Zero waste looks good on everyone, just like long lashes! Lucky for us, the two aren’t mutually exclusive. We’ve rounded up a selection of the very best zero waste mascara brands who do more than just plastic-free lash plumping.
Why Choose Sustainable Mascara From Brands Who Are Thoughtful About their Packaging:
Here are 3 important reasons to choose your mascara wisely:
- Traditional mascara tubes contribute to the increasing plastic waste problem. The beauty industry produces over 120 billion units of packaging every year, much of which isn’t recyclable.
- Many conventional mascaras contain toxic chemicals (including PFAS for all that waterproofing) which not only affects your health but can also contaminate water sources after disposal.
- Choosing brands that prioritize sustainable sourcing, plastic-free packaging, and ethical labor practices helps set a new standard in the beauty industry, better aligned to your own values.
How We Curated This List
We’ve batted our lashes at several brands to bring you a selection of eco-friendly mascaras. These brands have been chosen based on their product and shipping packaging (ideally plastic-free or as close to as possible), non-toxic ingredients, ethical practices (including being cruelty-free as a minimum but ideally vegan too), and of course, how fabulous they make your lashes look (based on customer reviews).
Additionally, you’ll start to notice “rated brands” on many of our guides. We use our Brand Rating System to evaluate brands’ sustainability credentials across 22 different criteria including things like waste management, packaging, chemical use & management, biodiversity impact, and customer safety. Brands need to opt in to be rated so look out for the rated mascara brands on the list below and find other rated brands here.
Related Guides: DIY Mascara; Zero Waste Makeup Brands; Zero Waste Concealers
We independently research all featured brands, and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. We explain this further in our Terms of Use.
The Best Eco-friendly Mascara
River Organics’ volumizing mascara is vegan and cruelty-free certified, and made with minimal ingredients (many of which are organic). Shipped in paper packaging with a biodegradable sugarcane label, River Organic specializes in low waste makeup. River Organics has been comprehensively rated by us on their sustainability credentials – find the full rating here.
Dab Herb’s plant-based mascara is made with 98% organic food grade ingredients. With 4.8/5 stars from almost 16K customers, you know this is a favorite (and we can personally confirm!) Dab Herb’s products always ship plastic-free.
Elate Cosmetics’ Essential Mascara is smudge-resistant, made with mostly organic ingredients and lasts all day. It comes (with or without a wand) in a recyclable glass tube with a lid made from sustainably sourced bamboo. The brand is a Certified B Corp, and certified as both vegan and cruelty-free.
Index: Sustainable Mascara Brands
- River Organics Jump to brand
- Elate Cosmetics Jump to brand
- Izzy Jump to brand
- Besame Cosmetics Jump to brand
- Dab Herb Make-Up Jump to brand
- Bee You Organics Jump to brand
- Blinking Owl Acres Jump to brand
River Organics
Compostable
All or some products are compostable, either in an industrial facility or at home
Cruelty-free
Products are not test on animals at any stage in their production.
Handcrafted
Products have been made by hand, typically by an artisan or group of artisans.
Locally Made
Products are made local to the brand's headquarters.
Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxic
Organic
Products are made from organic materials.
Plastic-free
All products are entirely plastic-free
Recycled materials
Some or all products are made with recycled materials
Small business
This brand is a small business run by less than 15 people
Sustainable Materials or Ingredients
Either all or most products are made with sustainable materials or ingredients.
Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
Vegan
This brand does not use any animal products or by-products in their products
Woman Owned
This brand is owned by a woman or a group of women.
Zero Waste
Products are made with a low or zero waste approach where ideally no or limited waste is created throughout the production process or at the end of life.
Certified Vegan
Leaping Bunny
Certified Vegan
The Certified Vegan logo, managed by the Vegan Awareness Foundation (Vegan Action), ensures that products contain no animal ingredients or by-products and have not been tested on animals. It’s one of the most recognized vegan certifications, helping consumers identify items that meet strict vegan and cruelty-free standards across food, cosmetics, clothing, and household products.Leaping Bunny
The Leaping Bunny certification, managed by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), is the globally recognized gold standard for cruelty-free products. It ensures that neither a company’s finished products nor their ingredients are tested on animals at any stage of development. Brands must also agree to independent audits and supplier monitoring, guaranteeing genuine cruelty-free commitment across their entire supply chain.River Organics’ zero waste mascara is 100% vegan and cruelty-free certified, providing vegan color that stands up to a full day. The formula uses minimal ingredients (mostly organic and plant-based), including organic coconut oil, bentonite clay, rhassoul clay, organic arrowroot powder, castor oil, rosemary leaf, iron oxides, and organic shea butter.
The castor oil helps prevent chunkiness and helps to condition your lashes for future applications. The mascara is shipped in eco-friendly paper packaging with a biodegradable sugarcane label.
River Organics was founded by Corinne and Fabien in Wilmington, NC. They produce zero waste cosmetics utilizing plant-based, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients. River Organics works to minimize its impact every step of the way, with many products shipped in environmentally friendly paper packaging, recycled envelopes, and sugarcane labels.
They also support charities and organizations, like local animal rescue centers.
River Organics has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
Elate Cosmetics
Elate Cosmetics has not been rated.
Price Range: $30-$33
Elate Cosmetics’ Essential Mascara is both water and sweat resistant while lengthening, and creates some volume. Safe for sensitive eyes, their sustainable mascara is made with mostly organic ingredients and contains no harsh chemicals. Their customers love this mascara with 78% of reviews being 5/5 stars (per their website at the time of writing) – many say it doesn’t clump and lasts all day.
Some ingredients are sourced through fair trade channels and the mascara is packaged in a recyclable glass tube with a lid made from sustainably sourced bamboo. Customers can purchase the mascara without a wand if they already have one which eliminates further waste.
Elate Cosmetics are also Certified B Corp, Cruelty-Free International certified, and Beauty Without Bunnies-certified vegan. For shipping, you’ll get all plastic-free packaging.
This Canadian cosmetics company donates 2% of profits to social and environmental initiatives
Izzy
Izzy has not been rated.
Price Range: $28-$39
Izzy’s Zero Waste Mascara comes in a reusable and endlessly recyclable stainless steel tube and is part of a closed-loop, circular system: customers return the empty tube and wand using the included prepaid mailer, and Izzy professionally cleans, sanitizes, refills, and reuses the packaging.
The mascara is vegan, cruelty-free, and free from microplastics, parabens, gluten, alcohol, silicone, talc, and phthalates.
The brand is CarbonNeutral® and products are shipping in reusable mailers that are made with upcycled materials. Customer can opt to buy the products through a one-time purchase or they can become members for quarterly refills.
Beyond sustainability, Izzy mascara is also well-loved by customers, who rave about its smooth, smudge-resistant application, natural finish, and long wear time.
Besame Cosmetics
Besame Cosmetics has not been rated.
Price: $25
Bésame makes an affordable mascara aimed at capturing a vintage aesthetic: 1930 Cake Mascara, Eyeliner & Brow Definer.
The vegan cake mascara comes in an elegant metal case and is made for sensitive eyes with only 7 ingredients. Inspired by a 100 year old formula, this mascara delivers dark, defined lashes.
Since leading ladies of old needed their makeup to withstand the long days under movie set lights, you know this is some smudge-resistant mascara that works. It’s designed for multi-use as eyebrow filler and eyeliner as well. Just add an extra drop of water to the cake for these uses.
Based in Southern California, Bésame products are made in the USA. All products are gluten-free, cruelty-free, and many are vegan.
Dab Herb Make-Up
Dab Herb Make-Up has not been rated.
Price: $22
Dab Herb’s plant-based mascara is made for sensitive eyes and is available in black or brown. It’s made with 98% organic food grade ingredients including activated charcoal and unrefined shea butter. The 7g full size comes in a glass bottle with a bamboo lid.
At the time of writing, almost 16K customers rated this mascara 4.8/5 stars with many loving how quick and easy it is to apply and many commenting on how this mascara does not itch or create allergic reactions.
Dab Herb is a small batch “Nature to Nurture” zero-waste beauty brand that believes “beauty and self-care are inseparable from sustainability, transparency, and wellness”.
From natural foundation and beyond, every product uses only food-grade, certified organic, cruelty-free, and vegan ingredients. They’re also palm oil free (including free from palm oil derivatives). Ingredients are sourced from fair trade certified farmers and suppliers making them one of the best zero-waste mascara brands.
Dab Herb ships their products plastic-free, and they reuse their own suppliers’ shipping materials for larger orders.
My Personal Review of Dab Herb’s Powder Mascara Set:
“I’m a big fan of Dab Herb’s Powder Mascara Set! It gives my lashes a perfect natural definition without any annoying clumping or irritation. Plus, it’s made with organic, non-toxic ingredients, so I feel good about putting it on my lashes. The unique powder formula is easy to use, but the blending part can be a little messy, so I wouldn’t recommend doing that when you’re pressed for time.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Bee You Organics
Bee You Organics has not been rated.
Price: $40
Bee You Organics’ sustainable mascara for long lashes is super simple (only six ingredients) and promotes lash growth. Their customers have rated this mascara 4.8/5 stars (from 2K reviews) at the time of writing.
Both their black and black-brown shades are made with 100% organic ingredients including castor oil, jojoba oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax. Both are free from mica, iron oxides, parabens, phthalates, and oxides. While they are cruelty-free, Bee You is not strictly vegan as their mascaras contain USDA-certified organic beeswax.
Since you probably already have zero-waste mascara brushes on hand, they’ll leave one out on request. All you’ll get are glass tubes with aluminum caps.
Based in the Pacific Northwest, Bee You Organics’ products are designed to heal on every level, right down to each ethically sourced, non-GMO, cruelty-free ingredient. Most are certified organic and ALL are 100% natural, alcohol-free, palm oil-free, and preservative-free.
Blinking Owl Acres
Blinking Owl Acres has not been rated.
Price: $20
Blinking Owl Acres takes a different approach by amping up the natural health of your lashes with its natural mascara pomade – a zero waste mascara alternative.
Packaged in a reusable glass jar and shipped with a bamboo mascara wand, this fragrance-free pomade does not have any pigment or coloring as it acts as more of a lash serum and conditioner.
With only seven natural ingredients, the castor oil, organic argan oil and silk powder work together to create absorption and thickness with regular use. This mascara does contain beeswax and silk, so it’s not vegan. Their silk consists of textile industry byproducts, meaning it’s using already-harvested silk that would otherwise go to waste rather than creating new demand for it.
Founded on the principles of holistic living, Blinking Owl Acres has skincare and makeup collections that are minimalist and nourishing. Created on a homestead, their products avoid preservatives and toxic chemicals that can have a negative impact on the skin’s protective layer and environment. They’re made with the skin’s microbiome in mind.
Ingredients are sourced organically and from local American businesses wherever possible. All item packaging and shipping comes in compostable, biodegradable, or reusable materials, keeping consistent with their eco-friendly, holistic values.
Sustainable & Plastic Free Mascara FAQs
Q1: What makes a mascara “zero waste”?
This type of mascara is designed to minimize environmental impact by using ideally plastic-free, recyclable, and/or compostable product and shipping packaging. On this list we’ve also included low-waste options where the brand is exceptional in other respects.
Q2: How is zero waste mascara different from regular mascara?
Unlike regular mascaras, which are often packaged in plastic and contain harsh chemicals (including forever chemicals), plastic-free mascaras use low waste packaging and the brands on this list typically use natural or organic ingredients. This reduces both environmental footprint and potential health risks for customers.
Q3: Are eco-friendly mascaras effective in terms of performance?
Yes, many of the sustainability-focused mascara brands ensure their mascaras provide long-lasting wear, volumizing effects, and rich color while being kind to sensitive eyes. They are crafted to match the performance of conventional mascaras while being much more environmentally responsible.
Q4: Where can I buy zero waste mascara?
Just click through to the zero waste mascara brands featured on this list above to purchase them online! Otherwise, many are featured on sustainable lifestyle platforms or directly from brand websites.
Q5: Can sustainable mascara be used for sensitive eyes?
The mascaras we’ve featured on this list use fewer and safer ingredients, which makes them a good option for those with sensitive eyes or skin. Though, it’s always wise to check the ingredient list to ensure compatibility with your specific sensitivities.
Q6: Why should I switch to zero waste or sustainable mascara?
Switching helps reduce your own personal carbon footprint and prevent plastic waste (especially if you’re trying to lead a zero or low waste lifestyle). It protects your health by reducing exposure to synthetic chemicals, and supports sustainability-focused brands striving to make a positive change in the beauty industry.
Joy has been a passionate advocate for the environment since she was a small child. She grew up in South Africa and has been lucky enough to be exposed to the wonders of nature not just in Africa but all over the world. She founded Sustainable Jungle (together with her husband Lyall) back in 2017 after becoming enraged by the devastating impact of palm oil. She then founded the Sustainable Jungle Podcast and together with Lyall interviewed remarkable people from all over the world who were finding ways to create positive impact. Outside of Sustainable Jungle, Joy has always worked in the corporate world, starting out as an auditor and later moving into management consulting. More recently she specialized in Climate Investing for the Asia Pacific region. Given her experience, her current passion is Brand Ratings. She is very much enjoying going deeper on what it really means to drive sustainability performance and true impact through business operations.
I agree. Often its actually long process to find info on that so that could be so awesome
Hi,
This article is great, however, when looking at the ingredients in some of these products, the information is misleading. Some are listed as ‘vegan’, when they actually contain beeswax, which is not considered vegan. Also, one of them contains aluminium, which is an irritant. Others contain carnauba wax, which is made solely from palm, so labeling it palm oil free is misleading because it is palm wax. I want to encourage consumers to research the ingredients that are going in to their cosmetics because when we scratch the surface, it’s not always pretty.
Hi G, thanks for fact checking our work, we always appreciated our readers telling us if we’ve made a mistake as we do absolutely want our articles to be accurate. On the beeswax point, I assume you mean Besame? You’re right it should have been an orange box for vegan, meaning that there is a vegan option but not all the products are vegan. I have fixed that now so thank you for pointing that out – all the others I believe are correctly labelled as either orange or red if they are not 100% vegan but please let me know if you found another discrepancy? For the point about palm oil, carnauba wax comes from the carnauba palm which is quite different to the palm we’re concerned about. Please read more on our palm oil stance here and here. Many thanks again!
The easiest DIY mascara on earth:
* a sliver a soap that you can wash your face with without worrying about getting it in your eyes
* that dark eyeshadow you never seem to use up no matter how often you go smokey with it
* an eyedropper or spray bottle
* water
* a brush that works (Could be a sponge tip applicator, a pencil brush, a spoolie, or a flat brow brush. Experiment. For me, the pencil brush works best because I have crepey eyelids.)
* a covered tin or pill box to put the soap sliver in. (A pill box or sugarfree Altoids tin would work well. Or maybe a travel jar…)
Dip the brush into the eyeshadow. Get a good amount on the bristles. With practice, you’ll know how much you need.
Sprintz or drop a small amount of water on to the soap sliver. Work the eyeshadow into the soap with the brush until it turns into mascara. Again, practice will let you know how and when.
Curl your lashes. Apply. Let dry while you do your brows. Apply another layer, remoistening the brush/soap if needed. Let dry. Curl your lashes again. <==VERY IMPORTANT! Be amazed at how well this hack works.
This sounds amazing, thanks so much for sharing Kell!
Would be good to talk about locations that these companies are based as for those of us trying to have less of an impact on the earth, we would prefer to use as close/local as possible to minimize shipping emissions! Or better yet – mention if they are available in a store.
Thanks for the suggestion Alessanda, very useful feedback. We have started dabbling with this idea but we weren’t sure whether readers actually find it useful so this is great to know. Where are you based? I might be able to recommend the best option closest to you off the top of my head?
Cheers,
Joy
It’s worth noting that Etsy offsets the carbon emissions from shipping.
https://www.etsy.com/impact
Yes! Great point, we love that about Etsy!
What do you think about Sweet Leilani? https://sweetleilani.com/collections/mascara/products/mudshark-mascara
Haven’t come across them before! We’ll take a look next time we do a refresh of this page. Thanks so much for the tip!