Easy on the Eyes … Wink, Wink!

For most women, a coat or two of mascara is as much a part of each morning's routine as toothpaste or coffee. But have you ever really thought about what's in that slim plastic tube you pull out each day?

Mascara, whether it's an inexpensive drugstore brand or a department store splurge, is typically made with petroleum by-products, parabens, nylon and chemical solvents. Since those potentially irritating ingredients come into contact with your uber-sensitive eye area every day, it's an ingredient list that's, well, a crying shame. Fortunately, an alternative has just hit the market that leaves out those caustic ingredients without sacrificing any of the lengthening and thickening that mascara-lovers count on. Even better, it's easy to find and costs less than $10.

Physicians Formula has just introduced a completely natural mascara as part of its Organic Wear line. Without any harsh ingredients, it's still super-lengthening, but doesn't leave lashes dried out or "crunchy." Plus, it's got a pleasingly sweet scent, thanks to organic orange fruit water, which helps moisturize lashes. In fact, it's comprised of so many organic ingredients, like cucumber extract and aloe, that it even bears a hard-to-earn Ecovert seal.

But it's not just this mascara itself that is so special — it comes in the only 100 percent recyclable mascara packaging on the market. Even its wand (which is washable — another first!) can be recycled, which makes you wonder about the gazillion un-recyclable ones that are thrown out every year.

So far Organic Wear mascara is available in two dark shades — black and ultra black — but more colors may be introduced down the line. No matter which one you choose, the color this mascara is really about is, or course, green. Organic Wear Mascara, $9.95, www.organicwearmakeup.com.