Last Updated on March 25, 2023 by NonToxicSwaps

Switch to a non toxic mascara to eliminate harmful chemicals from your makeup bag!

Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Mascara

Mascaras often include toxic ingredients that are classified as irritants, have contamination warnings, or are straight up carcinogenic.

These toxic ingredients are often included in mascaras:

BHT: often added for fragrance and known to be carcinogenic, toxic to organ systems, a known irritant to the skin, eyes, lungs

Parabens: preservative known to cause endocrine disruption, DNA damage, developmental/reproductive toxicity

Dyes: contamination with heavy metals, neurotoxin, allergen, bioaccumulative, organ system toxicity

Phenoxyethanol: likely contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen, nervous system depressant, hormone disruptor, harmful to infants (even when absorbed into the skin)

Propylene glycol: a known irritant to skin, eyes, or lungs, associated with organ system toxicity, contamination concerns

Triethanolamine: emulsifying ingredient likely contaminated with nitrosamines, associated with organ system toxicity, and allergies/immunotoxicity

Potassium sorbate: skin allergen

Sodium benzoate: can produce benzene (carcinogen) when combined with specific ingredients, such as ascorbic acid. Also associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.

 

Since mascara is used so close to the eye, it’s important that you know what’s on the label.

Here are my recommendations for the CLEANEST, non toxic mascara.  

The Best Non Toxic Mascara

The following mascaras are the cleanest on the market.  They do not contain sneaky toxic preservatives or colorants.  These are your best bet if you’re looking for the cleanest non toxic mascara to switch to.

“For ‘wow’ lashes and sensitive eyes! A blend of nourishing oils & waxes creates a unique dry-style formula that is long-lasting and waterproof. Harnessing the magic of mamey and avocado oils to regenerate, strengthen and kickstart growth. You can’t beat this beautiful vegan formula for brilliant black lashes that won’t smudge or get tired. With full coverage and friendly ingredients, you won’t look back.

Non GMO | No CO2 | Vegan | Cruelty-Free | We Support UN Global Compact” – Ere Perez

  • “TRIPLE WAVE: MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara has a breakthrough, triple-wave wand with three flexible, suspended bands that visibly lengthen and define every lash and build boldness
  • CLEAN: The non-toxic formula is lightweight and endlessly buildable without getting crunchy or clumpy and is easy to wash off, keeping irritation and breakage at bay
  • DEFINED CURL: It uses Aquaflex Technology which is conventionally used in haircare styling, this ingredient actively works to define curl using memory hold (it memorizes the wave of your lash) while leaving lashes touchably soft
  • SAFE FOR THE EYES: MakeWaves Mascara is ophthalmologist-tested, contact lens safe, allergy tested, and 100 percent safe for sensitive eyes
  • PEACE OF MIND FORMULA: This product is vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and comes in recycled packaging” – Tower 28
  • “A clean and smudge-free mascara that delivers up to 12 hours of full lift and volume. Your smartest lash decision yet.
  • Our powerful mix of living ingredients creates thick, full, long lashes, while pro peptides help strengthen, revitalize, redensify and nourish.
  • Our exclusive tri-locking system delivers smudge-free, flake-free super long wear.
  • For wide awake eyes, hold brush horizontally coating each lash with natural nourishing ingredients. Apply additional coats to increase volume.
  • Leaders in the clean beauty industry since 2009, our mission to create healthy, luxurious beauty means we only use the highest-quality clean ingredients, meticulously sourced and tested for complete purity.” – RMS Beauty

More Clean (but not the cleanest) Mascaras

4. Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara – contains potassium sorbate

5. W3LL PEOPLE Expressionist Pro Mascara – contains potassium sorbate

6. Honest Beauty 2-in-1 Extreme Length Clean Mascara + Lash Primer – contains potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate

7. Juice Beauty PHYTO-PIGMENTS Ultra-Natural Mascara – contains sodium benzoate

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