Are you looking for plastic-free mascara? If so, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best plastic-free mascaras on the market. These mascaras are made with all-natural ingredients and are perfect for those who want to lead a clean and green lifestyle. So, what are you waiting for? Check out our list and find the perfect plastic-free mascara for you!
Table of Contents
What is mascara?
Mascara is a cosmetic that makes eyelashes look thicker and longer. It can be either in liquid form or solid form. The use of mascara dates back to ancient times. Mascaras was first introduced to the public by Francois de Malmant in France sometime around 1860, but it was during the 1920s when makeup companies began selling mascara as a beauty product. Today, mascara is the most sold cosmetic worldwide and can be found in many colors and formulas.
Mascara comes in two forms: liquid and solid. Liquid mascaras are more popular than solid ones because they lengthen and thicken lashes without weighing them down. The main ingredient of liquid mascara is water. Solid mascaras are made out of ingredients such as beeswax, castor oil, or petroleum jelly. The main ingredient in solid mascara is wax.
There are many different mascaras, including waterproof mascara and lash-lengthening mascara. All mascara formulas can be worn daily, depending on the desired look. Mascaras come in various colors, from black to brown and blue.
What are its ingredients?
Mascara contains the following ingredients: wax, pigments for coloring, and moisturizing agents. Manufacturers use several waxes, including beeswax, ozokerite wax (which is made from petroleum residue), candelilla wax (made from the leaves of a Mexican shrub), paraffin, or ceresin (petroleum waxes), or synthetic polyethylene wax.
Mascara is meant to make eyelashes look bigger and more appealing, but it cannot grow them back longer if they are already gone. The FDA has approved the use of certain organic dyes in mascara that can darken eyelashes (iron oxides, chromium hydroxide in greens and blues, manganese violet, ultramarines in blues, and purples, carmine in pinks to reds; ferric ferrocyanide in blues).
Mascara also contains pigments that are used to color them. Manufacturers use four metallic elements for this purpose: aluminum powder or flakes (silver), iron oxides (red, yellow, black), titanium dioxide (white), and chromium hydroxide green.
Moisturizing agents are added to make the formula creamier or more gelatinous. These may include lanolin, mineral oil, paraffin wax, glycerin, collagen, panthenol (a derivative of vitamin B5), and certain plant extracts such as rosa Canina (rosehip) oil.
The problems with conventional mascara
The conventional mascara you buy from a drugstore or department store contains an oil-based solution, usually petroleum by-products. This means most mascara is not only clumpy and flakey after a few months of use, but it can also irritate your eyes.
In addition to the potential irritation from the conventional product, there are other pitfalls.
When you apply regular mascara, its oils can allow bacteria to grow on your eyelashes. When you are applying mascara to both your top and bottom lashes, you are also applying those bacteria directly into the inner corner of the eye where infections come from. One of the most common infections is pink eye, which is very uncomfortable but can get worse if not treated in time.
There are alternatives to conventional mascara that do not pose this risk, so it is best to avoid irritation by discontinuing regular mascaras.
If you have allergies or other reactions to traditional mascaras, you may want to consider hypoallergenic mascara. It is much safer because it uses water as a base instead of petroleum, and you still get the same length and thickness as regular mascaras without the risk.
If you want to go all-natural, though, there are also some great natural remedies for your lashes that will increase their volume, shine, and even overall length. These will not clump, and the ingredients are less likely to cause irritation or allergies.
How to make your plastic-free mascara?
You can make good and natural mascara with a few natural ingredients that won’t irritate your eyes. It also comes in handy for people with sensitive eyes because the chemicals in commercial mascaras tend to be harsh on the delicate skin around your eyes. You can get someone close to you to help or get them to take over the application for you for one or two weeks.
Here are some simple steps to get started with your natural mascaras:
The ingredients needed are beeswax, cocoa butter, castor oil, carrot oil, and an empty mascara container. You can also include a small amount of petroleum jelly if you don’t have any cocoa butter on hand.
Gently heat the beeswax and cocoa butter in a saucepan. If you’re using petroleum jelly, add it to the mix now. Castor oil is added next; keep heating until all is melted and mixed well. Remove from stovetop and allow cooling for a bit before adding carrot oil. Mix everything once more, put it in the container, and allow it to sit for 24 hours. Once set, your natural mascara is ready for use!
Benefits of using homemade mascara
There are numerous benefits to using homemade mascara. The primary benefit is that it’s significantly cheaper than store-bought mascaras since the ingredients are readily available. Additionally, you can create mascaras in various colors and textures, depending on your needs! For example, if you like longer lashes, you will need to use mascara that lengthens, but you will need a mascara that thickens if you like thicker lashes. You can also prefer a specific scent to your homemade mascara, such as vanilla or citrus.
By using this recipe for homemade mascara, you can transform your eyelashes and bring out the best of your beauty! This formula is one of the healthiest options on the market and very gentle on the eyes.
Tips for applying homemade mascara
While most homemade cosmetics are effective, you have to be careful with the ones that include ingredients that could potentially irritate your skin. For example, most people know you shouldn’t go swimming right after applying a fresh coat of retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) cream to your face because it makes your skin more vulnerable to sun damage and you increase your chances of developing skin cancer, but many people aren’t aware that if you use homemade mascara regularly, you can damage your sensitive eyes.
Consider the ingredients in typical store-bought non-waterproof mascara: iron oxide, glyceryl stearate, trihydroxystearin, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, Cera alba/beeswax, stearic acid, hydrogenated castor oil isostearate, propylparaben, bht. If you wear contact lenses, nothing in this list of ingredients will irritate your eyes or make them look worse. However, if you’re wearing homemade mascara that contains ingredients such as pepper, red wine, or activated charcoal, you’re inviting potential issues like itchy and watery eyes.
If you like the idea of making your cosmetics and personal care products at home and want to give mascara a try, consider using essential oils instead of food ingredients. For example, alkanet root, crushed and dried; aloe vera; cocoa powder; comfrey root oil extract; dandelion flowers/leaf/root tincture; elderberry tincture extract; flaxseed oil – high in omega-3 fatty acid, which conditions hair naturally. Furthermore, simply using organic water-soluble mascara instead of an oil-based one is safer for your eyes.
Where to buy plastic-free mascara?
A few online stores specialize in plastic-free and natural beauty products. Some of our favorite plastic-free mascara brands include:
Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Origin Nourishing Mascara
Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Origin Nourishing Mascara is made with 100% natural origin ingredients, including Jojoba Oil and naturally moisturizing Glycerin. Our nourishing formula is gentle enough for the delicate eye area.
The Burt’s Bees natural origin mascara brush has a tapered tip that allows you to reach every lash and coat each one evenly, while the formula gives you long-lasting definition and softly nourishes your lashes. The result? Soft, beautiful lashes that won’t flake or clump throughout the day.
Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer
Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer is an award-winning, bestselling double-sided mascara and lash primer for ultimate length and volume. The black color defines, volumizes, and lengthens lashes, while the lash primer helps them stay put all day long. The formula is ophthalmologist tested, cruelty-free, and EWG certified. It’s made with jojoba esters without parabens, paraffin, synthetic fragrances, silicones, mineral oil.
Maybelline New York Great Lash Washable Mascara
Maybelline New York’s Makeup Great Lash Washable Mascara is America’s favorite after 40 years. The lash-doubling formula glides on to build great-looking lashes, and the lash-building brush makes it easy to get a full lash look. Ophthalmologist-tested and suitable for contact lens wearers, this mascara is also hypoallergenic.
Pure Body Naturals Organic Castor Oil for Eyelashes and Eyebrows
Looking to encourage eyebrow and eyelash growth? Pure Body Naturals Organic Castor Oil for Eyelashes and Eyebrows is a natural way to nourish follicles and promote healthy hair growth. Our organic castor oil is rich in Vitamin E and helps keep brows and lashes looking their best. Our sustainable partnerships with artisan distillers ensure that our products are safe, vegan, organic, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.
Tarte Cosmetics Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara
Looking for a mascara that not only delivers volume and length but is also good for your lashes? Look no further than Tarte Cosmetics Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara. This mascara contains Amazonian clay, which helps to lengthen, condition, repair, and replenish dry and brittle lashes. It also prevents lash loss and promotes lash health, making your lashes stronger and healthier. Plus, it comes in a tube package for easy application.
Tarte Big Ego Vegan Mascara
Tarte’s Big Ego Mascara is a full-bodied, volumizing mascara that delivers instant drama and big volume. Its formula features a combination of high-performance polymers that create an instantly thickening lash look without clumping or flaking. The custom brush evenly coats lashes for a dramatic, wide-eyed effect—with no smudging or smearing.
ILIA – Limitless Lash Mascara
Limitless Lash Mascara is a clean mascara that goes above and beyond the expectations of any mascara. This formula lifts, curls, lengthens, + builds volume without flaking or smudging. The innovative brush features an hourglass-shaped head with bristles on one side to lift and separate lashes, while the other side features shorter bristles to deliver just the right amount of product.
Kjaer Weis Mascara
Kjaer Weis is a natural skincare and makeup collection that helps you look and feel your best. The Kjaer Weis philosophy is simple: use only the finest, purest ingredients available to create safe and effective products for all skin types.
Parabens, Sulfates, Silicones, Mineral Oil, Synthetic Fragrance, or Dyes. They are free from animal testing or any other animal-derived ingredients.
RMS Beauty Volumizing Mascara
Looking for a mascara that will add both definition and volume to your lashes? Look no further than RMS Beauty’s Volumizing Mascara. This black mascara is available in two different formulas to suit your needs and comes in a handy 0.17 fluid ounce tube. The Defining Mascara is perfect for adding drama and definition to your lashes, while the Volume Mascara will give you lush, voluminous lashes without clumping. Made with natural ingredients and suitable for all skin types, this mascara is perfect for everyday use. Remove easily with warm water.
No synthetic fragrances, no parabens, no sulfates, and phthalates.
100% PURE Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara
Looking for a natural way to get long, thick lashes? Look no further than 100% PURE’s Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara. Our blackberry-hued mascara is made with cocoa and green tea pigments, not toxic petrochemicals, to give you real color that won’t damage your lashes. Plus, our oat protein, wheat protein, and Pro-vitamin B5 help condition and strengthen your lashes for a natural lash extension effect.
Conclusion
Mascaras are a necessary part of any beauty routine, but they can also damage your health and the environment. That’s why it’s important to choose a plastic-free mascara that is both safe and effective. These ten best plastic-free mascaras will help you achieve a clean and green lifestyle while still looking your best. So, what are you waiting for? Choose your favorite plastic-free mascara and get started!
