When it comes to “makeup must-haves” mascara is one of the top products in the beauty industry. So much so, it makes an appearance even on days when women decide to go “bare faced”. It is said that the average woman spends $5000 on mascara alone in a lifetime, constantly on a hunt for the next longest lasting and smudge free formula. But when you find out what is actually inside of these bottles, you might blink twice before buying. While yes at one time most of these companies used natural waxes, oils and pigments in their mascara formulas, that simply is not the case today.

Let's talk about some of the toxic ingredients to look out for in most commercial and luxury brand mascaras:

Aluminum Powder: small metallic finely ground particles of aluminum often used as a colorant in the cosmetics industry. Rated as a high concern by the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database for being a neurotoxin. Aluminum powder has the ability to build up in the system, disrupting hormone function and metabolic processes in the nervous system and kidneys.

Formaldehyde: a preservative often used in the cosmetics industry. Rated as very high concern by the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database for being a carcinogenic. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing ingredients such as Bronopol and Quaternium-15 are linked to allergies, contact dermatitis, liver toxicity and cancer. It is also labeled as methenamine, imidazolindyl urea, diazuli dinyl urea, dmdm, and quaternium-15.

Coal Tar &v Synthetic Dyes: these are dyes used in the cosmetics industry as colorants in mascara and often contain heavy metals. Rated as very high concern by the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database for being a carcinogenic. These dyes are linked to asthma attacks, headaches, severe allergies, nausea, fatigue, nervous system disruptions, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Often labeled as FD & C Blue no. 1,D&C Blue 1, Green 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 33,FD&C Red No. 6, D&C Green No. 6, Aminphenol, Diaminodenzene or Phenylenediamine. Some labels also use a 5 digit number, followed by “CI”.

Retinyl Acetate/Vitamin A Acetate: a form of fat soluble retinyl esters used in the cosmetics industry as a moisturizer or conditioner. Rated as high concern by the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database for being carcinogenic. This ingredient is linked to reproductive and developmental toxicity, positive cancer mutations and changes on a cellular level. Often labeled as retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinyl linoleate, and retinol and retinoic acid.

TRY THESE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES:

FITGLOW

GOOD LASH MASCARA+

ILIA

LIMITLESS LASH MASCARA

RMS

STRAIGHT UP VOLUMIZING PEPTIDE MASCARA

But wipe those dark runny tears away because we have an all natural solution for you. Citrine Natural Beauty Bar is obsessed with Fitglow’s Good Lash and Mascara Serum. This all in one mascara is not only vegan but nourishing as well. The plant powered serum contains natural botanicals that enhance, condition and lengthen lashes while simultaneously helping lashes grow thicker and fuller. Fitglow Mascara provides potent organic antioxidants and vitamins that protect and repair brittle lashes without the irritating chemical binders and preservatives. Instead formulated with herbal collagen boosters such as horsetail extracts that promote natural eyelash growth.

At one time green makeup was considered a fad, but the demand for safer ingredients has exploded as people realize what goes ON your body is just as important is what is going in. Especially when it comes to something as sensitive as our eyes and vision, it is so important to see that you don’t have to be toxic to be beautiful.

Natasha @simpleorganix