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A good eye primer that matches your skin and works well is hard to find. This is especially the case for people that have sensitive eyes which get irritated when you use any sort of makeup product.
This is why I have tested many eye primers available on the market and reviewed the ones that I found to be the best for sensitive eyes. Who knows, the perfect eye primer for your sensitive eyes may just be here!
10 Best Eye Primer for Sensitive Eyes
| Image | Product Name | Price On Amazon |
|---|---|---|
 | Best Overall Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Clear Eye Primer | Check Price |
 | Best Eye Primer for Longer-Lasting Concrete Minerals Glitter Eye Primer | Check Price |
 | Best Eye Primer for Brightener Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer + Brightener | Check Price |
 | Best Eye Primer for Oily Lids SAAT INSIGHT Ultra Fix On Eye Primer | Check Price |
 | Best Mini Eye Primer Anastasia Beverly Hills –Eye Primer | Check Price |
 | Best Eye Primer for Smoothening Becca Anti-Fatigue Under Eye Primer | Check Price |
 | Best Cruelty-Free Eye Primer ILIA – Brightening Eye Primer | Check Price |
 | Best Eye Primer for Wrinkle Treatment MILK Makeup Hydro Grip Eye Prime | Check Price |
 | Best Eye Primer for Sensitive Mary Kay Eye Primer | Check Price |
 | Best Eyelid Primer for Protecting Skin Lune+Aster RealGlow® Eyelid Primer | Check Price |
1. Best Overall – Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Clear Eye Primer
Specification
- Product Benefits: Oil control and even toning
- Primer Type: Cream; Matte finish
- Material Type Free: Paraben-free
- Packaging Type: Tube
- Skin Type: All; best for oily or dry skin
Description
Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Clear Eye Primer uses a lightweight formula to prevent creasing and enhance your eye shadows. Gives long-lasting oil control and creates a smooth canvas for eyeshadow or mascara application.
Features
Prevents creasing: creates a smooth canvas that does not pill or crease
Eyeshadow enhancement: helps enhance the pigments of your eye shadow
Waterproof: be worry-free about splashing water on your face with this primer
How to use
With eye primers, you will want to cleanse and moisturize your eyes. It will help if you can gently rub your eyes with a cotton ball to get rid of any oil and dirt and then apply the moisturizer. Make sure to use products that do not irritate your eyes when doing so. Wait for a minute for the moisturizer to dry on your eyes.
Then take a pea-sized amount on the back of your hand, just enough for both eyelids. Take as little as possible to begin with because too much will make the product appear chalky to your eyes. Dab the primer on your hand and then gently apply it with a small brush or your fingers and apply it on your eyelids.
Start from the inner corner of your eyes and blend it (not rub) to the rest of your eyelid. Pat and smooth it down and then wait for a minute for it to dry before you apply your eyeshadows or other eye makeup.
Expert Verdict
Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Clear Eye Primer really means it when they say to thank them later. This is one of the best overall eye primers that you will want to use for sensitive eyes if you have combo or oily skin. My eyes did not feel any irritation whatsoever, even after having it on all day long. It does as advertised, making sure that you have no creases on your eyes when you apply your eye makeup and gives a long-lasting. It works so well with oily skin that I was amazed! It stayed on my eyelids without clumping or creasing for the whole day. I would say that the only real problem is blending it in. It can be difficult and takes getting used to, but once you have it down it is a pretty easy product to use!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Long-lasting; no creasing or clumping | Hard to apply at first; gets easier with practice |
| Great for combo or oily skin | |
| Best overall for sensitive eyes |
2. Best Eye Primer for Longer-Lasting – Concrete Minerals Glitter Eye Primer
Specification
- Product Benefits: Long-lasting and brightening
- Primer Type: Gel; Shimmery finish
- Material Type Free: Talc, bismuth oxychloride, parabens, preservatives, gluten-free
- Packaging Type: Jar
- Skin Type: Combo and oily skin
Description
The gel and glitter formulation of Concrete Minerals Glitter Eye Primer creates a textured base that will lock in the loose glitter powder and prevent smudging or fallout, with the help of natural ingredients.
Features
Natural ingredients: aloe vera to soothe the eyelids and arrowroot powder to absorb all oil; all natural glitter, no plastic
Long-lasting shimmer: have a glittery shimmer that will last for the whole day
How to use
With a gel-like consistency, this glitter eye primer has to be used a little differently. The cleanse and moisturize are still the same, where you make sure to wipe off all the dirt and oil. Then take a bit of the product on a small eye brush and then tap it over your eyelid, starting from the inside corner. Then use your fingers to gently blend it over to the rest of your lids. Then apply any glitter makeup you like.
Expert Verdict
With the Concrete Minerals Glitter Eye Primer, you get one of the best and most long-lasting primers out there. It is made of all-natural products so you won’t have to worry about irritating your eyes. Even the glitter itself is made of natural ingredients to give you that nice shimmery finish. The aloe vera and arrowroot powder really work well together, making sure that your eyes are soothed and preventing oil build-up. The only downside to this is that it gives a shimmer finish, so if you are looking for a translucent one then you would have to find another one.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Lasts all day long | Not a translucent finish |
| Natural glitter ingredients | |
| Aloe vera helps soothe sensitive eyes |
3. Best Eye Primer for Brightener – Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer + Brightener
Specification
- Product Benefits: Brightening
- Primer Type: Gel; Translucent finish
- Material Type Free: Talc, oil, fragrance, and paraben-free
- Packaging Type: Tube with a click mechanism
- Skin Type: All
Description
Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer + Brightener is a revolutionary, lightweight primer that helps soften skin and diffuses light to help minimize flaws and even out skin texture.
Features
Brightening gel: gives a nice and bright finish to your eyes
Lightweight: a really nice and lightweight that does not weigh down the eyes
Smoothening effect: helps smooth out the creases and minimizes the flaws on your eyelids
How to use
First and foremost, cleanse and moisturize your eyes before taking a small amount on your hands. The mechanism for this tube is to twist and hear the clicks and then it gets out the product. Put a tiny amount on the back of your hand and then take your finger and dab it on your eyes, starting from the corner. Blend in the rest of the lids, making sure to smooth them over and not rub.
Expert Verdict
When you want a primer that will get rid of your dark bags and brighten your eyes, the Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer + Brightener is just the product you need. Not only will it highlight your eyes more, but it will also make to smoothen all the lines too without creasing. It’s also lightweight so your eyes won’t feel weighed down. From my experience, the mechanism to get the product out is one of the most frustrating things I had to deal with a primer. Either too much comes out or too little, never consistent. It could have been the best overall one on this list, but I would have preferred a squeeze tube over this click-and-twist mechanism.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Best brightening primer | Inconsistent mechanism; either too much or too little product comes out |
| Lightweight | |
| Smooth lines with no creasing |
4. Best Eye Primer for Oily Lids – SAAT INSIGHT Ultra Fix On Eye Primer
Specification
- Product Benefits: Full coverage,
- Primer Type: Lotion; Nude matte finish
- Material Type Free: Paraben-free
- Packaging Type: Bottle with a straight applicator
- Skin Type: Oily
Description
For a crease-free, soft matte finish that is waterproof, the SAAT INSIGHT Ultra Fix On Eye Primer does not disappoint with a long-lasting effect.
Features
Soft finish: the nude matte finish gives a soft finish
Goodbye oily skin: helps lock up the oil on your eyes
Neutral tone: works great for all skin tones as it leaves a transparent finish
How to use
While this primer comes with an applicator, I would still recommend applying it on the back of your hand before applying it to your eyes. After cleansing and moisturizing your face, take a bit of the applicator and glide it across the back of your hand. Then, use your finger to dab it on your eyelids, smoothing it out from the inside edge of your lids.
Expert Verdict
The SAAT INSIGHT Ultra Fix On Eye Primer is a great primer to help with oily eyelids. It works by preventing the oil from building up on your eyelids. This is especially great if you already have oily skin. The transparent matte finish will be great for all skin tones too, making it a must-buy for oily skin. My only problem is with the applicator. While the product itself is nice and smooth, I didn’t get the best out of the included flocked wand applicator. Very inconsistent application on my eyes so I rather put it on my hands first before applying it on my eyes with my fingers or a small eye brush.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Soft matte finish | Not a fan of the included applicator |
| Great for all skin tones | |
| Helps lock up the oil from your eyes |
5. Best Mini Eye Primer – Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Eye Primer
Specification
- Product Benefits: Water-resistant and long-lasting
- Primer Type: Cream; Oil finish
- Material Type Free: Talc-free
- Packaging Type: Tube
- Skin Type: Dry
Description
Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Eye Primer is your perfect travel-size primer partner that gives you a perfect canvas for matte and shimmering shadows. It is water-resistant and great for sensitive eyes.
Features
Travel-size: carry it around wherever you go, even when you travel on planes
For sensitive eyes: be sure that you can use things on the go without having to worry about your eyes
Water-resistant: have no fear of water or sweat removing your primer
How to use
This will give you an oil-type finish. For that, you need even less than other primers. After cleansing and moisturizing your face, take a slight amount and glide it across your eyelids. Smoothen the product over the rest of your eyes, starting from either corner. Be sure to rub it and make sure to use a brush to get it into the corners properly.
Expert Verdict
Great things come in small packages! With the Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Eye Primer you can carry your eye primer wherever you go. This will be great on trips and vacations, meaning you can always look your best anywhere. The smooth finish of this product means that your lines and creases are all blended together properly. And the great thing is how long it will last! The only problem with this is it’s not really suited for oily skin like mine and you would have to keep buying it if you are constantly using it. Otherwise, it’s great to carry around so you can touch up your makeup on the go!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Travel-friendly | Not suited for oily skin |
| Great for sensitive skin | |
| Smooth finish |
6. Best Eye Primer for Smoothening – Becca Anti-Fatigue Under Eye Primer
Specification
- Product Benefits: Fine line treatment, smoothening
- Primer Type: Balm; Sheer finish
- Material Type Free: Alcohol, fragrance, essential oil-free
- Packaging Type: Compact
- Skin Type: Normal
Description
With the help of matcha green tea, caffeine, and cucumber, be sure to get rid of all the puffiness and smooth out the lines on your eyes. The sheer finish will give a velvety texture that blends into your skin.
Features
Gets rid of puffiness: with the help of natural ingredients, be sure that your eyes will be nice and less puffy.
Fine lines gone: be sure that your fine lines will be gone once you use this
How to use
Even though it is a balm-type primer, you can use it just like a cream primer. Scoop up a small amount on your finger and place it on the back of your hand. Then use your finger or brush to apply it to your eyelids. Use a concealer after putting this on and then apply your eye.
Expert Verdict
For a smoothening primer, the Becca Anti-Fatigue Under Eye Primer works perfectly to get rid of tired eyes and the lines on your lids. It comes in a nice compact so you easily retrieve the balm and apply it. It works best with a concealer to apply the eyeshadows well. The sheer finish is quick-absorbing so it highlights your natural eye color and any matte eyeshadow you can use. But the price was something that made me hesitant to recommend it. It is definitely a product that not only works as a primer but also soothes your eyes with a cooling effect. It is still the best smoothening primer for sensitive skin and is multipurpose in use.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Smooths out the lines | Very pricy |
| Soothes the skin with a cool effect | |
| Gets rid of the puffiness of your eye |
7. Best Cruelty-Free Eye Primer – ILIA – Brightening Eye Primer
Specification
- Product Benefits: Brightening
- Primer Type: Cream; Translucent sheer finish
- Material Type Free: Cruelty, Gluten-free
- Packaging Type: Bottle with an angled applicator
- Skin Type: All
Description
ILIA Brightening Eye Primer is a cruelty-free eye primer that uses natural and organic ingredients that leaves a brightening effect on your eyelids.
Features
Arnica, rose hip, and jojoba: help to de-puff your eyes, retain moisture and keep away any oil build-up respectively
Cruelty-Free: no animals were harmed in the making of this product and during testing
Brighten pigments: help illuminate your eyeshadows and really bring out the colors
How to use
First, wipe away any dirt and oil from your eyes and moisturize them. Then take a bit of the product on the back of your hand and dab it on the eyelids. Start from one corner of the eye, smoothing and patting the primer well until you get an even consistency over your eyes. Finally, apply your matte eyeshadows as you would.
Expert Verdict
When it comes to animal cruelty, the beauty industry is a repeat offender. As time goes on, fewer cosmetics brands test their ingredients on animals. With the ILIA – Brightening Eye Primer, you can be sure that no animals were harmed! Not just that, it is one of the best cruelty-free products on the market for sensitive eyes which is just a plus on plus. The organic ingredients, which include aloe vera, help soothe your eye bags and help get rid of any puffiness on your eyelids. It gives a slight brightening effect on your eyes, perfect to highlight your eyeshadows and make them shine! While I am not a fan of the applicator wand, the fact that is it does not sit on my oily skin well. It started to crease within the first few hours after using it.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Best cruelty-free primer for sensitive eyes | Not good for oily skin types |
| Helps give a slight shine to your eyes | |
| Natural dyes help to not irritate the eyes. |
8. Best Eye Primer for Wrinkle Treatment –MILK Makeup Hydro Grip Eye Primer
Specification
- Product Benefits: Wrinkle treatment, smoothening
- Primer Type: Gel; Transparent finish
- Material Type Free: Paraben, silicone, oil, fragrance-free
- Packaging Type: Bottle with an angled applicator
- Skin Type: All
Description
MILK Makeup Hydro Grip Eye Primer helps give your eyeshadow the grip it needs to hold on to the makeup while also moisturizing your eyelids with hyaluronic acid and aloe.
Features
Invisible finish: helps leave no trace of primer, making it work on skin tones
Wrinkle-free: blur the lines and wrinkles around your eyes and creates a smooth canvas for makeup application
No creasing, fading, or smudging: be worry-free about all the creasing and clumping even after hours
How to use
As this is like a transparent gel, you don’t need to worry about blending in with your skin tone. All you have to worry about is applying a thin even layer on your eyes. After clearing off any dirt and oil from your eyes, you can use the angled applicator to apply it directly to your lids. Tap only once on your eye and then spread it evenly across your eyes with your fingers. Make sure to be careful around the corners. Be generous around the places you have wrinkles.
Expert Verdict
When you have wrinkles and fine lines and worry about them constantly, the MILK Makeup Hydro Grip Eye Primer will come to your rescue. The anti-wrinkle formula in the product will definitely blur your wrinkles and make them as invisible as the gel itself! Not to mention how well it will hold either powder or cream makeup. It has a really strong hold on them that will last for up to 8 hours. The only problem you might have is that it has quite an oily consistency which I did not like. That is why it is important to only have a thin layer on and around your eyes with this product.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Holds cream or powder makeup well | Oily consistency |
| Blur wrinkles and fine lines | |
| Great for sensitive eyes with no irritation and aloe for soothing |
9. Best Eye Primer for Sensitive – Mary Kay Eye Primer
Specification
- Product Benefits: Sensitive eyes
- Primer Type: Liquid; Translucent to clear finish
- Material Type Free: Alcohol, fragrance-free
- Packaging Type: Tube
- Skin Type: Sensitive skin
Description
Help extend the wear of your eye makeup with the Mary Kay Eye Primer. Great for sensitive skin.
Features
No creasing: avoid having creases around your makeup
Sensitivity: help your sensitive skin and eyes with no irritation
Lasting effect: have your eyeshadows last on your eyes for a while
How to use
With a more runny consistency than cream primers, you will want to make sure that you only take a bit and blend it properly. After cleaning your eyes off dirt and oil and then moisturizing, take a pea-sized amount and then spread it all over your eyes. You can use a small brush to help get it evenly on the corners of the eyes.
Expert Verdict
If you have both sensitive eyes and sensitive skin, then the Mary Kay Eye Primer is the one you are looking for. This product will help keep your eyes free from irritation and leave your eyes feeling nice and smooth. The makeup you apply afterward will sure to last you a whole day without creasing! But that might not be the case for oily skin types. I found that after a few hours, my makeup looked creased and started to clump at the ends. So while it is good for sensitive eyes and skin, oily skin is a no-go for this product.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Smooth finish | Not for oily skin |
| Best for sensitive skin and eyes | |
| Great hold on your makeup |
10. Best Eyelid Primer for Protecting Skin – Lune+Aster RealGlow® Eyelid Primer
Specification
- Product Benefits: Hydrating, natural look
- Primer Type: Cream; Matte finish
- Material Type Free: Gluten, talc, paraben-free
- Packaging Type: Bottle with an angled applicator
- Skin Type: All
Description
Give your skin the protection it needs with the Lune+Aster RealGlow® Eyelid Primer. With vitamins and other plant extracts, be sure that your eyes will be safe.
Features
Skin protection: vitamin E and apple seed extracts help hydrate, repair, and protect your skin
Licorice goodness: licorice extract helps support the skin’s elasticity and soothe all irritation and redness
Imperfection remover: remove imperfections such as discolorations and dark spots with continued use
How to use
As a cream primer, you can tap the primer on your eyes with the angled wand after cleaning and moisturizing it. But if you want to be a bit more accurate, I advise you to first take a bit on the back of your hand and then apply it on your eyelids. Then smooth and pat it over the rest of your eyes, using the wand to smooth over the outer edges of your eyes.
Expert Verdict
For sensitive eyes, you will be needing something that will not only hydrate your skin, but something that will help protect and gives actual skin benefits. That is why the Lune+Aster RealGlow® Eyelid Primer is the best primer for protecting your skin! The licorice will get rid of your puffiness and discoloration while underneath the vitamin E will help hydrate and protect your eyes from losing moisture. The only problem with the product is that it might dry up quickly if the top is sealed properly after every use. The good news is that if you use it on its own, it will do wonders for the skin around your eyes, making sure that the dark spots won’t return!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Protect the skin with vitamin E and licorice extract | Product dries out fast if the cap is left unsealed for long periods |
| Gets rid of discoloration and puffiness, with extended use giving great skincare | |
| Natural extract ingredients to give no irritation on the skin |
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Can You Use Aquaphor as Eye Primer?
Aquaphor is a brand that makes ointments for skin care. Their main products include Original Ointment, Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment, Lip Repair, and Lip Repair + Protect 30 SPF. They are a reputable brand that dermatologists often recommend for skin care.
The main ingredients in Aquaphor ointments usually include petroleum jelly, mineral oils, ceresin, lanolin alcohol, glycerin, panthenol, and bisabolol. These ingredients might be great for protecting your skin but the fact is they might not be the best for the areas around your eyes.
Petroleum jelly is quite thick. It might help in keeping your makeup on your eyes for a longer period, but actually applying it on your face might be a difficult task as it will look chalky on your eyes. Then there are mineral oils and lanolin, both ingredients that are not good for oily skin as they will clog the pores.
But the good part of Aquaphor ointments is glycerin, panthenol, and bisabolol! They help to moisturize your skin and keep it from drying, which is great to have under all that makeup. Bisabolol is an anti-inflammatory that helps with redness and puffiness. That is a big plus point for eye primers.
So could you use Aquaphor as an eye primer? It really depends. If you have oily skin, I would highly advise against using these ointments. The next thing you will have to worry about is the ingredients. If you have sensitive eyes, then you should read up on the ingredients and make sure you are not allergic to them.
How to Use e.l.f Putty Eye Primer?
e.l.f is a makeup and cosmetic brand based in New York. They make a range of products, namely makeup products. One such product that they have is called the Putty Eye Primer. While the name might mean a thick putty consistency, this eye primer is in fact a cream-type matte finish primer.
With this eye primer, you will want to cleanse and moisturize your eyes. It will help if you can gently rub your eyes with a cotton ball to get rid of any oil and dirt and then apply the moisturizer. Wait for a minute for the moisturizer to dry on your eyes before you apply the eye primer.
Then take a pea-sized amount on the back of your hand, just enough for both eyelids. Take as little as possible to begin with because too much will make the product appear chalky to your eyes. Dab the primer on your hand and then gently apply it with a small brush or your fingers and apply it on your eyelids. Start from the inner corner of your eyes and blend it (not rub) to the rest of your eyelid. Pat and smooth it down and then wait for a minute for it to dry before you apply your eyeshadows or other eye makeup.
And that is how you apply the e.l.f Putty Eye Primer. They have many variations for this product which tackles individual problems such as oily, dry, combo, and acne-prone skin. It is a good eye primer overall, but for sensitive skin, it might not be the greatest because it has ceresin and silica, synthetic ingredients which might irritate the eyes.
FAQs
What can be used instead of eye primer?
You can use a concealer instead of an eye primer. But remember that concealers help to blur the lines, not hold your makeup for long periods.
How do you do eye makeup for sensitive eyes?
Make sure that the makeup you’re using does not come in contact with your eyes. Always have clean brushes and fingers when you are applying the primer and always wash your makeup before going to sleep.
Is eye primer really necessary?
Eye primers might not be necessary, but they help give a clearer application of makeup and keep eyeshadows for a longer time.
Is Vaseline a good under-eye primer?
Vaseline might work as an under-eye primer but it is 100% petroleum jelly which might irritate the eyes and clog your pores instead of keeping them hydrated.
Can you use Aquaphor as eye primer?
Yes, you can use Aquaphor as an eye primer! Make sure that you check the ingredient list before applying it to your eyelids and the surrounding area.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, some of the best eye primers I have tested because I too have sensitive eyes! It was a blast trying all the different products. With some, I had excellent results but my oily skin limits my option. But from the reviews I gave of the 10 products, I hope that you can find the eye primer that will best suit your sensitive eyes!
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