensitive skin and tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists. It’s Worth Noting Since it’s waterproof, removing this mascara may irritate the skin around your eyes. So, here’s the deal with waterproof mascara: Most dermatologists and ophthalmologists recommend not using waterproof mascara on sensitive eyes. Unsurprisingly, most waterproof mascaras are very difficult to remove, which can cause a lot of irritation to sensitive eyes. If you absolutely must apply a waterproof mascara for a special occasion, we recommend opting for the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Waterproof Mascara. This brand is a leader in products for sensitive skin, so it makes sense that their mascaras would be a first choice for folks with sensitive eyes, too. Not only is this pick dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested, but it’s also fragrance-free and a good pick for a waterproof mascara for sensitive eyes (if you must!). It helps to define, lengthen, and smooth lashes, giving a structured and separated appearance to the lashes from the root to the end. Price at time of publication: $26 Product Details: Size: 0.25 ouncesShades: 1Waterproof: YesHypoallergenic: NoOphthalmologist-Tested: Yes Best for Dry Eyes Grande Cosmetics GrandeMASCARA Conditioning Peptide Mascara Sephora View On Amazon View On Target View On Sephora Why We Like It This mascara is as easy to wash off as it is to apply. It’s Worth Noting You’ll need to apply two to three coats before you start to see any real volume. With dry eyes come dry lashes, too. This pick from Grande Cosmetics does a great job of hydrating lashes without irritating your already-irritated, dry eyes. “The Grande Cosmetics Grande Mascara is a hydrating peptide mascara that is ophthalmologist-tested and gentle for sensitive eyes or those who wear contacts,” explains Dr. DeRosa. “I also really like it because it gives great volume and length to the lashes, while also nourishing the lashes with its blend of peptides, panthenols, and natural waxes. It doesn’t clump and is water-resistant but also easy to remove, so you don’t get lash breakage.” We love how easy this is to apply, and how easy it is to wash off. However, you’re going to have to apply multiple coats if you prefer the look of voluminous lashes. Price at time of publication: $25 Product Details: Size: 0.21 ouncesShades: 1Waterproof: NoHypoallergenic: NoOphthalmologist-Tested: Yes Best for Allergies Twenty/Twenty Clean Sweep Mascara Twenty/Twenty View On Amazon View On Trytwentytwenty.com Why We Like It The brand is created by an ophthalmologist and is always free of irritants. It’s Worth Noting The formula tends to get clumpy after one coat. Created by an ophthalmologist, the Twenty/Twenty Beauty Clean Sweep Mascara is ideal for folks with allergies because it doesn’t contain any ingredients that might irritate sensitive eyes. Plus, it doesn’t run so when you have watery eyes from allergies, you don’t need to worry about this pick giving you the dreaded raccoon aesthetic. Dr. Rose loves this mascara because it’s free of parabens, coal tar dyes, and several other offenders, and it actually performs. “I am still trying to wrap my head around how this one isn't a waterproof mascara because it stays put so well,” she explains. While we love the clean formula and nourishing ingredients in this mascara, we do notice that it tends to clump a bit after you apply more than one coat. We suggest using a lash comb after use to eliminate any clumps. Price at time of publication: $28 Product Details: Size: 0.33 ounces Shades: 1Waterproof: NoHypoallergenic: NoOphthalmologist-Tested: Yes Best Hypoallergenic Almay Length & Lift Mascara Target View On Target View On Walgreens View On Walmart Why We Like It This mascara is sans parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, SLS, and formaldehydes. It’s Worth Noting The gentle formula might smudge easily. Almay is a leader when it comes to creating products for sensitive skin, and their mascaras are no different. This pick works to lengthen and lift lashes with an easily buildable formula. We love that it’s formulated without parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, SLS, and formaldehydes, and it comes in three shades and a waterproof formula, too. Dr. Brissette is a fan of Almay mascaras. “I love that this formula is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist-tested, and is great for people with sensitive eyes,” she says. You might find that this mascara smudges easily, so be sure to wear a primer on your lids and underneath your bottom lash line to prevent smudging. Also, make sure your lashes are completely dry before applying any eyeshadow or undereye concealer. Price at time of publication: $10 Product Details: Size: 0.24 ouncesShades: 3Waterproof: YesHypoallergenic: YesOphthalmologist-Tested: No Best Washable Clinique High Impact Mascara 5 Sephora View On Target View On Sephora View On Nordstrom Why We Like It Though this mascara is easy to take off, it still lasts all day. It’s Worth Noting This isn’t exactly a volumizing mascara. An oldie but a goodie, this pick from Clinique promises visible volume and length without irritation. Dr. Brissette is a fan of this mascara for a bevy of reasons. “Clinique are leaders in eye makeup, especially if you have sensitive skin,” she explains. “Their formulas are extensively safety tested and I recommend their products to my patients and use it myself as well—this mascara is easy to apply and to take off, and lasts all day.” It comes in two shades and a wand that’s a bit thinner than other volumizing mascaras you might see on the market. This mascara works well for a really natural lash look, but if you’re on the hunt for a mascara that will really add a lot of “wow” to your sparse lashes, this probably won’t do it for you. Price at time of publication: $23 Product Details: Size: 0.28 ouncesShades: 2Waterproof: NoHypoallergenic: NoOphthalmologist-Tested: No Best Lengthening Lancôme Défincils High Definition Lengthening Mascara 4.8 Ulta View On Sephora View On Nordstrom View On Ulta Why We Like It This formula has soothing ingredients for sensitive eyes, like vitamin B5. It’s Worth Noting This mascara is not super buildable. The Lancôme Dèfinicils High Definition Lengthening Mascara is a long-time favorite for many. It does a fantastic job of lengthening your lashes without any harmful or nasty ingredients that may irritate sensitive eyes. Dr. DeRosa loves this iconic mascara for her patients. “This pick is free of irritating ingredients including sulfates, formaldehyde, and phthalates, but creates natural and defined lashes without clumping or flaking,” she explains. “It is also ophthalmologist-tested and fragrance-free.” While this formula is really great for lengthening lashes, it’s not the best option for adding a volumizing effect. Look elsewhere if you are looking for true, va-va-voom lashes. Price at time of publication: $33 Product Details: Size: 0.23 ouncesShades: 3Waterproof: NoHypoallergenic: NoOphthalmologist-Tested: No Best Clean MERIT Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara Sephora View On Sephora View On Kohls.com View On Meritbeauty.com Why We Like It It’s a minimal formula that gives a natural finish. It’s Worth Noting The natural finish might border on undetectable. Leave it to MERIT to make a minimalist, natural-looking mascara with clean ingredients and an easy-to-wash-off formula. This pick only comes in one shade (black) and is really subtle. Dr. Brissette loves this mascara. “MERIT makes a great mascara with clean ingredients,” she explains. “I have personally used this one as well without irritation—it’s a lighter formula, so [it gives] a great, natural everyday look.” This mascara offers a natural look, but some folks might find it to be a bit too natural. You might have to apply multiple coats for it to make a difference on your lashes. However, it’s non-irritating and ideal for anyone who wants a really subtle lash lift. Price at time of publication: $26 Product Details: Size: 0.24 ounces Shades: 1Waterproof: NoHypoallergenic: NoOphthalmologist-Tested: No Best for Contact Lens Wearers Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara 4.2 View On Amazon View On Target View On CVS Why We Like It This product is great for sensitive eyes and is dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested. It’s Worth Noting Some people noticed that this mascara can flake easily. It’s easy to irritate your eyes when wearing contact lenses. Thankfully, that’s not the case with the Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara. This pick comes in three shades, has a fluffy, soft-bristle brush, and beautifully enhances lashes. Dr. DeRosa loves recommending this mascara to contact lens wearers. “The Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara contains rice protein that helps to lengthen, as well as olive oil and vitamin E to nourish the lashes,” she explains. “Dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested, this mascara is well tolerated by those with sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.” We appreciate that this mascara can be easily found at your local drugstore. Some folks have found this mascara to be a bit drying and flakes easily. Price at time of publication: $13 Product Details: Size: 0.21 ouncesShades: 3Waterproof: NoHypoallergenic: NoOphthalmologist-Tested: Yes Best Natural ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara 4.8 Dermstore View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Nordstrom Why We Like It It has a super clean formula and an innovative dual-sided brush for smooth application. It’s Worth Noting There is a strong smell to this mascara and that can be kind of off-putting. Not only do we love the clean ingredients used in this natural mascara, but we also love the innovative dual-sided brush. You can use the shorter side to curl your lashes and create nice volume, while the longer side separates, lifts, and lengthens your lashes. Dr. Rose loves this multi-award-winning clean mascara because it has ingredients like organic shea butter and keratin. “It is pigmented with charcoal, which is a healthy alternative to carbon black—that’s what many mascaras contain (it’s a known carcinogen),” she explains. “This one takes the guesswork out of mascara selection for you.” The formula is great, but the smell of the formula is a bit off-putting. If that doesn’t bother you, consider purchasing this pick for great length and no clumps. Price at time of publication: $28 Product Details: Size: 0.27 ouncesShades: 1Waterproof: NoHypoallergenic: NoOphthalmologist-Tested: Yes Best Splurge Westman Atelier Eye Love You Volumizing Clean Mascara Sephora View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Nordstrom Why We Like It This formula contains good stuff (like sunflower seed oils) and leaves out the bad stuff. It’s Worth Noting This mascara still smudges even though it’s expensive. Sometimes, it’s just nice to treat yourself (and your lashes). The Westman Atelier Eye Love You Volumizing Clean Mascara features ingredients like sunflower seed wax, carnauba wax, and chicory root extract to strengthen lashes and extend wearability. Dr. Rose is a big fan of this fancy mascara. “This clean cosmetic is, of course, free of silicones, parabens, PEGs, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, all of which can irritate your gentle eyes,” she explains. “Plant power for the win!” Some folks have complained of fallout and smudging with this pick. Be sure to use an eyeshadow primer underneath your lashes to avoid both. Additionally, this is a pretty pricey mascara at $58 per tube. Price at time of publication: $58 Product Details: Size: 0.29 ouncesShades: 1Waterproof: YesHypoallergenic: NoOphthalmologist-Tested: No Best Without Parabens Èyes Are The Story Eye Proof Mascara Trio Set Ãyes Are The Story View On Eyesarethestory.com Why We Like It This is one of the few mascaras specifically formulated to maintain eye health. It’s Worth Noting This mascara comes in three different tubes, which can get a bit tedious. This mascara from Èyes Are The Story was designed specifically with eye health in mind. Dr. Rose notes that this female-founded, eye-friendly mascara is a breath of fresh air for optometrists everywhere. “It was a pioneer product, launched intentionally with ocular safety in mind,” she explains. “Not only are the ingredients super clean, but each set comes with three mini tubes, which makes staying compliant with frequent cosmetic replacement (so you don't get unwanted bacteria buildup) a breeze.” We love the idea of minimizing bacteria by dividing the formula into three different tubes instead of one. That being said, this product is on the pricier side at $39 for the trio. Also, it’s not available at many retailers so it's a bit hard to find. Price at time of publication: $39 Product Details: Size: 0.11 ouncesShades: 1Waterproof: NoHypoallergenic: NoOphthalmologist-Tested: Yes Best Multipurpose Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Ultra-Natural Mascara Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Dermstore Why We Like It It volumizes, lengthens, and hydrates your lashes—all in a single tube. It’s Worth Noting It has a natural finish, so you might need two or three coats if you're looking to make a statement. The Juice Beauty PHYTO-PIGMENTS Ultra-Natural Mascara is free of mica, doesn’t clump, and is gentle enough for sensitive eyes. Dr. Rose loves this pick because it has certified organic ingredients such as aloe and vitamin E, and it makes you question if this is a mascara or a lash serum. “I love a product that pulls double duty!” she explains. This mascara not only volumizes and lengthens, but it also has hydrating ingredients to help strengthen your lashes. We like that the applicator is slim and not bulky, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally smudging the product onto your lash line during application. Just as the product's name suggests, this formula is very natural-looking. So natural, in fact, that some folks have complained that it doesn’t look like you have anything on after application. Make sure to apply multiple coats to get a lengthening and volumizing effect. Price at time of publication: $25 Product Details: Size: 0.3 ounces Shades: 1Waterproof: NoHypoallergenic: NoOphthalmologist-Tested: No How We Selected We interviewed a board-certified dermatologist, an ophthalmologist, and two optometrists for their recommendations and commentary on the best mascaras for sensitive eyes. The experts we spoke to include: Jaimie DeRosa, MD, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder and lead facial plastic surgeon of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Boston, Massachusetts Ashley Brissette, MD, MSc, FRCSC, an ophthalmologist at Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital and founder of Daily Practice Jennifer Tsai, a board-certified optometrist and owner of LINE OF SIGHT, a modern concierge eyecare practice with an integrative, holistic approach in New York City Carly Rose, OD, a board-certified optometrist and founder of Clear Eyes + Aesthetics in Cincinnati, OH We also chose products we’ve personally tried and had success with. Lastly, we made sure each of the mascaras we’ve recommended includes clean ingredients, is non-irritating, and adds volume and length to lashes, too. What to Know About Mascara for Sensitive Eyes Check the Ingredients The most common ingredients that can cause eye irritation include synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, coal tar, polyethylene glycol, and formaldehyde. “If possible, it is best to avoid waterproof mascara because it can dry out your lashes, making them more brittle and prone to breakage,” suggests Jennifer Tsai, a board-certified optometrist and owner of LINE OF SIGHT in New York City. Examine the Label When shopping for mascara for sensitive eyes, look for products that are labeled hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, allergy-tested, ophthalmologist- or ophthalmologically-tested, and formulated without sulfates, parabens, or phthalates. “Always check that the ingredients are non-toxic, non-fragrance, and suitable for sensitive skin,” explains Dr. Tsai. Other keywords you can look out for include “clean,” “eye safe,” and “organic.” Limit Use of Waterproof Mascara Dr. DeRosa recommends skipping waterproof mascara altogether if you have sensitive eyes. She explains that waterproof mascara is especially hard to remove, which means you have to scrub extra hard or use stronger cleansers to take it off at the end of the day. And this additional rubbing can result in irritation. Dr. Brissette is also not a fan of waterproof mascara for sensitive eyes. “It is so hard to take off that you end up pulling and tugging on the delicate eyelid skin and lashes, which can cause damage and irritation and even can cause the lashes to fall out,” she explains. She adds that it's common to think you've removed all of your waterproof mascara, but little particles can remain and eventually migrate into your eyes, causing additional irritation. Your Questions, Answered Why does mascara irritate your eyes? Mascara can irritate the eyes for a few reasons. Dr. DeRosa explains that a common culprit is the preservatives in mascara. These ingredients can cause irritation to both your eyes and the delicate skin around your eyes. “Mascara can also irritate the eyes and cause infection by harboring a growth of bacteria within the applicator (this is why I recommend replacing every three months),” Dr. DeRosa adds. Is clean mascara better for sensitive eyes? Clean mascara is better for sensitive eyes, in theory, but the term “clean” isn’t a regulated claim. Dr. Brissette explains that "clean" usually means the product doesn't include fragrances or dyes. However, "clean" can mean something different to every company, and a claim that a product is clean doesn't guarantee your eyes won't be irritated by it, she adds. Dr. DeRosa feels the same. “‘Clean’ does not give you a real measure of what is in the mascara and whether it is better for sensitive eyes. 'Clean’ and ‘natural’ ingredients still can be irritating to sensitive eyes,” she explains. Instead of looking for a mascara that claims it's clean, she recommends opting for a mascara that claims it is hypoallergenic and ophthalmologist tested. Does mascara expire? (or How often should mascara be replaced?) Just like any makeup, mascara does expire. The more important issue is the growth of bacteria in the bottle and the risk of infection, especially if you are using preservative-free mascara. Dr. DeRosa recommends throwing out your mascara every three months (or sooner). Who We Are Daley Quinn is a freelance journalist, specializing in beauty and health, who has contributed to numerous publications, such as Elle, Real Simple, Allure, The Cut, WWD, and more. She used thorough editor insights to determine the best mascara for sensitive eyes on the market. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit