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- What Is Hypoallergenic Eyeliner?
- What Ingredients Should Be Avoided?
ByMaya Thomas
last updated
in Buying Guides
(Image credit: @emmaleger)
I've been extremely lucky and haven't had to think about the comfort of my eyes until recently when eyeliner wreaked 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 skin. I spent the day with a tissue in hand, dabbing at the streams of pigment making their way down my cheeks every few minutes.
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 figure out what irritated my eyes. What better way to learn than with the help of an industry expert? 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 Is Hypoallergenic Eyeliner?
For a better idea of which ingredients to be on the lookout for the next time I'm shopping for eyeliners that are safe for sensitive eyes, I tapped Gloria Lin, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. 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, this does not mean that there is zero risk.
When looking at options for eyeliners that fall in the hypoallergenic category, it's important to note that there is no official definition for the term, as it's dependent on the 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 may not work on your skin.
The Best Eyeliners for Sensitive Eyes, Listed
- Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense Eyeliner
- RevitaLash Defining Liner
- Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
- Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Waterproof Liner
- Chantecaille Luster Glide Silk Infused Eye Liner
What Ingredients Should Be Avoided?
Lin tells me that fragrances, parabens, formaldehyde, propylene glycol, lanolin, and metals could potentially irritate sensitive eyes. "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? I've got you covered. Scroll on for the best ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested eyeliners designed for use on sensitive eyes.
Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense Eyeliner
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!"
Pros: Offers rich pigments and instant intensity
Cons: None
Product Details: 0.01-ounce double-ended pencil with a smudge tip
Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner
Bobbi Brown
Long-Wear Smudge-Proof 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!"
Pros: Offers up to eight hours of wear without reapplication
Cons: Product tends to dry out quickly in the jar
Product Details: 0.1-ounce jar
RevitaLash Defining Liner
RevitaLash
Defining Liner
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."
Pros: Formula is hypoallergenic and cruelty free
Cons: None
Product Details: 0.01-ounce twist-up pencil with built-in sharpener and smudge tool
Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eye Liner
Trish McEvoy
Intense Gel Eye Liner
Highly pigmented and long-lasting is this Trish McEvoy's Intense Gel Eye Liner, which is one of the best on the market (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."
Pros: Glides onto the skin smoothly for even, rich pigment
Cons: Must be sharpened frequently to achieve ultra-sharp wings
Product Details: 0.04-ounce double-ended pencil with a smudge tip
Chantecaille Le Stylo Ultra Slim
Chantecaille
Le Stylo Ultra Slim
If a sleek, 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. Its formula is also ophthalmologist approved, 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 [makeup product] I use every day to make my eyes look more defined. Easily the best eyeliner I've ever used."
Pros: Calibrated tip allows for precision and easy application
Cons: None
Product Details: 0.02-ounce pen with calibrated tip
Almay Crayon Contour Eyeliner Pencil
Almay
Crayon Contour 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 self-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."
Pros: Uses a water-resistant, long-lasting, smudge-proof formula
Cons: When applied heavily, there's noticeable transfer of the product onto the lids
Product Details: 0.01-ounce swivel-up pencil with built-in sharpener
(Image credit: @littleblackboots)
Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Beyond Eyeliner Pen
Thrive Causemetics
Infinity Waterproof Eyeliner Pen
Using a waterproof eyeliner is a surefire way to make sure your eye makeup looks flawless all day. Bonus points if the formula doesn't irritate your eyes. One of my 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."
Pros: Glides onto the skin effortlessly and dries down quickly
Cons: Formula has been noted to dry out before application
Product Details: 0.30-ounce pen
Tower 28 Beauty OneLiner Lip Liner + Eyeliner + Cheek Pencil
Tower 28 Beauty
OneLiner Lip Liner + Eyeliner + Cheek Pencil
Tower 28 Beauty's creamy, high-pigment, nondrying OneLiner can be used as a long-wearing eyeliner as well 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."
Pros: Uses a clean, multiuse formula in three blendable shades
Cons: Smudges with all-day wear (reapplication needed)
Product Details: 0.04-ounce pencil
Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
Hourglass
Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
For eyeliner that's comfortable to wear but also offers high-impact color, use a pencil like Hourglass's Voyeur 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."
Pros: Delivers creamy, high-impact pigment with up to 12 hours of wear
Cons: Formula does not withstand humidity and perspiration
Product Details: 0.01-ounce pencil
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Waterproof Liner
Bobbi Brown
Long-Wear Waterproof Liner
Clearly, I'm a big fan of Bobbi Brown's eyeliner offerings. Another one of my must-haves, the Long-Wear Waterproof Liner offers opaque, dense pigments in a silky, smooth formula that's gentle on the eyes, making it perfect for tightlining and strong enough to stay put until you're ready to remove it.
Customer Review: "I love this brow pencil! It's got a very fine tip so it's 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."
Pros: Formula is safe for use when tightlining along the waterline
Cons: Tends to transfer onto the lids when applied on the top lash line
Product Details: 0.01-ounce swivel-up pencil
Milk Makeup Infinity Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
Milk Makeup
Infinity Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
Beginners, this one is for you! Milk Makeup's 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!"
Pros: Applies smoothly to skin without any tugging or skipping
Cons: Formula is somewhat dry, making it challenging to blend or smudge
Product Details: 0.01-ounce twist-up pencil
Chantecaille Luster Glide Silk Infused Eye Liner
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 formula, offering major color payoff and shine. It's also free of 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."
Pros: Glides onto the skin easily for eye-catching, saturated color
Cons: None
Product Details: 0.04-ounce pencil
e.l.f. Cosmetics No Budge Retractable Eyeliner
e.l.f. Cosmetics
No Budge Retractable Eyeliner
Applying product to the waterline on sensitive eyes is made easy with this E.l.f. Cosmetics classic. It's available in three versatile shades and is a water-resistant, retractable eyeliner that has a rich, creamy formula that offers intense color and a matte finish. Did I 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."
Pros: Can be used on your lash line, waterline, or all over the lid for intense color
Cons: None
Product Details: 0.01-ounce twist-up pencil
BareMinerals Mineralist Eyeliner
bareMinerals
Mineralist 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 Eyeliner's waterproof formula is clean, mineral based, and richly pigmented. It 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!"
Pros: Blends easily and sets quickly for all-day smudge-proof wear
Cons: Not ideal for use on the waterline
Product Details: 0.01-ounce twist-up pencil
Laura Mercier Caviar Tightline Eyeliner
Laura Mercier
Caviar Tightline Eyeliner
To round out this list, I 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 and line the waterline as desired.
Customer Review: "Laura Mercier does it again with luxe, 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!
Pros: Formula is infused with skin-loving ingredients to moisturize skin
Cons: Sharpening the pencil is challenging
Product Detail: 0.01-ounce pencil
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Maya Thomas
Associate Beauty Editor
Maya Thomas is Who What Wear's Associate Beauty Editor based in New York City. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.
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