Last Updated on September 14, 2025 by NonToxicSwaps
Brow products are designed to fill in or add color to brows. Because of this, brow pencils and powders can contain dyes and other toxins to effectively provide the look of fuller brows. By switching to a non toxic brow product, you can still get a fuller look without adding toxins to your makeup routine.
DISCLAIMERS:
- As an Amazon affiliate, we may earn from qualifying purchases.
- The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
- Information provided in this post is updated as of the date of the post. Brands may reformulate products after the date of this post. Check back for updates.
Ingredients to Avoid in Brow Pencils & Powders
- Dyes: can be carcinogenic, genotoxic and offer no benefit to the product other than color (example: Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5) (PMID: 23026007)
- Phenoxyethanol: deemed generally safe at a 1% concentration, however it’s production process, ethoxylation, can potentially contaminate phenoxyethanol with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide (see above for ethoxylated ingredient description) (PubChem CID: 31236)
- Ethoxylated ingredients (PEGs, PPGs, polysorbates, ceteareth, phenoxyethanol): ethoxylation process produces ethylene oxide, a carcinogen and developmental toxin (PubChem CID: 6354) and 1,4-dioxane, a suspected carcinogen (PubChem CID: 31275)
- Propylene glycol: penetration enhancer (PMID 31786711), bioaccumulative, can impact the nervous system (PMID: 25762872)
- Potassium sorbate: skin, eye, respiratory irritant, (PubChemID: 23676745); caused DNA damage when combined with ascorbic acid and Fe-salt (PMID: 12176085) and deemed genotoxic to human lymphocytes by this study (PMID: 20036729)
- Sodium benzoate: study has shown to be mutagenic and cytotoxic in lymphocytes (PubChem ID: 517055); can form benzene when combined with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) (PMID: 33371618)
- Parabens: preservatives linked to endocrine disruption (PMID: 29596967), known to be carcinogenic due to endocrine disruption (PMID: 36746253) Parabens may be listed as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, and benzylparaben.
Best Non Toxic Brow Pencils
- Well People Expressionist Brow Pencil
- Araza Avocado Butter Brow Pencil (Code NONTOXICSWAPS for 15% off)
- RMS Brow Pencil
- Ere Perez Almond Brow Pencil
- Alima Pure Brow Pencil
Best Non Toxic Brow Products







