Looking for the best make-up for sensitive eyes? Chances are, you avoid eye make-up 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 make-up products to try.
What are sensitive eyes?
The area around your eyes is one of the thinnest and most sensitive parts of the body. Sometime 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 & skin are sensitive to make-up
So how do you know if you have sensitive eyes? If you experience itchy, red, puffy or scaly skin after using certain make-up 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 make-up every three months, especially mascaras
- Never share your make-up with others
- Regularly clean your make-up brushes, especially eyeshadow brushes
There’s no specific type of make-up 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 sulphates, or clearly state that they’re suitable for sensitive skin and eyes.
The best make-up for sensitive eyes
It’s best to keep your eye make-up simple and not wear too many products at once, so here’s what we’d recommend.
It’s best to keep your eye make-up 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. No7 Intense Volume Waterproof Mascara gives 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 recommended a hypoallergenic formula, free of chemicals and irritants like No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow. The velvet-like texture means this shadow glides effortlessly on application and gives the lids a gorgeous glow.
Mascara designed for sensitive eyes
Sensitive eyes don’t mean you have to avoid bold eye make-up, you can still use volumising mascaras. Our advice? Try No7 Extreme Length 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 make-up remover
Taking your make-up off properly is the most crucial step to help you avoid eye irritation. The gentle No7 Cleansing Eye Make-Up Remover conditions as it cleanses thanks to its dual action formula, and effectively removes eye make-up, including waterproof mascara.