The best mascaras for sensitive eyes aren’t as clinical as they may sound. The question is always the same: Can you really get the same payoff from a gentle formulation? Thanks to cutting-edge technology and a spate of disruptive ingredients, you can—and there are plenty of great mascara formulas to get your hands on, from buzzy, clean beauty brands mixed with tried-to-true ophthalmologist-tested formulas from mainstays like Clinique.
“Mascara is a staple in every beauty bag but can be a silent culprit behind eye irritation. Choosing the right formula isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about eye health, precision, and performance,” celebrity makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre tells Vogue. “Mascara should enhance beauty, not compromise comfort. In my 20 years as a makeup artist, I’ve worked with every formula imaginable, from high-performance luxury mascaras to innovative clean beauty formulas. The difference between a great mascara and one that causes irritation often comes down to mindful formulation and hygiene.”
Not to mention, eye irritation and poor makeup hygiene could have you paying a visit to the doctor for medical intervention. “I commonly see irritation from mascara in my patients, and this can occur for a few reasons. First and foremost, sensitivity to the ingredients such as certain fragrances, preservatives, or components used in the formula,” double board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Ashley Brissette tells Vogue. “Flakey mascara isn’t just unsightly; it is also a common irritation culprit. Mascara can dry out and flake off or smudge off and clump, and get into the eyes, causing discomfort and even potentially a scratch to the cornea.”
