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. I compiled this list using the Yuka app and other platforms like Think Dirty. However, I did not rely on them entirely and checked individual ingredients to list the clearest mascaras on the market.
Why trust this review? Here's how I research, test, and score every product.
TL;DR
Best overall: ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara – clean formula, lash-strengthening ingredients, and widely available.
Best clean mascara for volume: Kosas The Big Clean – biotinoyl tripeptide-1 for actual lash growth, not just coating.
Best for length: 100% Pure Ultra Lengthening – plant-based, 4 shade options, strong reviews.
Best waterproof: Ere Perez Avocado Waterproof – genuinely clean waterproof formula, rare to find.
Best drugstore mascara: L’Oreal Voluminous Noir Balm – 93 Yuka score, 99% natural origin, under $10.
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.
Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you buy through them. For more details, please check out my Affiliate Disclosure. Thank you for supporting Barefoot Basil 🙏.
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.
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
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
rms Beauty 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
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 Soulgazer Lengthening Mascara + Lash Serum in 1 for Sensitive Eyes
100% on Yuka, this clean mascara not only lengthens your eyelashes but also keeps them healthy. It contains Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 that supports visibly longer, fuller lashes in six to eight weeks.
I also love that you can buy a mini version, and they also have violet and blue colours.
⭐ Star Rating: 5/5
Best clean mascara for sensitive eyes
If your eyelash health is important to you and you want to maintain healthy eyelashes for as long as possible, check out my article: Best Lash Serums With Clean Ingredients That Actually Work
The Best clean Waterproof 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
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Noir Balm Volumizing Mascara
I was surprised to receive a 93 Yuka score when I scanned this mascara at my local drugstore. I like natural-looking lashes, so it is great for me. It does smudge a little, but it is much better than other clean mascaras I’ve used. This ‘balm-in-mascara’ has a vegan formula with 99 percent natural-origin ingredients and is free from parabens and mineral oil. Comes in Black and Brown.
I have repurchased it twice already, and it is my go-to drugstore mascara.
⭐ Star Rating: 4.5/5
Most affordable clean mascara
🌱 Vegan
I keep repurchasing L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Noir Balm, Volumizing Mascara, as to be honest, although I am not a big fan of the L’Oreal brand, they do have some very good products with clean ingredient lists, including this mascara. Although it is not perfect, as it does smudge a bit in the rain or at the end of the day, the clean ingredint list, affordability, and accessibility are worth it for me. I am a bit old school when buying mascara, and I have to see how the brush feels before buying it. I also love how easy it is to wash it off at the end of the day, and I don’t need to scrub my eyelashes to remove it. Here is a picture of two coats of this clean mascara applied to my lashes.
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 the 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.
If you want to learn more about Yuka and their scoring system, check out my article reviewing the app:
What Ingredients should we avoid in mascara?
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.
- Avoid completely
- Use with caution
- Minor concern
| Risk | Ingredient | Category | Why to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| High risk | Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives (DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Diazolidinyl Urea, Quaternium-15) | Preservative | Releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen |
| High risk | Triclosan | Preservative | Endocrine disruptor, affects hormones |
| High risk | Carbon Black (CI 77266) | Pigment | Linked to cancer risk when inhaled |
| High risk | Black 2 [nano] | Pigment | Nano-particles may penetrate skin, potential toxicity risk |
| High risk | Polyethylene & Nylon-6 | Microplastics | Non-biodegradable, pollutes oceans |
| High risk | Talc (if not asbestos-free) | Filler | Can be contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen |
| High risk | Triethanolamine (TEA) | pH adjuster | Can form nitrosamines, which are potential carcinogens |
| Caution | Phenoxyethanol | Preservative | Eye irritant, potential neurotoxicity risk in high doses |
| Caution | Benzyl Alcohol | Preservative | Can irritate sensitive eyes |
| Caution | Paraffin, Microcrystalline Wax, Ozokerite | Thickener | Petroleum-derived, may contain contaminants |
| Caution | VP/Hexadecene Copolymer & Acrylates Copolymer | Film-former | Synthetic, not biodegradable |
| Caution | Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) [Nano] | Pigment | Can be inhaled, potential lung damage risk |
| Caution | Ultramarines (CI 77007) | Pigment | Possible heavy metal contamination |
| Caution | Propylene Glycol & Propylene Carbonate | Solvent | Can cause irritation & dryness |
| Caution | Polysorbate 20 | Emulsifier | May contain 1,4-dioxane, a possible carcinogen |
| Caution | Alcohol Denat. | Solvent | Drying & irritating, especially for contact lens wearers |
| Caution | Synthetic Wax | Texture enhancer | Petroleum-based, contributes to environmental waste |
| Minor | Sodium Benzoate & Potassium Sorbate | Preservative | Can cause mild irritation in sensitive eyes |
| Minor | Phenethyl Alcohol | Fragrance component | Can irritate sensitive eyes |
| Minor | Lecithin | Emulsifier | May be GMO unless organic |
| Minor | Disteardimonium Hectorite | Thickener | Synthetic, but low toxicity risk |
| Minor | Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) | Pigment | Generally safe, but can contain heavy metal impurities |
| Minor | Xanthan Gum | Thickener | Can cause irritation in very sensitive individuals |
| Minor | Fragrance/Parfum | Fragrance | Undisclosed chemicals, potential allergen |
To summarise,
There are many mascaras that have the word “clean” in their name or marketing, but we as consumers need to be more careful than just trust the brands and dig deeper into the ingredient lists.
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.
I find it even more important now, as my hormones are fluctuating and my hair, including eyelashes, is thinning, to choose a mascara that makes my eyelashes look good, doesn’t smudge, but also nourishes my eyelashes and doesn’t disturb my hormones.
What is your favourite clean mascara or brand? Comment below.
Silvija Meilunaite, PN1-NC, CSMC, is a certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist. Combining current scientific research with her own experience of perimenopause, she writes evidence-based articles, practical guides, and in-depth product reviews to help women over 40 make informed decisions about nutrition, strength training, recovery, supplements, non-toxic living, and wellness products.
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