Looking for the best makeup for sensitive eyes? Chances are, you avoid eye makeup at all costs if you have sensitive eyes, but you don’t have to go bare. We take a look at what causes sensitive eyes, the ingredients to avoid, and the best No7 makeup products to try.
What are Sensitive Eyes?
The area around your eyes is one of the thinnest and most sensitive parts of the body. Sometimes the skin reacts to specific ingredients or external factors such as light, which can make the skin on or around the eye area more susceptible to irritation.
Signs Your Eyes and Skin Are Sensitive to Makeup
So how do you know if you have sensitive eyes? If you experience itchy, red, puffy or scaly skin after using certain makeup products or you notice your eyes water more than usual, there’s a chance you’ve got a sensitivity or an allergy to one of your cosmetics.
How to Avoid Eye Irritation
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to avoiding eye irritation, as everyone is different. However, there are certain things you can do to help reduce the risk of eye irritation:
Replace your eye makeup every three months, especially mascaras
Never share your makeup with others
Regularly clean your makeup brushes, especially eyeshadow brushes
There’s no specific type of makeup that irritates sensitive eyes, but we’d steer clear of ingredients such as parabens, fragrance and phthalates (known as man-made chemicals to preserve products). Instead, look for cosmetics that use plants or natural ingredients, are free of parabens and sulfates, or clearly state that they’re suitable for sensitive skin and eyes.
The Best Makeup for Sensitive Eyes
It’s best to keep your eye makeup simple and not wear too many products at once, so here’s what we’d recommend.
Waterproof Mascara
Dust, wind and allergens can all irritate eyes on a daily basis, so a waterproof mascara can help protect our eyes against these. Giving your lashes the impact you want without smudging or running into the eyes at the first sign of a tear.
Hypoallergenic Eyeshadow
It’s important to be gentle, blend with little pressure, and dab on your eyeshadow rather than swipe. We’d also recommend a hypoallergenic formula, free of chemicals and irritants.
Mascara Designed for Sensitive Eyes
Sensitive eyes don’t mean you have to avoid bold eye makeup; you can still use volumising mascaras. Our advice? Try No7 Full 360 Mascara, expertly formulated to deliver eye-opening definition without causing irritation. The smooth formula means mascara builds up without leaving any clumps.
Eyeliner for Sensitive Skin
If your eyeliner triggers watery eyes, avoid applying it to your waterline and instead opt for one that’s formulated with sensitive skin in mind. No7 Stay Perfect Precise Felt Tip Eye Liner glides on with ease to create a long-lasting and perfect wing, all while keeping the eye irritation at bay.
Gentle Makeup Remover
Taking your makeup off properly is the most crucial step to help you avoid eye irritation. The gentle No7 Restore & Renew Cleansing Lotion conditions as it cleanses thanks to its nourishing formula, and effectively removes eye makeup, including waterproof mascara.
