How to find the best mascara for sensitive skin (and how to remove it)
If you have sensitive skin, finding the skincare products and makeup that best suits your skin’s needs can feel like an exhausting process of trial and error.
You may have solved the mystery behind the moisturizer that’s causing your breakouts, and the cleanser that’s stripping the natural oils from your skin. But if you’re someone who frequently experiences redness and irritation on your eyelids, you may have wondered: Does my mascara have something to do with it?
What is mascara made of?
Mascara is made from a blend of pigments, oils and waxes and preservatives, says Jocelyn Daniel, an assistant clinical professor at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Pigments darken the lashes, while oils and waxes help thicken them and give your lashes a boost of volume.
Some mascaras contain parabens and fragrances, which could irritate someone with sensitive skin. If you have a known allergy or sensitivity to ingredients commonly found in cosmetic products, Daniel recommends looking for a mascara with a hypoallergenic formula and without parabens and fragrance.
Products labeled with a “dermatologist-tested” or “ophthalmologist-tested” stamp of approval don't actually equate to the product’s safety, however. If you see that label, typically it just means the product was tested on the skin to check for irritation or allergic reactions, says Daniel.
Can mascara damage your eyelashes?
As long as you’re applying mascara to your lashes properly and remembering to remove it daily, mascara shouldn't be very damaging to your eyelids. However, long term, if there’s unwanted mascara buildup on your eyelids, you could experience irritation, redness and flakiness. If your lashes become damaged, they could become thinner and brittle, and in extreme cases, fall out, notes Daniel.
Also, remember that it’s never a good idea to share mascara with someone else. If you use someone else’s mascara wand, there’s a risk of bacteria spreading into your eye, which could potentially cause a stye (hordeolum) to develop. Be sure to throw out mascara three months after opening it, or if it dries or has a smell to it, to help prevent the same risk, Daniel adds.
How to remove mascara
Micellar water is generally seen as the gentler option for removing eye makeup. An added benefit is that it’s less likely to clog pores, and it’s quite effective at removing sunscreen and dirt, Daniel says.
If you have sensitive skin, makeup remover wipes can be a bit abrasive and irritate your skin. For this reason, Daniel recommends opting for wipes that don’t contain alcohol, dyes or fragrances.
No matter what kind of makeup remover you’re using, the number one thing to avoid is vigorously scrubbing your eyelashes, says Daniel. This especially rings true when taking off waterproof mascara, which can be tricky to remove. If you’re too aggressive with your lashes, it could cause them to become brittle and break off.