It’s prom season, which means millions of teenagers across the U.S. will be getting done up for one of the most universal high school experiences. It’s a time for “promposals,” dancing and getting enough Instagram content to last until summer vacation.
It’s also a big time for mascara, as prom-goers get made up for the big day.
But keep in mind that some mascara products contain toxic additives that could potentially harm your health. To help you take some stress out of an already busy (and expensive!) time of the year, we’ve put together a list of safer, budget-friendly mascaras.
Each product listed rates green on our Skin Deep® database identifying ingredients and potential health hazards in cosmetics and personal care products.
Some of the products below are EWG Verified®, meaning they have been reviewed by EWG’s scientists to ensure they’re produced according to the strictest health and transparency standards, are formulated without EWG’s ingredients of concern and publicly disclose their ingredients.
If you’re a frequent mascara user, it shouldn’t break the bank to add a lower-hazard option to your cabinet. All of the products on this list are less than $20.
Not only are these products lower hazard, they’re also easy to find. Every mascara on this list is available from a big box retailer, such as Target, Walgreens, CVS or Walmart.
Don’t see any products you like? Use our Healthy Living app on the go to scan any product and find out its hazard rating on Skin Deep. Or look for our EWG Verified mark on products at your favorite shop and online.
EWG Verified. Available online at Target, $20, and on Amazon, $14.00
Available online at Target, $19.99; Walmart, $21; Amazon, $19.99
Available in store and online at Walgreens, $10.99; Walmart, $7.88; Amazon, $7.88
Available in store and online at CVS; $13.99, Amazon, $12.99
Available in store and online at Target, $4.99; CVS, $4.99; Walmart, $9.52; Amazon, $4.99
Available in store and online at Walmart, $9.98; Target, $9.99; Walgreens, $14.99; Amazon, $9.98
Available in store and online at Target, $9.49; Walgreens, $14.99; Amazon, $8.90
Available in store and online at Walmart, $7.47; Target, $9.99; Walgreens, $10.99; CVS, $10.99; Amazon, $9.99
Available in store and online at Walmart, $9.33, CVS $6.97, Walmart, $9.33; Amazon, $4.99
Available online at Walmart, $17.60; Target, $17.69; Amazon, $17.60
Available in store and online at Target, $14.00, Amazon $6.99.
Available in store and online at Walgreens, $14.99; Walmart, $11.97; CVS, $14.49; Target, $11.99; Amazon, $11.97
Available in store and online at Target, $8.99; Walgreens, $11.49; CVS, $10.49; Walmart, $8.98; Amazon, $8.98
Available in store and online at Walgreens, $3.29; Walmart, $3.28; CVS, $4.19; Target, $3.29, Amazon, $3.28
Available in store and online at Walmart, $3; Target, $3; Amazon, $3
Disclaimer: The prices of products in this article were accurate at the time of writing but may have changed since publication. Local availability may vary.
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