6 Best Mascaras for Sensitive Eyes, According to Lab Testers

Tester notes: It received top ranking in Lab evaluations for lengthening, volumizing, and curling lashes. “My new go-to mascara,” a tester said. Some reviewers noticed flaking, so be sure to have a wipe ready for clean-up after if needed.

Tester notes: A top performer in GH Beauty Lab mascara testing, it scored high for defining, separating, and reaching all lashes; its easy-to-use brush and smooth application; and not clumping or flaking. However, it's not as volumizing as some other formulas. "I love how easily it glides on my lashes and how easy it is to remove with micellar water, no rubbing necessary," a tester reported.

Tester notes: The mascara ranked near the top for lengthening lashes and not irritating eyes and earned the highest score for smooth application, separating lashes, and not flaking. "Lengthened and lifted my lashes well," a tester commented. "I have sensitive eyes, and this mascara did not irritate them." While it goes and stays on easily, a few reviewers noted that the formula can be hard to remove.

The GH Beauty Lab regularly evaluates mascaras using consumer testers, who rate performance on factors such as ease of use and application, volumizing, lengthening, curling, and defining/separating effects, wear (including flaking and smudging), and irritation of eyes or the surrounding skin.

GH Beauty Lab scientists also consult the SkinSAFE beauty product database to identify mascaras that are free of the most common allergens and suitable for people with sensitivities, using SkinSAFE's scoring system (up to 100%).

For waterproof mascaras, the Beauty Lab performs a splash test, during which testers apply the mascara, wait 10 minutes and then splash warm water on their face repeatedly to gauge whether the formula smears or transfers. In the Beauty Lab's most recent traditional and waterproof mascara test, scientists evaluated 21 new formulas on 402 consumer testers and tallied 6,432 survey questions to find the top performers.

When searching for the best mascara for sensitive eyes, seek out the following:

✔️ Key terms like "hypoallergenic," "allergy-tested," "ophthalmologist-tested," or "ophthalmologically-tested" on the product's packaging. "These terms are a general guideline when choosing mascara for sensitive eyes and imply that the brand has attempted to omit potential allergens that can cause reactions for some people, though they're not a guarantee that a product is 100% allergy-proof," explains Wizemann. For these designations, companies often test the product for allergic reactions or sensitivity on volunteers. "Ophthalmologist-tested indicates the testing was overseen by an eye doctor," she says.

✔️ Brands that have a trusted reputation for treating sensitive skin and eyes that support their claims with hypoallergenic, allergy-tested, or ophthalmologist- or ophthalmologically-tested methodologies, as mentioned above, if you tend to experience irritation.

✔️ Steer clear of mascaras that include fragrance on the ingredients list, which can be an irritant, and those that contain natural extracts, which can trigger allergies, Wizemann suggests. Diane Hilal-Campo, M.D., a board-certified ophthalmologist in New Jersey, also specifically advises avoiding some natural extracts, including nickel, beeswax, carnauba wax, coal tar, carbon black, and lanolin, among others, as all are potential irritants. "The more ingredients used, the higher the chance of allergy," adds Dr. Hilal-Campo.

✔️ Choose a waterproof formula if your eyes tend to water, though be careful to remove it gently without rubbing or tugging to avoid inflaming the eyes and eye area. Dr. Hilal-Campo advises to proceed with caution when it comes to waterproof mascaras. "They can be harsh on the eye area since they are designed to stay put," she says.

✔️ Positive reviews. "Chances are, people with sensitive eyes who have experienced a reaction to a product will share that information," says Dr. Hilal-Campo.

"When someone with sensitive eyes uses a mascara with allergenic ingredients, this can create an allergic response of not only the eyelid skin, a form of contact dermatitis, but can cause an allergic reaction in the eyes," explains Dr. Hilal-Campo. "Inflammatory cells cause a histamine release, which can lead to red, itchy, and irritated eyes and/or swollen lids."

“Choose a mascara formulated for sensitive eyes and avoid heavily fragranced products,” says Sheri Rowen, M.D., board-certified ophthalmologist and medical consultant for MAMA SOL. Where you apply mascara matters just as much as what you use. “Keep it on the lashes rather than the eyelid margin and avoid coating the very base of the lashes or applying makeup to the waterline. The meibomian gland openings are located along the eyelid margin, and keeping this area clean is particularly important for patients with dry eye or meibomian gland dysfunction.”

Dr. Rowen also recommends replacing mascara every three months, which is consistent with FDA guidance. “Never add water to dried-out mascara, don’t share eye makeup, and discard mascara and other eye cosmetics used during an eye infection,” she adds.

It is critical to fully remove mascara and eye makeup every night that you wear it. “If a particular mascara repeatedly causes burning, redness, itching, tearing, or swelling, stop using it rather than trying to become accustomed to it,” Dr. Rowen says. “Persistent symptoms deserve an eye examination because sometimes what appears to be a cosmetic sensitivity is actually underlying dry eye, allergy, blepharitis, or meibomian gland dysfunction.”

Dr. Rowen recommends keeping the routine simple. “Look for eye products specifically formulated for the eye area, with minimal fragrance and as few potential irritants as possible,” she says.

When it comes to specific products, she suggests keeping eyeliner and eye shadow outside of the waterline. “Cream eye shadows may be better tolerated by some people because loose powders and glitter particles can migrate into the tear film, although individual sensitivities vary.”

She also notes to pay attention to products used on the skin immediately surrounding the eye. “The eyelid and under-eye area are delicate, and sunscreen is important here as well.” For someone with very sensitive eyes, her philosophy is less is more: a gentle mineral sunscreen around the eye, a well-tolerated concealer, a simple eye shadow if desired, eyeliner kept away from the waterline, and a sensitive-eye or tubing mascara.

GH Senior Beauty & Style Director April Franzino originally wrote this piece, working with GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann to report on the GH Beauty Lab's best-tested hypoallergenic mascara formulas for sensitive eyes and expert commentary on how to shop for them. Wizemann selected the GH Beauty Lab's top-tested hypoallergenic mascaras for sensitive eyes and provided expert advice on how to shop for the best formulas.

GH Contributing Beauty Editor Dori Price was the most recent updater of this article, adding newly tested picks recommended by Wizemann as well as expert tips from an ophthalmologist.