Applying makeup on allergy-prone skin or and eyeshadow on sensitive eyes is a difficult task. That’s because the skin around the eyes is especially delicate and only the best eye shadows for sensitive eyes can be a real savior. For every makeup junkie who wishes to prevent their eyes from getting itchy, watery, and red, specialized eyeshadows are the ones to go for. These eyeshadows are the perfect mix of safe and gentle ingredients. Their textures are usually soft and buttery — like a balm to the skin, which is coddles it without being too harsh. Addedly, they are available in beautiful colors and are crafted from toxin-free, gentle, non-irritating, and skin-friendly ingredients for your sensitive eyes.

Whether it’s a matte or shimmery finish, a nude, smokey, or dramatic look, these eyeshadows have it all. Eye shadows add a pop of color to a subtle look and are a great way to express yourself. And, to restrict that because of sensitive skin, takes away a lot from your sense of beauty. Towards that end, we hope our recommendations will go a long way in helping you find a safe and beautiful product for your eyes.

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  Best Eye Makeup Kit

  Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Kit - Nude

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Recommended by dermatologists, ophthalmologists, and allergists, Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Kit from Physicians Formula is your go-to if you have sensitive eyes. Comprising 9 eyeshadows in nude shades, 2 mascaras, and 2 eyeliners it takes care of all your eye makeup needs. You can either use the palette dry for a soft look or wet if you want a more intense look. These eyeshadows for sensitive eyes offer medium coverage, blend well into the skin and last through the day giving outstanding and versatile definition to your eyes.

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Best Waterproof Eye Shadows

Focallure 3 Pieces 2-in-1 Eyeshadow and Eyeliner Pen - Champagne Dream

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This creamy formula of 2-in-1 Eyeshadow and Eyeliner Pen introduced by  Focallure, which comes in a pack of 3 pens is great for a multi-dimensional eye look. It is a combination of eye shadow and eyeliner making your eye makeup much easier. You just need to twist up the pen and apply it directly on your eyelids. It blends beautifully, is buildable, and is extremely convenient and easy to use. This long-lasting and waterproof eyeshadow for sensitive eyes is also crease-proof and glides on like silk. This thick eyeshadow crayon makes application easy on a large area in a single swipe. It comes in several variants like Cinnamon Night, Coral Sea, and Gold Rush to name a few.

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Best Multi-Purpose Application

Luxaza 3 Piece Eyeshadow Stick Set - Caramel / Lilac Grey / Nude Pink

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This eyeshadow stick set brought to you by Focallure includes creamy natural, matte, and shimmery eye shadow pencils which you can either use alone or mix to get the shade you want. These pencils are particularly designed to be used for multiple applications and can be used not only as an eyeshadow but also as a bold highlighter, a sweet base primer, or can also work as a great blush. You can also use this to define and shape your eyebrow! No wonder that it’s one of the best cream eyeshadow! 

So whether it’s casual makeup or a more dramatic look, these pencils take care of all your makeup needs. Easy to apply, they glide across your skin and last for 10 to 12 hours. Ideal for shading, sculpting, and defining, you don’t have to give smudging or clumping a second thought.

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Best Pigmented Eye Shadow

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Eyeshadow and Eyeliner - Smoky Eyes

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Shimmer Strips Eyeshadow and Eyeliner from Physicians Formula brings to you 6 glamorous color shades with reflective shimmer for a highly pigmented powder eye shadow. Being Ideal for any occasion they last for up to 24 hours and have a blendable, creaseless formula. The colors are paired to illuminate and enhance your eyes for the perfect smokey look. This palette of colors gives you 2 finishes — it can be used dry for a soft look or wet for a more intense look where it works as an eyeliner. This gorgeous hypoallergenic eyeshadow has been rightly given the green light by both dermatologists and ophthalmologists for sensitive skin. This eye shadow is available in 2 other beautiful variants — Glam Nude and Nude Eyes.

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Best Rich Texture

Almay Eye Shadow Palette - Lavender Haze

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The 3 colors of this eye shadow palette introduced by Almay bring out the beauty of your eyes by creating a bold and bright look. You can be sure that your eyes will look freshly made up for at least 16 hours without fading, smudging or creasing. Though suited for most eye colors, these shades of lavender compliment green eyes the best and can be blended for gorgeous eyes. This hypoallergenic eye makeup is so gentle on the skin that it causes absolutely no sense of inflammation or irritation and can be used comfortably for all skin types. The velvety and rich textures of these eye shadows is sure to bring out your eye color.This eye shadow palette has 4 other options — Coppery Blaze, Everyday Neutrals, Mulberry Moonlight and Smoldering Embers.

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Best Dermatologist-tested

Honest Beauty Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette

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You can create any look you desire with the Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette from Honest Beauty and its 10 highly pigmented shades. This versatile, powder eye shadow palette is suitable for any occasion from casual to formal with its 3 shimmery, 2 satin, and 5 matte shades. You don’t have to think twice before using this eyeshadow as it’s completely natural and clean making it the undisputed choice for sensitive skin. And it’s versatile enough to be used  by all skin types as well as skin tones. They are highly blendable, apply smoothly, and neither smudge, crease, or clump.

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Best Lightweight Formula

Almay Eye Shadow Palette - Blue Eyes

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From creamy mattes to luxurious satiny shimmers, this eye shadow palette introduced by  Almay has it all with its enhancing shades. Comprising 4 creamy, pigmented eye shadows that you can mix and match, you are ready for any occasion at any time of the day. And there is no fear of them fading, smudging, or creasing. They are easy and convenient to use and glide on like silk as they effortlessly bring out the beauty of your eyes. Infused with vitamin E, which is a potent antioxidant, these best cream eyeshadows include a primer base that protects your eyes and skin from pollution and environmental aggressors while keeping your eye makeup intact. This beautiful eyeshadow has won for itself the fine distinction of being a blend of the best of clean ingredients making it suitable for the most sensitive of skins.

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Ideal for a Silky Finish

Karadium Shining Pearl Smudging Eye Shadow Stick - Sand Moon

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For all those makeup junkies wishing for a creamy texture, waterproof eyeshadow stick that lasts through the day, Shining Pearl Smudging Eye Shadow Stick from the renowned brand  Karadium is the right pick for you. It glides onto your eyelid like silk and is extremely easy to blend using the small bullet-shaped blending brush. It adds a subtle sparkle to your eyes giving them a hint of shine if you want a slight bling look. This hypoallergenic eyeshadow has the benefit of neither fading or creasing and is really simple to use. It also is very moisturizing which gives it a silky finish and also reduces irritation in sensitive eyes.

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Ideal for a Shimmery Finish

Mineral Fusion Eye Shadow Trio - Stunning

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This Eye Shadow Trio brought to you by Mineral Fusion can be truly called a one-box wonder of rich mineral pigments for long-lasting color. These 3 colors allow you a lot of leverage and room to play around as you can either use them alone or mix and match them to get exactly what you are looking for depending on the occasion. Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, this eyeshadow trio is an exotic blend of meadowfoam, chamomile, and vitamin E (1). These key ingredients are soothing for your eyes and keep your delicate eye skin safe. Packed with nature’s bounty, these eyeshadows for sensitive eyes keep a safe distance from harmful chemicals like artificial colors, talc, and parabens. The trio of colors comes in vivid shades of crease-proof colors that bring out the beauty of your eyes. It has a whole range of 10 variants like Espresso Gold, Density, Sultry, and Riviera to name a few.

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Best Hypoallergenic Eyeshadow

Physicians Formula Eyeshadow Palette - Matte Blushed Nudes

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With this classic eyeshadow palette from Physicians Formula, you can pamper your eyelids as it keeps your skin conditioned and moisturized. It gives your eyes a pop of color for the whole day without causing any irritation to your sensitive skin. Its vibrant, blendable, and buildable colors have a soft, natural matte finish. A perfect blend of premium ingredients like murumuru butter, Tahitian monoi butter, tucuma butter, and cupuacu butter, this creamy eyeshadow for sensitive eyes is full of pro-vitamins and essential fatty acids that soften, moisturize, and condition your skin. You can use either your fingers or an eyeshadow brush to seamlessly blend it into your skin for coverage throughout the day. You can apply it either dry for a softer look or wet for a more intense look.

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ProBeautyCo Matte Eyeshadow - Truffle

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For an authentic matte finish, matte eyeshadow manufactured by ProBeautyCo is a forerunner with its hypoallergenic formula and rich pigment. Its velvety texture glides evenly and smoothly highlighting your eyes luxuriously with no creasing. This makeup for sensitive eyes is enriched with vitamin C and vitamin E which nourish and protect your eyelids (2). Free of any of the nasties, this eyeshadow is beyond any doubt,  one of the safest for even the most sensitive of skin. It has the versatility to be used as a wet eyeshadow if you want to be intense and dramatic for the evening or as a dry eyeshadow for a subtler and softer morning look. It gives full coverage thanks to its conditioning formula for a dramatic effect in a whole range of colors.

Eyeshadows, specifically those crafted for sensitive eyes, are a dime a dozen in the market and so choosing the right one for yourself can be a rather daunting task. Here are a few pointers for you to keep in mind while selecting the best eyeshadow for sensitive eyes so that your eyes look alluring without getting irritated.

So here goes a few things that you specifically need to check as you choose the best eye shadows for your sensitive eyes.

Skin condition

Dry and flaky skin can be rather annoying but nourishing ingredients like vitamin E which will moisturize and rejuvenate your skin making it soft and supple. On the other hand, oily skin is best treated with eyeshadows that are non-comedogenic so that it doesn’t clog your skin pores. If you react to strong fragrances, opt for a fragrance-free eyeshadow.

Color

The kind of look you are going for and your skin tone is major deciding factors on what palette or color you should choose. A finish in neutral or matte colors works very well for a professional or subtle look. In addition, luminous and shimmer shades with a metallic finish are ideal for an evening party to create a dramatic look. The right colors of eyeshadow colors help you to create perfect smokey eyes for various occasions and outfits.

Texture 

Texture and finish are a matter of personal preference and spans a range of soft and powdery to creamy and velvety. While an eyeshadow with a powder formula blends better, creamy eyeshadows have better staying power. 

Finish

A matte finish is good for a professional look while a shimmery finish for a party adds a wow factor to your overall makeup. In addition, waterproof eyeshadows and powder eyeshadows, come with shades that contain loose glitter or red dye are most likely to cause allergic reactions, so it's best to avoid them.

Chemicals

The best eyeshadow for sensitive eyes should have no allergens so as to not irritate your skin or eyes or cause any allergies. Harmful chemicals and toxins like preservatives and colors  are a hard no-no, so do check the ingredient list carefully.  

 Preservatives

Eyeshadows that contain preservatives are the most likely to cause allergic reactions and irritation in the eye. Chemicals can cause dryness in the eyes as they irritate and inflame the oil-producing glands of your eyes. 

Certification

Makeup products aren’t regulated so it’s quite a task to know whether they are clean and devoid of irritating ingredients. It’s good to read up on the ingredients in eyeshadows and check for international cosmetics certifications such as COSMOS which require products to be organic and look into the sourcing, producing, and marketing of makeup products. It’s also wise to go for clinically-tested eyeshadows to be sure the products are safe.

Now that you know what to keep in mind while choosing the best eye shadows for sensitive skin, it’s as essential to know how to use them properly so that you get the most out of them. It’s important that your eyes look their beautiful best but you also need to know how to use them without irritating and inflaming your gorgeous eyes.

• Go for a cream-based eyeshadow as powder eye shadows have minute particles that can get into your eyes and irritate them or sometimes even scratch the surface. A cream-based eye shadow reduces that risk. Use a clean eyeshadow brush or your fingers to gently apply it. 

• If you do use a powder eye shadow, tap the brush before applying it to your eye so that the excess powder is removed and keep your eye closed. This will greatly bring down the chances of the powder getting into your eyes.
   
• Avoid applying the eye shadow inside the waterline as that can clog the oil glands that lubricate the eyes leading to dryness, inflammation, and irritation.
   
• Be very gentle with the skin around your eyes. Don't be forceful or rub while applying eye shadow. Instead, lightly and gently dust or pat the shadow onto your eyelids.

• A poor-quality brush can cause soreness and irritation to your eyes. Clean soft, synthetic brushes are the best option as unclean brushes can cause a reaction or a build-up of bacteria.

• You need to clean your brushes regularly and a baby shampoo is a good option as its formula is gentle and it has antibacterial properties as well.

• It’s extremely important to remove your eye shadow properly if you have sensitive skin. Not removing it properly can dry out your skin, clog your pores and even cause rashes. All the pigment needs to be removed completely so that your skin can breathe. An oil-free cleanser with a gentle formula followed by a moisturizing eye cream will ensure that your skin is well protected.

If you don’t want to make applying eye makeup a nightmare, you need to be a bit choosy while choosing your eyeshadow. Our research on the 11 best eye shadows for sensitive eyes aims to help you make that choice. Your eyes define you to a large extent and so you don’t have to worry about not being able to use eye shadows anymore. You can still go for that dramatic, smokey, glittery, or subtle look as you choose as there’s a plethora of toxin-free, skin-friendly eye shadows in the market for you to choose from. They are available in blendable, long-lasting, and pigmented options in whatever color, texture, and finish you might be looking for. So don’t fret and fume about your sensitive eye skin anymore and try out the best hypoallergenic and clean eye shadows for the eyes of your dreams.

It is very easy to determine if you have sensitive eyes. Ahead we have listed a few symptoms that could help you in analyzing your skin and figuring out if you have one or not. 

1. Burning sensation
2. Skin sensitivity
3. Extreme eyestrain
4. Inflammation
5. Breakouts
6. Rashes
7. Redness
8. Discomfort
9. Disability in blinking 
10. Constant watering of eyes

After taking note of the above symptoms, roll your eyes over a few other important aspects to avoid while purchasing the best eyeshadow for sensitive eyes. 

Following are a few aspects that you should avoid in an eyeshadow for sensitive eyes.

1. Make sure you stay away from eyeshadows infused with mineral oil as it can clog your pores and irritate your sensitive skin. 
2. Talc irritates sensitive, delicate, and thin skin. Hence, it is advisable to use talc-free eyeshadows to prevent inflammation or rashes. 
3. Do not invest in an eyeshadow that is infused with synthetic fragrance as it may cause redness, itchiness, and irritate your skin. 
4. Avoid purchasing eyeshadows that contain parabens as they may cause adverse reactions such as redness, irritations, or breakouts.
5. Benzalkonium chloride, phenoxyethanol, and formaldehyde are the three ingredients to avoid when it comes to makeup products. These ingredients can harm your skin and cause severe rashes or allergies. 
6. Lastly, a contact lens wearer should avoid eyeshadows loaded with any harsh chemicals or nasty formulas. 

Conclusion

Tada! That was our list of the best eye shadows for sensitive eyes. We hope till now you must have understood that your eyes define you to a large extent. You can seamlessly create dramatic, smokey, glittery, or subtle looks with the best of the best products that we got for you. There are toxin-free, skin-friendly eye shadows in the market for you to choose from which are indeed blendable, long-lasting and pigmented. Plus, there are varied options in terms of color, texture, and finish you might be looking for. So don’t fret and fume about your sensitive eye skin anymore and try out the best hypoallergenic and clean eye shadows for the eyes of your dreams.