Colored mascara has taken over my Instagram feed — but is it safe for your eyes?

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Colored mascara has been one of summer’s most ubiquitous trends, and it’s showing no signs of stopping as we approach fall — whether on my Instagram explore page, scrolling my TikTok feed, or even out IRL, it’s been impossible to miss. Brands are launching their own versions in shades like blue, purple, green and more. However, as someone whose eyes are sensitive to makeup like mascara and eyeliner, it got me wondering: are colored mascaras really safe for your eyes?

I talked to Dr. Diana Zanoni-Potts, a board-certified ophthalmologist at Dignity Medical Aesthetics & Wellness, and Dr. Manjot Gill, a board-certified ophthalmologist, retina specialist and the Vice Chair of Clinical Performance for Ophthalmology in Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, to find out everything you should know before trying this trend.

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In a word: yes. According to our experts, when a mascara is made by a reputable brand that uses FDA-compliant colorants (specifically those approved for the eye area), it can generally be considered safe. “What makes colored mascara unique is how tightly the FDA regulates which pigments can be used near the eyes,” says Zanoni-Potts. According to her, the colorful, synthetic dyes that are used in lipsticks and blushes are prohibited from being used in eye products, due to the risk of the looser particles getting into the eye. This is the real safety concern, more so than the mascara’s color, she says — glitter or shimmer formulas with loose, chunky particles can flake off into the eye and cause corneal irritation or abrasion.

The other key safety risk is expired mascara, which she describes as “anything used past roughly three months.” Expired mascara can pose a risk of bacterial contamination, since it’s applied in a moist environment that can promote the growth of bacteria and fungi every time you open the tube, says Gill. To avoid this, make sure the mascara is within its shelf life before using.

Both ophthalmologists suggest shopping colored mascaras from trusted brands that produce clean beauty products, which are formulated “without many of the most concerning chemicals,” says Gill. Below, I gathered a few top-rated colored mascara options to shop from brands like Ilia, Kosas, Tower28 and more.

Ilia is one of our favorite clean beauty brands, and this brown mascara was my everyday go-to for over a year when it was initially released. The formula is smooth and thin without being too clunky, and is made with shea butter to condition your lashes while wearing, along with beeswax to define lashes without clumping, according to the brand. I also love how well the deep brown color compliments my brown eyes.

This mascara from Kosas is a lengthening mascara and lash serum all in one, according to the brand. It includes peptides, which helps to grow lashes longer in six to eight weeks, and has a curved brush to make sure every lash can be easily reached. The mascara is also safe for sensitive eyes, and can be layered with added coats at any point during the day without flaking, according to the brand.

Tower 28 is another NBC Selected-favorite brand, and this mascara has a vegan formula that’s been tested by ophthalmologists. It’s fragrance-free and resistant to smudging and transfer, and includes a dual-sided brush for both volume and length, according to the brand. It’s also formulated to be easy to wash off (despite the water-resistant formula), and is safe for sensitive eyes.

Essence’s Lash Princess line is my drugstore go-to and has been since college. The conical brush is great for separating and lengthening my lashes, which makes them look longer and thicker without over-clumping or flaking. It’s also part of Ulta’s “clean ingredient” initiative, which means it’s formulated without ingredients like parabens and phthalates, and is also free of other irritants like fragrance and alcohol, according to the brand.

I asked our experts for advice on how to shop for a colored mascara of your own, including tips on picking a formula for sensitive eyes and ingredients to avoid when shopping.

Those with sensitive eyes don’t have to avoid colored mascara, however our ophthalmologists recommend taking a few precautions.

• Choose simple, fragrance-free formulas that are also free of potential irritants. You should also avoid waterproof and long-lasting formulas, since they contain additional ingredients.
• Avoid glitter or shimmer finishes, which can fall easily into your eyes and cause irritation. Those with contact lenses should be especially careful, since they’re more susceptible to flaking formulas, says Zanoni-Potts.
• Patch-test new products on your inner forearm before buying, to check for texture, flaking etc.
• Always avoid sharing mascaras, as this can increase the risk of bacteria transfer, says Gill.

Dermatologists recommend looking out for (and avoiding) the following mascara ingredients:

• Both Zanoni-Potts and Gill name fragrance as one of the key culprits to watch out for. It’s one of the most common triggers of allergic and irritant reactions on eyelid skin, which is some of the thinnest skin on the body, says Zanoni-Potts.
• Depending on your eye sensitivity, you should also avoid formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, says Zanoni-Potts. These can cause contact allergies, especially in those with more sensitive skin. These can include ingredients like quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, or imidazolidinyl urea, she says.
• As mentioned before, loose glitter or glitter-based shimmers in mascara pose a hazard as well, although the hazard is “mechanical rather than chemical,” says Zanoni-Potts.

She also recommends steering clear of imported eye cosmetics without a clear FDA labelling, since the regulation of colorants, minerals and heavy metals in eye makeup differs from country to country.

Frequently asked questions

Colored mascaras are made with colorant agents like organic dyes, inorganic pigments, or a mix of both, says Gill. Every mascara starts with a base of waxes, oils and polymers that help it cling onto your lash — the color comes from pigments that are suspended in that base, according to Zanoni-Potts. Colored mascaras usually use the following mineral-based palette, she says: iron oxides for browns and blacks, ultramarines for blues and violets, chromium oxide for greens, and mica for shimmer.

The best way to remove mascara is gently. This can include using micellar water or oil-based cleansing balms, which Zanoni-Potts says can break down the waxes and oils in mascara without scrubbing, irritation or lash breakage. For best results, she recommends fully saturating a cotton pad and holding it against your lashes for a few seconds before wiping downward and upward (rather than side to side, to avoid tugging at your lash line).

At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Dr. Diana Zanoni-Potts is a board-certified ophthalmologist at Dignity Medical Aesthetics & Wellness.
• Dr. Manjot Gill, a board-certified ophthalmologist, retina specialist and the Vice Chair of Clinical Performance for Ophthalmology in Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine

I am an associate SEO reporter for NBC Selected who’s covered beauty and skincare for over three years, including stories on the best K-beauty products for achieving glass skin and which brightening deodorants can help with dark underarms. For this story, I interviewed two board-certified ophthalmologists on the safety of colored mascara.

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