mascara for sensitive skin

16 years ago

A bit of background: For years I used Clinique mascara due to skin sensitivities. Then about 18 months ago, I got sick of spending the $$ so I switched to cheaper brands. I've tried a few, all of which you can buy at Target, and they all bug the skin under my eyes. So I switched back to Clinique and, for the first time ever it's bothering my skin.

Then last week, our local news reported that as of Jan. 1, Minnesota was prohibiting the sale of mascara with mercury in it. Light bulb moment - maybe I'm allergic to mercury. This week I called the Clinique customer service line and was told "no, our mascaras don't contain mercury". (I don't even want to know why chemicals like mercury are used in products meant for the area of one's eyes!!!).

Does anyone have any suggestions of brands that REALLY are hypo-allergenic? I'm fed up with the slight burning sensation that occurs each and every time I use the stuff. Thanks for any ideas.

Comments (9)

tobygirl
16 years ago
All black mascara bothers my eyes. In fact, just about all eye make-up (face, too) makes my eyes burn and sting. It has not always been this way, only for about the past 15 years or so. However, I find I am able to use Rachel Perry brown mascara. I also use the mascara as an eyeliner by using a tiny wet brush.

Sorry if this is of no help to you, since it is my eyes that are sensitive, not my skin.
centralcacyclist
16 years ago
Thimerosal is a preservative containing mercury. It has been commonly used in saline solution for contacts wearers for years. Check the ingredient list of your mascara for Thimerosal. It might be the ingredient that is bothering you. The customer service rep may not even know that Thimerosal = mercury by another name.
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User
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks to you both. I'll be calling customer service again tomorrow to ask about thimerosal. Also, Toby, I've not heard of Rachel Perry - where do you buy it?
tobygirl
16 years ago
Before internet shopping, I would find it in health food stores. Now I order it on-line. Just do an internet search, if you decide to try it.
Ina Plassa_travis
16 years ago
Rachel Perry, Kiss My Face, and Burt's Bees all do great natural makeup

but the problem with Â¥sensitive mascaras is they're usually lousy mascaras Almay is my favorite example -hypo-allergenic doesn't do you any good when the stuff flakes off into your eyes - that's a direct irritant, not an allergic issue, eh?

Physician's Formula is one option - I used their mascara long after I stopped wearing contacts...

but if you have already tried that - admit that the Clinique is an indulgence that you richly deserve :)
kec01
16 years ago
Clinique is the problem - that's the one that's driving my skin crazy. I'll check out Physician's Formula, too - thanks for that name.

The good thing is - I don't wear contacts but I also don't have any interest in the stuff flaking into my eyes.

I'm on a mission now...I WILL find one that doesn't bother me!!
krisz
16 years ago
I stopped wearing mascara for years because it bothered me. However I recently tried Jane Iredale mascara and like
it.
eloise_ca
16 years ago
Patser, if your skin is like mine, you might just save yourself lots of money and grief, and stop using eye make-up. I too started getting allergic reactions after using eye make-up for many years. I could not see myself without eye make-up and so had allergy tests done and they said it was the black (charcoal) that I was allergic to. I switch to brown, same problem. I tried Clinique, Physician's Formula and others that all claimed to be hypo-allergenic, same problem. One honest person told me that there was no such thing as hypo-allergenic stuff because there would always be someone who would be allergic to an ingredient, whether it was natural (like fruit) or chemical. I went into work one day with no eye make-up feeling so self-conscious and told whomever I encountered, "o.k., what do you think"? They didn't know what I was talking about. I really wish you good luck and hope you either find that one make-up that will be right for you or you just give it up.
canellie_earthlink_net
12 years ago
Goodness! I just found out that I am allergic to thimerosal and had not idea that the mascara I was wearing was bothering me. The label says it is hypoallergenic but I am thinking of just giving up and move on with my life, free of itchy, swollen eyes.

mascara for sensitive skin

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tobygirl

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mascara for sensitive skin

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