The 15 Best Hypoallergenic Eyeliner Picks for Comfort, Wearability, and Stunning Eye Looks

Content creator Emma Leger with natural-looking eyeliner and long lashes.

(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 does it mean for an eyeliner to be hypoallergenic?

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.

Which 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.

The Best Eyeliners for Sensitive Eyes, Listed

1. Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense Eyeliner

2. Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner

3. RevitaLash Defining Liner

4. Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eye Liner

5. Chantecaille Le Stylo Ultra Slim

6. Almay Crayon Contour Eyeliner Pencil

Content creator Jill Wallace with a sharp, sleek eyeliner and long lashes.

(Image credit: @littleblackboots)

7. Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Beyond Eyeliner Pen

8. Tower28 Beauty OneLiner Lip Liner + Eyeliner + Cheek Pencil

9. Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

10. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Waterproof Liner

11. Milk Makeup Infinity Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil

12. Chantecaille Luster Glide Silk Infused Eye Liner

13. e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner

14. BareMinerals Mineralist Eyeliner

15. Laura Mercier Caviar Tightline Eyeliner

Maya Thomas
Assistant Beauty Editor
Maya Thomas isBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's assistant beauty editor based just outside of Seattle, Washington. 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.