Does Clinique sunscreen have PFAS?
Clinique sunscreen averages 75 out of 100 on PFAS Authority's PFAS and toxin screen across the 8 Clinique sunscreen products graded as of October 2026, level with the 75 out of 100 median for the 45 other sunscreen brands graded alongside it.
Clinique sunscreen averages Excellent on our four-band scale. 8 of the 8 we graded are worth buying. That is above 52% of the sunscreen brands we grade.
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.
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Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Clinique says and does about PFAS
We found no PFAS policy published by Clinique itself. In 2022, however, the Center for Environmental Health announced a legally binding, court-enforceable settlement with Estée Lauder and its subsidiaries, including Clinique, under which cosmetics such as foundations and concealers will not contain intentionally added PFOA or fluorinated ingredients known to break down into PFOA. That commitment covers PFOA and its precursors, not every PFAS.
- Legal caseThe Center for Environmental Health announced in March 2022 a legally binding, court-enforceable agreement with Estée Lauder and its subsidiaries, including MAC and Clinique. Center for Environmental Health (archived page) ↗
- Legal caseUnder the settlement, cosmetics like foundations and concealers made under these brands will not contain intentionally added PFOA or other fluorinated ingredients known to degrade to PFOA. Center for Environmental Health (archived page) ↗
- Regulatory filingA Proposition 65 notice of violation filed with the California Attorney General named Clinique Superbalanced Makeup in Cream Chamois CN 40, by UPC, as an example of a product alleged to expose consumers to perfluorooctanoic acid. A 60-day notice is an allegation by the filing group, not a finding. Center for Environmental Health, notice filed with the California Attorney General ↗
- Regulatory filingAn earlier notice over makeup foundation and concealer listed Clinique Laboratories, LLC among the responsible parties, alongside The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Center for Environmental Health, notice filed with the California Attorney General ↗
- Regulatory filingIn January 2026 Estee Lauder Cosmetics Ltd. was fined $750,000 at the Ontario Court of Justice over eyeliner products that listed perfluorononyl dimethicone as an ingredient, which Environment and Climate Change Canada describes as a PFAS. The release names the Canadian company, not Clinique specifically. Environment and Climate Change Canada ↗
- Regulatory filingCalifornia bans cosmetics containing intentionally added PFAS from sale in the state from 1 January 2025. The law names no brands. California AB 2771 ↗
Sources checked October 1, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.
Clinique sunscreen worth buying Good or better, best-graded first
- aqueous emulsion sunscreen; no Teflon-type coating or known Teflon-family coating
- Fragrance sensitization / contact allergens. City Block includes fragrance compounds as standard; while…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Mineral UV filters (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide), emollients
- Fragrance allergens and irritants. Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Fluid does contain fragrance (listed as…
- Emulsified creams, oils, humectants (typical body lotion base)
- Fragrance allergens and sensitizers. Clinique does not publicly disclose fragrance allergens (citral…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Water-based emulsion, mineral sunscreen filters (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide)
- Fragrance allergens / sensitizers. Clinique sunscreens typically contain fragrance compounds; no specific…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- sunscreen lotion with unspecified waterproof binders
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components. Sunscreen lotions commonly contain fragrance…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Emulsified sunscreen base (oxybenzone/avobenzone active ingredients, water, glycerin, silicones)
- Endocrine disruptors. Oxybenzone is detected in blood, urine, and breast milk after topical sunscreen…
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- emulsion base with waterproofing additives
- Fragrance allergens. Clinique formulations typically include fragrance compounds; no specific allergen…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- emulsified water + oils, pigments, actives
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components. Clinique does not provide a full fragrance component…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Better sunscreen from other brands
Graded higher than the Clinique average of 75.
- Mineral sunscreen, zinc oxide base
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- 1,4-dioxane (non-intentional contaminant from surfactants/emulsifiers)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide base)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Synthetic fragrance allergens
The same question, asked of the other sunscreen brands
Best average grade first. Clinique averages 75.
See every Clinique product we grade on the Clinique brand page, or the full sunscreen ranking.