Batting an eye at microplastics in mascara
- The Garbage Lady
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Image from PNG ALL licensed under Creative Commons 2.0
I'm still searching for the ideal eco-friendly mascara, and it's not just plastic tubes and wands I'm concerned about. I've learned that mascara itself commonly contains Nylon-6, synthetic fibers that add bulk and length to our lashes and microplastics to our water sources. Given this new information, I'm compelled to share a few recommendations that are at least lesser evils. None of them contain Nylon-6 and all of them have reduced plastic packaging.
The last time I mentioned mascara was in the context of societal collapse. As trivial as mascara may seem, a correlation exists. Studies show that when times get tough, consumers tend to splurge on small luxuries, like makeup, in lieu of larger, costlier goods, a pattern known as the lipstick effect. Our mental health gets a boost, too, since we feel better when we look better. The global mascara market was valued at $6.32 billion in 2024, suggesting a not so trivial amount of tubes, wands, and Nylon-6 fibers contributing to the plastic crisis.
In addition to my recommendations below, Sustainable Jungle lists a few other options that I've not tried. You can also check EWG's Skin Deep® database for mascaras that contain Nylon-6. Brands include Tarte, Too Faced, Wet N Wild, Revlon, Rimmel London, NYX, L'Oréal Paris, Almay, MAC, Smashbox, Maybelline, Hard Candy, Max Factor, Clinique, Covergirl, plus many others. (It's not just mascara; other products that contain Nylon-6 include brow liner, makeup primer, concealer, blush, baby lotion, body wash, bronzer, and more.)
Tip: Give old spoolies a second life. Wash them with hot soapy water, let them air dry, and use them to separate lashes and remove excess mascara and clumps.
All products recommended on this website are independently reviewed. This website receives no payment or other compensation for recommended products, and this website is not affiliated with any suppliers of the recommended products.Â
Image source: Pacifica Beauty LLC
I accidentally discovered this mascara at a local grocery store on my way to the dog food aisle. Somehow the glass bottle caught my eye. Of all the mascaras I tried, this one gave the best application—no clumps, no flakes, no smudges. It stayed put during the day and washed off easily at night. It's also the most affordable option in this lineup.
100% glass custom bottle and FSC paper box; plastic spoolie
96% naturally derived ingredients
Image source: Izzy
Izzy Zero Waste Mascara ($19.95 with subscription, $27.95 without)
I like this mascara in theory, but I'm not crazy about having to opt in to a subscription to get a reasonable price, and you have to return the empty product within 90 days to avoid a $30 restocking fee. The formula was perfectly acceptable, though a bit more prone to clumps than the Pacifica option. The stainless steel tube was lux, and I applaud the zero-waste approach and low carbon footprint. The only packaging was a durable, reusable mailer and a prepaid return label.
Refillable stainless steel tube, reusable mailer made from upcycled materials and designed for long-term use; plastic spoolie is reground and recycled after returned
Cruelty-free, vegan, and CarbonNeutral®
Image source: Dab Herb Makeup and Skincare
DAB Premium Herb Mascara ($22)
This mascara was the goopiest, gloppiest I've ever used. The brush delivered way too much product, so I used a clean spoolie to remove most of what I applied. I also had to check for smudges throughout the day and it didn't wash off as easily as the other brands. Complaints aside, this mascara has a lot of good going for it, and I did use it all up.
Glass bottle, bamboo lid, recyclable packaging; plastic spoolie
Made from scratch using plant-based, food-grade ingredients
Cruelty-free and vegan
Member of Truth in Labeling
Small woman-owned business based in the US
EWG rating: N/A
Image source: Bésame Cosmetics
I really wanted to love this cake mascara. I was intrigued by the refillable tin and the appeal of old-school Hollywood glamour. In practice I hated it. The flimsy brush kept coming apart in the middle, and I found it tricky to add just the right amount of water to get the right consistency. As much as I tried, l could never master the application. I ended up giving it to a youth who might have the patience and skill required to use it.
Refillable tin, paper box and packing materials; plastic tin insert, spoolie tip, brush wrapper, and mailer
Fragrance-free and vegan
EWG rating: N/A
If you have recommendations for other reasonably-priced, zero- or low-waste mascaras that perform, please share in the comments below.
Sources
How the beauty industry shapes the US economy — Forbes (Nov 2024)
Mascara market research report — Business Research Insights (Apr 2025)