Finding the best eyeliner in general can be tough—some people spend their entire lives searching for The One—and it totally makes sense. When shopping for eyeliner there are so many things to consider—from ease of application to how pigmented it is, whether it's waterproof, what colours it comes in, whether it's a pen or a pencil, how easily it can be removed, whether or not it smudges, flakes, or transfers, and of course, how long it lasts for. But throw sensitive eyes into the mix and the search for the perfect eyeliner can become a real challenge.
Not sure if you have sensitive eyes? "The main signs of eye sensitivity are redness of the lid margins around your lashes, watery eyes, and redness of the eye itself", says Bridie Bukorovic, an advanced clinical practitioner in opthalmology. "Other signs include peri-ocular skin problems like flaking of the skin or swelling of the eyelid."
What to look for in eyeliner for sensitive eyes?
"If you have very sensitive eyes, you should opt for pencil or gel eyeliners as opposed to liquid formulas," says Bukorovic. "Liquid eyeliners tend to contain a lot more preservatives, which can cause irritation."
You may notice some liners are labelled as dermatologist or opthalmologist tested. "This means it meets the standard of UK makeup base, so it's gone through testing with a number of subjects who haven't had reactions or adverse effects," explains Bukorovic. "This means that it may or may not have been tested on animals or humans." Another key word to look out for? Hypoallergenic. "This means that there's no typically-known allergen-inducing ingredients that people are commonly allergic to."
"Finding the best eyeliner for sensitive eyes can be a case of trial and error because some people have more sensitive eyes than others. However a big factor is placement," she adds. "Some people will want to tightline their waterline which has a direct absorption barrier to the eye so will cause a lot more sensitivity than people who just put it on the top or the lid or inbetween the lashes."
What to avoid in eyeliners for sensitive eyes?
"It can get quite technical when looking at specific ingredients to avoid," says Bukorovic. "But as a general rule, things like fragrance, preservatives, phosphates, and parabens are best avoided. Phenoxyethanol is one of the commonly-used preservatives that can cause sensitivity."
"Most eyeliners are only tested to a basic level and will prioritise pigment, colour payoff, and longevity over sensitivity, so you really want to look for brands that are formulating eye-friendly products."
Shop the Best Eyeliners for Sensitive Eyes:
- Kosas Soulgazer Intensifying Gel Eyeliner
- Blinc Smudge Proof Liquid Eyeliner
- Sweed Satin Kohl Eyeliner
- Ilia Beauty Clean Line Gel Liner
- Clinique Quickliner for Eyes
- Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Eyeliner
- Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
- Vieve Power Ink Liner Midnight Black
- Bareminerals Mineralist Lasting Eyeliner
- Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil
- Glossier Pro Tip
- Rimmel London Kind & Free Clean Eyeliner Pencil
1. Kosas Soulgazer Intensifying Gel Eyeliner
Kosas
Soulgazer Intensifying Gel Eyeliner
I have sensitive eyes myself and am a contact lens wearer, which can be extremely problematic when it comes to eye makeup application. Above all, I find that quick dry, no-transfer formulas work best for me—and I also try to avoid anything glittery. Having tried and tested hundreds of eyeliners over the years, I've settled on this Kosas one for reliable daily use. The crayon-gel formula means there's no fallout or pigment to irritate my sensitive eyes or cloud my lenses—and it's also effortlessly easy to apply.
2. Blinc Smudge Proof Liquid Eyeliner
Blinc
Smudge Proof Liquid Eyeliner
While Blinc is best known for its sensitive eyes-friendly tubing mascara, Bukorovic rates the brand's eyeliners too. "This formula is free from irritants like parabens, talc, and sulphates so is brilliant for sensitive eyes, and it doesn't transfer in any way." she adds.
3. Sweed Satin Kohl Eyeliner
Sweed
Satin Kohl Eyeliner Black
"These eye pencils are super soft and easy to apply from a makeup perspective," says Bukorovic. "And as well as being perfect for sensitive eyes, the formula is vegan."
4. Ilia Beauty Clean Line Gel Liner
Ilia
Beauty Clean Line Gel Liner
"I have eyes that can get a little watery and irritated when I do wear any eye makeup, and it makes life way easier for me to save it for special occasions only," says freelance beauty editor Mica Ricketts. "There is one exception to this, however, the Ilia Clean Line Gel Liner. The twist-up applicator makes this so easy to use—literally like drawing onto your face—yet it has all the longevity of the best gel liners. Once you've applied it (haphazardly if you're anything like me) it truly doesn't budge. Ilia is renowned for its 'clean' formulations, a term which I generally take with a pinch of salt, but I have to say that there really might be something in it with this eyeliner which doesn't cause any wateriness, stinging or smudging on my eyes at all."
5. Clinique Quickliner for Eyes
Clinique
Quickliner for Eyes
Just as Clinique makeup products are typically great for sensitive skin, their mascaras, eyeshadows, and eyeliners are also formulated with sensitive eyes in mind. This particular pencil is a reliable option since it comes in a wide range of shades.
6. Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Eyeliner
VICTORIA BECKHAM BEAUTY
Satin Kajal Eyeliner
As well as being a very good eyeliner (pigmented, long-lasting, and easy to apply), this multitasking formula is infused with skincare ingredients. Chamomile, panethenol, and vitamin E help to soothe and hydrate the eyelid.
7. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Stila
Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
When researching for this story I fell into several forums where eyeliner obsessives shared their top picks for sensitive eyes. Stila's All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner got a lot of mentions.
8. Vieve Power Ink Liner Midnight Black
Vieve
Power Ink Liner Midnight Black
Everyone needs to have a good black liquid eyeliner in their makeup bag for days when only a cat-eye flick will do. Right now, I'm obsessed with this one. The ultra-fine tip makes it really easy to use and the formula is a really pigmented black so doesn't need multiple layers. Plus, it hasn't irritated my sensitive eyes or transferred onto my lenses.
9. Bareminerals Mineralist Lasting Eyeliner
bareMinerals
Mineralist Lasting Eyeliner
BareMinerals are another brand well known for producing makeup that doesn't cause issues for sensitive skin and eyes. This liner is not only well-rated for being pigmented and long-lasting, but comes dermatologist- and opthalmologist-approved for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
10. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil
Urban Decay
24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
In addition to being well-reviewed by those with sensitive eyes, Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil formula is renowned by makeup artists for being one of the best eye pencils out there. The creamy formula stays soft long enough to be blended out (if needed) then dries down so colour is locked in place.
11. Glossier Pro Tip
Glossier's Pro Tip has been a makeup bag staple for me over the years, and my sensitive eyes have never had any issues with the formula, which delivers an ultra-pigmented, lasts-all-day finish.
12. Rimmel London Kind & Free Clean Eyeliner Pencil
Rimmel
London Kind & Free Clean Eyeliner Pencil
If you're after an affordable option, this Rimmel liner also comes sensitive eyes-approved. What's more, the formula is vegan and the pencil is made entirely from responsibly-sourced wood.
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