The Best Non-Toxic Eyeliner of 2026
We scored 15 eyeliner for PFAS forever chemicals and other hazards, then ranked them safest first. The top pick is MAC Chromaline Gel - Hi-Def Cyan at 75/100. Every score below links to the full breakdown of what earned it.
80% of the 15 eyeliner we scored fail our PFAS and toxin screen.
The safest PFAS-free eyeliner we have scored
- 1
MAC
Chromaline Gel - Hi-Def Cyan
gel pigment formulation (primary ingredients not publicly disclosed for proprietary reasons)
PFAS Grade75ExcellentOverall Grade53Good🎨70Heavy metals
Limited concern
💨70Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
⚠️701,4-dioxane (contaminant in polyethylene glycol or emulsifiers)
Limited concern
⚠️45Eye irritation from film formers or fragrance compounds
Moderate concern
Lower concern, but brand doesn't disclose full formulation details.
⚠Risky category by default
- 2
Ere Perez
Jojoba Eye Pencil Gem (lilac haze)
Jojoba oil, waxes, pigments (typical pencil formulation)
PFAS Grade75ExcellentOverall Grade63Good⚠️70Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
⚠️70Microorganism growth in oil matrix
Limited concern
⏳70Eye irritation or sensitization from wax/oil breakdown
Limited concern
Lower concern. Natural formula shows no PFAS risk signals.
⚠Risky category by default
- 3
Ere Perez
JOJOBA EYE PENCIL Natural Black
Jojoba oil, waxes, pigments (natural eye pencil formulation)
PFAS Grade75ExcellentOverall Grade67Good⚠️70Fragrance allergens or essential oil irritants
Limited concern
⏳70Microbial or oxidative degradation of oil base
Limited concern
Lower concern. Natural formulation unlikely to contain deliberate PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Every eyeliner that passes, side by side
Sorted by score. Higher is safer.
| # | Eyeliner | Score | Rating | Made of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MAC Chromaline Gel - Hi-Def Cyan | 75 | Excellent | gel pigment formulation (primary ingredients not publicly disclosed for proprietary reasons) |
| 2 | Ere Perez Ere Perez Jojoba Eye Pencil Gem (lilac haze) | 75 | Excellent | Jojoba oil, waxes, pigments (typical pencil formulation) |
| 3 | Ere Perez ERE PEREZ JOJOBA EYE PENCIL Natural Black | 75 | Excellent | Jojoba oil, waxes, pigments (natural eye pencil formulation) |
The eyeliner we would skip
Lowest scoring in this category, worst first.
MAC
Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner
gel pencil with waterproof formula
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Bacterial or mold growth in pencil packaging
Limited concern
PFAS
High concern
Waterproof cosmetics carry PFAS risk.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
MAC
Eye Kohl MAC
Pigments, waxes, oils in pencil/kohl format with waterproofing agents
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and contact sensitization
Limited concern
Irritation from waterproofing agents and occlusion
High concern
Waterproof cosmetics often contain PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Urban Decay
24/7 Glide On Waterproof Eye Pencil
wax/pigment pencil with waterproof film-forming polymer
Lead
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance constituents
Limited concern
Polymer coating degradation and microplastic shedding with use
Limited concern
Waterproof cosmetics carry inherent PFAS risk.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
What we check on eyeliner
- Confirmed PFAS, PTFE or fluoropolymer content, which is the heaviest penalty we apply.
- Stain, water or grease resistant treatments, which usually mean fluorinated chemistry.
- Whether the brand discloses what is in the product, or stays silent behind a “clean” claim.
- Independent lab results and certifications where they exist.
Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.
The eyeliner brands that will not say
4 of the brands here publish nothing about PFAS at all. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is why none of them score well on disclosure.
Ere Perez, MAC, Maybelline, Urban Decay.
Common questions about PFAS-free eyeliner
Is eyeliner PFAS free?
Mostly not. Of the 15 eyeliner we have scored, 80% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, which leaves 3 that pass. The highest scoring is MAC Chromaline Gel - Hi-Def Cyan at 75 out of 100. The lowest is MAC MAC Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner at 30.
What is the safest eyeliner you have scored?
MAC Chromaline Gel - Hi-Def Cyan, at 75 out of 100, which we band as Excellent. It is gel pigment formulation (primary ingredients not publicly disclosed for proprietary reasons). The runner up is Ere Perez Ere Perez Jojoba Eye Pencil Gem (lilac haze) at 75.
Which eyeliner should I avoid?
The three lowest scoring we hold are MAC MAC Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner at 30, MAC Eye Kohl MAC at 30, Urban Decay Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Waterproof Eye Pencil at 30. The problem with the first is that waterproof cosmetics carry PFAS risk. Skip until MAC reveals formula details.
Which eyeliner brands will not say whether they use PFAS?
4 of the brands we scored in this category publish nothing about PFAS at all, including Ere Perez, MAC, Maybelline, Urban Decay. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is the reason those brands cannot score well on disclosure.
Do you lab test eyeliner?
No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.
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