The Best Hypoallergenic Eyeliners for Your Sensitive Eyes

When it comes to creating gorgeous eye makeup looks (from a classic smoky eye to a retro cat eye flick and more) the one step you can’t skip is eyeliner. It’s like the icing on the cake that takes any eye look from day to date night, from basic to bombshell, from glam to goals. But if you’ve ever finished your makeup and felt your eyes start to tear, or looked in the mirror to see redness in your reflection, you may be one (of many) people who are sensitive to your eyeliner.

If you have sensitive skin, you're a contact lens wearer, or you're prone to allergies, you likely already know how hard it is to find an eyeliner that won't irritate your eyes. One frequent solution suggested to sensitive skin types is to only use eye makeup formulas that have been labeled as hypoallergenic. But what does this beauty buzzword really mean? We break it all down below.

What Does It Mean When Makeup Is Labeled as Hypoallergenic?

"When a product is labeled as hypoallergenic, the manufacturer is claiming that the product has fewer allergic reactions than other products," explains dermatologist Jaimie Glick, MD. If you see an eyeliner (or any other type of beauty product) that's advertised as being hypoallergenic, it's generally a good indication that it won't cause irritation. However, there is some ambiguity around what the term actually means in the cosmetic industry. "There's no FDA standard or accepted set of results that qualifies a product as hypoallergenic,” says dermatologist Papri Sarkar, MD. "Brands are free to label any product they like with that term." For the most part, Sarkar says brands are pretty good about reserving the hypoallergenic label for products with a gentle ingredient list, "but they don't need to substantiate [the claim] at all." The takeaway: Instead of automatically deeming all hypoallergenic formulas as safe to use on sensitive skin, it's a good idea to think of this label as a solid starting point. Then, do a little more investigating into what's actually in the formula before deciding whether or not it's a good fit for your skin. If you find a type of liner that doesn’t irritate your sensitive skin and eyes, take note of what’s on the ingredient list and try to stick to liners that have similar components.

Are Natural Eyeliners Safer for Sensitive Eyes?

The term “natural” may make a product sound like it's gentle on sensitive skin, but the truth is “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s neutral. In fact, Dr. Glick says that natural products (which often feature ingredients like essential oils and botanical extracts) frequently cause allergic reactions in patients. This doesn't mean a vegan or natural-based formula won't work for sensitive skin types, but it does mean you should still proceed with caution when initially testing them out. Instead of simply defaulting to natural formulas, try looking for eyeliners that omit common allergens like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, artificial synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, talc, formaldehyde, carbon black, etc.

How to Safely Test New Eye Makeup Products

So, you've found an eyeliner that appears to truly be hypoallergenic. Now it's time to test it out. Before swiping it onto the eyes, do a patch test first. Patch testing is the safest way for sensitive skin types to see how a formula reacts to their skin. "The proper way to patch test at home is to take some of the product that you are suspicious of and apply it on an area that won't get wet, rubbed, or sweaty easily," says Dr. Sarkar. "Then, cover it with saran wrap and skin tape or a sticky plastic bandage. I suggest picking a place on your body that you wouldn't mind getting red and itchy versus your face or neck or another very visible area." Then, take the covering off after 24-48 hours and see if the skin is red or irritated.

The 12 Best Hypoallergenic Eyeliners

Now that you’ve got the tools to find the best eyeliner for sensitive eyes, here are 12 of our go-to hypoallergenic formulas.

1. Best Eyeliner with Skincare Benefits:

PHYSICIANS FORMULA Eye Booster™ Lash 2-in-1 Boosting Eyeliner & Serum

Not only does this smudge-proof, water-resistant liquid eyeliner create sleek, saturated lines, it also comes with lash-boosting benefits. The high-tech Japanese formula is infused with a lash serum to help nourish, strengthen, and condition your lashes every time you wear it. Like all PHYSICIANS FORMULA products, this liquid liner is made without any of the 150+ known harsh ingredients that are likely to cause irritation.

2. Best Drugstore Formula:

NEUTROGENA® Intense Gel Eyeliner

When it comes to gentle-on-skin formulas, NEUTROGENA pretty much takes the cake. What’s great about this liner is that it glides on smooth and smudge-able, and then dries down to a stay-put finish that won’t migrate into your eyes or cling to contact lenses.

3. Best Long Lasting Eyeliner:

MAYBELLINE Eyestudio® Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner Makeup

If you’re looking for a liner to help you create crisp lines that won’t smudge or smear, this waterproof formula with an ultra-fine tip is it. It delivers huge color payoff in just one swipe, plus its ophthalmologist-tested and fragrance-free making it perfect for sensitive eyes that are prone to tears. No raccoon eyes here!

4. Best for your Waterline:

URBAN DECAY 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil

If you’ve got sensitive eyes, tighlining and lining your waterline can trigger instant irritation. So if you're tightlining or using eyeliner on your waterline, you'll want to find an eyeliner that's both non-irritating and superfine. Thankfully, this long-lasting liner was specifically formulated for your waterline (and anywhere else). The creamy, demi-matte formula delivers punchy pigment that sets quickly and lasts for the long haul. Plus, it's made without any mineral oil, paraffin, or preservatives.

5. Best Waterproof Eyeliner:

THRIVE CAUSEMETICS Infinity Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner™

If you're allergy-prone or your eyes tend to tear up a lot, the right waterproof eyeliner can be a total gamechanger. This jet black, totally waterproof formula comes with two proprietary THRIVE features that you won't find anywhere else: The Flawless-Flick Applicator allows for full control over the thickness of the line you're creating and the formula's Semi-Permanent Micropigment Technology™ delivers fully smudge-proof pigment that lasts all day long. It's also hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, ophthalmologist-tested, and safe for contact lens wearers.

6. Best Pencil Eyeliner:

HONEST BEAUTY Vibeliner Pencil Eyeliner

This pencil liner from HONEST BEAUTY is perfect for creating soft, natural lines or smudging out for smoky looks. The base of this vegan formula is jojoba oil, a go-to skincare ingredient for those with sensitive skin. Jojoba oil also helps to give this pencil a super smooth, buttery texture. It's made without carbon black pigment, parabens, silicones, and PEGs.

7. Best Good For Skin Eyeliner:

BURT’S BEES Nourishing Eyeliner Pencil

We’re obsessed with Burt’s Bees because their products just feel so good on skin. The same can be said for this skin-softening liner infused with jojoba, mango, and sustainably-sourced meadowfoam seed oil to help nourish your lids and keep your skin calm every time you line.

8. Best Felt-Tip Eyeliner:

ILIA Clean Line Liquid Liner

This long-wearing formula from ILIA is a classic liquid liner with a flexible fine-pointed felt tip. It's one of those beauty products that you'll use every single day. In addition to steering clear of all the top allergens, this formula is also fragrance-free and uses charcoal powder instead of carbon black, a common cosmetic ingredient that is carcinogenic and known to irritate the skin and eye area.

9. Best Self-Sharpening Eyeliner:

ALMAY Eyeliner Pencil

Specifically formulated for sensitive eyes, this twist up liner promises to deliver budge-proof color that’s water-resistant, smudge-resistant, and rub-resistant. Plus, it's infused with vitamin E to help nourish your skin and glides smoothly without catching onto delicate lids (another source of irritation). Along with a built-in sharpener, this baby comes in 6 gorgeous colors—making it easy to find the perfect shade.

10. Best Ultra-Fine Eyeliner:

BAREMINERALS Mineralist® Lasting Eyeliner

This liner from BAREMINERALS is free of all the top allergens, plus it's vegan, cruelty-free, and made from mineral pigments. The fine tip allows for super precise application that helps you get the look right on the first try every time.

11. Best Eyeliner for Creating Cat Eyes:

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Epic Ink Liner

If you’re in the mood to create dramatic wings or graphic liner looks, this high pigment, flexible felt-tip eyeliner pen provides the perfect amount of control to help you create defined lines of all shapes and sizes. It’s waterproof, smudge-proof, 100 percent vegan, and easy on sensitive eyes.

12. Best Colored Eyeliner:

CHARLOTTE TILBURY Eye Colour Magic Liner Duo

Using an eyeliner packed with colorful pigments is one of the quickest and easiest ways to create a bold, eye-popping makeup look. This double-ended pencil features both a dark matte shade and lighter metallic color. Both formulas are ophthalmologist-tested and glide across the upper and lower lash line like silk. Try applying the matte shade right along the lash line and the shimmery shade just above that line for a minimal beauty look still makes your eye color stand out.

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