My mascara ran out recently, and I wanted to try a new, clean-composition option. As I don’t use it often, I did not want to spend too much money, so I headed to the drug store.
I scanned almost every mascara with the Yuka App until I found a good one. I was shocked that most of them contained toxic ingredients.
I wanted to create a list of clean mascaras with no harmful ingredients that nourish the eyelashes.
Before we list the best clean mascaras, there are a few clean mascara brands you should know that have amazing, non toxic formulation products.
And just a word of caution: just because a brand has “clean” in the name of mascara doesn’t mean it is. There might be some good ingredients, but most of the time, there will be some that could be better.
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The Best Clean Mascara Brands
Ilia Beauty is a female-founded clean beauty brand that prioritises your skin and the health of our planet. It is exceptional not only for clean mascaras but also for skincare.
We all know Burt’s Bees for their lip balms, so it might be strange to see the brand listed here, but they have fantastic formulation mascaras that you can try. Please note that Burt’s Bees products contain beeswax and are not vegan.
Ere Perez clean mascaras are made ethically with natural ingredients, are cruelty-free, and contain almond and avocado oil. They actively nourish, strengthen, and protect the lashes.
Inika Organic has amazing clean mascara options for different needs from lengthening and volumizing to gentle formulas suited to sensitive eyes.
The Best Clean mascara
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented® Ultra Lengthening Mascara
This clean mascara formula includes many nourishing, plant-based ingredients while avoiding harsh synthetic chemicals. A great clean option, especially if you want a balance of performance and lash health! Comes in 4 subtle natural pigment shades.
⭐ Star Rating: 4.8/5
🌱 Vegan
rms Straight Up™ Volumizing Peptide Mascara
This clean mascara formula is packed with conditioning, plant-based ingredients, peptides for lash health, and natural preservatives. The only concerns are mild irritants for very sensitive users and ensuring responsibly sourced iron oxides. A great clean option that balances nourishment, performance, and safety.
⭐ Star Rating: 4.7/5
🌱 Vegan
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
This clean mascara is a great choice for nourishing ingredients and lash-strengthening benefits in a clean formula. It uses beeswax and carnauba wax for a smooth, buildable texture that holds well without feeling heavy. Shea butter, biotin, and peptides help keep lashes strong and healthy, while nettle extract supports lash growth.
⭐ Star Rating: 4.5/5
Saie Mascara 101 Lengthening and Lifting
This mascara combines nourishing and clean ingredients with a formula that conditions lashes while providing buildable volume.A standout ingredient is Agropyron Repens (Couch Grass) Root Extract, known for its soothing and strengthening properties, which can help support healthier lashes over time.
⭐ Star Rating: 4.6/5
INIKA Organic Long Lash Mascara
This clean mascara is a vegan option with nourishing and conditioning ingredients. Castor oil, carnauba wax, and sunflower seed oil help strengthen and hydrate lashes, while vitamin E and magnolia bark extract provide antioxidant protection.
It also contains kaolin, a clay-based ingredient that can help with volume and prevent flaking.
⭐ Star Rating: 4.8/5
🌱 Vegan
Kosas The Big Clean Longwear Volumizing + Lash Care Mascara
A standout feature in this clean mascara is biotinoyl tripeptide-1, a peptide that promotes lash growth and improves lash resilience. It is excellent for long-term lash health benefits. Pullulan and Acacia Senegal gum also help with staying power, adding a natural lift and hold.
⭐ Star Rating: 4.6/5
The Best clean Waterproof Mascara
Ingredients we should avoid in mascara:
Ere Perez Avocado Waterproof mascara
This clean mascara formula is rich in nourishing botanical oils that promote lash health while providing smooth application and hydration. A strong, clean beauty option with an emphasis on lash conditioning! No added peptides or lash-boosting ingredients, so it’s more focused on conditioning rather than growth support. in 2 shades – black and brown.
⭐ Star Rating: 4.5/5
🌱 Vegan
Westman Atelier
Eye Want You Lengthening + Volumizing Clean Mascara
This clean mascara offers a clean, nourishing formula with a focus on hydration and lash conditioning. Shea butter, carnauba wax, and candelilla wax create a smooth, buildable texture that keeps lashes flexible and soft, while glycerin and arginine help maintain moisture and support lash health.
⭐ Star Rating: 4.7/5
🌱 Vegan
The Best Drugstore Clean Mascara
Rimmel Kind & Free™ Clean, Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
A major plus for this clean mascara is the leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, a natural preservative that keeps the formula fresher without the need for harsh synthetic chemicals. Biotin is another standout ingredient, often associated with strengthening lashes and reducing breakage.
⭐ Star Rating: 4.8/5
🌱 Vegan
Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara
A major plus for this clean mascara is the leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, a natural preservative that keeps the formula fresher without the need for harsh synthetic chemicals. Biotin is another standout ingredient, often associated with strengthening lashes and reducing breakage.
⭐ Star Rating: 4.5/5
Please note that star ratings provided for each clean mascara are focused on ingredient list rather than texture or any other features, therefore you should do more research if you are looking for specific features like volume length or both .
I have created a list of all the ingredients we should avoid when choosing the best mascara. All the mascaras listed above have no ‘Very Bad “and “Medium Risk ” ingredients.
🔴 Very Bad – Avoid these at all costs.
🟠 Medium Risk – May be tolerable in small amounts but not ideal.
🟡 Low Risk – Generally acceptable but not the cleanest option.
| 🔴 | Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives (DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Diazolidinyl Urea, Quaternium-15) | Preservative | Releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen |
| 🔴 | Triclosan | Preservative | Endocrine disruptor, affects hormones |
| 🔴 | Carbon Black (CI 77266) | Pigment | Linked to cancer risk when inhaled |
| 🔴 | Black 2 [nano] | Pigment | Nano-particles may penetrate skin, potential toxicity risk |
| 🔴 | Polyethylene & Nylon-6 | Microplastics | Non-biodegradable, pollutes oceans |
| 🔴 | Talc (if not asbestos-free) | Filler | Can be contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen |
| 🔴 | Triethanolamine (TEA) | pH Adjuster | Can form nitrosamines, which are potential carcinogens |
| 🟠 | Phenoxyethanol | Preservative | Eye irritant, potential neurotoxicity risk in high doses |
| 🟠 | Benzyl Alcohol | Preservative | Can irritate sensitive eyes |
| 🟠 | Paraffin, Microcrystalline Wax, Ozokerite | Thickener | Petroleum-derived, may contain contaminants |
| 🟠 | VP/Hexadecene Copolymer & Acrylates Copolymer | Film-Formers | Synthetic, not biodegradable |
| 🟠 | Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) [Nano] | Pigment | Can be inhaled, potential lung damage risk |
| 🟠 | Ultramarines (CI 77007) | Pigment | Possible heavy metal contamination |
| 🟠 | Propylene Glycol & Propylene Carbonate | Solvents | Can cause irritation & dryness |
| 🟠 | Polysorbate 20 | Emulsifier | May contain 1,4-dioxane, a possible carcinogen |
| 🟠 | Alcohol Denat. | Solvent | Drying & irritating, especially for contact lens wearers |
| 🟠 | Synthetic Wax | Texture Enhancer | Petroleum-based, contributes to environmental waste |
| 🟡 | Sodium Benzoate & Potassium Sorbate | Preservative | Can cause mild irritation in sensitive eyes |
| 🟡 | Phenethyl Alcohol | Fragrance Component | Can irritate sensitive eyes |
| 🟡 | Lecithin | Emulsifier | May be GMO unless organic |
| 🟡 | Disteardimonium Hectorite | Thickener | Synthetic, but low toxicity risk |
| 🟡 | Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) | Pigment | Generally safe, but can contain heavy metal impurities |
| 🟡 | Xanthan Gum | Thickener | Can cause irritation in very sensitive individuals |
| 🟡 | Fragrance/Parfum | Fragrance | Undisclosed chemicals, potential allergen |
There are many mascaras that have word clean in their name or marketing, but we as consumers need to be starter than just trust the brands. These clean mascaras are amazing options for anyone that want’s to have healthy lashes and use mascaras not only to look good but also nourish their lashes with natural ingredients.
What is your favourite clean mascara or a brand? comment below.
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Silvija Meilunaite PN1-NC, is a certified nutrition coach and a writer in the nutrition and self-improvement field with a passion for exploring science-based knowledge focusing on holistic health and plant-based nutrition.
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