This review shares the 8 best non-toxic mascaras including brands that are vegan, and free from harmful chemicals such as mercury, carbon black, PFAS, artificial fragrances and silicones. Many of these mascaras are also cruelty free, gluten free and EWG verified.
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Why use a non-toxic mascara?
Of all the makeup products out there, mascara is one product that many people like to wear everyday. Wearing mascara can make you look more awake, give you the appearance of having longer lashes, make your eyes look wider and brighter and make you look more rested. However, not all mascaras are created equally.
Other personal care products like deodorant, moisturizers, sunscreens, shampoos and conditioners often get more attention when it comes to the clean beauty space, and the importance of choosing safe ingredients, but it's important to talk about mascara too. Unfortunately, many potentially harmful ingredients can be used to make traditional mascaras, such as carbon pigments, heavy metals, mercury, parabens, silicones, PFAS, synthetic dyes, artificial fragrances, and more, so it's important that the mascara you choose be made with safe and non-toxic ingredients.
Navigating the clean mascara space can be tricky. There are no industry wide or regulated definitions for the terms "clean", "safe", "organic" or "non-toxic" when it comes to personal care products so it can be confusing to know what mascaras are truly clean or safe or not.
The other issue is that not all clean beauty products are created equally. In all honesty some of them just don't work that well. Over the years I have tried so many clean mascaras trying to find ones that I love. I want to save you the time and hassle that I went through, and that is why I created this post. I want to make shopping for a non toxic mascara and clean beauty products easier. Here I will share the best non-toxic mascaras that I have personally tried and tested, and give you my honest opinions, both the good and the bad! I have narrowed it down to the top 8 mascaras.
If you appreciate non toxic product reviews be sure to check out some of my other articles including the best non-toxic toothpastes, the best non-toxic body wash and the best non toxic period underwear.
The Best Non Toxic Mascaras
1. Dime Beauty Mascara
The Dime Beauty Volume Mascara is my personal favourite non-toxic mascara and my overall top choice. I just discovered this beauty brand recently and they make a lot of great safe beauty products, and their mascara is no exception.
Features: Volumizing. Cruelty free. Vegan. Provide EWG ratings on their ingredients so you don't have to look them up.
Why I love it:
- The formula is nice and light weight - it doens't feel like you are wearing mascara.
- I find it adds both length and volume to my lashes.
- Doesn't clump or smudge.
- One of the most affordable clean mascaras on the market.
- Easy to remove with water.
Cons:
- Only comes in one color.
- The brand does not check their products for contaminants.
- Has not been independently tested for evidence of PFAS so I can't guarantee it's PFAS free.
Price: $22 USD
2. Beautycounter Mascara
The Beautycounter Think Big All in One Mascara is another great non toxic mascara option. This is my second overall choice and is the mascara I used consistently until I found the Dime Beauty one.
Features: Vegan. Environmental Working Group (EWG) verified.
Pros:
- The formula is nice and lightweight.
- Doesn't feel like you are wearing mascara.
- Adds both length and volume.
- Beautycounter tests their products for contaminants to ensure harmful ingredients don't end up in their products by mistake. This is one of the reasons I love this brand so much. I don't know of any other brand that does this.
- This might sound vain but I love how pretty the mascara tube is.
- Easy to remove.
- It was found to be non detect for evidence of PFAS chemicals in a recent independent investigation.
Cons:
- Is more expensive than some of the others in this review.
- It can smudge, especially when you first put it on before it fully dries.
- Only one color choice.
Price: $30 USD
3. Ilia Mascara
The Ilia limitless lash mascara is an award-winning clean mascara that is very popular and well known.
Features: Made with 99% naturally derived ingredients, including some organic ingredients. Cruelty free.
Pros:
- I really like how this one made my lashes look. It added both length and volume.
- It didn't clump or smudge.
- Didn't flake when wearing.
Cons:
- The brand doesn't do contaminant testing.
- Has not been independently tested for PFAS.
- More expensive than some of the others I tested.
- Only one color choice.
- I didn't love having to use a brush and comb to apply this mascara. It just took more time to apply than some of the others but I really liked how my lashes looked with this one so if you don't mind taking a bit more time to apply I would still highly recommend this mascara.
Price: $28 USD for the full size and $13 USD for the mini size.
4. Elate Beauty Mascara
The Elate Beauty Essential Mascara is specifically formulated for those with sensitive eyes and it comes in a recyclable glass tube to help cut down on waste which I love.
Features: vegan, gluten-free, cruelty free and the company is a certified B corporation.
Pros:
- Comes in black and brown shades!
- This one goes on smoothly, and didn't clump or flake.
- Is nice and light weight.
- Easy to remove.
- It has been third party tested for PFAS and found to be negative.
- I really like that it comes in a refillable glass tube to be more eco-friendly.
Cons:
- Is more expensive than others in this review which is my main critique of this one. When I convert it to Canadian dollars it's over $40!
- This gives lashes a more subtle look but can be buildable if you want more drama.
- No contaminant testing.
Price: $33 for the initial mascara and $29 for the refills.
5. Root Pretty Mascara
The Root Pretty 100% Lash Natural and Organic Mascara helps thicken lashes and is smudge proof and water resistant.
Features: Vegan, cruelty free and gluten-free.
Pros:
- Is nice and light weight.
- Didn't clump or smudge.
- Comes in brown and black shades.
- The short wand is really nice and easy to use.
- It has also been third party tested for PFAS and found to be negative.
- Is more affordable compared to most others that I tested.
- It smells like vanilla!
Cons:
- This one gave my lashes a more subtle and very natural look. It just didn't give me quite the look I wanted with less length and volume compared to some others but at this price point it is still a natural mascara I would recommend.
- No contaminant testing.
Price: $18
6. Saie Mascara
The Saie Mascara 101 has won many beauty awards for being the best clean mascara so I had to try this one.
Features: Cruelty-free. Gluten-free.
Pros:
- Comes in brown and black shades.
- It has also been third party tested for the presence of PFAS and found to be negative.
- Is nice and light weight.
- This one didn't clump or smudge.
- Easy to remove.
Cons:
- I found this formula good for lengthening but I didn't notice any curling effect like it advertises.
- I didn't love how this one smelled, but the scent did go away quickly once applied.
- No contaminant testing.
Price: $26 USD
7. TOK Beauty Mascara
The TOK Beauty Lash Enhancing Mascara is made in Canada where I live so I had to try this one!
Features: gluten free, cruelty free, made with plant based ingredients.
Pros:
- Is more eco-friendly because it's packaged using recyclable plastic and an aluminum shell, and sent in eco-friendly and compostable shipping materials.
- Has a nice natural look with no clumping or flaking.
- Easy to remove.
- Comes in brown and black shades.
Cons:
- Not the most affordable option in this review.
- Didn't give my lashes as much oomph as some of the others. Is more of a natural look.
- No contaminant testing.
Price: $28 USD
8. Zerra & Co Mascara
The Zerra & Co mascara is a low-waste and natural mascara and the packaging on this mascara is so unique! It comes in a glass vial with a bamboo lid and so it uses 85% less plastic by weight than conventional mascaras!
Features: Vegan and natural.
Pros:
- This mascara is refillable! You buy the initial mascara and then the glass vial refills. You keep the bamboo lid, clean it, and replace it into your refill so this is a more eco-friendly option.
- The brand has a recycling container return program where you send the empty mascara container back to them.
- Comes in black and brown colours.
- Has been third party tested for the presence of PFAS and has been found to be negative.
- Gives a very natural look to lashes.
- Easy to remove.
Cons:
- You need to let it dry for a bit when you first apply it or I found it would smear a bit.
- Didn't give my lashes as much volume or length compared to some of the others I tried but if you want a subtle, natural look this is a great option.
- No contaminant testing.
Price: $23.99 USD for the initial tube and then $19.99 for the refills.
Mascaras I didn't love:
As I mentioned in the introduction, over the years I have tested so many different non-toxic mascaras and sadly did not love many of them. Here are some of the others I have tried and the issues I had with them:
- Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Ultra Natural Mascara - I didn't find this one to be that effective or add much to my lashes. I also found that it smeared and smudged easily. It has however been independently tested for PFAS and found to be negative so it is a safe choice, just not the best one in my opinion.
- Kosas The Big Clean Mascara - This mascara has gotten a lot of hype online and on TikTok but I just didn't love it. I found it quite clumpy and it smeared easily when first applied. Plus at $35 a tube it's a very expensive mascara. It has however been tested for evidence of PFAS and found to be negative.
- Well People Volumizing Mascara - I was excited to try this mascara becuse it comes in both brown and black shades but I just really didn't like it. It was dry, clumpy and flaky and just didn't work very well at all. It is EWG verified and has been tested for PFAS and found to be negative but of all the mascaras I tried this was one of the worst.
- Fitglow Beauty Vegan Good Lash+ Mascara - I really didn't like the wand on this mascara and found it hard to use. The formula was also more clumpy than some of the others I tried and at $38 a tube I just can't justify the price. This mascara has tested negative for evidence of PFAS chemicals however.
- 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented® Ultra Lengthening Mascara - This one just didn't do much for my lashes. You could barely tell I was wearing mascara and at almost $40 a tube it just isn't worth the price point to me. It does come in 4 different colors however so if you are looking for more color options this would be one to consider and it has tested negative for evidence of PFAS.
- Crunchi Shattered Mascara - I had heard good things about this mascara but I didn't love it. It was flaky and smudged easily and the formula irritated my eyes.
- Lily Lolo Creamy Natural Vegan Mascara - This one was so dry and clumpy! It was one of the worst mascaras I have ever tried. I don't know if I just got a dud tube but it was not at all creamy like the name of the mascara implies.
- Sappho New Paradigm Mascara - I really wanted to love this one because of the refillable packaging, but sadly I found that it smudged and flaked, especially in warmer weather.
Dr. Carter's tip:
Did you know there is no such thing as a non-toxic waterproof mascara? That is because in order to make a mascara water proof a brand has to use PFAS chemicals, which are not non-toxic.
Mascaras to avoid:
All of these mascaras have been found to contain evidence of PFAS chemicals, and so while these brands may show up on other non toxic mascara lists I couldn't include them in my list for this reason.
- Burt's Bees mascara
- Gabriel mascara
- Honest mascara
- Mineral Fusion mascara
- Poofy mascara
- RMS mascara
- Young Living mascara
- Bare Minerals mascara
- C’est Moi mascara
- Josie Maran mascara
- Pacifica mascara
- Rejuva Minerals mascara
- Tarte mascara
Ingredients to avoid in mascara:
Now that we have reviewed the best clean mascaras, I wanted to give you more information about some of the potentially harmful chemicals that can be used in mascara, and why it's important to avoid them and choose safe options instead. Now this is not an exhaustive list of all the potentially harmful ingredients that can be found in mascaras but these are some of the more frequently used ingredients to watch for.
If you would like more information on these ingredients and their risks, please see the reference section at the end of this post for further reading.
BHT and BHA
Butylated compounds such as BHA and BHT are known endocrine disruptors and are also toxic to other organs. The are also likely a human carcinogen. They are especially concerning for pregnant women and children. To avoid them look for BHA or BHT on ingredient lists.
Carbon black (Uncertified D&C Black No. 2)
Carbon black is a color made of finely divided particles of elemental carbon obtained by the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. It can also go by other names or terms such as acetylene black, animal bone charcoal, carbon black, char, lampblack, channel black, pigment black 6 and pigment black 7.
Carbon black is problematic because it is a respiratory toxin, animal studies show it to be a neurotoxin, and is an endocrine disruptor. It can also irritate the eyes, nose and throat and is a possible carcinogen. Other studies also show it can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Fortunately its use in cosmetics has been restricted in certain countries including the USA and the EU.
Ethanolamines (DEA, TEA, MEA)
The European Commission and Health Canada prohibit the use of DEA in cosmetics and personal care products due to concerns regarding the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines. However, these chemicals are still allowed to be used in other countries.
There is also concern that these chemicals can negatively impact male fertility as in vitro studies have shown they impair sperm motility and viability. Animals studies also shown concering neurological effects. TEA is also an immune and respiratory toxin.
To avoid ethanolamines, look for DEA, TEA and MEA when reading ingredient lists.
Mercury
While mercury has been banned from the majority of makeup products, an exception has been given to eye makeup, including mascara where it is still allowed to be used. This is concerning because mercury is dangerous to health. It can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation and neurotoxic effects. Mercury has also been linked to developmental toxicity, respiratory (lung) toxicity, vision loss, numbness and loss of sensation, headaches, fatigue, slurred speech, difficulty walking and skin rashes.
The other issue with mercury use in mascara is that it is used as a preservative, and brands don't have to list it in the ingredients if they are using it. This is concerning because you want to know what is going on your body. The only way to know if a company is using mercury in their mascara is to contact them and see if they will disclose that information to you.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFAS are a class of chemicals that provide stain and water resistant coatings. For instance they are often used on non-stick pans, rain coats, stain resistant furniture, food packaging etc. PFAS chemicals have been termed “forever chemicals” because they are persistent, meaning they build up and don’t go away. They resist degradation in the environment and they remain in our bodies for years, and sometimes even decades after exposure.
PFAS, even at low doses, can be harmful to health and are known to have a number of harmful effects on human health including but not limited to:
- They are endocrine disruptors or hormone disruptors.
- They increases the risks of certain cancers including thyroid and kidney cancer.
- Can cause metabolic diseases including obesity and diabetes.
- Can contribute to cardiovascular disease.
- Can cause thyroid disease.
- May cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Increase cholesterol levels.
- Can decrease sperm counts.
- Can increase the chances of miscarriages in pregnancy.
- Affects the growth, learning, and behaviour of infants and older children.
- Increases risk of allergies and asthma in children.
- Decreases chances of getting pregnant.
The original PFAS chemicals are known as “long-chain” because they have a long carbon and fluorine chain. Today, the production of the long carbon chain chemicals like PFOA and PFOS have been largely phased out in most consumer products. The manufacturing of the next generation of fluorinated chemicals has brought new PFAS chemicals to the market and are referred to as “small-chain” because they have a shorter carbon-fluorine chain. The problem with this new class of small chain chemicals is their small size, making them even more persistent in the environment and even more difficult to clean up.
Unfortunately, when it comes to makeup, many studies have shown that PFAS can be found in various makeup products. What's even more concerning is that PFAS are often not listed on labels or ingredient lists.
Recent independent investigations found that only 8% of the 231 products tested listed PFAS as an ingredient. The most common PFAS ingredient found in makeup is polytetrafluoroethylene (more commonly known as Teflon).
Now one very important thing I have to mention is that there is no such thing as a non-toxic waterproof mascara. In order to make something waterproof companies need to use PFAS chemicals, so waterproof mascara will contain PFAS, which are not safe. That is why you don't see any water proof mascaras in this review.
PEGS
PEG compounds are formed by condensing water and ethylene oxide. While PEG compounds themselves are usually safe for our health, they can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which is a known carcinogen and because they are penetration enhancers, depending on what other ingredients are in the product, they can potentially make other toxic chemicals more harmful as well.
Parabens
Parabens are used in the personal care and cosmetic industry as preservatives and as part of fragrance formulations. The issue with parabens is that some of them are known endocrine disruptors, or hormone disruptors. They can also cause developmental and reproductive toxicity.
You can identify these in ingredient lists as they end in "paraben". When reading labels watch for ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben etc.
Parabens can also be hidden in a products fragrance formula so also avoid any products with the terms fragrance, perfume or parfum in the ingredient lists.
Phthalates
When reading product labels watch for the ingredients Dibutylphthalate (DBP), Dimethylphthalate (DMP), Diethylphthalate (DEP), Di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), Diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBzP), Di 2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), Diisodecyl phthalate (DiDP), Di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHP), Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), Di-n-octylphthalate (DnOP).
Phthalates are also commonly included in a products fragrance formula so also be sure to avoid products with the terms fragrance, perfume or parfum in the ingredient lists.
Retinyl Palmitate
Retinyl palmitate is teratogenic and there have been some studies showing that it could increase the risk of skin cancer.
Talc
Talc is used in the personal care industry for many different reasons including absorbency, as an anticaking agent, bulking agent, opacifying agent, and anti-slip agent. The problem with talc is that it can often be contaminated with asbestos which is a known carcinogen and can cause respiratory toxicity.
Studies done by the National Toxicology Panel have also demonstrated that cosmetic-grade talc free of asbestos is a form of magnesium silicate that also can be toxic and carcinogenic.
Fragrances
If you have read any of my other health related posts you have probably heard me talk about the potential risks of fragrances before. Fragrances are considered to be trade secrets, meaning that companies don't have to disclose the ingredients they use to make their fragrances. This is problematic because fragrances can contain harmful ingredients like phthalates or parabens, and you have no way of verifying if those ingredients are in a fragrance or not. I recommend avoiding products with the terms "fragrance", "parfume" or "perfume" in the ingredient list for this reason.
Frequently asked questions:
There is no such thing as a non toxic waterproof mascara. In order to make a mascara waterproof, companies have to use PFAS chemicals which are known to be harmful to health. Your best option is to use a non toxic water resistant mascara instead.
All mascara is made with chemicals. A chemical is any substance that has a defined composition. Put another way, a chemical is always made up of the same "stuff." Some chemicals are natural such as water while other chemicals are manufactured. When it comes to mascara, what is important to know is what mascaras are made with non-harmful chemicals rather than harmful chemicals.
Unfortunately Burt's Bees mascara has been found to contain evidence of PFAS chemicals, so it would not be considered to be non-toxic.
Bare minerals mascara is made with some ingredients that have health concerns including BHT, benzyl alcohol, and sodium hydroxide so it is not the safest mascara option.
Other health information you will like:
- Natural alternatives to botox
- The best non-toxic deodorants
- The best non-toxic body lotions
- The best non-toxic hair products
- The best non-toxic laundry detergents
- The best non-toxic body washes
Our expertise:
Dr. Erin Carter, MD, FRCPC, is a physician with board certifications in internal medicine and rheumatology. She is passionate about environmental health and low toxicity living and has been researching and publishing information in this area for years. She is also a self-trained chef and has been creating and publishing recipes since 2015. Her recipes have been featured on many different websites and online publications.
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