Is mascara one of your essential makeup products? Depending on what brand of mascara you use, you’re probably applying chemicals near your eyes. Some brands of mascara also test their products on bunnies…do you really want to support companies that use chemicals and animal testing? If you don’t, then you need to start buying more eco-friendly mascaras by using these tips below.

There is a plethora of mascara options available, so which ones do you choose and which ones do you stay away from? It seems that all of them promise longer, thicker lashes, but you need to find out what types of ingredients are used to achieve these luscious, flake free lashes.

When shopping for an eco-friendly mascara, it’s important to carefully read the ingredients. If the mascara is safe for contact lens wearers, then it’s probably chemical free. However, you still need to thoroughly read the label and steer clear of ones with the following ingredients: synthetic dyes and fragrances, petro-chemicals, parabens, sulfates and phthalates. Mascara is a small product, so it’s also beneficial to choose ones that are packaged in a post-consumer recycled aluminum tube. Remember, the less packaging, the better.

Last but not least is identifying whether or not the product has been tested on animals. This should be listed on the label, but you can also do some research on the company if you feel more comfortable before committing to a purchase.

With the use of mascara, especially waterproof mascara, comes the frustrating process of taking it off. So how can you remove your mascara without wasting one to two cotton balls every day? A simple solution is to use olive oil, because it’s oily enough to coat your lashes, which makes it simple to remove the mascara. Plus, you can put the olive oil on your washcloth to prevent using up cotton balls.

It’s OK if mascara is a staple in your makeup bag, but be sure that it’s chemical free and humane too. Choosing more sustainable mascaras is not only better for the environment, but it’s also healthier and safer for your precious eyesight.