A Clean, Vegan Waterproof Mascara for Under $9? I Had to Look Twice

When I first spotted COVERGIRL Lash Blast Clean Waterproof on Amazon, I did a double take. A clean, vegan, waterproof mascara made in the USA for under $9? Packaged in a fresh mint-green tube, with “clean” right in the name it felt like a rare drugstore gem. I added it to my cart immediately.

But as always, the ingredients told a more complicated story.

Is It Really Clean?

While COVERGIRL certainly deserves credit for moving toward improved cruelty-free formulas without parabens, sulfates, talc & mineral oil, one ingredient stood out to me: polyethylene.

Polyethylene isn’t new, and it’s commonly used in cosmetics. But when a product is marketed as “clean”, the concern isn’t whether polyethylene is FDA-approved or technically “safe.” The issue is that, in the U.S., cosmetics aren’t regularly tested for contamination. Polyethylene can be associated with 1,4-dioxane, a probable human carcinogen, and as a consumer, I simply don’t feel comfortable taking that risk when there are alternatives.

The Formula Wasn’t a Fit

Beyond the ingredients, I found the non-irritating waterproof formula and brush to my liking. It wore well enough, no clumping, strong chemical smell, and easy to remove — yet knowing what is inside, I couldn’t get fully on board.

This isn’t about fearmongering or absolutism, it’s about transparency and standards. And when a brand leads with “clean” and “vegan,” customers rightfully expect the formula to reflect that.

But There’s Good News from COVERGIRL…

While writing this, I discovered another option from the same brand: CoverGirl Lash Blast Cleantopia Waterproof Mascara, which is approximately the same price. Based on the listed ingredients, it does not contain polyethylene — and instead includes aloe leaf extract, ceramide, and vitamin E. That’s a different story altogether.

I haven’t tested Cleantopia yet, so I can’t speak to its performance, but the formula already looks like a more thoughtful, budget-friendly clean beauty offering. And I plan to review it next.

The Bottom Line

Not all “clean” mascaras are created equal, even from the same brand!

Note: This post is for informational purposes only and includes affiliate links. I purchased and tested the original Lash Blast Clean Waterproof mascara myself. Cleantopia has not yet been reviewed firsthand. This is not a product recommendation.