Safe Mascara Guide

Maia James
Safe Mascara Guide
91 comments

Mascara is kind of magical, especially if you’re like me and are hashtag-blessed with stubby, pale, stick-straight eyelashes. I don’t often wear makeup, but with just a couple of swoops of a mascara wand, I look and feel refreshed and more put together. I guess I’m not alone, because many readers and clients have asked me to recommend the best non-toxic mascara. We are finally done with our research for this new Safe Product Guide, and thank you all so much for your suggestions–you guys put a bunch of brands on my radar that turned out to be Good Stuff. 🙂

I finally am able to recommend several mascaras that I consider to be Good Stuff or Okay Stuff. Because we’re talking mascara—and not some product that you smear all over your skin or put in your mouth—I think that using Okay Stuff truly is okay in this case. You’ll even find one Good Stuff pick that you can buy at the drugstore!

And, as always, I have lists of Sneaky Stuff and Bad Stuff, including some of your beloved favorites (sorry!).

 

Note: Products like mascara are constantly being re-formulated. The information in this post is based on the most current ingredient lists we could find as of October 2016.

What is Mascara Made of?

Mascara ingredients range from familiar and harmless things, like water, to head-scratching ones like fragrance/parfum, which I was surprised to find in most mascara formulas.

Honestly, cosmetics are my least favorite things to research. They often have super long lists of ingredients, many of which are synthetic, impossible to pronounce, and problematic. Cosmetics can contain ingredients– including natural ones– that have little or no safety data to back them up. And some ingredients that are known to be toxic are permitted for use under certain “restrictions.”

I’m no cosmetic chemist, but my basic understanding of mascara formulas is that they usually include the following:

  • Solvents or diluents are the unifying base for the formula (water, isododecane, alcohols, glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.).
  • Pigments provide color (iron oxides, ultramarines, titanium dioxide, mica, etc.).
  • Waxes, gums, polymers, fibers and starches stabilize and thicken the formula; some form a film on the lashes and provide “volumizing” benefits; fibers “lengthen” lashes.
  • Fats like oils and butters provide moisturizing benefits; other ingredients with humectant/emollient/“skin-conditioning” properties include glycerin, silicone and some plant extracts.
  • Some waxes, fatty acids, and surfactants act as emulsifiers to mix water and water-soluble ingredients with non-water soluble ingredients.
  • Preservatives and pH adjusters prevent (or at least limit) the growth of microbes.
  • Fragrance ingredients mask the unsavory smell that many mascara formulas would otherwise have, and in some cases, give mascara a signature scent.

Why You Shouldn’t Freak Out About Mascara

Relatively speaking, mascara is a lower-concern product– you use small amounts of it, it’s not applied directly to your skin, and it tends to stay in place. (And if you’re like me, you don’t even use it every day any more!).

Unless you eat your mascara, have a habit of rubbing it into your eyes, and/or sleep with it on, don’t worry if you’ve been using the Bad Stuff for more years than you wish to count.

If you want to upgrade to a safer mascara, there is plenty of Good Stuff and Okay Stuff you that will give your lashes a boost without exposing you to a bunch of toxic ingredients.

Mascara Ingredients to Avoid

Although mascara is of relatively low concern, I don’t consider it to be zero-concern. Some of us do use mascara daily, and it can flake off and migrate into your eyes and onto the skin under your eyes, where ingredients can potentially be absorbed into the body. And a lot of conventional mascara has concerning ingredients, such as:

  • Retinyl acetate (aka vitamin A acetate) is a synthetic form of vitamin A that is used as a moisturizing ingredient (or “skin conditioner”) in some mascaras. EWG gives it a whopping 9 on their hazard scale. The FDA classifies retinyl acetate as a “known reproductive toxicant”; it’s also a possible carcinogen.
  • Parabens are a family of preservatives that are found everywhere, although many companies are now making paraben-free products. Parabens mimic estrogen and are implicated in breast cancer. No causal relationship has been proven, but because we’re exposed to parabens from many products, I recommend avoiding them wherever you can—including in mascara.
  • Diazolidinyl urea is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative with an EWG score of 6. In addition to the fact that formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, exposure to formadehyde-releasers can cause people to develop allergies to those ingredients and formaldehyde in general. Another formaldehyde releaser to watch out for in mascara is imidazolidinyl urea.
  • Propylene glycol is a skin conditioner known to be allergenic and potentially toxic to non-reproductive organs. As a penetration-enhancer, it can make the skin vulnerable to other harmful ingredients.
  • Triethanolamine is used in some mascaras as a pH adjuster and emulsifier. It’s considered a skin toxicant or allergen, may be harmful to non-reproductive organs, and can be contaminated with nitrosamines.
  • Be suspicious when you see fragrance or “parfum” listed on a any label, including mascara. Many nasty chemicals can hide under that umbrella, including phthalates, which are hormone disrupters and possible carcinogens.
  • Geraniol, limonene, linalool, citrol and citronellol are potentially irritating and allergenic components that have synthetic as well as natural versions (the latter being a naturally-occurring component of some essential oils). Honest companies disclose them on their ingredient labels. In mascara, they are scent ingredients, and some, like d-limonene, also have preservative qualities. If you’re particularly sensitive, try to avoid mascaras that contain them, and note that carcinogenic properties seem to happen only when these compounds go rancid, so adhere to the expiration dates on your mascara.
  • Pigments (colorants) can be contaminated with toxic substances, including heavy metals. Look for companies that disclose the specific “color index number” (CI number) of the colorants they use (such as “CI 77499,” an iron oxide), and skip aluminum powder, a neurotoxin.

Preservatives in Mascara

You’ll notice that many of the ingredients I’m concerned about in mascara are preservatives. Preservatives are necessary to keep mascara from becoming a host for bacteria and other microbes, but they’re also problematic.

Both natural and synthetic preservatives can be irritating to various degrees. Given that we use mascara around our eyes, which are sensitive organs, I worry about preservatives in mascaras. Even natural preservative ingredients that are considered to be safe can be contaminated with toxic parabens.

Non-Toxic Mascara Ingredients

There are a lot of companies using safe (or safer) ingredients to make mascaras, including many that get high marks for performance, like their more toxic counterparts.

Mascaras didn’t have to be “natural” in order to make our list of Good Stuff or Okay Stuff. In fact, many of those products contain lots of synthetic ingredients. You may have heard that not all natural ingredients are safe. It’s also true that synthetic ingredients aren’t necessarily unsafe (although in general, I am biased against too many synthetics, especially in products for babies and kids).

Here are some of the ingredients you’ll find in the Good Stuff:

  • When it comes to mascara, I think that “food-grade preservatives” like sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are an okay choice. They’re definitely lesser evils than parabens and might be better than some naturally derived preservatives that are newer and haven’t been extensively studied for safety. Note: You’ll also see phenoxyethanol in some of the Good and Okay Stuff. I’m not nuts about it—it’s potentially irritating preservative, with an EWG score of 4—but it’s better than spoiled or contaminated mascara. Skip phenoxyethanol-containing mascaras if you’re sensitive.
  • Good mascaras include natural and organic waxes, such as beeswax, candelilla wax, and carnauba wax.
  • Good mascaras also contain natural and organic oils and butters, such as jojoba oil, sunflower oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter.
  • I like to see starch, oil, wax and gum derived from organic rice, which doesn’t carry the same pesticide-contamination concerns as conventionally farmed rice.

My Top Pick for Best Non-Toxic Mascara

Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara

Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara is the only mascara I use, not only because of how it performs, but also because I love that Beautycounter tests it for purity after production to ensure it’s not contaminated with anything sketchy.

BUY from Beautycounter

Be Kind to Your Lashes

One of the best things you can do to enhance your lashes is to be gentle with them.

Here’s how:

  • Choose water-based, non-toxic mascara for everyday use; they are gentler on your lashes because they’re easier to wash off than waterproof formulas.
  • Don’t sleep in your mascara! Remove mascara gently at the end of the day—minimize rubbing, and don’t tug. My favorite way to do this is with this incredible makeup remover that doubles as a treatment oil.
  • Condition your lashes overnight with a tiny bit of oil (like olive or coconut) brushed gently onto the outer part of your lashes. Wash off in the morning to avoid build-up and irritation. (I’m too tired at the end of the day to implement this, but it’s a goal for the future!).

Don’t see your favorite brand in any of the Good, Bad, or Sneaky tabs? Comment below with your favorite brands!

Mascaras

What About Eyelash Extensions?

I’m working on a separate post about eyelash extensions, since I looooove them. (I mean, look at these stunners on the left!) Anyway, I always assumed that skipping mascara was one of the benefits of wearing eyelash extensions, but I’ve since learned that some people with extensions use mascara, too.

Based on my research, if you’re wearing extensions, you should choose mascara that washes off easily–not a waterproof formula—so you can remove it without damaging your extensions or natural lashes. There are lots of non-waterproof mascaras on the Good Stuff and Okay Stuff lists.

You should also protect your extensions and natural lashes by only applying mascara to the outer part of your lashes.

What About Eyelash Extensions?

Good Stuff

100% Pure Maracuja Non-Toxic Mascara

This Black Tea-based mascara has mostly plant-based ingredients. The only ingredients of potential concern are the rice bran wax and rice germ powder, because they aren’t organic, and ingredients derived from conventionally farmed rice can be contaminated with pesticides. Note: As of this writing, the EWG listing for 100% Pure’s mascara, with a score of 2, does not match their current formulation.

Buy from 100% Pure
100% Pure Maracuja Non-Toxic Mascara

Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara

is my pick when it comes to performance, and the only mascara I use. Beautycounter includes organic plant oils in its mascara formula, and the only ingredient I’m not a fan of here is sodium benzoate, a preservative, but because mascara isn’t ingested or applied directly to the skin, I’m not worried about it. EWG gives this mascara a score of 2. I like that Beautycounter took three years to develop this mascara and tests it for purity AFTER production to ensure zero contamination. It’s also non-clumpy, which is hard to find among natural mascara brands and super important to me. Note: This isn’t officially a waterproof mascara, but it comes off easiest with an oil-based cream or cleanser.

Buy from Beautycounter
Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara

Crunchi Shattered Mascara

This vegan mascara is Leaping Bunny certified, packaged in a glass tube, and third-party tested for heavy metals and PFAS.

Buy from Crunchi
Crunchi Shattered Mascara

Ecco Bella FlowerColor Natural Non-Toxic Mascara

At just six ingredients, this mascara has the simplest formula of those we reviewed. (Real Purity is a close second). EWG gives it a 1; while I’m not nuts about their choice of preservative—phenoxyethanol– I get that preservatives are tricky and mascara needs them.

Buy from Amazon
Ecco Bella FlowerColor Natural Non-Toxic Mascara

Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Non-Toxic Mascara

is made with a lot of organic ingredients, all of which are of little or no concern. EWG gives it a 1, but there are several discrepancies between the EWG listing and Honeybee Garden’s current formula.

Buy from Amazon
Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Non-Toxic Mascara

ILIA Fullest Volumizing Mascara

Fullest Volumizing Mascara thickens and defines lashes from root to tip with fullness you can’t miss. Clean, nourishing ingredients condition with every coat for lashes that look fuller, thicker, and healthier. I prefer theLimitless, but both are safe.

Buy from Ilia
ILIA Fullest Volumizing Mascara

Jane Iredale

These mascaras are made from ingredients of little or no concern. Skin Deep gives the PureLash Lengthening formula a 2 (lowest concern). The regular PureLash formula does contain bisabolol, a terpene used for scent and anti-microbial properties. Bisabolol can cause enhanced skin penetration of other ingredients, but given the nature of mascara (you’re not smearing it all over your body), and the relative safety of the other ingredients in the formula, I’m not too worried about it. Bisabolol appears to be less problematic than the other terpenes, like limonene.

Buy from Amazon
Jane Iredale

Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Mascara

Not all ingredients in Juice Beauty PHYTO-PIGMENTS Ultra-Natural Non-Toxic Mascara are natural, but many of them are organic, and they are of little or no concern. I like that Juice Beauty is transparent about the source of their ingredients (plant-based versus synthetic).

Buy from Amazon
Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Mascara

Pacifica’s Dream Big and Stellar Gaze Mascara

Pacifica’s Dream Big and Stellar Gaze mascaras are Good Stuff. The only mildly concerning ingredient is non-organic rice protein, which can be contaminated with pesticides. Note: Pacifica’s Aquarian Gaze Mascaras (water resistant) are Okay Stuff (see below).

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Pacifica’s Dream Big and Stellar Gaze Mascara

Physicians Formula Organic Mascara

Physicians Formula Organic wear 100% Natural Origin Non-Toxic Mascara and Jumbo Lash Mascara have the same basic formula, with an EWG score of 1. This is the best (and only!) Good Stuff you can get at the drug store. Physicians Formula uses 70% organic ingredients in these products, and all ingredients are of little or no concern. Other mascaras in their “Organic Wear” line are Good or Okay, but beware that the rest of their mascaras have bad ingredients like propylene glycol, triethanolamine, parabens, and diazolidinyl urea.

Buy from Amazon
Physicians Formula Organic Mascara

Pure Haven Essentials Mascara

Pure Haven Essentials Mascara, formerly Ava Anderson Non-Toxic, makes a mascara with just 11 ingredients, all of little or no concern. Earlier this year, Ava Anderson shut down because of a scandal involving the non-disclosure of ingredients, including concerning ingredients that they claimed to not use. Assuming the original company learned from these errors and had made the necessary changes to their supply chain and manufacturing practices, I call this Good Stuff.

Buy from Pure Haven
Pure Haven Essentials Mascara

Real Purity Non-Toxic Mascara

Real Purity Non-Toxic Mascara (Black) has just 9 ingredients and an EWG score of 1. They use extracts of ivy and sage in place of potentially problematic preservatives.

Buy from Amazon
Real Purity Non-Toxic Mascara

Rejuva Minerals Pur’ Lash Volumizing Paraben Free Mascara

Rejuva Minerals Pur’ Lash Volumizing Paraben Free Mascara is an EWG Verified product. Their Rejuva Minerals Resistant Mega Lash Mascara gets an EWG score of 1, but the EWG listing (and therefore their calculation) leaves out a few ingredients. The way the ingredient lists are written on the Rejuva Minerals website doesn’t instill a lot of confidence—some ingredient names are not complete—but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.

Buy from Rejuva Minerals
Rejuva Minerals Pur’ Lash Volumizing Paraben Free Mascara

Zuzu Luxe Non-Toxic Mascara

This mascara is made from a relatively short list of straightforward ingredients. The only semi-concerning ingredients are the preservatives– tocopherylacetate and potassium sorbate (both have an EWG score of 3)—but they’re less worrisome than many other preservatives.

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Zuzu Luxe Non-Toxic Mascara

Okay Stuff

Alima Pure Natural Definition Mascara

Alima has an EWG score of 2 and only a couple of moderately concerning ingredients (propanediol and sodium hydroxide, both potentially irritating).

Buy from Alima
Alima Pure Natural Definition Mascara

Arbonne It’s a Long Story Mascara

gets an EWG score of 2, but due to the combination of several ingredients I’m wary of (butylene glycol, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, ethylhexylglycerin, tocopheryl acetate, and aminomethyl propanol), I think this mascara is just Okay Stuff, and am not a huge fan of Arbonne in general.

Buy from Amazon
Arbonne It’s a Long Story Mascara

bareMinerals Flawless Definition Waterproof Mascara

This mascara has a handful of ingredients that aren’t great, including phenoxyethanol and aminomethyl propanediol, but there are no major offenders. Note: other bareMinerals mascaras are Sneaky or Bad, as are most of their other products.

Buy from Amazon
bareMinerals Flawless Definition Waterproof Mascara

Dr. Hauschka’s mascaras

contain “fragrance” (EWG give it an 8, but Hauschka specifies that it’s 100% natural, so I’m fine with it). Like all Hauschka products, this mascara contains naturally-occurring citronellol, geraniol, and linalool. Other ingredients that make this Okay rather than Good Stuff are castor seed oil and the fact that alcohol, which is known to be irritating, is high on their ingredient lists.

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Dr. Hauschka’s mascaras

Josie Maran Argan Black Oil Mascara

is made with a some good ingredients, but it’s borderline sneaky thanks to the combination of several moderately concerning ingredients—phenoxyethanol, propanediol, ethylhexylglycerin, conventional rice bran wax, and laureth-21. Note: As of this writing, the EWG entry for Josie Maran mascara is not for this formula.

Buy from Amazon
Josie Maran Argan Black Oil Mascara

Kjaer Weis Mascara

contains a lot of organic ingredients and has an EWG score of 2. I’d call it Good Stuff, except that it contains citronellol and geraniol from the essential oils used in the formula.

Buy from Amazon
Kjaer Weis Mascara

Lily Lolo New Black Vegan Mascara

is made with ingredients that are of little or no concern, at least based on current safety data. I’m calling this Okay Stuff rather than Good Stuff because they use several surfactants with limited safety data, and some of the company’s claims make me a bit wary. For instance, on their website, Lily Lolo says they use no preservatives, but they list potassium sorbate—a preservative– among their mascara ingredients. They also claim to use organic ingredients, but, unlike other companies, they don’t specify any organic ingredients on their ingredients list.

Buy from Lily Lolo
Lily Lolo New Black Vegan Mascara

Origins Fringe Benefits Mascara

qualifies as Okay Stuff, thanks to many good ingredients and a few of moderate concern (aminomethyl propanediol, laureth-20—a PEG-derived surfactant, phenoxyethanol, and chloroxylenol—another potentially problematic preservative). Note: Origins GinZing Brightening Mascara is Sneaky Stuff!

Buy from Amazon
Origins Fringe Benefits Mascara

Bad Stuff

Almay One Coat Mascaras get EWG scores of 7-9, thanks to ingredients like parabens and retinyl palmitate.

Cover Girl uses yucky stuff like parabens, aluminum powder, and triethanolamine.

Dior doesn’t disclose or show ingredients on their website, but from what I can tell, they re-formulated to eliminate some of the worst ingredients, like parabens, diazolidinyl urea, and triethanolamine. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, Diorshow mascaras still include a lot of concerning ingredients, such as parfum/fragrance, surfactants like sodium laureth 12-sulfate and glyceryl hydrogenated rosinate, and geraniol, citronellol, linalool, cinnamyl alcohol, ammonium hydroxide, and BHT!

Elizabeth Arden doesn’t disclose its mascara ingredients on their website, and there are no current listings on EWG/Skin Deep. Elsewhere I found ingredient lists that include bad stuff like triethanolamine and parabens.

I haven’t reviewed all of L’Oreal’s mascaras, but one of their most popular–L’Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara, has triethanolamine, imidazolidinyl urea (a formaldehyde releaser), parabens, BHT, and several concerning colorants, including D&C Black No. 2/CI 77266.

Max Factor mascaras include a lot of common bad ingredients, such as propylene glycol, triethanolamine, polyethylene, benzyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, parabens, SLS, and phenoxyethanol.

Maybelline Great Lash mascara, the beloved classic in the green and pink tube, contains yucky stuff like triethanolamine, propylene glycol, and parabens.

Physicians Formula’s non-organic mascaras have yucky ingredients like propylene glycol, triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol, parabens, and diazolidinyl urea. However, I give the company props for making the only drug-store formulas that I recommend (see Good Stuff).

Rimmel makes a million different mascaras; just looking at one of them—Lash Accelerator in Extreme Black—I see worrisome ingredients like propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol, retinyl palmitate, parabens, PEG- 40 hydrogenated castor oil, BHA (a toxic preservative), and D&C Black No. 2/CI 77266 (a toxic colorant).

Wet-n-Wild mascaras appear to be paraben free, but contain other worrisome preservatives that I don’t want near my eyes, like methylisothiazolinone. They also contain yucky ingredients like triethanolamine, polyethylene, butylene glycol, and PEG-26- PPG-30 phosphate, which can be contaminated with toxic ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.

Sneaky Stuff

Antonym Cosmetics Lola Lash Mascara formula includes PFAS.

bareMinerals uses a lot of concerning ingredients in their mascaras, including triethanolamine, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, tocopheryl acetate (can be contaminated with hydroquinone), ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol, SLS, and disodium laureth sulfosuccinate. Their Flawless Definition Waterproof formula isn’t bad—I might even call it Okay Stuff. Note: The Skin Deep entry for the Lash Domination formula gives it a 2, but the listing is not current, leaving out several ingredients. Lashtopia Mega Volume Mascara formula includes PFAS.

Beauty Without Cruelty formulates their products in favor of the wellbeing of animals, but their mascaras have a number of ingredients that are concerning for humans and their eyes: triethanolamine, benzyl alcohol, non-organic rice bran wax and rice bran oil, dimethicone, phenoxyethanol, denatured alcohol, polyethylene, talc, and ethylhexylglycerin.

Benecos Natural mascaras are made with some organic plant oils and waxes, but this German company loses points for citral, limonene, and linalool, which come with the essential oils they use; having a relatively high concentration of potentially irritating alcohol; using sodium hydroxide (also potentially irritating); and “fragrance” (though they claim it’s not synthetic). Their Vegan Natural Volume Mascara is borderline okay except for glyceryl rosinate (EWG score of 6, and a potential irritant/allergen) and silver (a likely problematic colorant, especially around the eyes).

Burts Bees All Aflutter Mascara and Burts Bees Nourishing Mascara formulas includes PFAS.

Ere Perez Avocado Waterproof Mascara formula includes PFAS.

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara formula includes PFAS.

Gabriel Mascara Black formula includes PFAS.

Honest Extreme Length Mascara formula includes PFAS.

Hynt Beauty Mascara formula includes PFAS.

MAC in Extreme Dimension 3D Lash Mascara and MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara formulas includes PFAS.

Mineral Fusion Volumizing Mascara formula includes PFAS.

Neutrogena “Healthy” Mascaras have and EWG score of 6 and are anything but healthy, containing bad ingredients such as parabens and sketchy “fragrance.”

Origins GinZing Brightening Mascara is Sneaky Stuff thanks to a few ingredients of moderate concern (aminomethyl propanediol, ethylhexylglycerin, laureth-20, urea, and phenoxyethanol) and a whopping 16 pigments. None of the many other mascaras I reviewed had anywhere near this number of colorants. No single pigment in this formula is a huge red flag, but many of them are potentially problematic, so the sum of them gives me pause.

Pacifica’s Aquarian Gaze Mascaras (water proof) formula has PFAS. These were Okay Stuff, due to a handful of mildly concerning ingredients (butylene glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol, and hexylene glycol). Steareth-21, a PEG-related surfactant that can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Note: Pacifica’s Dream Big and Stellar Gaze mascaras are Good Stuff (see above).

Physicians Formula Killer Curves Curling Mascara has a EWG score of 8 and contains PTFE which falls under the PFAS category. It also contains some other not so great ingredients like phenoxyethanol, butylene glycol, and hexylene glycol to name a few. It also includes PFAS.

Poofy Glam HD Mascara formula has PFAS.

PUR’s mascaras are not so “pure.” In addition to using concerning ingredients like triethanolamine, ethyhexyglyerin, phenoxyethanol, polybutene, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, and hexylene glycol, they rely on several ingredients with contamination concerns—steareth-20 and steareth-2 (derived from polyethylene glycol, aka PEG); styrene/acrylates copolymer; polyvinyl acetate; and PEG-8 dimethicone. They proudly state that several of their mascaras are paraben-free, but they do use methylparaben in their Impact+ formula. This is the sneakiest of the Sneaky Stuff! Plus, the PUR Fully Charged Magnetic Mascara formula includes PFAS.

Pyt Beauty Swipe Right 12 Hr Mascara formula has PFAS.

RMS Beauty mascaras are really popular among my readers, so I hate to say that they are Sneaky. Unfortunately, these mascaras contain many ingredients of concern, including benzyl alcohol, sodium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide (plus geraniol and linalool.)

Tarte’s motto, “High-performance naturals,” is a stretch. Their formulas include propylene glycol, triethanolamine, and ingredients that are potentially irritating to the eyes (aminomethyl propanol, butylene glycol, castor seed oil, and polybutene). If you’re a huge Tarte fan, the product with the least concerning ingredients is their “Lights, Camera, Splashes” waterproof mascara. Tarte Maneater Mascara formula includes PFAS.

Toups & Co. Organics Mascara 099 Black formula includes PFAS.

W3ll People mascaras are another favorite among you guys, but after looking closely at their ingredients, I have to call them Sneaky. Their Expressionist Mascara is EWG certified, but the formula listed on Skin Deep misses a few key ingredients. Both the Expressionist and Expressionist Pro formulas include benzyl alcohol as the second ingredient. They also contain geraniol, limonene, and sodium hydroxide. And yes, this calls into question the EWG certification!

Savvy Minerals by Young Living Mascara formula includes PFAS.

Stay sane,
Author's Signature

Author's Signature

Maia, Founder & CEO

Note: This article contains affiliate links or sponsored content, which means that if you make a purchase, we may earn a commission. We only recommend products that meet our strict standards for non-toxicity and that we use (or want to use!) ourselves. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that make Good Stuff! 

Tags:Bath & Body Guides, Beauty

91 comments

Maia James

Mostly, I dislike that they aren’t very transparent about their ingredients.

Mandy

What don’t you like about Arbonne products? Just making the conversion into natural products and my friends are trying to get me to try soem of the lotions.

Janell McKenney

What about Younique?

Larissa McCollum

Would LOVE to hear about Blinc Mascara too. It’s life changing, amazing stuff! I hope it’s good stuff?

Rachel

Eyeko skinny brush mascara?

Cat

Can you comment on Blinc mascara?

Sherry

I’ve been using mineral fusion. How does this brand compare?

Mollie

So sorry! Nevermind! Just realized my “Stardust” is Stellar Gaze. I love these mascaras!!

Mollie

Hi there! I use Pacifica’s Stardust color since I am redhead (it is brownish colored). Do you know anything about that one? Thanks!

Elle

How about red apple lipstick mascara? Thx!

Gabby

Hi – how does RMS Volumizing mascara stack up? Thanks!!

Jiwoon

Could you also investigate the w3ll people mascaras (they have various colors), the red apple lipstick lash project mascara, and the hynt beauty mascara too? BTW thanks for this post and the hard work! It’s just so awesome to really find out the nitty gritty stuff about all the products and really find the “good” stuff!!

Jeanie

I just got some “Jolie Ultra Dramatic Volume X Hypoallergenic” mascara. I’d love to know what you think before I open it!

Deborah

What do you think about Ilia mascara?

Maia James

Unfortunately, I don’t consider them Good Stuff.

ashley

what do you think about laura mercier products?

Maia James

I’ll add to our list for the updated Guide:).

Tiffany

Hi! How bad is Chanel mascara?

Maia James

We are adding a few lines to this guide, and Origins is one of them! It should be updated by Monday:).

Maia James

It’s actually not terrible (skips the parabens and some other really Bad Stuff), but I wouldn’t call it Good Stuff.

Beth

Thank you so much for your time and commitment to this! I am changing my mascara and my eyes thank you!

Maia James

I haven’t looked into Pure Haven since they rebranded, and I don’t know Lenongrass—will add to my list!

Ausrine

Hi, I know it’s probably not 100% safe, but what do you think about Origins Fringe Benefits mascara and their Underwear for Lashes? Thank you!!

Adianez Alfonso

Hi.
Hi about Lancome?

Strphanie

What about Lenongrass Spa or Pure Haven Essentials???

Maia James

Haven’t looked into it yet, but it’s on our list!

Maia James

Thanks for putting it on our radar. We will look into it.

Maia James

Haven’t looked into this, but will add to our list!

Maia James

Will add to our list to investigate!

Anitra

Hi, also wondering about Lily Lolo mascara.. Thanks!

Shelly

Hi Ladies! Shelly with Rejuva Minerals here. Thank you for including EWG Verified Pur’ Lash mascara among the safe alternatives! Yes, both Pur’ lash and Mega Lash have received superior ratings from EWG and we are in the process of submitting Mega Lash for verification as well! As for the ingredients, we offer full disclosure on our website. To clarify, the information submitted to the EWG is the same as what is on the site, however some of the more easily recognizable names have been substituted in place of the botanical/scientific names. For example; ‘Simmondsia Chinensis’ was replaced with ‘Jojoba’. I hope I was able to clarify things! Thanks again :D

Zoe

Would love to hear your opinion of Lily Lolo Mascara. Before I found your site, I did a ton of research about healthy mascara and this was the one people raved about (and I love it now too). It’s a UK brand.

Cheryl Myers

Almost afraid to ask but how bad is" it" cosmetics super hero mascara?

Patty

What would you rate Sephora’s Better than sex waterproof mascara or any of MAC’s mascara?

Paula

I never leave my house without mascara. Seriously, never! Not since middle school. I used to spend lots of money on mascara from makeup counters at department stores and then Sephora. I made the change to Non toxic products a few years ago. The hardest thing for me to change was mascara. I tried to convince myself it was ok to keep using my old favorites since it was just my eyelashes and how much could really be absorbed?? Anyway, eventually I figured I’d try Poofy mascara because why not? If it didn’t work, I’d just go back to my old mascaras. But after getting used to it for a few days, I found I actually love Poofy mascara! It is comparable to my expensive brands on performance but so, so much better than them in the safety category! I’ve now gone through a few tubes of Poofy and have no plans of changing any time soon. I love that I am supporting a small business while shopping through them too. I’m not just another number like I was at Sephora.

Diane M

I’m EXTREMELY picky about my makeup products, especially mascara. I was curious about the Poofy mascara but put off ordering it because 1) I didn’t think an all natural would ever work as well as my current brand and 2) it’s twice as expensive ($20) as my current. Compared to a lot of nicer brands this is not too expensive but I’ve always tried to stay around $8-12 on mascara. I bit the bullet and tried Poofy just so I could say I tried a makeup product.

Very surprised at how much I love the mascara as I wasn’t expecting to. It went on smoothly and didn’t flake or clump. Lashes were lengthened and didn’t stick together. If I got mascara anywhere other than my eye it came off easily. The tube was actually bigger than I thought it would be too. Two other things that jumped out at me: It didn’t have that mascara smell. It didn’t make my eyes burn while applying. I had always considered the slightly burning eyes a result from not trying to blink while applying. I applied Poofy the same way and no burning. Hmmmm…. And luckily and most importantly the wand is “my style”. :) Also smudge proof and water resistant. Stays on great and removes very easily at the end of the day.

Autumn

I have to tell everyone that Poofy Organics mascara is where the gold is! I was a mascara hoarder. I couldn’t get enough of the cheap tricks by covergirl, reckon, maybelline (spelling,) even the high-end department store names made it into my makeup stash. Every. Single. One. Of those mascaras would burn my eyes, I’d tear up from them, and I’d be itchy all day because of the plethora of chemicals laced in those mascara formulas. Then Poofy came along. My eyes have thanked me since. Nice for every day use and also can be layered to give some volume. Highly recommend!

Tiffany Murphy

Poofy organics is by far the best mascara I have ever used. It coats, lengthens, and separates lashes so beautifully. It is not water proof, which I like because it’s easy to remove at night. It lasts all day with no smudging. It’s a bonus that this mascara is free of toxins & handmade & packaged here in the USA at a small family business in NJ. Love love love this stuff, can’t say enough good things about it!!!

Allison

I love, love, love Poofy Organics mascara. It’s my go-to! Great for both everyday and nights out (layers nicely).

Jen brown

I have used Poofy mascara for about a year, it gives great volume & coverage and is the only mascara ever that has not caused tearing & redness following application (including many of the natural ones listed in this article) I used to have to use allergy eyedrops prior to using eye makeup, but not with poofy!! I’m a total poofy convert!!

Allison

I use Poofy Organics mascara (I am a consultant, yes, but I would use it anyway if I wasn’t). I’m not a makeup expert so I can’t compare it to other brands but it is one of my customers’ favorite products. It coats the lashes well and lasts all day (but it is not waterproof). Maybe people who find mascara burns their eyes find Poofy’s does not! Not only all that, but it is HANDMADE, as are all products from Poofy Organics. And it is a great price point at $20 and from a USDA certified-organic company. An overall great combination for a product!

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