Zero Waste Mascara: 7 Brands Worth Trusting
If sensitive skin runs in your family, you probably have issues finding an adequate mascara with natural and organic components. So have we!
A few years ago, when we gradually ditched all questionable personal products from our bathroom, we realized that finding high quality, low waste makeup was a real dilemma.
Good news for our lashes, though! The beauty industry is changing thanks to eco-responsible customers like us who demand clean, non-toxic makeup products. We cannot claim that we could find dozens of eco-conscious brands that ticked all the boxes.
However, we handpicked the below list taken into account the below criteria to find the closest zero waste mascara:
- Non-harmful ingredients and thus, a commitment to offering high quality, natural ingredients at a reasonable price.
- Cruelty-free certified. We will also flag the (non) vegan products.
- Thoughtful packaging and innovative recycling/refill programs (whether for the mascara tube or wand).
- Beauty brands that go the extra mile for your lashes! For example, thanks to charitable work or brands abiding by a carbon-neutral shipping policy.
- Companies around the world: we always encourage our readers to buy as close as possible to home.
Since we do not claim to be experienced scientists, we will look at EWG’s Skin Deep rating when it is available for each of the below zero waste mascara (or at least, low waste). Thanks to its hazard score, it acts as a reference point in terms of ingredients’ safety.
Moreover, we will go over each brand’s packaging practices and pinpointing those who we believe can do better. Let’s now review each contender with you, eco-curious citizens, looking for zero waste mascaras!
Bee You Organics - USA
Ingredients
The zero waste makeup company has earned this spot on our list for its simple, first-rate list of ingredients. Only 8 – all USDA Certified Organic! Quite the achievement. It is not water-based but oil and wax-based and is safe for celiacs.
Its first ingredient is organic castor oil. Moreover, the mixture contains activated charcoal and cocoa powder.
All Bee You Organics’ cruelty-free products are made from scratch in the Pacific Northwest. Since they are water and alcohol-free, Bee You Organics’ makeup and skin care are extremely concentrated. The formula is also free of palm oil, mineral, mica, GMO’s, and Iron Oxide.
All in all, opting for this zero waste mascara is THE way to helping your lashes grow longer, thicker, and darker.
Good to know: you can request a vegan option by ordering a formula with organic Carnauba Wax instead of beeswax.
Packaging & Containers
This mascara does not come in the conventional plastic tube, but rather, in a reusable glass jar with a metal lid.
Once you can no longer use the mascara wand, the brand encourages you (if you live in the US) to donate it to the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge. This amazing association reuses these wands to remove fly eggs and larva from wild animals.
Taking care of the Earth is the zero waste makeup brand’s motto (even in their emails!). Thus, they are making sure to ship all products in recycled and recyclable packaging, with the minimum packaging possible.
They even propose label-free items for us proud low wasters!
Why This Brand
Based in Spokane, Washington, Bee You Organics is a family-owned business created by Larissa.
Following a car accident that left her with scars, she decided to find (and thus, create) her own cosmetics that would fit her skin, without the irritation and breakout she suffered from when using conventional products.
Going back to the roots is part of the zero waste makeup and skincare brand’s DNA, they select all their ingredients with their strictest standards, starting with their most unrefined form.
The brand is affordable, transparent regarding its practices while offering a wide range of long-lasting, zero waste products (with easy to follow instructions!).
Although beeswax is at the core of the brand’s philosophy, they only 100% pure, organic beeswax from local bee farmers in the PNW.
Did you know that beeswax is a “natural humectant, locking moisture into the skin and creating a barrier between your skin and outside elements/irritants”?
