The Best Non-Toxic Makeup of 2026
We scored 54 makeup for PFAS forever chemicals and other hazards, then ranked them safest first. The top pick is Clinique Clinique Even Better Makeup at 75/100. Every score below links to the full breakdown of what earned it.
20% of the 54 makeup we scored fail our PFAS and toxin screen.
The safest PFAS-free makeup we have scored
- 1
Clinique
Even Better Makeup
Pigments, oils, waxes, polymers (typical liquid foundation/makeup base)
PFAS Grade75ExcellentOverall Grade43Poor💨70Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
🏷️45Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Moderate concern
⚠️20Applicator sponge bacterial growth
High concern
No known PFAS risk, but Clinique offers no public PFAS disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
- 2
Clinique
Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25
liquid foundation with pigments, emollients, silicones
PFAS Grade75ExcellentOverall Grade63Good🎨70Heavy metals
Limited concern
⚠️70Fragrance allergen sensitization
Limited concern
⚠️701,4-dioxane contamination in emulsifiers
Limited concern
Lower concern. Liquid cosmetics rarely contain intentional PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
- 3
Clinique
Superbalanced Makeup
Talc, mineral pigments, silicone
PFAS Grade75ExcellentOverall Grade61Good🪨70Heavy metals
Limited concern
💨45Inhalation risk from powder dust
Moderate concern
Lower concern. Typical mineral-based makeup with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
- 4
Clinique
Even Better Clinical Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Foundation
liquid foundation with mineral pigments and silicones
PFAS Grade75ExcellentOverall Grade67Good⚠️70Fragrance allergens and irritants
Limited concern
⚠️70UV filter irritation or photosensitivity
Limited concern
No known PFAS use in typical liquid foundations; limited public disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
- 5
Rimmel
Stay Matte Foundation
talc, pigments, silicones, polymers
PFAS Grade75ExcellentOverall Grade67Good💨70Talc contamination and inhalation
Limited concern
⚠️70Fragrance allergens and preservative sensitivity
Limited concern
Lower concern. No known PFAS-prone features identified.
⚠Risky category by default
- 6
Rimmel
London Lasting Finish Foundation
liquid foundation with pigments, emollients, silicones
PFAS Grade75ExcellentOverall Grade63Good💨70Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
⚠️70Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
⚠️70Bacterial or fungal growth if improperly stored or used
Limited concern
No known PFAS risk. Routine cosmetic formula.
⚠Risky category by default
- 7
Rimmel
Stay Matte Liquid Foundation
water-based liquid foundation, pigments and polymers
PFAS Grade75ExcellentOverall Grade63Good💨70Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
🏷️70Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
⚠️70Microbial contamination from inadequate preservation or contamination during use
Limited concern
Lower concern, but no public PFAS commitment from Rimmel.
⚠Risky category by default
- 8
Rimmel
Lasting Finish Foundation
Water-based liquid foundation with pigments and binders
PFAS Grade75ExcellentOverall Grade67Good⚠️70Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
🏭701,4-dioxane as manufacturing contaminant
Limited concern
Lower concern. Liquid cosmetics rarely contain PFAS, no red flags identified.
⚠Risky category by default
Every makeup that passes, side by side
Sorted by score. Higher is safer. Scored against 4 hazards that apply to this category.
| # | Makeup | Score | Rating | Made of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinique Clinique Even Better Makeup | 75 | Excellent | Pigments, oils, waxes, polymers (typical liquid foundation/makeup base) |
| 2 | Clinique Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25 | 75 | Excellent | liquid foundation with pigments, emollients, silicones |
| 3 | Clinique Clinique Superbalanced Makeup | 75 | Excellent | Talc, mineral pigments, silicone |
| 4 | Clinique Clinique Even Better Clinical Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Foundation | 75 | Excellent | liquid foundation with mineral pigments and silicones |
| 5 | Rimmel Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation | 75 | Excellent | talc, pigments, silicones, polymers |
| 6 | Rimmel Rimmel London Lasting Finish Foundation | 75 | Excellent | liquid foundation with pigments, emollients, silicones |
| 7 | Rimmel Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Foundation | 75 | Excellent | water-based liquid foundation, pigments and polymers |
| 8 | Rimmel Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation | 75 | Excellent | Water-based liquid foundation with pigments and binders |
The makeup we would skip
Lowest scoring in this category, worst first.
Lancôme
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation
liquid foundation with undisclosed water-resistant coating
PFAS
High concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitzers
Limited concern
Silicone bioaccumulation and skin barrier effects
Limited concern
Waterproof cosmetics may contain PFAS; brand discloses nothing publicly.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Longwear Matte Foundation
Liquid foundation with silicone base, waterproof polymers
PFAS
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Skin barrier irritation from silicone accumulation
Limited concern
Waterproof cosmetic foundation; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Estée Lauder
Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Estee Lauder
liquid foundation with waterproof polymers and silicones
PFAS
High concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane as synthesis by-product
Limited concern
Skin barrier disruption and pore clogging from occlusive silicone buildup
Moderate concern
Waterproof makeup, PFAS risk unclear.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
What we check on makeup
- Heavy metals. Lead, cadmium, arsenic and others that accumulate in the body. FDA
- Lead. A heavy metal with no safe exposure level, especially for children. ATSDR
- Endocrine disruptors. Chemicals that interfere with the body’s hormone system. NIEHS
- Parabens. Cosmetic preservatives studied for weak hormone activity. FDA
Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.
The makeup brands that will not say
12 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.
Chanel, Charlotte Tilbury, Clinique, CoverGirl, Dior Beauty, Elizabeth Arden, Estée Lauder, Fenty Beauty, Lancôme, MAC, Rimmel, YSL Beauty.
Common questions about PFAS-free makeup
Is makeup PFAS free?
Mostly not. Of the 54 makeup we have scored, 20% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, which leaves 43 that pass. The highest scoring is Clinique Clinique Even Better Makeup at 75 out of 100. The lowest is Lancôme Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation at 30.
What is the safest makeup you have scored?
Clinique Clinique Even Better Makeup, at 75 out of 100, which we band as Excellent. It is pigments, oils, waxes, polymers (typical liquid foundation/makeup base). The runner up is Clinique Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25 at 75.
Which makeup should I avoid?
The three lowest scoring we hold are Lancôme Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation at 30, Estée Lauder Estée Lauder Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Longwear Matte Foundation at 30, Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Estee Lauder at 30. The problem with the first is that waterproof cosmetics may contain PFAS; brand discloses nothing publicly.
How can you tell if makeup contain PFAS?
In this category we check for heavy metals, lead, endocrine disruptors, parabens. Lead, cadmium, arsenic and others that accumulate in the body. Language like stain resistant, water repellent or easy release usually means fluorinated chemistry even when PFAS is never printed on the box.
Which makeup brands will not say whether they use PFAS?
12 of the brands we scored in this category publish nothing about PFAS at all, including Chanel, Charlotte Tilbury, Clinique, CoverGirl, Dior Beauty, Elizabeth Arden. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is the reason those brands cannot score well on disclosure.
Do you lab test makeup?
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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Does a particular brand of makeup have PFAS?
We also wrote this up at length. PFAS in Makeup, Which Brands Grade Best and Worst
Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 54 makeup.