I’ve been extremely lucky in my life not to have spent too much time thinking about the comfort of my eyes until recently when eyeliner wrecked 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 lash line. I spent the day with a tissue in hand, dabbing away every few minutes at the streams of pigment making their way down my cheeks.
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 know what irritated my eyes. But what better way to learn, than with the help of an industry expert? Below, 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 we’re shopping for eyeliners that are safe for use on our sensitive eyes, we tapped NYC-based Board Certified Dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, Gloria Lin, MD, FAAD. 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, it’s important to note that this does not mean that there is zero risk.
When looking at options for eyeliners that fall in the hypoallergenic category, it’s also important to note that there is official definition for the term; as it’s dependent on the use of specific 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, doesn’t mean it will work on your skin.
Which Ingredients Should Be Avoided?
Lin tells us the ingredients that could potentially irritate your sensitive eyes are fragrances, parabens, formaldehyde, propylene glycol, lanolin, and metals. “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? We’ve got you covered.
