12 Eyeliners That Won’t Irritate Your Sensitive Eyes, According to an Expert

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.

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.

“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.”

“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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.