A good mascara can completely transform your look — it opens up the eyes, making them appear bigger, brighter, and more awake. But with so many clean mascaras and natural mascara brands available, it can be hard to know which one will work best for you.
We’ve tested and compared each formula in this guide. Here, you’ll learn why switching to a non-toxic mascara is better for your lashes and overall health, plus discover our top picks for everything from volume to sensitive eyes.
Why switch to a clean mascara?
Conventional mascaras often rely on plastics, synthetic dyes, and harsh preservatives that can irritate eyes or leave lashes feeling dry and brittle. Natural mascaras offer a healthier alternative.
Made with plant-based ingredients and free from parabens, coal tar dyes, and synthetic fragrances, these nourishing mascaras are gentle enough for everyday wear—yet still deliver the length, lift, and volume you want.
The real difference? Our natural mascara brands use conditioning plant oils, peptides, and vitamins that help strengthen lashes over time. Instead of lashes that feel coated or stiff, you get a softer, healthier look that actually supports lash growth.
Choosing a clean beauty mascara also means skipping microplastics (like Acrylates Copolymer and Polyethylene), which are non-biodegradable and potentially harmful to the environment. They are also cruelty free. It’s a simple swap that’s better for your lashes—and the planet.
Our top picks
- Best for Length: Tok Beauty Eyes That Tok Mascara, 100% Pure Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara
- Best for Volume: Lily Lolo Big Lash Mascara
- Best Natural Look (everyday): Fitglow Lash Care Mascara, withSimplicity Botanical Mascara,
- Best for Sensitive Eyes: 100% Pure Ultra Lengthening Mascara, Luk Beautifood Lash Nourish Mascara
- Best for Straight Lashes (curl & lift): Fitglow Vegan Good Lash Mascara, Luk Beautifood Lash Nourish Mascara
- Best for Short Lashes: Tok Beauty Eyes That Tok Mascara
- Best Smudge-Proof (Heat & Humidity): Tok Beauty Eyes That Tok Mascara, Lily Lolo Vegan Mascara
- Best Nourishing Formula (Lash Health): Fitglow Lash Care Mascara, Luk Beautifood Lash Nourish Mascara
Eyes That Tok Lash Enhancing Mascara,TOK BEAUTY, $28
Best for | Length & definition
Shades | Brown and black
Ingredients | Plant based formula. Vegan.
Size: 0.27oz / 8ml
This clean, lengthening mascara is uniquely formulated to provide incredibly long, well-defined lashes. The thin silicone wand gently grips each lash to elongate and separate without clumping. Because it instantly boosts lash length, it’s a favorite for short lashes. Plus, it doesn’t flake or smudge—even on humid days.
What we like
- Impressive lengthening
- Water resistant & long wearing
- Horsetail plant extract & pea protein promote growth and reduce breakage
Good to know
- Easily removed with any cleanser and water
- Recyclable plastic in an aluminum shell
Lash Care Mascara, FITGLOW BEAUTY, $28
Best for | Volume & Growth
Shades | Black
Ingredients | Plant based formula. Vegan.
Size: 10 g
This nourishing mascara has an innovative 2-in-1 formula goes beyond just amplifying volume and length; it actively supports the health and growth of your lashes for thicker, fuller looking lashes.
What we like
- Reduces lash shedding & damage
- Encourages eyelash growth
- Silicone brush for precise application
Good to know
- Buildable formula for extra length and volume
Lash Nourish Mascara, LUK BEAUTIFOOD, $28
Best for | Lifting, separating, defining
Shades | Brown and Black
Ingredients | Plant based natural formula. Vegan.
Size: .34 fl oz / 10 ml
This healthy mascara is powered by cucumber, argan, and avocado oils plus green tea and coffee bean extracts to protect and strengthen lashes. The flexible molded brush coats evenly for a soft, natural look thats as beautiful on older women as it is on teens.
What we like
- Lifts & separates lashes
- Smudge & flake resistant
- Buildable coverage
Good to know
- Generous 10 ml tube
- Easily removed with warm water
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara, $28
Best for | Length & Definition
Shades | Black
Ingredients | Natural ingredients. Vegan.
Size: .35 oz / 10 g
A customer favorite, this non-toxic mascara lengthens and defines lashes while conditioning with Vitamin E and provitamin B. The result is long, fluttery lashes with a healthy shine.
What we like
- No clumping or flaking
- Buildable formula
- Made with natural fruit pigments
Good to know
- Water resistant formula
Lily Lolo Vegan Mascara, $19.50
Best for | Lengthening, volumizing
Shades | Black
Ingredients | Plant based formula. Vegan.
Size: .25 oz /7 ml
This award winning clean mascara from Lily Lolo has been a solid choice for more than a decade. It's a great everyday mascara which can be easily customized to suit any look. If you want volume that looks natural, apply one coat. If you prefer a more dramatic look, layer on a few swipes for some seriously voluminous eyelashes.
What we like
- Buildable
- No clumping
- Water resistant & long wearing
Good to know
- can flake if apply to much
Lily Lolo Big Lash Mascara, $22
Best for | Volumizing, lengthening, lifts
Shades | Black
Ingredients | Plant based formula. Vegan.
Size: .23 oz / 6.5 ml
With its hourglass brush, this volumizing clean mascara thickens and builds lashes evenly. It’s especially good for anyone with sparse or straight lashes.
What we like
- Adds noticeable volume
- Ophthalmologist tested
Good to know
- Formula may feel heavy on very fine lashes
Botanical Mascara, withSIMPLICITY, $22
Best for | Volumizing, separating
Shades | Brown, Black
Ingredients | Plant based formula. Vegan.
Size: .25 oz / 7 g
This clean, cruelty free mascara lifts and lengthens for a soft, fanned out look.
What we like
- Builds nicely
- Safe for sensitive eyes
- Conditions lashes with gentle botanicals
Good to know
- Some users find the short brush hard to use
Vegan Good Lash Mascara, FITGLOW BEAUTY, $38
Best for | Lash-lifting, volumizing, conditioning
Shades | Brown, Black
Ingredients | Plant based formula with natural & organic ingredients. Vegan.
Size: .28 oz / 8 g
This award-winning nourishing mascara balances length and fullness. The dual-sided wand builds volume on one side and lifts/curls with the other. Designed to stand up to heat and humidity, it’s a great option if you want a natural waterproof mascara alternative.
What we like
- Easy to build without clumping
- Plant actives support lash health
- Dual sided wand for volume + curl
Good to know
- Brush may require a bit of practice
Luna Nectar Moon Boost Lash Enhancing Serum, $79
Benefits: Promotes longer, healthier lashes
Ingredients: Plant based formula. Vegan. Cruelty-Free
If you want the healthiest lashes, pairing your mascara with a natural lash serum can make a noticeable difference. Biotin, arginine, castor oil, and essential fatty acids support lash growth, prevent breakage, and encourage stronger lashes over time.
Final Thoughts
Switching to a clean mascara is more than just a beauty choice—it’s a way to take care of your lashes while avoiding harsh ingredients. Today’s non-toxic mascaras are proof that you don’t have to compromise between performance and safety. They lengthen, volumize, and define just like conventional mascaras, but with the added bonus of nourishing ingredients, cruelty-free formulas, and environmentally conscious packaging.
Think of them as makeup that doubles as lash care—leaving you with lashes that look naturally beautiful today and stay healthier in the long run.