Clinique Review, Is Clinique Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 27 graded products, Clinique averages Good (58/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 15 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Does Clinique have PFAS, by category
Worth buying from Clinique Good or better, safest first
Clinique
Even Better Makeup
Pigments, oils, waxes, polymers (typical liquid foundation/makeup base)
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Clinique's ingredient disclosure does not specify preservative types; formaldehyde…
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Even Better Makeup lists 'fragrance' as an ingredient; Clinique does not disclose…
Applicator sponge bacterial growth
The product comes with a non-replaceable or slowly-replaced sponge applicator. Moist…
No known PFAS risk, but Clinique offers no public PFAS disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25
liquid foundation with pigments, emollients, silicones
Heavy metals
Iron oxide pigments used for color can contain trace lead or cadmium depending on source…
Fragrance allergen sensitization
Clinique Even Better is fragrance-free according to standard labeling, but some batches…
1,4-dioxane contamination in emulsifiers
Polysorbate and PEG compounds used in liquid foundations can be contaminated with…
Lower concern. Liquid cosmetics rarely contain intentional PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Superbalanced Makeup
Talc, mineral pigments, silicone
Heavy metals
Talc sources can vary; some deposits historically contained asbestos or heavy metals.…
Inhalation risk from powder dust
All talc-based powder products carry a minor inhalation risk if applied heavily or…
Lower concern. Typical mineral-based makeup with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Even Better Clinical Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Foundation
liquid foundation with mineral pigments and silicones
Fragrance allergens and irritants
Clinique Even Better lists 'fragrance' on the ingredient deck; specific fragrance…
UV filter irritation or photosensitivity
Broad-spectrum SPF 45 requires UVA/UVB filters; common choices include avobenzone…
No known PFAS use in typical liquid foundations; limited public disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
UV Solutions Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 50
Water-based emulsion, mineral sunscreen filters (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide)
Fragrance allergens / sensitizers
Clinique sunscreens typically contain fragrance compounds; no specific allergen data…
Nanoparticle inhalation risk (zinc oxide / titanium dioxide aerosolization)
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in sunscreen are typically micronized, not nano-scale…
Skin irritation or photosensitivity from mineral filter interaction
Rare but documented in individuals with extremely sensitive skin or those using…
Lower PFAS concern; no waterproof coating technology present.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face
Mineral UV filters (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide), emollients
Fragrance allergens and irritants
Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Fluid does contain fragrance (listed as 'fragrance' without…
Lower concern; mineral base without waterproofing claims present.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
SPF 50 Body Cream
Emulsified creams, oils, humectants (typical body lotion base)
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Clinique does not publicly disclose fragrance allergens (citral, limonene, linalool…
UV actives photoallergy or photosensitivity
Avobenzone and octinoxate, common in chemical sunscreens, can trigger photoallergic…
Emulsifier or surfactant irritation
Oil-in-water creams rely on surfactants and emulsifiers (e.g., cetyl alcohol, stearic…
Lower concern; no known PFAS triggers in standard base.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25
aqueous emulsion sunscreen; no Teflon-type coating or known Teflon-family coating
Fragrance sensitization / contact allergens
City Block includes fragrance compounds as standard; while cosmetic fragrances are…
Endocrine disruptors
If the product contains organic (carbon-based) UV absorbers rather than mineral blockers…
Lower concern; standard sunscreen with no known PFAS signals.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Dramatically Different Lipstick Shaping Lip Colour
wax, oils, pigments, traditional cosmetic base
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Clinique Dramatically Different is unscented or minimally fragrant, reducing allergen…
Lower concern, typical lipstick without known PFAS use.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm
wax, oils, pigments in stick form
Heavy metals
Iron oxide colorants are regulated but can carry trace lead or cadmium depending on…
Fragrance allergens and sensitization
Chubby Stick contains fragrance compounds listed as 'fragrance' or 'parfum' on the label.…
Lower PFAS concern. Lip balm formula rarely requires water-resistant coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Pop Matte Lip Colour + Primer
Pigments, waxes, oils, silicones in lip color base
1,4-dioxane contamination
Silicones and emulsifiers used in matte lip formulas can carry trace 1,4-dioxane as a…
Fragrance allergens
Pop Matte contains fragrance compounds; individuals with sensitive lips or fragrance…
Lower concern; typical cosmetic formula, no known PFAS indicators.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Pop Longwear Lipstick
wax, oils, pigments in stick form
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Pop Longwear contains fragrance compounds but is not marketed as fragrance-free.…
Lip irritation or contact dermatitis from wax or additives
Wax-based formulas are generally low-irritant, but individual sensitivity to specific wax…
Lower concern lipstick, no known PFAS triggers or brand disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Dramatically Different Moisturizing BB-Gel
Water-based gel with glycerin, humectants, emollients
Fragrance allergens
Clinique does not market this as fragrance-free; fragrance ingredients are present and…
Preservative-related irritation
Water-based gels require antimicrobial preservatives; common ones include parabens or…
Bacterial contamination if unmaintained
Water-based formulations are more susceptible to microbial growth than oil-based products…
Lower concern as cosmetic gel lacks known PFAS-trigger formulation.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Moisture Surge CC Cream
Water-based emulsion, glycerin, silicones (typical CC cream base)
Fragrance allergens (unspecified components)
Clinique lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient rather than disclosing individual…
Microbial contamination or mold growth in bulk emulsion
Water-based emulsions require active preservatives and are vulnerable to bacterial and…
Lower concern as cosmetic cream contains no known PFAS-prone additives.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30
Emulsion base (water, silicones, pigments); sunscreen actives (likely UV filters)
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Clinique Age Defense BB Cream contains fragrance, which is common in cosmetics but can…
UV filter photostability and skin absorption
The specific UV actives in this SPF 30 formula are not itemized on publicly available…
Lower concern; standard BB cream with no known PFAS triggers, though no brand disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Clinique
UV Solutions Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 50
Emulsified sunscreen base (oxybenzone/avobenzone active ingredients, water, glycerin, silicones)
Endocrine disruptors
Oxybenzone is absorbed through skin and has shown weak estrogenic activity in some in…
Avobenzone photodegradation
Avobenzone breaks down rapidly under UV exposure, reducing sunscreen efficacy after one…
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Clinique UV Solutions lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without component…
Sunscreen formula unlikely to contain PFAS; no ingredient disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Superdefense City Block Daily Energy + Face Protector SPF 50
emulsified water + oils, pigments, actives
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed ingredients
Clinique lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without itemizing component allergens.…
Chemical UV filter skin penetration
If the formula uses oxybenzone or octinoxate (common in US sunscreens), systemic…
Emulsion stability and ingredient leaching over time
Oil-water emulsions can degrade with heat or age, potentially releasing separated oil…
No public PFAS commitment; typical formula carries uncertain risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Lash Power Mascara
wax, film-forming resins, pigments, waterproof polymer blend
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Waterproof mascaras often contain formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (imidazolidinyl…
Heavy metals
Black and dark-colored mascaras rely on iron oxides and synthetic organic pigments, which…
Fragrance allergens (if scented)
Lash Power Mascara formulations may include fragrance compounds to mask resin or…
Eye irritation from resin film or pigment leaching
Waterproof polymer blends and pigments can migrate into the tear film or mucous membranes…
Waterproof mascara likely contains PFAS-adjacent coatings; insufficient disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Clinique
High Impact Waterproof Mascara
pigments, resins, waxes, waterproofing agents unspecified
Lead
Iron oxides and titanium dioxide in mascaras are generally recognized as safe colorants…
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing contaminant)
Dioxane is a secondary contaminant in cosmetics with ethoxyethanol or polyethylene glycol…
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed ingredients)
This product lists fragrance as an ingredient. Specific allergens (e.g., limonene…
Bacterial or fungal growth if unmaintained
All mascaras, especially waterproof formulas, accumulate bacteria if not replaced…
Waterproof mascara ingredient list lacks PFAS disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Clinique
High Impact Hi-Fi Full Volume Waterproof Mascara
Waterproof mascara formula with undisclosed film-forming polymers and resins
1,4-dioxane (solvent contaminant)
Waterproof mascara solvents and emulsifiers may contain or generate 1,4-dioxane as a…
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Clinique mascaras typically contain fragrance; undisclosed fragrance components are…
Heavy metals
Black mascara pigments commonly include iron oxide or manganese, which may contain trace…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Waterproof mascara formulas require robust preservation systems; some preservatives…
Waterproof cosmetics carry PFAS risk; Clinique discloses nothing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Clinique
High Impact Waterproof Mascara - 8ml/0.28oz, Black
polymeric film, wax, and pigment blend with waterproofing agents
PFAS
Clinique does not disclose waterproofing chemistry; common water-resistant mascaras use…
Preservatives and 1,4-dioxane
Clinique does not list preservative details on public ingredient statements. Waterproof…
Fragrance allergens and sensitization
Clinique High Impact formulations typically include fragrance or fragrance-masking…
Polymeric film durability and microflaking
Waterproof mascaras form a removable film coating; over time or with mechanical stress…
Waterproof mascara with undisclosed coating.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Clinique
UV Solutions Brightening + Tinted Sunscreen
sunscreen lotion with unspecified waterproof binders
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Clinique sunscreens typically contain fragrance, which is listed as a single ingredient…
1,4-dioxane as a trace contaminant in surfactants and emulsifiers
Waterproof lotion formulas rely on ethoxylated emulsifiers and surfactants that can carry…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Waterproof lotions require robust preservation; some formulas use imidazolidinyl urea or…
Waterproof formula raises concern; Clinique silent on PFAS status.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Clinique
Sun Protection Face Cream
emulsion base with waterproofing additives
PFAS
Waterproof cosmetics formulations commonly use fluorinated polymers or perfluorinated…
Preservative allergens and sensitizers
Emulsion-based cosmetics require preservatives; common ones (parabens, phenoxyethanol…
UV filter skin penetration
Chemical UV absorbers (oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate) have been detected in systemic…
Fragrance/essential oil allergenicity
Clinique Sun Protection Face Cream contains fragrance; the brand does not typically…
Waterproof cosmetics carry PFAS risk; no brand disclosure given.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Clinique
High Impact Waterproof Mascara, Size: .28 Oz, Black
wax, film-forming polymers, waterproofing agent (unspecified)
Undisclosed waterproofing agent (suspected fluorinated compound)
Waterproof mascaras commonly use Teflon-type coating, polyfluoroalkyl surfactants, or…
Bacterial contamination from remover residue or applicator reuse
Waterproof mascaras are harder to remove completely; leftover remover oil can mix with…
Waterproof mascara suggests potential PFAS; Clinique silent on chemicals.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Clinique
High Impact Mascara
wax, film-formers, polymers (waterproofing agents unspecified)
1,4-dioxane or related ether contaminants
Waterproof film-formers and emulsifiers in mascaras can harbor trace 1,4-dioxane as a…
Fragrance allergen load
Clinique High Impact contains fragrance compounds (not individually named on typical…
Bacterial colonization in wet mascara
All mascara formulas, including waterproof wax-based types, are high-risk for bacterial…
Polymer film accumulation and lash damage
Waterproof polymer coatings require aggressive removal; repeated incomplete removal can…
Skip until Clinique discloses waterproof chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Clinique
High Impact Zero Gravity Mascara
Polymer film, silicones, waterproofing agents (unspecified)
Undisclosed waterproofing agents (presumed fluorinated)
Waterproof mascaras commonly use PFAS-based compounds; Clinique does not disclose which…
Fragrance allergens (if present in formulation)
Clinique mascaras may contain fragrance or essential oils not always listed on packaging…
Bacterial contamination during use
Open mascara wands in warm, moist environments (eye area, bathroom) can harbor bacteria…
Polymer film coating irritation on sensitive eyes
The film-forming polymer base, while generally safe, can cause mild irritation or…
Skip until Clinique reveals waterproofing chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Clinique
Bottom Lash Mascara
Wax, film-forming polymers, waterproofing agents (unspecified)
Undisclosed waterproofing agents (likely fluorochemicals or silicones)
Clinique does not publicly identify the waterproofing mechanism in this product.…
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara formulations often contain fragrance (identified as…
Microfiber shedding and eye irritation
Waterproof mascaras, due to their polymer-heavy formulation, carry slightly higher risk…
Lower-risk cosmetic, but waterproofing agents are secret.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →