Best Pregnancy Safe Mascara (Updated 2026 Guide)

CAUTION

Phenoxyethanol is a cosmetic preservative and fragrance solvent used in skin care, makeup, wipes, and some nipple products. Has limited direct pregnancy data and possible infant oral exposure concerns from nipple area products, while regulated cosmetic concentrations are generally considered low systemic risk. A preservative and fragrance solvent found in 196 reviewed mascaras. Direct pregnancy data are limited, although regulated cosmetic concentrations are generally considered a low systemic risk; infant oral exposure concerns from nipple area products should not be treated as evidence of harm from mascara use.

Found in 196 of 253 products (77%)

CAUTION

Triethanolamine is a cosmetic pH adjuster, emulsifier, and surfactant used in skin and hair products. Has limited direct pregnancy data and should only be considered low concern in well formulated cosmetics that avoid nitrosating systems and excess nitrosamine impurities. A pH adjuster, emulsifier, and surfactant found in some mascara formulas. Direct pregnancy evidence is limited, and concern depends partly on formulation quality, including avoidance of nitrosating systems and excess nitrosamine impurities.

Found in 53 of 253 products (21%)

CAUTION

Bht is a synthetic antioxidant used to stabilize cosmetics, oral care products and fatty foods. Has limited human pregnancy data, with low concern at reviewed cosmetic levels but reproductive and thyroid related findings in high dose oral animal studies. A synthetic antioxidant used to keep mascara ingredients stable. Reviewed cosmetic levels are considered low concern, while reproductive and thyroid findings come primarily from high dose oral animal studies and do not establish harm from normal application to the lashes.

Found in 21 of 253 products (8%)

CAUTION

Methylparaben is a cosmetic preservative class used to prevent microbial growth. Has weak endocrine activity and mixed human pregnancy signals, especially for longer chain propyl, butyl, isopropyl and isobutyl forms, while regulated cosmetic levels are generally considered low concern. A preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetic formulas. It has weak endocrine activity and mixed human pregnancy signals, but regulated cosmetic concentrations are generally considered low concern.

Found in 21 of 253 products (8%)

CAUTION

Yellow 5 lake is a synthetic yellow azo food dye also called tartrazine or FD&C Yellow No. 5. Has limited human pregnancy data, rare hypersensitivity labeling concerns, and animal/children's neurobehavior signals despite regulated dietary use under ADI based limits. A synthetic yellow pigment related to tartrazine. Human pregnancy data are limited, and the cited hypersensitivity and neurobehavior concerns largely involve dietary exposure, high dose animal evidence, or children rather than normal mascara application.

Found in 19 of 253 products (8%)

CAUTION

Propylparaben is a longer chain paraben preservative used in cosmetics and personal care products. Has mixed pregnancy biomonitoring signals and weak endocrine activity, but regulated cosmetic concentrations are considered low concern by FDA, SCCS and CIR. A longer chain paraben preservative with weak endocrine activity and mixed pregnancy biomonitoring signals. Regulatory reviews consider permitted cosmetic concentrations low concern, but avoiding it can reduce exposure where pregnancy specific evidence remains uncertain.

Found in 18 of 253 products (7%)

CAUTION

Alcohol is beverage ethanol found in beer, wine, liquor, cocktails, and similar drinks. Has no established safe amount in pregnancy and is linked to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. The strong pregnancy warning provided for alcohol concerns drinking beverage ethanol, for which no safe amount is established. An ingredient named alcohol in mascara involves a different route and usually a much smaller topical exposure, so the oral evidence does not by itself establish harm; check the exact alcohol and its function if the label is unclear.

Found in 17 of 253 products (7%)

CAUTION

Blue 1 lake is a certified synthetic blue food color used in candies, drinks, frostings, cereals, and some medicines. Has limited human pregnancy data; regulated food use is not shown to cause fetal harm, but high dose animal neurobehavior findings and child sensitivity concerns support minimizing frequent exposure. A certified synthetic blue pigment with limited human pregnancy data. Concerns cited for this color largely come from oral exposure, high dose animal findings, or sensitivity in children, so they should not be presented as established harm from mascara use.

Found in 16 of 253 products (6%)