Makeup trends change constantly, but full, defined eyelashes have remained timeless. While brow shapes, contour styles, and lip colors may come and go, long and lush lashes always look polished. It is hard to imagine looking back at a photo and wishing your lashes looked less full. For that reason, a good clean mascara is one of the most useful products to keep in your makeup bag.
Best Clean Mascara
I have cared about health and wellness since high school. The more I learned about the benefits of eating whole, nourishing foods, the more intentional I became about what I put into my body. It took me longer to realize that what I put on my body matters too. Products like makeup, lotion, and deodorant can come into contact with the skin, which is the body’s largest organ. Because of that, I have become more interested in understanding beauty product ingredients and choosing safer options whenever possible.
Mascara is one of those products many of us use daily, and it is applied close to the eyes. That makes the ingredient list especially important. The goal is not just to find a “clean” mascara in name only, but to find one that performs well, creates visible length and volume, and is made without ingredients you are trying to avoid. Below, I am comparing three cleaner mascara options, including what I liked, what could be improved, and how each one performed.
Why does clean mascara matter?
Choosing cleaner beauty products can be part of a lower-tox lifestyle, especially for items used every day. Mascara may seem small, but it is applied near sensitive eyes and is often worn for hours at a time. Some traditional formulas may include ingredients that people prefer to avoid, such as carbon black, certain preservatives, synthetic fragrances, or other additives.
Clean mascara matters because it gives you the chance to define and enhance your lashes while being more mindful about ingredients. A safer formula should still deliver the basics: separation, length, volume, comfortable wear, and easy removal. The best clean mascara is one that fits your lifestyle, works with your skin type, and gives you the lash look you want without unnecessary compromise.
The Best Clean Mascara Options
Here are three clean mascara options I tested, along with their strengths, drawbacks, and EWG ratings. EWG Skin Deep is a database that reviews skincare and makeup products based on ingredient information and potential hazard levels. The ingredient hazard score ranges from 1 to 10. A score of 1-2 is considered low hazard, 3-6 is moderate hazard, and 7-10 is high hazard.
Mascara #1: Beautycounter Think Big All-in-One Mascara – $27
Beautycounter describes this mascara as an all-in-one formula designed to create lift, length, and volume without potentially harmful ingredients. It also includes nourishing tripeptide technology to support stronger-looking lashes. The formula is made without carbon black, mineral oils, cyclic silicones, and BHT.
EWG Score: 2 (EWG Verified)
Pros
- Buildable volume with one, two, or three coats
- Water resistant for longer wear
- Includes lash-supporting ingredients such as panthenol, also known as provitamin B5, and biotinyl-tripeptide
- Creates noticeable length and fullness
Cons
- May smudge on oily skin or oily eyelids
- Best removed with an oil-based makeup remover
- Usually purchased online unless a store is nearby
- Available in one shade: black
- Higher price point than drugstore options
Mascara #2: Honest Mascara with Eyelash Primer – $16.99
Honest Mascara is designed to boost lash length, volume, and definition. It is silicone-free and paraben-free, and it has been dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. One standout feature is the included eyelash primer, which helps prep the lashes before mascara application.
EWG Score: 2 (EWG Verified)
Pros
- More affordable than many clean mascara options
- Includes a built-in primer
- Creates longer-looking lashes after two coats
- Can be purchased at Target
- Made with jojoba esters
- Easy to remove compared with more water-resistant formulas
Cons
- Does not provide as much volume as some other options
- Available in one shade: black
Mascara #3 Covergirl Clean – $6.19
Covergirl Clean mascara is described as a vegan formula that provides up to 10 times the volume of bare lashes. The applicator brush is designed to separate and define the lashes for a fuller appearance. The formula is infused with argan and marula oils and is made without parabens, sulfates, talc, or mineral oil.
EWG Score: 2-3, depending on the shade
Pros
- Available in both black and brown shades
- Budget-friendly price point
- Easy to find at stores such as Walmart or Target
- Contains argan and marula oils to help condition lashes
Cons
- A non-waterproof option was difficult to identify; the Black Brown shade did not say waterproof on the packaging but was still hard to remove without makeup remover
- The wand felt a little too thick for my preference
- Did not provide much buildable volume or length
- Created the least noticeable volume and length of the three mascaras tested
- The Black shade contains triethanolamine, an ingredient some people prefer to avoid
Bottom Line: which mascara is the best?
All three mascaras have benefits, but my top choice is based on both performance and ingredients. The mascara that gave me the best combination of length, volume, and lash-supporting ingredients was the Beautycounter Think Big All-in-One Mascara. It created the fullest lash look of the three and felt like the most complete clean mascara option.
What makes the Beautycounter formula stand out is its use of panthenol, also known as provitamin B5, and biotinyl-tripeptide. These ingredients are included to help support stronger, healthier-looking lashes over time. Beautycounter also states that it avoids a large list of ingredients in its products and tests for trace contaminants that may unintentionally appear through sourcing or manufacturing.
The Honest Mascara came in a close second. I especially liked that it is easier to remove and includes a primer, which makes application simple. If you prefer a non-waterproof feel and want a more affordable clean mascara, Honest is a strong option. Covergirl Clean is the most budget-friendly and easiest to find in stores, but it did not deliver the same level of length and volume for me.
Tips for Using Beautycounter’s Think Big Mascara
I have naturally oily skin, including around my eyelids and under my eyes. Because Beautycounter’s mascara is water resistant and removes best with oil-based products, a few application and removal tips make a big difference. These steps helped me get better wear throughout the day and remove the mascara gently at night.
How to Apply
The best way to apply the Beautycounter Mascara is to wiggle the wand slightly from side to side at the base of the lashes, then sweep upward. This helps coat the lashes evenly and creates more visible lift, length, and volume. You can apply up to three coats. For the cleanest finish, alternate between eyes as you build each layer.
How to Avoid Transfer
If you have oily eyelids or tend to get mascara transfer, a little preparation can help. I have found that applying a coat of the Honest Mascara with Eyelash Primer before the Beautycounter mascara helps reduce transfer. Another helpful trick is to lightly dab Mattifying Powder under the eyes and on the eyelids where eyeshadow is applied. You can also use both methods for extra staying power.
How to Remove Mascara
My favorite way to remove Beautycounter Mascara is with the Instant Eye Makeup Remover. Because the formula is oil-based, it helps break down the mascara gently without tugging at the lashes. The Countertime Cleanser can also work well. Both options make it easier to remove water-resistant mascara while being gentle around the delicate eye area.
How often should I replace mascara?
Mascara should be replaced regularly because most formulas contain water, and bacteria can begin to grow over time. A safe general guideline is to replace mascara every three months. If you use two to three coats daily, you may naturally finish the tube around that time. Starting fresh every few months is also better for performance, since older mascara can become dry, clumpy, or harder to apply smoothly.
More Safer Skincare + Beauty Articles
- How to Choose the Right Mask for your Skin Type
- How to Heal Dry Skin
- At Home Facial Routine
- Everything You Need to Know about Anti-Aging Skin Care
- Natural Beauty Boosters
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