When you have sensitive eyes, the level of redness and irritation you experience on some days is the equivalent to what you look like after weeping during the latest episode of This Is Us.
In reality, your contact lenses, dryness, or allergies can all set off irritation. Whatever the cause of bloodshot or teary eyes, it can make wearing makeup—especially mascara—difficult to say the least. And getting lash extensions like the rest of your friends? Forget it.
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That's where hypoallergenic mascaras come in. These formulas lengthen and define lashes just like the average tube, but are void of harsh ingredients. Instead, these mascaras are packed with gentle mineral pigments, antioxidants, and conditioning extracts that add volume and length to lashes.
Here, we've rounded up 10 of the best gentle mascaras to use if you have sensitive eyes.
VIDEO: 5 Ways to Enhance Your Eyelashes
Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Ultra-Natural Mascara
What's not surprising: the brand that we turn to for green beauty products has a mascara that actually works, too. What is shocking is just how soft, fluffy, and pigmented it leaves our lashes. The formula is also non-drying, so you don't have to worry about your mascara flaking or clumping throughout the day.
La Roche-Posay Respectissime Extension Mascara
When false lashes are not in the cards because of allergies or sensitivity, you've probably come to terms that you'll never have lashes that are so long, they poke your sunglass lenses. Luckily, La Roche Posay's mascara is a gentle alternative. It's packed with polymers that extend your natural lashes without making your eyes bloodshot.
Almay One Coat Nourish Thickening Mascara
This multitasking mascara thickens lashes thanks to conditioning ingredients like aloe and vitamin B5.
Honest Beauty Truly Lush Mascara + Primer
Let's get real: When you barely have time to drink a coffee in the morning, you're not going to prime your lashes. Instead of adding another step to your routine, reach for this 2-in-1 mascara and primer instead. The primer wand protects lashes and creates an even base for the mascara, which intensifies and defines lashes.
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
Fun fact: Maybelline's cult-favorite mascara, which for many of us was the first one we used as teenagers, is also hypoallergenic.
Ilia Mascara
The only reason this mascara will make you tear up is the natural, defined look that its tapered brush and toxin-free formula gives your lashes.
BareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara
This mascara busts the myth that natural mascaras don't have the same staying power as other tubes. BareMinerals formula might only have antioxidants and natural extracts in its formula, but it'll stay smudge-free whether you're doing hot yoga or you're watching baby animal videos on YouTube again.
Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara
Tarte's signature Amazonian Clay doesn't just keep your foundation from oxidizing and sliding off, the ingredient also hydrates and restores broken lashes when it's added to mascara. Bonus: This tube is vegan and made without gluten or parabens.
RMS Beauty Volumizing Mascara
Instead of resorting to pricey extensions, apply a few coats of RMS Beauty's volumizing mascara for thicker and fuller lashes. As a brand that's dedicated to using nontoxic and ingredients, this mascara is enriched with certified organic oils, butters, waxes, and rich mineral pigments to give you more dramatic lashes.
Physician's Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara
Whether you've completely cleaned up your makeup routine or want extra insurance that your mascara isn't going to cause an allergy flare up, Physician's Formula's tube checks off both boxes. The formula is made up of 100% organic ingredients and is infused with aloe and cucumber extracts that soothe lashes with each coat.
