The Best Clean Mascara Brands Without Harmful Ingredients

Mascaras are my most used makeup product and I’m extremely picky about choosing the right one. To find out which are truly the best non toxic mascaras, I’ve put 11 of them to the test. I’m here to share my review.

The first thing I look at is, of course, ensuring it’s not made with toxic chemicals. Then, I test if the mascaras are not clumpy, not crunchy, hold curls, are easy to use, and separate my lashes well.

I’ve included natural mascaras for lengthening lashes, adding volume, holding curls, and more.

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My Top Pick: Tower 28 Mascara

This mascara is the one that can hold up my curls for the longest.

This one is especially great if you have lashes that are not naturally curled upwards or if you have short lashes.

I find it works really well for lengthening my lashes. It’s definitely not the most volumizing mascara but I like that it gives me a natural look.

view on sephora

Best Non Toxic Mascara Brands

1. Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara

Best Non Toxic Mascara (Most Affordable)

Ingredients: Jojoba oil, Beeswax

My Review: At a below $20 price point, I’m honestly so amazed by how well this Honest Beauty mascara worked. My eyelashes look a lot longer and fuller with just 2 coats of this product. I also found it to be smudge-proof which is impressive considering it isn’t waterproof. I like that it’s both a mascara and lash primer in one so it’s able to give my lashes extreme length. Love that it’s free of BHT, alcohol, petroleum, and other toxic chemicals.

Customer Reviews:

Finally a nontoxic mascara I love. It makes my lashes appear thicker and much longer. I only need one coat!

I was looking for a mascara that was actually clean and this one is! I am super picky but this mascara is a favorite! Goes on nicely, no clumping, lasts all day, doesn’t flake or make my eyes itch and washes away well.

2. Ilia Limitless Lash Non Toxic Mascara

Best Mascara For Sensitive Eyes

Ilia started in Canada and I’m a big fan of most of their products like their cream blush.

Ingredients: Arginine, Shea Butter, Beeswax

My Review: What I love about the Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara is its dual-side brush which serves two purposes. The shorter side is for adding curls and volume. The longer side lengthens and separates lashes which prevents clumps. I normally like to apply one coat of the long side first, followed by one coat of the short side. This one is more for lengthening. But if you’d rather have a mascara that creates lots of volume, try out this Ilia Fullest Volumizing mascara.

Customer Reviews:

I just love this mascara! It doesn’t clump or flake and the volume and length it gives my lashes are incredible.

I love the color and the brush! I am picky about the brush tip and this one is perfect, my eyelashes look so good and everyone thinks I wear fake because they are so long!

3. Tower 28 MakeWaves Lengthening Mascara

Best Lengthening Mascara

Tower 28 is a beauty brand started in LA. Their purple packaging really makes them stand out. Besides their mascara, I’m a huge fan of their tinted moisturizer too.

Ingredients: Aquaflex® Technology (lifts and curls lashes), Castor Oil Blend

My Review: This was able to lengthen my lashes without clumps to create a very natural look while also adding a bit of volume. I would say it’s not the best for adding volume but it’s perfect if you want longer lashes. This is one of the best clean mascara for short lashes or Asian lashes. That’s because they use something called Aquaflex Technology that defines curls and keeps them curled for longer.

Customer Reviews:

When I used this product for the first time, I loved it. My two favorite things were the applicator and lengthening effect the mascara provides. If length is your desired effect, I recommend this product.

Loooove the effect of this mascara. I’ve bought it 3 times now. My issue with it is the packaging gets extremely messy very quick.

4. Ere Perez Avocado Waterproof Mascara

Best Clean Waterproof Mascara

Ere Perez is an Australian beauty brand and they use a ton of plant-based ingredients in their products.

Ingredients: Carnauba wax, Avocado oil, Camellia seed oil, Memey oils, Sweet almond oil

My Review: I found the Ere Perez Waterproof Mascara to be long-lasting, smudge-proof, and nourishing for the lashes. The formula is also gentle so it’s one of the best clean mascara for sensitive eyes. I noticed this mascara gives me a very natural look. It’s buildable but not super volumizing. So if you’re looking for a fuller mascara, this might not be for you.

Customer Reviews:

If you like a less heavy, more natural look, this is for you. I love how this goes on. Not too thick and glommy like some. It’s also very non irritating for sensitive eyes.

This mascara is not for you if you want volume and length. If you want a natural look that doesn’t look like you have mascara on then it’s for you.

5. Saie Mascara 101

Best Mascara That Separates Lashes

Saie is a clean and sustainable makeup brand. They focus on creating quality makeup products and use the most sustainable packaging.

Ingredients: Beeswax, Shea Butter, Arginine

My Review: I think this mascara separated my lashes the best out of all mascaras I’ve tried. I really like the application of the mascara wand – it didn’t clump my lashes at all. I also found it to be good at lengthening my lashes. It definitely did not give me lots of volume but I liked the natural look it gave me.

Customer Reviews:

Really easy application and wears well. Good deep black and it is easy to apply. Just a layer or so and you’re good to go!

Love this mascara. Doesn’t clump. Looks natural and full.

6. Alima Pure Non Toxic Mascara

Best All Natural Mascara

Alima Pure is a natural makeup brand based in Portland, Oregon, and uses non toxic ingredients in its products.

Ingredients: Provitamin B5, Jojoba oil, and Beeswax.

My Review: I found this mascara to be non-irritating, buildable, and gave me a natural look. Overall, a great mascara. But one thing I didn’t like as much was the brush because it was quite hard. It felt a little harder to apply. Even though it’s not my favorite mascara, I still added this mascara to this list of best non toxic mascaras because since many other people are raving about this product.

Customer Reviews:

It worked out wonderfully. I am in love with the applicator brush as well as the product – never any clumping! Thank you so much.

I love that this mascara is non irritating and easy to remove. It does migrate to my under eye area throughout the course of the day, so I’d love to see that improved.

7. Well People Non-Toxic Mascara

Best Vegan Mascara

Well People is a clean beauty brand that has many EWG-verified products which is one of the highest standards for non-toxic products.

Ingredients: Sunflower seed wax, Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil

My Review: This is one of the few vegan mascaras I came across. It didn’t give my lashes much volume but it’s a good one for a very simple and natural look. I would reach for this one if I just want the smallest amount of product on my lashes.

Customer Reviews:

I have used this daily for the past week or so, and think it is a solid mascara. The brush works really well and keeps my lashes separated better than others I have used. It applies fairly easily, although the broader brush in the middle sometimes hits my lash line applying mascara that I need to wipe off.

This is a great mascara for every day wear. It does a fantastic job of separating the lashes and give them a nice defined look. I wouldn’t say it adds much length to my lashes.

8. 100% Pure Mascara

Best Fruit Pigment Mascara

100% Pure is a natural cosmetics brand that started in Napa Valley.

Ingredients: Black Tea, Vitamin E, Oat Protein, Wheat Protein, Provitamin B5

My Review: I was excited to try this mascara since it has fruit pigments, plant-based ingredients, and natural ingredients. I was surprised to see that this mascara has ingredients you don’t normally see in makeup products like black tea and oat protein. I found that it also adds lots of volume to my lashes without clumps or flakes.

Customer Reviews:

This mascara is the ONLY mascara I can wear with my sensitive eyes . It is not very thick but goes on so easy, for removal, I do not have to pull and tug to remove. Highly recommend for older, dry and sensitive eyes

Quality ingredients and long wear. Doesn’t smudge off and makes lashes look nice and full

9. Au Naturale Mascara

Best Organic Non Toxic Mascara

Au Naturale is a truly organic makeup brand that creates non toxic beauty products.

Ingredients: Candelilla Wax, Canauba Wax

My Review: This is a highly pigmented vegan mascara. I thought it applied smoothly and had a natural look. I love that it is made with organic ingredients only – even organic preservatives like xylityl cocoate which is safe for the skin! This natural mascara is made in the USA and is also ECOCERT verified which ensures it’s an eco-friendly product.

Customer Reviews:

Best mascara ever! Finally, no eye irritation. Goes on smooth and make the lashes look great.

This dark blue is so pretty! It’s a nice pop of color but not so much that it is too obvious. The lengthening is nice and it stays in all day.

10. Mineral Fusion Mascara

Best Volumizing Mascara

Mineral Fusion is a makeup and skincare brand that uses natural botanical ingredients.

Ingredients: Beeswax, Carnauba wax, Candelilla wax, Pomegranate, White Tea, Aloe Vera,

My Review: This was the only volumizing mascara I liked and came close to the cleanest one I could find. One ingredient I don’t like in their formula is phenoxyethanol. It’s a preservative that can cause irritate eczema. But it’s generally safe to use if it’s under 1%. It does dramatize your lashes so if you’re going for a natural look, it’s maybe not the best mascara for you.

Customer Reviews:

I bought this because I like Mineral Fusion’s other products and I was having bad eye reactions to typical drugstore mascaras from time to time. I don’t have an allergic reaction to it. It’s not the perfect mascara but I’d say it’s good enough to make me happy.

It is very lightweight, goes on easy no clumps, makes my lashes look great…but I find that when putting it on it splatters just a little so I get a few black dots in the lids or under the eye.

Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Mascara

• Parabens: Parabens are preservatives found in some mascaras and can lead to hormone disruption.
• Phthalates: Phthalates are used in some mascaras to create the mascara texture but it’s a known endocrine disruptor and can health issues.
• Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is a preservative that’s a carcinogen and can irritate skin.
• Synthetic Fragrances: Synthetic fragrances can be toxic for people with sensitive skin and can trigger allergies.
• Synthetic Dyes: Artificial dyes are used to add color to mascara but they contain carcinogens and are harmful to human health.
• Petroleum: Petroleum-based ingredients can clog pores and disrupt the outer layer of skin. It’s best to use plant-based oils instead.
• BHT: BHT stands for butylated hydroxytoluene and is commonly found in conventional mascaras. However, they can cause hormonal imbalances and cause health risks.
• Retinyl Acetate: Retinyl Acetate is added to traditional mascaras to condition the lashes but they can cause skin sensitivities and irritate the eyes.
• Propylene Glycol: Propylene Glycol is used in mascaras to enhance the texture but they can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.

What ingredients are safe for mascara?

These are some of the safest ingredients for mascara. These ingredients are just some of the most popular.

• Beeswax: Beeswax is often used in place of petroleum-based waxes or synthetic waxes. They give mascara a thicker texture and are safe to use on the skin.
• Carnauba Wax: Carnauba wax is also another commonly used plant-based wax used in mascaras to create a smooth texture.
• Glycerin: Glycerin is a very moisturizing ingredient and can also hydrate and soothe irritated skin.
• Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is a nourishing oil used in many nontoxic mascaras. This ingredient can add healthy nutrients to your lashes.
• Shea Butter: Shea butter on mascara moisturizes your lashes and also adds to the mascara’s smooth texture. We have a full post on all the best benefits of shea butter here!
• Sunflower Seed Oil: Like jojoba oil, sunflower oil nourishes the lashes.

Frequently Asked Questions on Non Toxic Mascaras

What are the best non toxic mascaras at Ulta?

Here are some of the best non toxic mascaras to buy at Ulta:

• Ere Perez Avocado Waterproof Mascara
• Well People Expressionist Pro Mascara

What are the best non toxic mascaras at Target?

Here are some of the best non toxic mascaras to buy at Target:

• Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara
• Well People Expressionist Pro Mascara

Is Thrive mascara non toxic?

Thrive mascara is better than many traditional mascara brands. However, it does contain Phenoxyethanol which is a preservative that can cause skin and eye irritation.

Is Honest mascara non toxic?

Honest mascara is non toxic. It’s made without parabens, silicones, mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, and BHT.

Is Tarte mascara non toxic?

Tarte is a better mascara alternative than other traditional mascara brands. But it does contain Phenoxyethanol which can irritate the eyes and skin, especially for those with sensitive skin.

When to toss mascara?

Toss your mascara when it starts to leave more clumps than normal or when it starts smelling a little different.

Since mascara comes in direct contact with your skin, it’s best to switch it out at least once every six months to avoid the buildup of bacteria and germs.

How do you wear mascara everyday without damaging your eyelashes?

Make sure to choose mascaras with hydrating and nourishing ingredients to prevent damaging your eyelashes. Many non-toxic mascaras are infused with healthy ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and sunflower seed oil.

Also, gently remove your mascara. The best way to remove mascara gently is to use an oil-based makeup remover and gently pat the product on your eyelashes.

That’s a wrap on the best non toxic mascaras! Which mascara is your favorite?

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