I am bringing you all the best natural mascaras! Having been in natural beauty for over 10 years now, I’ve tried my fair share of mascaras. I’m pretty picky when it comes to a stellar formula too. It has to meet some strict requirements. I mean a girl doesn’t want just volume, but length, separation, and maybe even a bit of drama. Who’s with me?! I am refreshing my natural mascara guide to bring you all the best in clean beauty. And, if I can find a clean mascara I love, so can you!
*Affiliate Disclosure: I do have affiliate links in this blog post. If you purchase something from my link, I will receive a small commission from the sale. This comes at no cost to you, but is paid by the company. I do not take becoming an affiliate with any company lightly. If I am, it’s because I believe in the company and their product.
Why do you even need natural mascara anyways?
Have you ever wondered what was in that long tube of black goo we call mascara?
“According to Women’s Health, 65% of women wear mascara every day, making it the most popular eye makeup used.”
Yet, I would venture to say most women don’t know a thing about what’s in their favorite black tube. Well, I was like most women just enjoying the creative powers of my mascara as it made my eyelashes go from spindly average to va va voom, until one day I did a little research of my own. This research left me flabbergasted…yes I said it, flabbergasted! I mean how much could a little tube really have in it …right? WRONG!
These toxic ingredients are not only harmful to our health, but some can even accumulate in the body and lead to an array of health issues. This can include things like cancer, liver problems, hormonal disruptions, miscarriages, and birth defects…just to name a few.
*Your eyes actually have tiny pores around them and can absorb the chemicals you’re applying to them.
And to add to our toxic load each day for our eyelashes?! That’s a choice we each need to make, but some might be thinking, great I’m going to have to give up my magic tube of goo…But alas, have no fear we live in the 21st century, where choices are abundant and there are many natural options.
What toxic ingredients are lurking in your tube of mascara?
I had some standards as I tested out mascara. There have been some mascaras I’ve noticed some people pegging as “clean” but still had questionable ingredients. My top recommendations are completely clean. However, there are a few ingredients here and there in some of the other mascaras that rate a higher score on EWG. In comparison to conventional mascaras, I think they’re pretty good. But that’s a decision you have to make for yourself.
Here are some top offenders to look out for in your mascara:
- PARABENS- from Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben. These are known endocrine disruptors (hormone disruptors) and can cause allergic reactions as well as contact dermatitis.
- PROPYLENE GLYCOL- This includes -4, -6, -8…etc. Has been found to be contaminated with 1, 4 dioxane, which is cancer causing. Can cause acne, skin irritant.
- POLYBUTENE– Derived from petroleum and is a plasticizer, used to make adhesives and in this case mascara too- yikes!
- PEG’S– Similar to propylene glycol, has been found to be contaminated with 1, 4 dioxane, which is cancer causing. Can cause acne, skin irritant.
- SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE- Drying of the skin, skin irritant and has been linked to eczema. Endocrine disruptor and has been found to have 1, 4 dioxane, again cancer causing.
- PARAFFIN- Also known as petroleum. The manufacturing process of petroleum causes it to be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane. This ingredient has been shown to be a known carcinogen and cancer causing. Not to mention, petroleum is a skin irritant, causing rashes and allergic reactions.
- ETHANOLAMINE- These can come in other forms such as triethanolamine, or be listed as DEA, TEA, MEA. Immune and respiratory toxin. Also, known to cause allergic reactions. Cancer causing as well because they contain nitrosamines.
- BHT- Derived from petroleum and used as a preservative. Not only can it affect your hormones but it also is carcinogenic.
- TALC- Most talc is contaminated with asbestos unless they are third party testing it. The only company doing that is Beautycounter. It’s associated with respiratory problems, lung cancer, asthma, and even cancer.
- FRAGRANCE- Can cause photo-toxic reactions and can be photo-allergic. Skin irritants, and has been known as a neurotoxin.
- RETINYL ACETATE- Can cause liver damage, brittle nails, & hair loss just to name a few. It’s also been shown in high doses to cause problems with skeletal birth defects in developing fetuses.
- DIAZOLIDINYL UREA- Releases formaldehyde in products. Can be found in facial moisturizers, facial cleansers, eye creams, foundations, shampoos, acne treatments, after shave, lip balms, mascara, sunless tanning products, antiperspirants/deodorants, cuticle treatments, and nail polishes.
- ALUMINUM POWDER- This is a neurotoxin and nothing you want close to your eye.
*I can’t tell you how many people, after switching to a natural mascara, stopped getting styes in their eyes! I don’t think it’s a coincidence. These harmful ingredients make their way into the eye and can cause a variety of infections.
What makes waterproof mascara toxic?
To make a mascara waterproof often companies use an ingredient called dimethicone copolyol.
But, there are actually many different ingredient combinations that can work to make a mascara formula “waterproof”, and it is much more complex than simply adding “dimethicone copolyol” to create a waterproof mascara.
Bottom line: waterproof mascara can be filled with many unknown chemicals and it’s not always clear what exactly is lurking in the tube.
The more I looked into dimethicone copolyol I learned that it’s a derivative of silica and it repels water. Silicones are really important when it comes to making a waterproof mascara work. Since we know oil and water don’t mix, and silicones are made of fat (oil), this helps the mascara stay on the lashes instead of running down your face.
You will notice in many waterproof formulas there’s not water or very little and more oil. That’s because oil repels the water. That’s also why it’s so hard to remove waterproof mascara because it’s made from oils and just water isn’t going to remove it but you’ll need an oil based eye makeup remover. The problem I learned is that since waterproof mascaras are harder to remove, many people just don’t. Unfortunately, this causes bacteria to build up on the eye and can cause styes and infection.
According to a study by Havard Chan T.H. Scholl of Public Health, “of 231 products tested by the researchers, high fluorine concentrations were found in three-quarters of waterproof mascara samples…suggesting the likely presence of toxic chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).”
That’s right, those same toxins found in some non-stick cookware could potentially be in your tube of waterproof mascara! And if you aren’t washing it off on the regular, those chemicals are there constantly…No thanks!
There aren’t waterproof formulations in natural mascara formulas. There are some “water resistant” formulations- but not a true waterproof formula. Using a waterproof mascara over and over again not only causes eyelid dermatitis but can lead to drying out your eye. Since waterproof mascara takes a while to get off, often people have to use harsher eye makeup removers to remove the mascara. Another reason to ditch waterproof mascara on a daily basis.
*Below I’ll highlight a natural water resistant mascara option if waterproof mascara is your thing.
Tips for Applying Mascara
- Mascara Wand Removal- It might seem silly, but how you remove your mascara wand can make a big difference with application. When you remove it, twist the wand out of the tube and wipe off excess product on the end of the tube. This will help prevent clumps from forming. Also, don’t ever pump your mascara. This can actually dry out the formula.
- Wiggle your wand- As you apply your mascara look up and place the wand at the base of your lashes and wiggle up. This helps to add separation and avoid clumpiness. Plus, it helps to really get the product on lashes.
- Length- For added length take the wand and just wiggle it on the ends. If you want even more length and product on your lashes, I’ve found letting the formula dry a bit and then going back over it will help. I recommend doing on both eyes and then coming back to the first eye and adding more product once it’s dried for even more length and pigment.
- High Impact Lashes- If you want big drama lashes, coat both sides of your lashes, top and bottom. This will give even more impact overall.
- Translucent Powder- For thicker and longer lashes, apply some translucent powder between coats of mascara. This will help bulk them up even more. I like this translucent powder. Use a brow brush and apply the powder directly to eyelashes.
- Q-tips and Makeup Remover- Always have some q-tips on hand to wipe away any smudges easily and makeup remover. This is my favorite clean eye makeup remover. Any former Mary Kay eye makeup remover lovers out there? Yeah, I was one of them. I loved that stuff. Beautycounter’s Instant Eye Makeup Remover reminds me of Mary Kays- so good!
Best Natural Mascaras
Mascara is such a big part of any makeup routine. Depending on what you are looking for, I am sharing all my picks for the best natural mascaras!
**Please note that prices are accurate as of the publishing date of this post**
Gen See Spectator Sport Mascara
**Best Volumizing Natural Mascara**
Cost: $23
Review: I tried this mascara from Credo Beauty and loved how much volume and pigment I got. It really amps up the lashes and gives me lots of drama which I love. It also is great for building up lashes. I’m able to use less or more depending on how bold I want my look. I also noticed the formula got better the more I used it as well. I didn’t get lash flaking or smudging with it either. And it’s budget friendly too!
Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara
**Best Lengthening Natural Mascara**
Cost: $20
It’s pretty crazy to find a clean mascara that checks all the boxes, but to find two in one year?! Kind of unheard of. But that’s what happened. Tower28 is a fairly new brand in clean beauty, but they are showing up with a mascara that doesn’t mess around. It has a triple wave wand that helps to lengthen every lash. It’s really buildable, but doesn’t leave your lashes crunchy or heavy. It also washes off really easily. I didn’t get any flaking with it either. It stayed put all day. Great for sensitive eyes! It’s also vegan. I’ve also got a lot of comments asking what I’ve been wearing for a mascara when wearing this one as well. Can we also talk about the price?! It’s $20! Kind of crazy for a clean mascara.
Related Content: Tower 28 Beauty Review
Ere Perez Avocado Waterproof Mascara
**Best Waterproof (Water Resistant) Natural Mascara**
Cost: $28
Ere Perez Avocado Waterproof Mascara is the closest thing you’re going to get to a true waterproof mascara in clean beauty. I didn’t love the mascara but it really does act like a waterproof mascara if you’re needing one. It hardly gives much pigment on the lashes. I really had to coat them several times to get anything on them. I like to look like I’m wearing something so it didn’t work for me. If you like something that looks really natural, somewhat waterproof/water resistant and is for sensitive eyes you may like it. Just not my cup of tea.
Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara
**Best Natural Mascara For Sensitive Eyes**
Cost: $28
Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara came out last year and it hits all the marks, especially for sensitive eyes. They created a patented brush. One side is for curling and the other side is for lengthening. It really does give my lashes a curl boost and makes adding length to them even easier. The formula is a little on the wet side, but not too wet that it smudges all over. I’m really able to build length with this mascara too. I don’t have flaking with this mascara or smudging, it really stays in place. I really like the brush for it’s unique patented sides. It’s not so fat either, so it makes it easy to get in the smaller corners.
Related Content: Ilia Mascara Review (Fullest Volumizing vs. Limitlesslash)
Honest Beauty Mascara
**Best Budget Friendly Natural Mascara**
Cost: $17.60
This has been a favorite natural mascara in clean beauty for some time. The formula checks all the boxes. It offers thickness, length, separation- it’s just awesome! The formula isn’t too dry or too wet and I love that I don’t have to apply 5 coats of mascara to see product on my lashes. In just two coats my lashes are instantly lengthened, thicker and have overall more volume. I’m sold! On one end of the mascara wand is a primer and the other the mascara color. I apply the primer first and then the mascara. It doesn’t smudge or flake on me and I love how the brush is slightly curved. It really makes it so easy to apply the product, even on the inner corners of my eyes. Plus, it’s the most budget friendly option out there!
Related Content: Honest Beauty Review (Clean & Affordable?)
More Clean Beauty Mascaras
I do want to mention a couple more natural mascaras that I have tried out recently.
- Exa ten18 Lash Amplifying Mascara: This is one I wanted to mention because it really plumped my lashes and gave them some volume. It is very buildable too. No smudging or flaking with it either.
- Eyes That TOK- Lash Enhancing Mascara: I like how this gave me more length to my lashes and really defined them. It didn’t give me as much volume, but more separation and length. I also didn’t have smudging or flaking.
What is the best natural mascara?
The overall very best natural mascaras are the Gen See Mascara and the Tower 28 Mascara. They are both new to me and if you didn’t catch on above, they are just so good! I love that clean beauty keeps coming out with better and better products – the performance of these 2 mascara is pretty amazing.
And that’s it! My top picks for natural mascaras. I truly believe you can find natural mascara that perform so well you won’t look back at your conventional mascara.
What’s your favorite natural mascara?
If you liked this post, check out past posts below:
Thanks for this post Suzi! I am curious when you do reviews of mascara if you could note if they are more wet mascara’s? The honest mascara is too wet for me if that makes sense. I prefer a more dry one. I would love to try these 2 new ones you mentioned, but I am curious if they are more wet or dry if that makes sense? Always love your content! Thanks for all you do!
Hi Marisa!
Yes, I can definitely let you know from now on if they’re wet or dry. I would say the Athr Beauty one is a little more dry than the Tower28 Mascara. But I wouldn’t say either of them are dry. A couple dry mascaras that come to mind are Cake Mascara by Roen Beauty and RMS Straight Up Volumizing peptide Mascara.
I loved Honest and Ilia, but an ingredient made my eyes water that (sadly) I haven’t encountered with trad mascaras—have you ever experienced this? I recently have been using Erin’s Faces mascara, and I like it, but recently it has slid off my lashes. What am I missing?
Hi Beth,
I haven’t experienced this. Erin’s Faces worked great for volume but I didn’t love how it flaked on me. Have you tried Tower28 mascara? It’s my new fave and only $20! You can even get it on Sephora as well.
Is there natural water resistant mascara that you can recommend? I’m trying to get away from waterproof, but my eyes water frequently. What does water resistant really mean?
Hi Lorraine,
There is no such thing as a natural waterproof natural mascara. They would have to include ingredients that aren’t natural. Water resistant just means it can resist water to a certain level but aren’t completely waterproof. Ere Perez is one natural waterproof mascara. https://shrsl.com/3wcyq
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on mascara. I have absolutely loved Ilia, but recently have read that their formula contains PUFAS. 😭 Any idea which brands do not contain forever chemicals? I was so sad to learn this information & am now on the hunt for another clean brand.
Hi Jessica,
Unfortunately I don’t know of brands that contain them. I really love Tower28 mascara and Honest Beauty. I would look into them and see if they have PUFAS. They may not test for them. But you could at least email.
Thanks for this. Such a great and informative article!
I’d like to try the Tower 28 one. But I’ve read that Aminomethyl Propanol can be contaminated and that it’s a fragrance ingredient. What are your thoughts on this? Do you know if they test their mascara for contaminants?
Also have you ever tried Dime Beauty mascara?
Hi Kim,
Sorry for the late reply and thanks for reading! 🙂 I don’t think Tower28 tests their products, but you could ask. I haven’t asked them. It’s not a top ingredient so it’s a pretty small amount in there and I’m ok using. Dime Beauty doesn’t have a mascara…only eyelash enhancing serums. Is that what you mean? I have tried them but didn’t love it.
hey Suzi! How do you feel about Beauty Counter’s mascara?
The Beautycounter Mascara was not a favorite of Suzi’s. Unfortunately it flaked all over her eyes and got product everywhere. Check out her Beautycounter Review for more info: https://gurlgonegreen.com/2019/01/16/beautycounter-review/
Hi, can you comment on Pacifica and Josie Maran’s mascaras? Thanks!
Hi Jennifer,
Yes, the Pacifica Stellar Glaze mascara is actually pretty decent! I haven’t personally tested it, so can’t share my thoughts but the ingredients look good overall. I haven’t tried Josie Maran’s either, but looking at the ingredients it doesn’t look as clean. Some possible contamination with 1,4 dioxide.