We Found The Best Natural Mascara (20+ Products Ranked!)

Best Natural Mascara
7 min reading time

Our team of experts took a deep dive into the world of mascaras. We looked at 20+ of the most popular mascara brands that market themselves as clean or natural to see if the claims hold true.

If you had to assemble a makeup kit for a desert island survival, chances are that mascara would be pretty high up the list. For many people, mascara is a must-have daily wear, whether you rock a full face of makeup or not.

But how many of the most popular mascaras on drugstore and department store shelves are as non-toxic as they claim?

In this guide, you’ll learn about the best clean mascaras that do what they claim to do – give your eyelashes a beautiful boost without exposing you or your family to toxic ingredients.

Today we’ll be looking at:

  • Why you should use a natural mascara.
  • Why not all mascaras labeled “clean” are actually natural.
  • Ingredients to avoid in conventional mascara.
  • Why preservatives are important in mascara.
  • The best natural mascaras and the results of our research.

Why You Should Use a Natural Mascara

While many people have leaped into clean beauty in recent years, some believe that because mascara is applied to the lashes and not directly to the skin, it’s perfectly safe to use whether or not it’s clean.

Here are just a few of the reasons why you should consider using a natural mascara.

Because it’s better for your lashes.

Using clean, all-natural mascara can help improve lash health and encourage longer growth. When you use healthy mascaras that don’t contain harmful chemicals and toxins, you can lessen your lashes’ exposure to irritants and soothe the delicate skin on and around your lashes.

Using clean mascaras can also help strengthen and protect eyelashes over time because they nourish lash follicles with natural oils and other ingredients.

When you use a toxic mascara, it could be doing more harm than you realize.

Conventional mascaras are often made with parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, all of which can be harmful to your health.

Over time, these ingredients can weaken lashes by drying them out or causing breakage. If the chemicals in conventional mascara irritate your eyes, it can cause redness, inflammation, and other eye issues.

Because it’s better for the environment.

When you use clean, green beauty products like organic mascaras, not only are you nourishing your skin and hair with healthful ingredients, but you’re also using fewer chemicals that could contaminate

Clean mascaras are an excellent alternative to conventional mascaras because they contain safe, natural ingredients and are the least likely to cause adverse health effects.

Not All “Clean” Mascaras are Actually Natural

The truth is that not all mascaras are created equal, and even if you’re using a clean mascara, there’s no guarantee it’s free of harmful toxins.

While many companies advertise their products as natural and clean mascara, although they contain toxic ingredients, some truly craft high-quality, non-toxic mascaras made with nourishing ingredients.

In an unregulated industry, it’s hard to know which brands are genuinely producing quality products free from toxins and irritants. This is why at Better Goods we dive deep into the ingredients and claims in specific products to find the actual best natural mascara products.

What Makes For a Clean Mascara?

There’s no cut-and-dry definition of what constitutes clean mascara. The terms “clean” and “natural” are often thrown around and used inappropriately on packaging when it turns out that the product contains ingredients that we should avoid.

The beauty industry is very lightly regulated, meaning there are no rules on what makes a product clean or natural.

At Better Goods, we analyze individual ingredients in each product we rate. Any clean mascara we rate “Good” or “Best” is one you can feel safe using.

Ingredients to Avoid in Conventional Mascara

Parabens

Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives to prevent mold and bacteria from growing inside the tube. At Better Goods, we never recommend products that have parabens. Parabens are potentially unsafe because they have been found to disrupt hormones and interfere with reproduction.

Parabens may also be listed on ingredient lists as:

  • Methylparaben
  • Propylparaben
  • Butylparaben
  • Ethylparaben
  • Isobutylparaben

Artificial Fragrance

Fragrance is a term used to describe an ingredient or mixture that gives a product its scent. Fragrances can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals, many of which are toxic. We never recommend products with artificial fragrance.

Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives

These chemical compounds slowly release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen that can cause asthma and skin rashes. Some examples of these ingredients include (but aren’t limited to): DMDM hydantoin, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and methylisothiazolinone.

Synthetic dyes

Synthetic dyes are made from petroleum and can cause skin irritations. They can also be harmful to the environment when they’re washed down the drain.

Carbon black

Carbon black is a petroleum-derived ingredient used for its deep, dark color. The problem with it is that it has been linked to adverse health effects.

Triethanolamine (TEA)

These ingredients are ethanolamines, linked to liver tumors. The EU bans DEA in cosmetics, but they can still be found in products.

Ingredients to Look For in Clean Mascara

Luckily, many brands of clean mascara avoid using these harmful ingredients. Here are some of the safest ingredients to look for:

  • Organic waxes – Examples: beeswax, carnauba wax, sunflower wax, or carnauba wax.
  • Oils – Olive, castor.
  • Shea Butter
  • Keratin – Rich in proteins that help repair damaged hairs and prevent breakage.
  • Soy proteins – Help strengthen and protect lashes.
  • Vegetable glycerin – A natural, plant-based humectant that helps keep your lashes soft and moisturized.
  • Biotin – Strengthens hair follicles, resulting in longer, thicker lashes.

A Note On Preservatives

Mascara must contain a preservative. As much as we wish it weren’t true, mascara is vulnerable to bacterial and fungal growth.

Due to the delicate nature of the eye area, any product that gets in or around your eyes could potentially pose a danger if bacteria is present. Some people are susceptible to microbes and may experience an adverse reaction when exposed to them.

While we recommend avoiding parabens, a common chemical preservative, there are safer alternatives you’ll find in the natural mascaras we reviewed.

Better preservatives: Look for ingredients like sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, or asorbic acid for safer alternatives.

The Best Natural Mascaras, Analyzed by Better Goods

We took a deep dive into the ingredients to find the best clean mascaras you can feel safe using.

Our Methodology

We looked at social media, popular online shops, and reviews across the review 15+ of the most popular mascara brands labeling themselves as clean beauty. They’re rated on this scale:

Best – These products are the best of the best. They contain all-clean ingredients, are non-toxic and are often the best choice for our environment.

Good – These products are typically quite good, but don’t go above and beyond like our best choices.

Iffy – These products are typically okay, but have some issues that make us unable to give them a “Good” rating. Often times they contain ingredients that are questionable.

Bad – These products typically have toxic ingredients or issues that make them dangerous or unsuitable to use. These products should typically be avoided.

Best

Of the 15+ clean mascaras we looked at, these were the best of the best.

Physicians Formula

Organic Wear Natural Origin Mascara
Price: $10.49 ($40.35 per oz)

This mascara from Physicians Formula is an example of a great clean mascara with natural ingredients. It should be noted that it contains beeswax, making it a non-vegan product. It’s also very affordable, making this one of our top recommendations for a clean mascara.

Ingredients

  • Organic Orange Fruit Water (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water),
  • Organic Glycerin,
  • Microcrystalline Cellulose,
  • Glyceryl Stearate SE,
  • Organic Beeswax (Cera Alba),
  • Jojoba Esters,
  • Organic Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Organic Rice Extract (Oryza Sativa Seed Extract),
  • Organic Tapioca Starch,
  • Stearic Acid,
  • Glyceryl Caprylate,
  • Glycerin,
  • Water,
  • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate,
  • Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate,
  • Cellulose Gum,
  • Organic Soybean Oil (Glycine Soja Oil),
  • Magnesium Aluminum Silicate,
  • Organic Aloe (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice),
  • Organic Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract),
  • Organic Olive Oil Leaf Extract (Olea Europaea Leaf Extract),
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Burt's Bees

100% Natural Origin Nourishing Mascara
Price: $12.99 ($32.48 per oz)

This mascara from Burt’s Bees has a clean list of ingredients and is reasonably-priced. Beeswax makes up a large amount of the formula of this product, making it non-vegan.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Beeswax (Cera Alba),
  • Glycerin,
  • Candelilla Wax (Euphorbia Cerifera Wax),
  • Stearic Acid,
  • Galactoarabinan,
  • Jojoba Seed Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil),
  • Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate,
  • Pullulan,
  • Hectorite,
  • Sorbitol,
  • Acacia Senegal Gum,
  • Xanthan Gum,
  • Coco-Glucoside,
  • Mica,
  • Trehalose,
  • P-anisic Acid,
  • Glyceryl Caprylate,
  • Glyceryl Stearate,
  • Levulinic Acid,
  • Sodium Levulinate,
  • Potassium Stearate,
  • Stearoyl Glutamic Acid,
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

Lily Lolo

Natural Vegan Mascara
Price: $19.50 ($81.25 per oz)

Lili Lolo’s Natural Vegan Mascara easily meets our standards for a non-toxic and clean mascara. The formulation contains no ingredients we recommend avoiding, and as a bonus, it’s 100% vegan.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Myrica Fruit Wax (Myrica Pubescens Fruit Wax),
  • Propanediol,
  • Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate,
  • Sucrose Stearate,
  • Acacia Senegal Gum,
  • Glyceryl Dibehenate,
  • Sunflower Seed Wax (Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax),
  • Lactobacillus Ferment Bis-Octyldodecyl Dimer Dilinoleate/Propanediol Copolymer,
  • Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate,
  • Rice Wax (Oryza Sativa Bran Wax),
  • Glyceryl Caprylate,
  • Rose Hip Fruit Extract (Rosa Canina Fruit Extract)*,
  • Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil),
  • Xanthan Gum,
  • Potassium Sorbate,
  • Glyceryl Undecylenate,
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Pacifica

Stellar Gaze Mascara
Price: $14 ($56 per oz)

Pacifica’s Stellar Gaze Mascara is a clean mascara you can feel safe using. It’s also safe for sensitive eyes, and contains no irritating ingredients in the formulation.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Glyceryl Stearate,
  • Cetearyl Alcohol,
  • Hydroxyethylcellulose,
  • Sorbitan Olivate,
  • Glycerin,
  • Citric Acid,
  • Acrylates Crosspolymer,
  • Xanthan Gum,
  • Tocopherol,
  • Jojoba Esters,
  • Panthenol,
  • Acacia Senegal Gum,
  • Potassium Sorbate,
  • Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera Oil),
  • Chamomile Fruit Extract (Chamomilla Sativa Fruit Extract),
  • Algae Extract,
  • Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract),
  • Giant Kelp Extract (Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract),
  • Hydrolyzed Rice Protein,
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499),
  • Mica

RMS Beauty

Straight Up Volumizing Peptide Mascara
Price: $26 ($76.47 per oz)

This clean mascara from RMS Beauty has a great list of ingredients, many of which are organic. None of them are on our list of ingredients to avoid, making this a safe choice for a clean mascara.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Candelilla Wax (Euphorbia Cerifera Wax),
  • Organic Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii Butter),
  • Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate,
  • Glycerin,
  • Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate,
  • Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate,
  • Cetyl Alcohol,
  • Glyceryl Caprylate,
  • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate,
  • Organic Corn Starch (Zea Mays Starch),
  • Butylene Glycol,
  • Xanthan Gum,
  • Arginine,
  • Phenethyl Alcohol,
  • Moss Rose Extract (Portulaca Grandiflora Extract),
  • Green or White Tea Leaf Extract (Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract),
  • Glycoproteins,
  • Oligopeptide-2,
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Good

These mascaras are safe to use but don’t quite go above and beyond like the products we rated Best.

Sappho New Paradigm

Paradigm Vegan Mascara
Price: $34 ($125.93 per oz)

Sappho New Paradigm’s vegan mascara has a clean list of ingredients, and its only real downside is that it’s more expensive than other comparable mascaras we reviewed.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Glycerin,
  • Organic Myrica Fruit Wax (Myrica Pubescens Fruit Wax),
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499),
  • Diheptyl Succinate,
  • Organic Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Stearic Acid,
  • Organic Wildcrafted Candelilla Wax (Euphorbia Cerifera Wax),
  • Pullulan,
  • Cetearyl Alcohol,
  • Cetearyl Glucoside*,
  • Acacia Senegal Gum,
  • Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer,
  • Glyceryl Undecylenate,
  • Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer,
  • Phenethyl Alcohol,
  • Xanthan Gum,
  • Carrageenan,
  • Glyceryl Caprylate,
  • Sodium Chloride,
  • Sodium Hydroxide*,
  • Sodium Carbonate

The Honest Company

Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer
Price: $16.99 ($84.95 per oz)

The Honest Company’s Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer has a clean formulation with only glyceryl behenate standing out. While not technically an unsafe ingredient, it is a recognized irritant and you may wish to avoid it if you have sensitive skin or eyes.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Beeswax (Cera Alba),
  • Potassium Cetyl Phosphate,
  • Glycerin,
  • Glyceryl Stearate SE,
  • Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Castor Isostearate Beeswax Succinate,
  • Acacia Senegal Gum,
  • Cellulose,
  • Glyceryl Behenate*,
  • Jojoba Esters,
  • Tocopherol,
  • Ethylhexylglycerin*,
  • Caprylyl Glycol*,
  • Cetyl Palmitate,
  • Sorbitan Olivate,
  • Sorbitan Palmitate,
  • Xanthan Gum,
  • Caprylic/Capric Glycerides,
  • Sodium Benzoate*,
  • Cellulose Gum,
  • Potassium Sorbate,
  • Sodium Phytate,
  • Phosphoric Acid,
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Ilia

Limitless Lash Mascara
Price: $28 ($103.7 per oz)

You’ll find a clean list of ingredients in the Limitless Lash Mascara from Ilia. While more expensive than others we reviewed, this is a cult favorite that we can recommend.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Organic Beeswax (Cera Alba),
  • Organic Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii Butter),
  • Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate,
  • Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate,
  • Glycerin,
  • Organic Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate,
  • Cetyl Alcohol,
  • Glyceryl Caprylate,
  • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate,
  • Organic Corn Starch (Zea Mays Starch),
  • Xanthan Gum,
  • Arginine,
  • Phenethyl Alcohol,
  • Biotin,
  • Nettle Leaf Extract (Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract),
  • 1,2-Hexanediol,
  • Caprylyl Glycol*,
  • Sodium Benzoate*,
  • Citric Acid,
  • Potassium Sorbate,
  • Benzoic Acid,
  • Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17,
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

La Bouche Rogue

Le Sérum Noir
Price: $45 ($214.29 per oz)

Le Sérum Noir from La Bouche Rouge is a clean mascara with a safe list of ingredients. Glyceryl behenate is the only ingredient to watch out for, as it can be an irritant to sensitive eyes and skin.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Glyceryl Stearate,
  • Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Jojoba Seed Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil),
  • Pullulan,
  • Dextrin Isostearate,
  • Glyceryl Behenate*,
  • Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides,
  • Propanediol,
  • Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters,
  • Sunflower Seed Wax (Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax),
  • Microcrystalline Cellulose,
  • Olive Oil Unsaponifiables (Olea Europaea Oil),
  • Cetearyl Alcohol,
  • Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate,
  • Benzyl Alcohol*,
  • Glyceryl Caprylate,
  • Tocopherol,
  • Cellulose Gum,
  • Chinese Lacquer Peel Wax (Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax),
  • Shorea Robusta Resin,
  • Soybean Oil (Glycine Soja Oil),
  • Dehydroacetic Acid,
  • Sodium Hydroxide*,
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Josie Maran

Argan Black Oil Mascara
Price: $22 ($81.48 per oz)

Josie Maran’s Argan Black Oil Mascara is a clean mascara with no ingredients we recommend avoiding. It contains 100% organic argan oil, and beeswax is a main ingredient, making it a non-vegan product.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Beeswax (Cera Alba),
  • Sucrose Stearate,
  • Propanediol,
  • Cetearyl Alcohol,
  • Rice Wax (Oryza Sativa Bran Wax),
  • C18-36 Acid Triglyceride,
  • Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer,
  • VP/Eicosene Copolymer,
  • Phenoxyethanol*,
  • Hydroxyethylcellulose,
  • Myrica Fruit Wax (Myrica Pubescens Fruit Wax),
  • Silica,
  • Panthenol,
  • Organic Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil),
  • Ethylhexylglycerin*,
  • Laureth-21,
  • Glycerin,
  • Bamboo Extract (Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract),
  • Potassium Sorbate,
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Kjaer Weis

Im-Possible Mascara
Price: $32 ($133.33 per oz)

Glyceryl behenate is the only ingredient that stands out in a list of otherwise great ingredients. This ingredient can be irritating to sensitive eyes, so you may wish to avoid it if this applies to you.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Organic Beeswax (Cera Alba),
  • Jojoba Esters,
  • Glyceryl Behenate*,
  • Isostearic Acid,
  • Organic Alcohol (Denatured),
  • Glycerin,
  • Glyceryl Stearate,
  • Organic Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Organic Raspberry Fruit Water (Rubus Idaeus Fruit Water),
  • Organic Acacia Seyal Gum,
  • Sodium Hydroxide*,
  • Benzyl Alcohol*,
  • Glyceryl Caprylate,
  • Xanthan Gum,
  • Tocopherol,
  • Marula Seed Oil (Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil),
  • Sunflower Seed Oil (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil),
  • Phospholipids,
  • Sodium Phytate,
  • Citric Acid,
  • Alcohol,
  • Potassium Sorbate,
  • Dehydroacetic Acid,
  • Sodium Benzoate*,
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Ere Perez

Avocado Waterproof Mascara
Price: $26 ($74.29 per oz)

This waterproof mascara is made from a clean list of ingredients, making it a clean mascara worth giving a try.

Ingredients

  • Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Soybean Oil (Glycine Soja Oil),
  • Palm Kernel Wax (Elaeis Guineensis Wax),
  • Diheptyl Succinate,
  • Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer,
  • Cacahuananche Oil (Licania Arborea Oil),
  • Avocado Oil (Persea Gratissima Oil),
  • Calcium Stearate,
  • Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil)*,
  • Camellia Oil (Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil),
  • Mamey Seed Oil (Pouteria Sapota Seed Oil),
  • Palmitic Acid,
  • Tocopheryl Acetate*,
  • Glyceryl Caprylate,
  • Glyceryl Undecylenate,
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Iffy

These mascaras had a few issues that make us unable to recommend them over those with better ingredients.

tarte

Lights, Camera, Splashes 4-in-1 Mascara
Price: $23 ($92 per oz)

Although the ingredients of this mascara from Tarte are okay, it contains cyclopentasiloxane. For this reason, we cannot recommend it over other mascaras we reviewed that had safer ingredients.

Ingredients

  • Isododecane,
  • Paraffin,
  • Water,
  • Pentaerythrityl Hydrogenated Rosinate,
  • Disteardimonium Hectorite,
  • Cyclopentasiloxane,
  • VP/Eicosene Copolymer,
  • Beeswax (Cera Alba),
  • Polybutene,
  • Alcohol (Denatured),
  • Hydrated Silica,
  • Polyquaternium-10,
  • Ethylhexylglycerin*,
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

W3LL PEOPLE

Expressionist Volumizing Mascara
Price: $19 ($63.33 per oz)

This mascara from W3LL People has a relatively clean list of ingredients, with titanium dioxide being the only one that’s remotely iffy. Because many of the other mascaras we reviewed have better ingredients, we have to rate this product lower than others.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Castor Isostearate Beeswax Succinate,
  • C10-18 Triglycerides,
  • Organic Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Organic Beeswax (Cera Alba),
  • Stearic Acid,
  • Propanediol,
  • Glyceryl Stearate,
  • Glycerin,
  • Glyceryl Caprylate,
  • Glyceryl Undecylenate,
  • Sodium Hydroxide*,
  • Potassium Sorbate,
  • Xanthan Gum,
  • Cellulose,
  • Tocopherol,
  • Sunflower Seed Oil (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil),
  • Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891),
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77491),
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Mineral Fusion

Volumizing Mascara
Price: $19.99 ($35.07 per oz)

Because this mascara contains titanium dioxide, we recommend avoiding it and using one of the better rated mascaras we reviewed.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Beeswax (Cera Alba),
  • Stearic Acid,
  • Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Candelilla Wax (Euphorbia Cerifera Wax),
  • Glyceryl Stearate,
  • Sorbitan Sesquioleate,
  • Shellac,
  • Vegetable Glycerin,
  • Pomegranate Extract (Punica Granatum Extract),
  • Tocopheryl Acetate*,
  • Green or White Tea Leaf Extract (Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract),
  • Aloe (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice),
  • Sodium Hydroxide*,
  • Caprylyl Glycol*,
  • Sorbic Acid,
  • Phenoxyethanol*,
  • Iron Oxides,
  • Titanium Dioxide

Milk Makeup

Kush High Volumizing Mascara
Price: $25 ($73.53 per oz)

Aminomethyl propanol isn’t toxic in itself, but it can sometimes be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. While the risk of this is small, because other clean mascaras we reviewed didn’t have this ingredient, they are safer choices.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Paraffin,
  • Glyceryl Stearate,
  • Synthetic Beeswax,
  • Stearic Acid,
  • Acacia Senegal Gum,
  • Butylene Glycol,
  • Palmitic Acid,
  • Polybutene,
  • Rice Wax (Oryza Sativa Bran Wax),
  • VP/Eicosene Copolymer,
  • Ozokerite,
  • Aminomethyl Propanol,
  • Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil,
  • Phenoxyethanol*,
  • Stearyl Stearate,
  • Hydroxyethylcellulose,
  • Nylon-6,
  • Opium Poppy Seed Oil (Papaver Somniferum Seed Oil),
  • Hemp Oil (Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil),
  • Glycerin,
  • Sunflower Seed Oil (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil),
  • Tonka Seed Bean Extract (Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract),
  • Cupuacu Butter (Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter),
  • Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Silica,
  • Tropolone,
  • Melegueta Pepper Seed Extract (Aframomum Melegueta Seed Extract),
  • Italian Strawflower Extract (Helichrysum Italicum Extract),
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Bad

Four of the mascaras we reviewed received a rating of Bad. This is because they contain ingredients that we always recommend avoiding.

CoverGirl

Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara
Price: $10.99 ($24.98 per oz)

This mascara contains triethanolamine, a toxic ingredient. For this reason, we recommend avoiding this mascara.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Glyceryl Stearate,
  • Acrylates Copolymer,
  • Disteardimonium Hectorite,
  • Stearic Acid,
  • Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Triethanolamine*,
  • Lecithin,
  • Propylene Carbonate,
  • Synthetic Wax,
  • Ethylhexylglycerin*,
  • Oleic Acid,
  • Alcohol (Denatured),
  • Phenoxyethanol*,
  • Benzyl Alcohol*,
  • Glycerin,
  • Propylene Glycol*,
  • Polyethylene,
  • Ascorbyl Palmitate,
  • Panthenol,
  • Tocopherol,
  • Simethicone,
  • Soybean Oil (Glycine Soja Oil),
  • Trisodium EDTA,
  • Xanthan Gum,
  • Tocopheryl Acetate*,
  • Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil),
  • Marula Seed Oil (Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil),
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499),
  • Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891),
  • Ultramarines (CI 77007)

elf

Mineral Infused Mascara
Price: $4 ($16 per oz)

This elf mascara has both triethanolamine and carbon black, two chemicals on our list of ingredients to avoid. Therefore, we also strongly recommend avoiding this mascara as well.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer,
  • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride,
  • Candelilla Wax (Euphorbia Cerifera Wax),
  • Synthetic Beeswax,
  • Cetearyl Alcohol,
  • Ozokerite,
  • Stearic Acid,
  • Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Triethanolamine*,
  • PVP,
  • Glyceryl Stearate,
  • PEG-100 Stearate,
  • Triacontanyl PVP,
  • Acrylates Copolymer,
  • Hydroxyethylcellulose,
  • Caprylyl Glycol*,
  • Phenoxyethanol*,
  • Ethylhexylglycerin*,
  • Kaolin,
  • Zinc Oxide,
  • DC Black 2 (CI 77266),
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Neutrogena

Healthy Lengths Mascara
Price: $8.99 ($42.81 per oz)

With both triethanolamine and several parabens, this mascara from Neutrogena is one we recommend avoiding.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Tribehenin,
  • Beeswax (Cera Alba),
  • Glyceryl Stearate,
  • Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Glycerin,
  • Alcohol (Denatured),
  • Isododecane,
  • Polyisobutene,
  • VP/VA Copolymer,
  • Silica,
  • Palmitic Acid,
  • Ethyl Trisiloxane,
  • Stearic Acid,
  • Triethanolamine*,
  • Phenoxyethanol*,
  • C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters,
  • Hydrogenated Castor Oil,
  • Methylparaben*,
  • Myristic Acid,
  • Xanthan Gum,
  • Isostearic Acid,
  • Propylparaben,
  • Olive Oil (Olea Europaea Fruit Oil),
  • Meadowfoam Seed Oil (Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil),
  • Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil)*,
  • Fragrance,
  • Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate,
  • Cotton Seed Oil (Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil),
  • Cocoa Butter (Theobroma Cacao Butter),
  • Sodium Pyruvate,
  • Tocopheryl Acetate*,
  • Citric Acid,
  • Iron Oxides

Clinique

Naturally Glossy Mascara
Price: $21 ($105 per oz)

There’s nothing clean about this mascara from Clinique. We recommend avoiding this mascara and purchasing one with better ingredients.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • Beeswax (Cera Alba),
  • Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Wax),
  • Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer,
  • Stearic Acid,
  • PVP,
  • Acrylates Copolymer,
  • Tromethamine,
  • PEG-20 Sorbitan Beeswax,
  • Butylene Glycol,
  • Glyceryl Stearate SE,
  • Hydroxyethylcellulose,
  • Ethylhexylglycerin*,
  • Glycerin,
  • Lecithin,
  • Nylon-12,
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate*,
  • Isostearic Acid,
  • Caprylyl Glycol*,
  • C11-15 Pareth-7,
  • Potassium Stearate,
  • Disodium EDTA,
  • Phenoxyethanol*,
  • Sorbic Acid,
  • Chlorphenesin,
  • Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499),
  • Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288),
  • Carmine (CI 75470),
  • Ultramarines (CI 77007),
  • Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891),
  • Mica

Conclusion

When it comes to finding a safe and clean mascara, you have plenty of options. We’ve analyzed the best of the best so that you can feel confident about what you’re putting on your lashes.

Any of the clean mascaras we rated best and good are safe to use, and we recommend looking through our specific reviews for more detailed information.

Do you know of a product we haven’t covered? Let us know! Join the discussion below.

 
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