Your mainstream mascara may be giving your lashes stilettos and stilts but you may be getting a lot more than you bargained for in your daily lash application. In early 2009 the Environmental Working Group tested a collection of mascaras on the market for safety and discovered mercury, among a host of other potentially toxic chemicals, polluting some of our most pride mascaras.

According to EWG, mercury compounds are readily absorbed through the skin on topical application and tend to accumulate in the body. They may cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, or neurotoxic manifestations. Say whaaaattttt????

Not sure if your mascara is on the most wanted list? Check your current collection through EWG’s cosmetics database which scores beauty products on their level of safety hazard. If you find that your every day mascara has a high hazardous score, try switching to one of these beauty products that get the job done without the toxic exposure:

1. 100% Pure

Condition your lashes with 100% Pure’s Fruit Pigmented Mascara made with vitamins B5, E oat and wheat proteins.

Cost: $18

INGREDIENTS: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Organic Green Tea), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Cera Alba (Honey Beeswax), Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract (Blackberry Extract), Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract (Blackcurrant Extract), Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract (Raspberry Extract), Hydrolyzed Oat Protein (Oat Protein), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein (Wheat Protein), Pantothenic Acid (Pro-vitamin B5), Fucus Vesiculosus Extract (Seaweed Powder), Coconut Stearic Acid (Coconut Acid), Mica, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter (Cocoa Butter), Pearl Powder, Oryza Sativa Germ Powder (Rice Powder), Theobroma Cacao Extract (Cocoa Powder), Coffea Arabica Seed Extract (Powdered Coffee Beans), Mel (Lavender Honey), Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract (Oregano Extract), Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract (Thyme Extract), Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract (Rosemary Extract), Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract (Lavender Extract), Hydrastis Canadensis Extract (Goldenseal Extract)

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6 Comments

  1. Two questions: What exactly are the names of the toxic incredients. I may want to check the brand I’m using. Is there a list of mascara brands rated for toxicity or purity levels?

  2. Here’s the link to check the ranking of your favorite mascara: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse.php?category=mascara&&showmore=products&start=80

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