THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LASH CARE FOR SENSITIVE EYES

Let’s be real—we all want healthy, beautiful-looking lashes. If you have sensitive eyes, getting that look with minimal irritation, redness, or discomfort can be a significant challenge. If stinging, watering, itching, dry eyes, or redness after applying mascara or lash serum is your norm, chances are, you’ve got sensitive eyes. And to get the lash look you crave, understanding lash care for sensitive eyes is a must. 

But what, exactly, does that look like? Let’s take a deep dive into everything you need to craft an eyelash care routine that works for your sensitive eyes. We’ll look at gentle eye makeup tips and lash care for eyes that get irritated. We’ll also discuss safe lash products for sensitive eyes. This includes the best mascara and lash serums for sensitive eyes.
By the end of this eyelash health guide, you will know how to create a great eyelash care routine. This routine will help you have healthy, beautiful lashes without compromising your comfort or eye health.

Understanding Lash and Eye Sensitivity

Before we discuss the do’s and don’ts of lash care for sensitive eyes, let’s explore lash and eye sensitivity.

What Causes Sensitivity?

No one-size-fits-all explanation exists for what causes sensitivity. Sensitive eyes can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:

• Harsh ingredients. Not all lash products are created equal. Many conventional lash products contain harsh ingredients like alcohol, parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances. All of these can irritate sensitive eyes.
• Allergens. Some lash products contain common allergens. These include preservatives, formaldehyde-releasing agents, and certain dyes.
• Improper makeup removal. Beauty products aren’t the only problem. Many people do not know how to clean their lashes without irritating sensitive skin. They often make mistakes that can cause irritation. For example, they might leave mascara on overnight or rub the area too harshly with makeup remover.
• Contacts. Contact lenses can be a great way to improve vision, but they can also irritate the eye area. People that wear contacts need to be specific and look for lash tips for contact lens wearers.
• Environmental factors. Many things in the environment can irritate your eyes. Dust, pollen, and air pollution can make eye sensitivity worse.

Signs of Sensitive Eyes

Now that you know what causes sensitive eyes, let’s look at what sensitive eyes actually look like.

Signs of eye sensitivity include:

• Redness
• Excessive tearing/watery eyes
• Burning or stinging sensation
• Itchiness
• Swollen eyelids 

If you’re experiencing any of these issues regularly after using lash products, you should stop using them immediately. Instead, start looking for mascara and lash serums safe for daily use on sensitive eyes (more on that in a bit).

Why Lash Care Matters

So, next question: why is lash care so important?

Lash care plays a crucial role in getting healthier, more beautiful lashes—but it also plays a role in eye health. Proper lash care for sensitive eyes supports eye health in a variety of ways, including:

• Protect the eye. Healthy lashes help to protect your eyes from debris and environmental irritants—which, in turn, keeps them healthier.
• Less irritation. A gentle lash care routine can minimise irritation, which, in turn can help reduce scratching or rubbing (which is important to help prevent lash breakage).
• Stronger lashes. The right lash care routine for sensitive eyes can help strengthen lashes—and stronger lashes are better at protecting the eyes.

Choosing Lash-Friendly Products

Now that you know why lash care is important, let’s jump into how to choose lash products safe for sensitive skin and eyes. When looking for mascara and lash serums for sensitive eyes, things to look out for include:

Gentle Ingredients 
Choose products that do not have irritants such as alcohol, parabens, sulfates, or fragrances. Look for formulas that include natural ingredients that can soothe the eye area, like aloe vera and chamomile.

Hypoallergenic formulas 
Products that are labelled “hypoallergenic” are specifically formulated to reduce the risk of allergic reactions. For example, manufacturers typically formulate hypoallergenic lash products without common allergens and irritants. If you have sensitive eyes, it’s important to take care of your lashes. Look for the best, top-rated hypoallergenic mascaras and lash serums.

Ophthalmologist- and Dermatologist-Reviewed
Ophthalmologist-reviewed products are products that have been evaluated by eye doctors. You should also ensure that your products have been reviewed by a board-certified dermatologist. Looking for an ophthalmologist-developed product formulated for sensitive eyes? Try our RevitaLash® Advanced Sensitive Eyelash Conditioner, with time-release technology designed to be gentle on sensitive eyes.

Nourishing Additives 
The best lash products don't just avoid irritating the eye area. They also actively nourish your lashes with ingredients like:

• Biotin to help strengthen lashes
• Panthenol to add moisture and improve flexibility
• Peptides to help strengthen and condition lashes and reduce breakage

Products to Avoid

Knowing how to choose the right lash products for sensitive eyes is key. But it’s just as important to know which products to avoid. There are some lash products that are more likely to cause irritation, making them a no-no for people with sensitive eyes:

Waterproof mascara 
Because waterproof mascara is designed to stay put, the removal process often involves more rubbing of the eye area. This can increase the risk of irritation. The good news? You can get the staying power without the pitfalls by opting for a water-resistant mascara.
Our Length Define Tubing Mascara is one of the best hypoallergenic mascaras on the market. This formula will stay put all day, making lashes look up to 300% longer* and more defined. And when it’s ready to come off? No harsh makeup removal needed.

Lash Adhesives with Harsh Chemicals 
Are you a fan of false lashes? If so, you need to be very, very selective about what kind of lash adhesive you use. Many lash adhesives contain harsh ingredients, like latex, formaldehyde, or cyanoacrylates. These can cause irritation or allergic reactions. If your eyes are too sensitive to wear false eyelashes, embrace your natural lashes instead. The natural lash look is trending, with overly dramatic false lashes and eyelash extensions on the way out. Get the best from your natural lashes with a top lash conditioner for sensitive eyes, like RevitaLash® Advanced Sensitive.

Harsh Makeup Removers 
Products you put on your lashes can trigger eye sensitivity—but so can the products you use to take them off. So, one of the best tips for removing mascara with minimal irritation? Use the right remover. Standard makeup removers often contain ingredients that can strip natural oils and irritate sensitive eyes. Fortunately, there is a makeup remover that is safe for sensitive eyes: our Micellar Water Lash Wash. This gentle cleanser makes it easy to remove makeup, dirt, and oil without drying your skin. It also soothes and hydrates your lashes, brows, and eyelids. This is a must-have for anyone that deals with eye sensitivity!

Daily Lash Care Routine for Sensitive Eyes

How you treat your lashes each day plays a huge role in keeping sensitivity at bay. Here’s a simple lash care routine for people who wear makeup every day. It includes some of the best products for sensitive eyes. In the AM

1. Cleanse the eye area with a gentle cleanser 

• Use a gentle, residue-free cleanser like Micellar Water Lash Wash
• Spray the Lash Wash onto a cotton pad, hold on closed eye for 5-10 seconds, and wipe the eye area clean
• Remember: never rub or tug at the delicate eye area!

2. Apply a nourishing lash serum 

• After your eye area is dry, apply a thin line of RevitaLash® Advanced Sensitive. Use it only on the upper lashes, above the lash line.
• Allow to dry completely before applying any makeup

3. Use a lightweight, hypoallergenic mascara (if you want to!)

• Grab our Length Define Tubing Mascara, which is specifically formulated to be gentle on lashes
• Apply starting at the base of lashes, twirling the wand upward and outward

In the Evening

1. Remove makeup with a gentle, oil-free formula eye makeup remover

• To remove Length Define mascara, splash your eyes with warm water to loosen the mascara tubes and gently slide the tubes from your lashes with clean fingers. Avoid tugging or pulling your lashes. To remove the rest of your makeup, spray a cotton pad with Micellar Water Lash Wash
• Hold the cotton pad against your closed eye for 10-15 seconds to dissolve makeup
• Gently wipe away makeup (again, no rubbing or tugging on the skin!)

2. Apply a reparative lash and brow treatment

• Twice a week, once your lashes and brows are completely clean and dry, apply Lash & Brow Masque
• This formula works in 15 minutes to hydrate and help repair lashes and brows. It’s formulated with nourishing ingredients and designed not to irritate sensitive eyes. 

Tips for Preventing Irritation 
The right lash care routine will go a long way in protecting sensitive eyes and minimising irritation. But that’s not all you can do! If you’re dealing with eye sensitivity, here are a few tips that can help prevent irritation:

Handle With Care

• Avoid rubbing your eyes, which can cause irritation and lash breakage.
• Before you apply your lash products, make sure to wash your hands to avoid introducing bacteria. Keep It Clean
• Make sure to clean your makeup tools, including lash curlers and brushes, on a regular basis.
• Once you’ve opened them, don’t use cosmetics meant for your eye area longer than recommended on the packaging. Usually, you should replace them every 3 to 6 months.

Test Before You Commit 

• Make sure to patch test new products on your skin before applying them anywhere near your eyes. Wait at least 24 to 48 hours to gauge your reaction.
• Introduce only one new product at a time. That way, you can identify which (if any) products are causing irritation.