The 6 Best Natural Mascaras
*Please note that as an Amazon Associate and an associate of other companies, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support!
Choosing a natural mascara is a great step to not only enhance your beauty, but also to improve your health and the environment. Like many beauty products out in the world today, many mascara brands also have the potential to contain harmful ingredients for your health. To name a few, some mascaras contain parabens, formaldehyde, synthetic colorants, thimerosal, heavy metals, allergens, synthetic fragrances, and other preservatives. These toxic ingredients can cause several health effects such as allergic reactions, inflamed eyelids, cancer, reproductive toxicities, and neurotoxicities. Some mascaras that contain mercury can be especially toxic to the developing brain of fetuses when used during pregnancy.
Wondering how to ensure your mascara is truly clean and free from potentially harmful ingredients? The best way is to check the ingredients, however, I use the Environmental Working Group (EWG) as a guide. This group specializes in the research of products and offers a rating system on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 represents the cleanest and 10 indicates the most toxic products. The cleanest products go even one step further and are EWG-verified.
With this said, I use the EWG as a guide, but also look through the ingredients to make sure they are clean. Just like any app or website, nothing is perfect. I have found EWG-verified products with ingredients in them that I would not use.
Below is a list of the best clean mascaras. These mascaras aren’t perfect, but they are much better than traditional mascaras. These mascaras below do NOT contain some of the top offending ingredients including formaldehyde, parabens, carbon black, sodium benzoate, thimerosal, synthetic dyes, coal tar dyes, ethanolamine compounds, phenoxyethanol, fragrance, petroleum, phthalates, or triclosan. You’ll notice that some have EWG ratings and some don’t which is ok! Also, if you’d like a list of non-toxic eyeliners, click here and check out my non-toxic eyeliner post as well. Congrats on taking the next step to clean living!
1. Mom’s Secret 100% Natural Mascara Black, Organic
EWG Rating: No rating
This safe, natural mascara is made with certified organic ingredients and made in the USA. This mascara coats, thickens, and lengthens each lash. It’s 85% organic and is free from artificial colors, preservatives, and fragrances making it ideal for sensitive skin. It’s smudge-proof and water-resistant.
2. Jane Iredale PureLash Lengthening Mascara
EWG Rating: No rating
This natural mascara contains panthenol and vitamin B complex to condition lashes making them smoother and more manageable. It’s developed with a blend of seaweed lipids and wheat protein that thickens, curls, and strengthens lashes. In addition, it’s free of lacquers, shellac, and petroleum-based ingredients. I know someone who uses this and she said it works great!
3. Gabriel Water Resistant Mascara, Black Brown
EWG Rating: 2
This water-resistant, natural mascara has a clean formula that includes vitamin B5 to help lengthen and thicken lashes. Not only are the ingredients 100% natural and mineral based, but it is also paraben-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and Leaping Bunny Certified. There is a black color as well, however I didn’t see an EWG rating for black. Only the black brown is rated a 2.
4. 100% PURE Maracuja Oil Mascara
EWG Rating: No Rating
In terms of ingredients, this is one of the best clean mascaras. This non-toxic mascara won’t clump or flake. It’s infused with maracuja oil, lash conditioning vitamins, and pigments of tea, cocoa, and coffee. This mascara is fruit-pigmented, It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and made in the USA. In addition, this company uses ethically sourced products without harsh toxic chemicals, heavy metals, fragrances, or dyes.
5. Organic Mascara By Physicians Formula
EWG Rating: 3
This non-toxic mascara is hypoallergenic, gluten-free, dermatologist-tested, paraben-free, fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. It contains an organic lash-boosting complex, natural silk cotton, and natural fibers that volumize, thicken, and separate each lash for a super dramatic eye. Made with organic olive oil, it’s a great choice for a mascara.
6. DIME Beauty Volume Mascara
EWG Rating: 2
This natural mascara is great for sensitive eyes. It is made from squalane which helps replenish and protect your lashes and it is also made from cacao extract and vitamin B5 which help nourish lashes and add moisture, shine, and volume. It is free from fragrances, synthetic fragrances, silicones, and other harmful ingredients. In addition, it is vegan and cruelty-free.
