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10 Best Hypoallergenic Mascaras For Sensitive Eyes, According To Doctors

These gentle formulas won't irritate allergy-sufferers or contact lens wearers.

Headshot of Brigitt EarleyBy Brigitt Earley
best mascaras for sensitive eyes
Taia Leituala

There's nothing quite like a fresh coat of mascara to make your eyes look bigger, brighter, and more refreshed. But, unfortunately, applying eye makeup can have the opposite effect for some, leading to swelling, irritation, itching, burning, and tearing.

These are all signs of a sensitivity or allergy to an ingredient in the product you're using, says Michele Green, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. Preservatives, dyes, and fragrances are common culprits, she adds.

Meet Our Experts: Michele Green, MD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City, Inna Lazar, OD, optometrist in Connecticut

In that case, Inna Lazar, OD, an optometrist in Connecticut, advises that you make sure to check your ingredient labels closely. "Look out for chemicals that can disrupt hormones, act as formaldehyde donors, or have neurotoxic effects," she says. "Recent studies conducted by Harvard reveal that certain cosmetic preservatives like phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, and formaldehyde can harm the ocular surface of the eyes."

To help you weed through all of the options out there — and their fine print — to pinpoint the best mascara for sensitive eyes, we cross-referenced our favorite products against the SkinSAFE database to verify that all of the mascaras on this list are hypoallergenic and made without potentially irritating ingredients, plus asked medical professionals like Dr. Green and Dr. Lazar for their favorites.

Our Top Picks

  • 1
    Big Mood Mega Volume & Lifting Mascara

    Best Overall

    e.l.f. Cosmetics Big Mood Mega Volume & Lifting Mascara

    $8 at Ulta Beauty
    Read more
  • 2
    Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

    Best Budget

    essence cosmetics Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

    Read more
  • 3
    Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara

    Best Tubing Mascara

    DHC Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara

    Read more
  • 4
    Lash Curling Mascara

    Best Curling Mascara

    Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara

    Read more
  • 5
    Full Fat Lashes Mascara

    Best For Drama

    Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes Mascara

    Read more
1
Best Overall

e.l.f. Cosmetics Big Mood Mega Volume & Lifting Mascara

Big Mood Mega Volume & Lifting Mascara
1
Best Overall

e.l.f. Cosmetics Big Mood Mega Volume & Lifting Mascara

$8 at Ulta Beauty$8 at Walmart$8 at JCPenney
Credit: Ulta
Pros
  • Nourishing jojoba oil-infused formula
  • Hourglass wand separates and defines
Cons
  • Some say the formula is a bit too thick

If you want to add a bit of drama without the price tag of a luxury pick, e.l.f. Cosmetics has you covered with this formula. The hourglass-shaped wand separates and defines, so a single swipe or two yields big, bold lashes. It's also infused with jojoba wax to help hold the curl and nourish lashes all at the same time.

2
Best Budget

essence cosmetics Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
2
Best Budget

essence cosmetics Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Incredibly affordable
  • Lengthens and volumizes
Cons
  • Runs easily

TikTok propelled this hardworking mascara into the limelight a few years ago, and there's no sign of the hype slowing. It's one of the most affordable drugstore formulas out there, still it makes lashes look just as long and thick as other options nearly quadruple the price.

3
Best Tubing Mascara

DHC Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara

Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara
3
Best Tubing Mascara

DHC Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Water-resistant
  • Fine, flexible wand
Cons
  • Might not look as natural for some

Tubing mascara relies on polymers (rather than waxes) to coat each individual lash with a little tube for fantastic separation and length—and this one by DHC is no exception. The fine-bristled, flexible wand grabs even the tiniest hairs for a dramatic but natural effect. It's water-resistant for all-day wear, too.

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4
Best Curling Mascara

Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara

Lash Curling Mascara
4
Best Curling Mascara

Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara

Credit: Nordstrom
Pros
  • Precise wand
  • Dark pigment
Cons
  • Expensive

Though nice and lightweight, this tubing mascara has a small and precise applicator that deposits the rich pigment in a single swipe—no layering required. Just be sure to wipe off any excess on the side of the tube, then slowly press and wiggle back-and-forth from root to tip for the best, most natural-looking results.

5
Best For Drama

Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes Mascara

Full Fat Lashes Mascara
5
Best For Drama

Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes Mascara

Credit: Nordstrom
Pros
  • Smooth, creamy formula
  • Precision wand
Cons
  • Expensive

For dark, dramatic lashes, turn to Charlotte Tilbury's Full Fat Lashes Mascara. The magic is in the five-groove brush, which deposits just the right amount of smooth, creamy mascara along your lash line where each one of the super fine bristles then work hard to pull lashes up and out, creating the perfect flutter.

6
Best Volumizing Mascara

COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Mascara

LashBlast Volume Mascara
6
Best Volumizing Mascara

COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Mascara

Credit: Ulta
Pros
  • Available in three shades
  • Water-resistant
Cons
  • Takes practice to get the hang of the brush

It may be hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, and water-resistant, but this drugstore formula is also super affordable—and one of Green's all-around favorites. "This mascara will provide smooth and natural-looking length and volume for those with sensitive skin and allergies," she says. According to the manufacturer, the patent-pending spin-shaped brush is designed to create ten times the volume without any clumping or flaking.

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7
Best Vegan and Cruelty-Free Mascara

Pacifica Highest Lash Chronic Volume Mascara

Highest Lash Chronic Volume Mascara
7
Best Vegan and Cruelty-Free Mascara

Pacifica Highest Lash Chronic Volume Mascara

Credit: Ulta
Pros
  • Contains nourishing ingredients
  • Dark pigment
Cons
  • Some users don't like the shape of the brush

Infused with natural ingredients like hemp oil, this mascara is designed to do more than make your lashes look stunningly long and voluminous in the moment—it also nourishes them from root to tip for naturally healthier lashes in the long-run. Still, this richly-pigmented mascara is entirely vegan and cruelty-free.

8
Best Drugstore Mascara

Almay Length & Lift Mascara

Length & Lift Mascara
8
Best Drugstore Mascara

Almay Length & Lift Mascara

Now 32% Off
Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Budget-friendly
  • Simple, easy-to-use brush
Cons
  • Some say the formula is a little clumpy

It may not look like anything fancy, but this mascara wins a lot of praise from medical professionals and users alike. It's hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist-tested, and fragrance-free, but has no trouble defining, separating, and lengthening lashes. Wearers love how easy the brush is to use, plus stays put and is a breeze to remove at the end of the day.

9
Best Waterproof Mascara

L'Oréal Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara

Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara
9
Best Waterproof Mascara

L'Oréal Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara

Credit: Ulta
Pros
  • Budget-friendly
  • Waterpoof
Cons
  • Hard to remove fully

Get the doe eyes you've always wanted with this aptly-named mascara. The waterproof formula has a wide, defined brush that grabs individual lashes to lift and separate, making eyes look bigger and brighter.

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10
Best Long-Wear Mascara

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara

Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara
10
Best Long-Wear Mascara

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara

Credit: Sephora
Pros
  • Long-lasting results
  • Available in standard and travel sizes
Cons
  • Expensive

Available in both standard and travel sizes, this mascara is a worthy option for those with sensitive eyes. The vegan formula curls, volumizes, and lengthens to deliver bold, dramatic lashes without any irritation. Perhaps it's biggest claim to fame though? Wearers can't believe how long their long, lush lashes stay put.

Headshot of Brigitt Earley
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer

Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.

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