Best Clean Mascara Formulas for Those Sensitive Eyes

Mascaras are one of our favorite products to test out here at Milabu HQ. Considering the topic of this article, one obvious area that is prone to being sensitive are the eyes. Getting the best clean mascara is always ideal for sensitive eyes situation. Not only is this important in general, there are many people with sensitive eye condition(s) that need eye products to be extra clean. For instance, there are many individuals with watery and easily irritated eyes, where having best clean water resistant (i.e. tubing) mascara options would be ideal.

We are so excited that the clean beauty movement has taken off and so many brands are launching natural mascara formulas. And, they deliver too. This is just in time for the clean girl makeup movement on social media. So, we’ve put together a list of our favorite clean mascaras. All of these formulas are cruelty free, ophthalmologist tested, and free of ingredients like parabens, phthalates, talc, fragrance, and more. Sensitive eyes meet your best clean mascara!

There are so many different formulas, wands, and lash effects (volumizing, lengthening, etc.) – brands have so many considerations! And, the reality is, mascara is such a personal thing. Some of us prefer more wet formulas, while others prefer drier formulas.

Here are some of the characteristics we look for in a best clean mascara candidate(s):

• Lengthening mascara properties
• Definition and separation free of clumping
• Volume and immediate intense pigment
• Eyelash lift and/or curl
• Minimal smudging/transferring or flaking
• Extra benefits like clean mascara properties…

In addition, the specific mascara claims should deliver. If it claims volume, it best deliver. After all, who wants a volumizing mascara that makes lashes fall flat?!

(4.6)

_{Price: $24.00 >}

HIGHLIGHTS

• ^{Best For: Length, curl, definition}
• ^{Wand Type: boar bristle brush with multi-dimensional fibers}
• ^{Formula(s): Tubing, water resistant}
• ^{Color(s): Black}
• ^{Extra Benefits: Vegan; Recyclable packaging; Contains argan oil for lash conditioning; Film forming agents elongate lashes and eliminate smudges}
• ^{See Mascara in Action ▶️}

Why We Love It: First of all, as mentioned above, tubing formulas are great for sensitive watery eyes. This is the best type of formula to use, and if it comes as a clean mascara – this is the one to take note of. That being said, this is the mascara that changed our minds about tubing formulas. They tend to have heavier formulas that weight lashes down. But, the caliray mascara changed everything – a clean mascara with a tubing formula and it holds the curl? Sign.us.up!

Plus, we love the longevity of caliray Come Hell or High Water Mascara. It’s perfect for summer and those in more humid climates, as it has a water resistant wear with no smudges or transfer. This fluffy brush gives lashes subtle volume, with a huge emphasis on length and curl. If you are looking for the best clean mascara for sensitive eyes, this one might take the cake.

Bonus tip: curl your lashes before and after applying for maximum curl. You can thank us later!

(4.5)

_{Price: $20.00 >}

HIGHLIGHTS

• ^{Best For: Length, curl, definition, volume}
• ^{Wand Type: Triple-Wave Wand}
• ^{Formula(s): Water resistant}
• ^{Color(s): Black}
• ^{Extra Benefits: Clean formula, lightweight, holds a curl with Aquaflex® Technology, safe for sensitive eyes, vegan, cruelty free, gluten-free, safe for sensitive eyes, ophthalmologist tested, safe for contact lens wearers.}
• ^{See Mascara in Action ▶️}

Why We Love It: Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara is the perfect combination of two of my favorite mascaras: Lancome Lash Idole and Maybelline Lash Sensational, which are the standard mascara picks in the pro and value price categories. What makes Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara even better is that it is a clean formula and its flexible wand. All of this sounds great for individuals with sensitive eyes.

The wand is unique, with its curved shape and flexible bands of rubber/silicone bristles. It provides length, definition, and enough volume at the roots without clumpy results. The only drawback is it’s not as long wearing as some of its competitors, like caliray Come Hell or High Water, which is a tubing formula (mentioned above). All of this is great if your eyes are not too watery. But if you need that extra waterproof longevity, this mascara might not hold up all day like caliray.

Yet, if you do not suffer from watery eyes, this might be the best clean mascara for those sensitive eyes you have being searching for. It delivers volume, length, definition, and hold the curl! WOW!

(4.3)

_{Price: $28.00 >}

HIGHLIGHTS

• ^{Best For: Length, separation/definition}
• ^{Wand Type: Dual-sided brush with shorter silicone bristles on one side, longer on the other (exclusive ILIA patented)}
• ^{Formula(s): Water resistant}
• ^{Color(s): After Midnight (soft black)}
• ^{Extra Benefits: Ophthalmologist tested; Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers; Carbon Black free}
• ^{See Mascara in Action ▶️}

Why We Love It: It’s no surprise Limitless Lash Mascara has won all the awards over the years. It’s just that good. The unique wand makes it perfect for grabbing hold of each lash, perfectly separating and adding length without clumping. This mascara has a longest wear time with minimal flaking, smudging, and transfer out of the clean mascara category.

If wear time, clean formula, and longer lashes are the main characteristic you are looking for, this is your best clean mascara option for your sensitive eyes. Check out the individual post for more details and compatible mascara items. You will notice each product has performance rating where we break down performance characteristics of each cosmetics item not considering the cost. This will help you understand what is on the market and how every makeup product compares.

(4.1)

_{Price: $25.00 >}

HIGHLIGHTS

• _{Best For: Wispy, fluttery lashes}
• _{Wand Type: Elastomer silicone brush with spherical, spiky tip to help with separating}
• _{Formula(s): Long wearing}
• _{Color(s): Nightlife (rich, velvety black)}
• _{Extra Benefits: Silicone free; Contains lacquer tree and rice bran waxes to keep lashes lifted while castor and argan oils hydrate and condition lashes}

^{See Mascara in Action ▶️}

Why We Love It: Lawless The One & Done is your natural lashes, but better. Giving slight volume, this mascara makes lashes look wispy, fluttery, and whimsical. This mascara doesn’t claim to be waterproof, but it is long wearing with very minimal flaking and smudging/transfer. Plus, the little spiky ball at the end of the wand is perfect for getting inner corner lashes!

Considering sensitive eyes point, it is great because not too much formula clings onto the lasher. Hence, less chance that the product would interfere with the skin or eye condition(s). The only thing to watch out for is if your eyes are too watery, then you would need a tubing formula or true waterproof formula. This mascara is best for those looking for minimal look, clean mascara formula, with sensitive eyes.

(4.3)

_{Price: $25.00 >}

HIGHLIGHTS

• _{Best For: Length, lift}
• _{Wand Type: Silicone rubber bristles of various length with spiky ball at the end}
• _{Formula(s): Strengthening and conditioning}
• _{Color(s): Black}
• _{Extra Benefits: 100% natural mascara or naturally derived ingredients; Gluten free; Formula contains organic beeswax and carnauba wax to condition, shea butter to moisturize, and hydra-mineral complex + arginine amino acid to strengthen}

Why We Love It: We love everything Saie Beauty does (can we talk about their Dew Blush for a second? Gorgeous!) so it’s no surprise this mascara made our best clean mascara list. Saie Mascara 101 is the perfect everyday, no frills mascara. It gives lashes ultimate length and lift, while separating and defining. Mascara 101 applies like a dream with no clumping and we love the little spiky ball at the end for getting those pesky inner corner lashes. Coupled with minimal flaking, transfer, or smudging and you have yourself a winner!

(4.3)

_{Price: $26.00 >}

HIGHLIGHTS

• _{Best For: Volume}
• _{Wand Type: Dense, boar bristles with tapered tip}
• _{Formula(s): Water resistant}
• _{Color(s): Black}
• _{Extra Benefits: Ophthalmologist tested; Contains peach leaf extract, castor oil, and trehalose to condition and strengthen lashes}

Why We Love It: Wander Beauty is one of those hit or miss brands for us, but Mile High Club Mascara is a total win. This mascara gives lashes beautiful volume, length, and definition. It wears all day long with minimal flaking, smudging, or transfer. We love that our lashes feel soft and nourished all day long with this formula. But, it can get clumpy on the wand, especially as the mascara gets older. Our advice is to wipe off excess on the mouth of the tube before applying for best results!

This is one of those mascaras that delivers volume. But, there are many mascaras that can do that. Wander beauty delivers one of the best clean mascara formulas that delivers volume and its waterproof. Sensitive eyes love waterproof or water resistant option in a mascara formula. There is less chance it will leak into the eyes with waterproof technology.

^{Edited by Maddie}

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