This Is the Only Mascara That Doesn't Irritate My Chronic Dry Eye (2024)

MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara

Tower28 Beauty was founded to solve sensitive skin woes, so it’s no surprise that they took every sensitivity into account when formulating their first-ever mascara. No box was left unchecked—this product has been ophthalmologist and allergy tested, approved to be contact lens safe, and has the clinical seal to be used on sensitive eyes. More than that though, it’s truly just a top-notch mascara. It lengthens and volumizes, contains conditioning ingredients such as castor oil, and has a special ingredient that quite literally helps your lashes hold their curl throughout the day. I promise: There’s no mid-day droop with this guy.

Pros: Clinically tested; Vegan; Good for contact lenses

Cons: Can get a little clumpy

GrandeMASCARA Black Conditioning Peptide Mascara

“Grande Cosmetics GrandeMASCARA Conditioning Peptide Mascara has been tested for safety and uses hydrating ingredients to keep your skin and lashes healthy. Lipids are a great added ingredient for that purpose. In addition, I love the way it appears on the lashes. The hydrating peptides support the health of the lashes and eyelids.” — Dr. Nava Greenfield, Board-Certified Dermatologist

Pros: Dermatologist-recommended; Hydrating ingredients

Cons: A little clumpy

Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara

“Not only do I have sensitive skin (rosacea, contact dermatitis, allergies) but I also have sensitive eyes that react easily to irritation. A lot of mascaras can feel uncomfortable—either because they’re causing a reaction or because I can see redness when I remove them. But these give me gorgeous lengthening without clumping or flaking onto my skin or into my eyes. It’s a long-lasting formula, meaning it won’t come off even when I rub my eyes. They basically act like a second, lightweight, delicate layer to my natural eyelashes.” — Katherine Igoe, Contributing Sydnications Editor

Pros: Good for allergies and redness; Easy to remove

Cons: Weird smell

Twenty / Twenty Clean Sweep Mascara, Pitch Black, 10ml

“I have seasonal allergies that can make it nearly impossible for me to apply makeup, so I’ve long been searching for a mascara that won’t further irritate my eyes and that won’t come off easily when allergens have reduced me to tears. This mascara exceeds all of my expectations: Because it was developed by an ophthalmologist, it prioritizes eye health, using a formula that includes hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E, and biotin, but doesn’t have any irritants like parabens or tar dyes. It also gives my lashes plenty of length and lift without ever clumping.” — Gabrielle Ulubay, E-Commerce Writer

Pros: Editor and ophthalmologist-tested; Good for uber-sensitive eyes

Cons: None

Liquid Lash™ Extensions Mascara

I can’t even articulate the cult-following this mascara has developed since launch—it’s attracted fans by the hundreds and counts a handful of celebrities as loyal users. There's a good reason: It contains conditioning ingredients like castor oil and shea butter, while steering clear of nasty ones like synthetic fragrance. The team has invested in clinical trials so you can swipe without fear. They also figured out the key to a water resistant formula that doesn’t require tugging and pulling in the removal process.

Pros: Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested; Clinically proven to be safe for sensitive eys

Cons: Can be a bit clumpy

Eyes are the Story, Eye Proof Mascara Trio Set (3 Non-Flaking Mini Mascaras for Sensitive Eyes)

“My top priority as an eye doctor who frequently diagnoses and treats dry eye and other eye conditions is to ensure my patients use makeup products that won't exacerbate their condition. I highly recommend the brand Eyes Are the Story. All of their products are safe to use around the eyes and designed to be gentle on and around the delicate eye area. As noted above, it's important to be mindful of the ingredients in your makeup and choose products that are free from harsh chemicals and irritants that can cause discomfort or damage to your eyes.” — Dr. Inna Lazar

Pros: Small bottles minimize bacteria; Ophthalmologist-approved

Cons: Might run

Clean Lash Lengthening Tubing Mascara

If clumpy lashes are your biggest pain point, allow me to direct your attention to this life-changing mascara. In part because of the wand’s shape and in part because of its innovative formula, this Merit product manages to separate and define every individual lash. You’re left with a fluttery and soft look that still feels high impact courtesy of the uber-black pigment. To build up length, you’ll probably want to go for two coats (don’t worry, it won’t flake), but I like just one quick flick for the day-to-day.

Pros: Doesn’t clump or flake; Very dark

Cons: Can be a little difficult to remove

Eye Want You Mascara

If you need a do-it-all, this is your guy. It has the ability to lengthen, volumize, and define, all while remaining buildable and flake-free, whether you do one swipe or three. I know, it sounds too good to be true, but after actually testing Gucci Westman’s innovative formula, I can confirm it follows through on every promise. It’s free of common irritants and washes off with just a bit of warm water so my eyes don’t get irritated or watery before bed.

Pros: Great for every concern; Vegan formulation

Cons: No clinical tests

The Mascara

Chances are you’ve never seen a wand with this deep of a curve. It’s untraditional for sure, but it’s the innovation that lands this product on this list. Because of the u-like shape, it’s flexible enough to pick up the little lashes that live on the outer and inner corners. Once all those babies get a nice coat, my lashes look instantaneously fuller. On the sensitivity scale, I found this to be extremely tolerable, which likely has a little something to do with the anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties of the mascara’s star ingredient: Vitamin E.

Pros: Densifying; Anti-inflammatory

Cons: Not ophthalmologist-tested

Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara

This is the mascara that put Ilia on the map—it’s that good. It’s my personal everyday go-to. It doesn't leave me red, watery, or irritated, but still delivers insane length to my lashes. It’s never clumpy, rather it separates every individual lash. The biggest pro however is that no matter how hot, muggy, or emotional I am, the formula never runs or smudges into my under-eye. It holds a curl and looks just as good at the end of a long day as it did first thing in the morning.

Pros: Smudge-free; Editor-tested

Cons: Smells a little harsh

Dr. Inna Lazar is a leading expert on primary eye health and one of the country’s most sought-after experts in the treatment of dry eye disease. She earned her Doctor of Optometry Degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (Salus University) with a focus on advanced ocular surface disease and myopia management. Soon after, Dr. Lazar founded Greenwich Eye Care along with the Dry Eye Institute, a specialty practice that offers the most coveted, technologically-advanced drop-less treatments for dry eye.

Lazar was named one of “America’s Best Eye Doctors'' by Newsweek in 2022 and featured in Fairfield County’s Business Journal “40 Under 40 Best Doctors” in 2021. Lazar recently received an “Ambassador of Sight” award from the National Lions Team, a prestigious, international non-profit organization that aids people with eye care issues and eyeglass needs.

As a specialized eye care professional and KOL, Lazar uses her social platforms and the podcast (Transparent Show) she co-founded to educate her followers on unexpected, non-traditional eye health topics. She speaks openly about medical findings; the benefits and dangers of ingredients in many big-name brands; eye health as it relates to aesthetics in beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and much more. Dr. Lazar is a frequent public speaker, healthcare consultant, and advisor to major companies in the eye care industry. She can be found @dr.innalazar on Instagram and @eyeballdoc on TikTok.