Mascara has to be one of the hardest beauty products to replace sustainably.
Most of us go through several tubes a year, but unlike a glass moisturizer jar or an aluminum deodorant tube, mascara containers are usually made from multiple types of plastic that are difficult to recycle once they’re coated in leftover goo. Add in the disposable wand, and it’s no surprise that billions of mascara tubes end up in landfill every year.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find that there are actually quite a few brands trying to change that. Some have switched to aluminum tubes, others use beautiful refillable bamboo packaging, and a few are experimenting with completely refillable systems. None of them are perfect, since mascara is a tricky product from both a packaging and hygiene perspective, but they’re proof that the beauty industry is slooowly moving in the right direction.
If you’re looking to make your makeup bag a little more sustainable, these are some of the best plastic-free and low-plastic mascaras worth checking out.
1. Elate Beauty
Canadian brand Elate Beauty has been one of the leaders in sustainable cosmetics for years. Their Essential Mascara comes in an aluminum tube with a bamboo cap, dramatically reducing the amount of plastic compared to conventional mascaras. The formula is vegan, cruelty-free, and made with naturally derived ingredients, and the brand has built its entire makeup line around refillable and lower-waste packaging.
Price range: ~$30–35 CAD
🌍 Canada-based, ships internationally.
2. Zao Make-Up
If you’ve ever wanted makeup packaging that you’d actually want to keep, Zao is hard to beat. Their Aloe Vera Mascara comes in a beautifully crafted bamboo case that can be refilled once the product is empty, so you’re only replacing the inner cartridge instead of the whole tube. Many of their products are certified organic, vegan, and made with naturally derived ingredients.
Price range: ~€20–30
🌍 France-based, available throughout Europe and internationally.
3. Pure Anada
Pure Anada’s Natural Mascara is packaged in recyclable aluminum rather than traditional plastic and is designed with sensitive eyes in mind. The formula skips many of the harsher synthetic ingredients found in conventional mascaras while still providing everyday definition and volume.
Price range: ~$20–25 CAD
🌍 Canada-based, international shipping available.
4. River Organics
River Organics is probably best known for its plastic-free makeup sticks, but the brand also makes a Vegan Mascara packaged in biodegradeable, eco-friendly paper instead of disposable plastic. The company pairs naturally derived ingredients with plastic-free shipping materials, making them one of the more consistently low-waste beauty brands available.
Price range: ~$24–30 USD
🌍 US-based, ships internationally.
5. Couleur Caramel
French brand Couleur Caramel has been making certified organic cosmetics for years, and their Backstage Mascara is no exception. The formula uses naturally derived ingredients, while the company prioritizes renewable materials and environmentally responsible manufacturing throughout its product range.
Price range: ~€25–35
🌍 France-based, ships internationally.
6. Benecos
If you’re looking for something more affordable, Benecos offers several natural mascaras that use gentler ingredients and more environmentally conscious production than many mainstream drugstore brands. Their Natural Mascara isn’t completely plastic-free, but it does use recycled materials in parts of its packaging and remains one of the better budget-friendly options.
Price range: ~€6–10
🌍 Germany-based, widely available across Europe.
7. Ere Perez
Australian brand Ere Perez has become a favourite in the clean beauty world, and their Avocado Waterproof Mascara combines botanical ingredients like avocado oil with impressive staying power. While the packaging isn’t entirely plastic-free, the brand places a strong emphasis on responsibly sourced ingredients and lower-impact formulations.
Price range: ~$32–40 AUD
🌍 Australia-based, available worldwide.
8. Kjaer Weis
Kjaer Weis has become synonymous with luxury refillable makeup. Their Lengthening Mascara is housed in a reusable metal case that can be refilled instead of replaced, making it one of the most elegant low-waste mascara options on the market. It’s definitely an investment, but one that’s designed to last.
Price range: ~$38–50 USD
🌍 Denmark-founded, available internationally.
9. Avril
French brand Avril proves that choosing more sustainable beauty products doesn’t have to be expensive. Their Certified Organic Mascara combines naturally derived ingredients with recyclable outer packaging, making it an accessible option if you’re just beginning to switch to cleaner cosmetics.
Price range: ~€8–12
🌍 France-based, widely available across Europe.
Mascara is probably never going to be completely waste-free. Between the hygiene requirements and the need for a reliable wand and airtight packaging, it’s simply a more difficult product to redesign than something like a shampoo bar or a refillable hand soap.
But that’s exactly why I think it’s worth supporting the brands that are trying. Whether it’s switching to aluminum instead of plastic, creating refillable packaging, or simply using cleaner ingredients and making products that people genuinely love, every step moves the industry in a better direction.
Like so many things in sustainability, it isn’t about finding the perfect option. It’s about choosing something that’s a little better than what came before.
