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Can’t wear mascara anymore? Or struggling to find a brand that doesn’t cause sore eyes?
In this article, you’ll learn more about the best mascara for sensitive eyes. Plus, we’ll review the ingredients in five top mascaras.
You may have searched for brands that say:
- Hypoallergenic mascara
- Vegan, organic mascara
- Sensitive eyes mascara
However, makeup brands don’t have to prove that they’re safe. Especially in USA and Australia!
Did you know that there are only 11 banned makeup ingredients in the USA. In Europe there are over 1300 banned makeup ingredients.
When you put on mascara, have you ever thought about how close it is to the coloured part of your eyes? Even if you’re careful to put it on well, mascara can still fall into your eyes.
Your eyes and eyelids start to get sore, watery, tired and dry from the buildup. Even if it doesn’t hurt now, it might later.
Toxic ingredients in Mascara
How do you know what ingredients are bad in a mascara?
If you’ve ever tried to read the ingredients of your product, you’ll know how daunting it can be. But you don’t have to be a chemistry graduate!
On this list of best mascaras, I looked at the ingredients of five most common brands.
I put in the ingredients into Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep ingredient search box.
Here are the surprising results:
Brand 1
- Paraffin Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
- Butylene Glycol Human any irritant – strong evidence
- Polybutene May cause skin irritation
- Aminomethyl Propanol Classified as irritant
- Phenoxyethanol Classified as irritant, Neurotoxic
Brand 2
- Paraffin Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
- Butylene Glycol Human any irritant – strong evidence
- Aminomethyl Propanol Classified as irritant
- Octyldodecanol Human any irritant – strong evidence
- Ethylhexlglycerin Causes serious eye damage
- Phenoxyethanol Classified as irritant, Neurotoxic
Brand 3
- Propylene Glycol Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
- Aminomethyl Propanol Classified as irritant
- Phenoxyethanol Classified as irritant, Neurotoxic
- Ethylhexlglycerin Causes serious eye damage
Brand 4
- Alcohol Denat Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
- Cyclopentasiloxane Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
- Propylene Glycol Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
- Paraffin Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
- Polymethylmethacrylates Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
- Triethanolamine Human skin toxicant or allergen- strong evidence
- Methylparaben Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
- Isopropylparaben Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
- Isobutylparaben Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
- Butylparaben Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
Brand 5
- Polybutene Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
- Triethanolamine Human skin toxicant or allergen – strong evidence
- Phenoxyethanol Classified as irritant, Neurotoxic
- Butylene Glycol Human any irritant – strong evidence
- Tocopheryl Acetate Human skin toxicant or allergen – strong evidence
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate Human any irritant – strong evidence
- Potassium Sorbate Human skin toxicant or allergen – strong evidence
- Titanium Dioxide Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful
Did you make it this far?
It’s a long list, right?
When you think about toxic ingredients, it’s hard to know what’s in a mascara before buying it. The ingredients list is overwhelming.
So we just pick a product that is attractive or affordable. And what we think is right for us.
Toxic Eye Damage from Mascara
So there are toxic ingredients in my cosmetics? What’s the damage?
As an Optometrist, people see me regularly with cosmetic-related symptoms like:
- Red eyes
- Sore eyes
- Gritty eyes
- Sandy eyes
- Filmy eyesight
- Eyestrain
- Tired eyes
- Headaches
These are temporary right? Maybe…
However, for some people, eye problems can be permanent and painful.
You only get one pair of eyes, right?
Best mascara for sensitive eyes (and eye-friendly)
Have you had to give up wearing mascara? Or need to find something different that doesn’t make your eyes sore?
I’m on the lookout for eye makeup brands that support eye health. I found a great brand that I’m happy with. I’ve ordered some myself for my lovely wife.
Each of the ingredients in Eyes Are The Story 2020 Capsule Collection was made to be safe for the eyes.
Unlike other makeup brands, you won’t end up with red, sore eyes.
Imagine the freedom of being able to wear your makeup again. You have the confidence that you used to have before.
You can enjoy the lift you get from putting on your eye makeup in the morning, knowing this stuff is good for you.
Here’s a real review from a mascara wearer:
“It’s been a couple weeks now of using your mascara daily! Typically, by the end of the day I couldn’t wait to take off my mascara, yours feels like it’s just my lashes and nothing else, which I love. I didn’t realize how much discomfort I was putting up with in wearing non-eye safe mascaras, until using Eyes are the Story. Thank you for making these products and educating on the importance of eye-safety in cosmetics!” -Haven
Currently the Eyes Are The Story range includes:
- Eye Proof Facial Cleanser
- Eye Proof Facial Serum
- Eye Proof Liquid Liner
- Eye Proof Mascara Trio Set
- Eye Proof Refreshing Towelettes
- Trinacria Collection
- Includes the Cleanser, Serum, and Towelettes
- 2020 Capsule Collection
- A gift set that includes all products
Tap on this link (or watch the video review by Dr Melanie Denton Dombrowski, O.D. below)
Love makeup? Make sure you use makeup that won’t damage your eyes. You only get one pair of eyes.
Browse the range of Eyes Are The Story mascara, eyeliner, serum and cleanser
Want a coupon code? Enter winkwink at checkout to take 20% off your first order
Eyes Are The Story skincare & makeup range is currently available in USA. In Canada, click here.
Live outside these areas? Eyes Are The Story may be available in your country in the future.
For now, have a friend or relative who lives in the USA/Canada to ship to you. This is what I did for my wife.
Question of the Day
What’s the best mascara you’ve found for sensitive eyes? Leave a comment below.
References
- NY Magazine (https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-mascaras.html). Accessed May 26th 2020.
- EWG Skin Deep (https://www.ewg.org/skindeep). Accessed May 26th 2020.
- O’Dell, LE. Sullivan, AG. Periman LM. ADVANCED OCULAR CARE | JULY/AUGUST 2016.
Disclaimer
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click the link and make a purchase, Dry Eye Directory may receive a commission. This helps us to keep bread on the table. Thank you for your support!