We shudder to think of a world without mascara. Our trusty wands have been with us through thick and thin, always there to lift our spirits (and lashes) whenever we need a boost. But here’s a scary thought—the same inky formulas that take your lashes to sky-high heights may also be filled with irritating and potentially harmful ingredients, like parabens, polybutene (a petroleum derivative), and tons of synthetic colors and dyes. In fact, chances are that reading the ingredient list for most mascaras might feel like trying to decipher a foreign language.