Clean & Natural: The Best Non-Toxic Mascara Brands
I’ve used clean beauty products for a few years now and love them! It’s taken some time to find my favorite products with natural ingredients, but now that I have, I can’t wait to share the best non-toxic mascara brands and why I love them. Mascara is one of my favorite beauty products that I don’t want to go without, but many conventional mascaras are filled with harmful chemicals that we shouldn’t have anywhere near our sensitive eyes.Â
After familiarizing myself with the most harmful ingredients commonly found in traditional mascaras, I researched safe alternatives and started testing them out. Today, I’ll share my top 5 brands and what makes them one of the best natural mascaras available.
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Why use non-toxic mascara?
We choose to embrace more low-tox alternatives because of our son’s history with cancer. You may choose to ditch toxic chemicals for a dozen different reasons. At the end of the day, whatever your reasoning is, becoming familiar with questionable ingredients and how to avoid them is crucial. Here are a few reasons why choosing non-toxic mascara and clean makeup overall is so important:
Endocrine disruptors
It’s important to familiarize yourself with the ingredient list and how to read each ingredient. Many commonly used chemicals in beauty products are linked to serious health issues like allergies, infertility, and even cancer. As women, we are exposed to over 160 chemicals every morning as we’re getting ready for the day. Chemicals like iron oxides, heavy metals, synthetic fragrances, propylene glycol, and parabens are commonly found in mascara and should be avoided whenever possible.Â
It can feel overwhelming when first researching the list of ingredients, but with time, you’ll learn what to avoid and which clean beauty brands you can trust to provide non-toxic products. An excellent tool for researching different mascaras and other personal care products is the EWG Skin Deep Database. The Environmental Working Group shares personal care products in its database and provides an EWG rating based on the ingredients included in each product. While it’s important to do your own research and never rely on one source for your information, EWG is a great tool to use as you research safe products.
Dismal cosmetic regulations
Compared to countries in Europe, beauty regulations in the United States are dismal and frustrating. Europe has over 1600 banned chemicals, whereas the US has a list of under a dozen. The drastic difference in regulations between the two parts of the world makes it even more difficult to know what to do and how to find natural beauty products that aren’t filled with synthetic ingredients directly linked to worrisome health issues.Â
Because consumers are responsible for so much of the research, it is important to find trustworthy beauty essentials that don’t use these harmful ingredients. To help you become familiar with the most important ingredients to avoid, I have a free downloadable checklist of the top 10 ingredients to avoid in household and personal care products. Snag a copy and keep it on your phone or in your bag so you can look back at it each time you’re researching products until you’re confident that you can do it on your own!
Environmental impact
Products we choose to put on and in our bodies often end up in our water supply and greatly affect wildlife, marine animals, and even other people. Chemicals transfer to our water supply easier than you may realize and can vaporize in the clouds, coming back down in the rain. Additionally, some brands test their products on animals without any concern for the animals’ health and safety. To help protect the environment, choose personal care products that are non-toxic and certified cruelty-free.Â
What about waterproof mascara?
The waterproof formula is often even more harsh and toxic than conventional mascara, as it’s filled with even more questionable ingredients to make it immovable. I don’t like waterproof mascara to begin with because removing it can be harsh on your eyes and lashes, and I’m not willing to risk hurting my eyes for a water-resistant mascara formula. This may be something to consider, especially if you have sensitive skin. Some of the non-toxic mascara options I’m sharing today are pretty water-resistant, too.
If waterproof mascara is important to you, look for an organic formula if possible, and try to find one with as few questionable ingredients as possible. They may not be perfect, but small improvements are better than nothing.Â
How to start making changes to embrace holistic living
Simple changes over time make holistic living so much easier. I started with easy swaps that felt manageable and focused on one area of my life at a time. Instead of tossing everything and starting from scratch, I replace one item at a time, like my floor cleaner.Â
Once I felt confident about that change, I found my favorite all-purpose cleaner. Not only was I saving money by purchasing one product with multiple uses, but I also replaced a bunch of toxic products at once and saw my momentum build.
After I replaced all our cleaning and laundry supplies, I focused on personal care products like sunscreen, the toothpaste we all love, and finally, beauty products. Finding a good, non-toxic mascara was actually one of the last changes I made in my makeup routine because I wasn’t willing to give up what I thought was the best mascara for a new one unless I was certain it would work for me.Â
I probably tried seven or eight brands as I worked to find the best clean mascara for me, and I have learned a lot. I now have two top brands in my makeup bag that are excellent options and offer a natural look for everyday use, plus a volumizing mascara for when I want a more dramatic look.Â
My top choices for non-toxic mascara
Now that you know why it’s important to choose non-toxic mascara and other personal care products, it’s time to share my top picks. I previously mentioned that I’ve tried a lot, and that wasn’t an exaggeration. I’m going to share my top 5 favorite clean mascaras and why they made the cut. I’ll also what, if anything, I don’t love about each product.
Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Mascara
This is my least favorite mascara brand. It’s affordable which is nice, but I was constantly wiping under my eyes throughout the day to remove mascara. I don’t want to stress about fixing my makeup constantly, so this is a no for me.
Pros:
Price. It’s the most affordable option of the brands I reviewed.
Nice volume with 2-3 coats of mascara.
Cons:Â
Comes off way too easily and smudges all over my lid and under the eye.
I had to apply 2-3 coats to get the same effect as some of the other non-toxic mascara brands I reviewed.Â
Price: $9.99 on Amazon.
Ingredients:Â Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Water*, Glycerin*, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Organic Beeswax*, Jojoba Esters, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract*, Tapioca Starch*, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Water, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Cellulose Gum, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil*, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract*, Iron Oxides (Ci 77499). *Ingredients From Organic Farming
Rejuva Minerals Mega Lash Mascara
I love Rejuva beauty products, and the Mega Lash mascara is so good! The brush is perfect for separating each lash and making them look thick and long. I usually apply 2 coats for dark lashes.
Pros:
Unique brush that helps grasp lashes.
Stays in place all day.
Cons:
I definitely needed 2-3 coats for the dramatic look I was going for, but it worked, so maybe that isn’t a con after all!
Price: $17.95 on Rejuva
Ingredients:Â Water, Iron Oxide, Candelilla Wax, Sucrose Stearate, *Carnauba Wax, Chicory, Propanediol (non gmo vegetable), Sunflower Wax, Gluconolactone (non gmo vegetable), Sodium Benzoate, Galactoarabinan (plant), Capryl Glycol (plant), Potassium Sorbate (salt), Spinosa Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sunflower Seed, *Cotton Flower Extract, *Avocado Fruit Extract *Organic
W3ll People Expressionist Mascara
W3ll People beauty products are hit or miss for me. I really like their foundation, but haven’t had much luck with blush or eyeshadow. I wanted to like this mascara, but for the price, I wasn’t very impressed.
Pros:
Long-lasting wear. Once the mascara is on, it doesn’t move! I appreciate this, especially because having flakes of black mascara all over your face is embarrassing. I didn’t have any of that.
Cons:
Difficult to apply. I felt like I was wiping my lid multiple times while applying the mascara.Â
The Brush does not do a good job of separating lashes, which made it hard to achieve the volume I wanted without my lashes clumping together.
Price: $20 on Amazon
Ingredients:Â Water (Aqua), C10-18 Triglycerides, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Copernicia Cerifera Cera,Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax/Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Glycerin, Olea Europaea(Olive)Oil Unsaponifiables/Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Shorea Robusta Resin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Octyldodecanol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax/Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil/Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara
Honest Beauty is one of my favorite brands for beauty products. I love the tinted moisturizer, setting powder, and liquid eyeliner. The 2-in-1 mascara is great but not perfect. I love the volume it gives—holy cow! However, I did experience some flaking while wearing it.
The primer is great and really helps separate my lashes before applying the mascara. I just wish it didn’t flake.
Pros:Â
The primer helps separate lashes.
Amazing volume!
Cons:
Flaked a little bit throughout the day.
Price: $16.99 on Amazon
Ingredients:Â Water (Aqua), C10-18 Triglycerides, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Copernicia Cerifera Cera,Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax/Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Glycerin, Olea Europaea(Olive)Oil Unsaponifiables/Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Shorea Robusta Resin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Octyldodecanol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax/Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil/Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara
Ilia does it again with the Limitless Lash mascara. I have loved every product I’ve tried from Ilia, and this mascara is no exception! It’s my new holy grail mascara, and I refuse to be without it! With little to no effort, this non-toxic mascara gives incredible dramatic volume. I like to apply 2 coats, but this mascara gives you beautiful, lush lashes with just one. I also didn’t experience any flaking or smudging once!
Pros:Â
Goes on easily.
The brush helps separate lashes.
Cons:
Literally nothing! Well, except for the price. It’s the most expensive brand I’ve reviewed, but I feel like a tube lasts me a really long time!
Price: $28 on Ilia website
Ingedients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire D’Abeille*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Glycerin, Cera Carnauba/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire De Carnauba*, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch*, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Phenethyl Alcohol, Biotin, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoic Acid, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxide). *Organic Ingredients. Ingrédients Organiques.
My favorite non-toxic mascara
So, which one is the winner in my book? Ilia Limitless Lash mascara! I love this one more than any conventional mascara I’ve ever tried, and I love that it’s safer than a lot of brands available today. While it’s not perfect, as it may contain trace amounts of iron oxide, I feel better about using this brand over most others on the market.
The runner-up is Rejuva! It’s a great mascara, and I love the dramatic volume it gives. I like to use it when I want my lashes to be even more noticeable!
Final thoughts
If you’re making your way through your beauty routine trying to find your new favorite non-toxic mascara, I hope today’s post has helped you find a few good options to try out! If you have any brands you think I should review, let me know in the comments below, and reach out if you have any questions!
Read my other beauty reviews here:
The best non-toxic tinted moisturizer
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