Does Clinique waterproof mascara have PFAS?
Clinique waterproof mascara averages 30 out of 100 on PFAS Authority's PFAS and toxin screen across the 8 Clinique waterproof mascara products graded as of October 2026, level with the 30 out of 100 median for the 18 other waterproof mascara brands graded alongside it.
Clinique waterproof mascara averages Poor on our four-band scale. None of them clear our buy threshold. That is above 28% of the waterproof mascara 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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- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
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- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
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- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
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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.
Which Clinique waterproof mascara contains PFAS? Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
- Wax, film-forming polymers, waterproofing agents (unspecified)
- Undisclosed waterproofing agents (likely fluorochemicals or silicones). Clinique does not publicly identify…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Waterproof mascara formula with undisclosed film-forming polymers and resins
- 1,4-dioxane (solvent contaminant). Waterproof mascara solvents and emulsifiers may contain or generate…
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- wax, film-formers, polymers (waterproofing agents unspecified)
- 1,4-dioxane or related ether contaminants. Waterproof film-formers and emulsifiers in mascaras can harbor…
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Polymer film, silicones, waterproofing agents (unspecified)
- Undisclosed waterproofing agents (presumed fluorinated). Waterproof mascaras commonly use PFAS-based…
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- wax, film-forming resins, pigments, waterproof polymer blend
- Formaldehyde / VOCs. Waterproof mascaras often contain formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (imidazolidinyl…
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- wax, film-forming polymers, waterproofing agent (unspecified)
- Undisclosed waterproofing agent (suspected fluorinated compound). Waterproof mascaras commonly use…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- pigments, resins, waxes, waterproofing agents unspecified
- Lead. Iron oxides and titanium dioxide in mascaras are generally recognized as safe colorants, but…
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- polymeric film, wax, and pigment blend with waterproofing agents
- PFAS. Clinique does not disclose waterproofing chemistry; common water-resistant mascaras use dimethicone…
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonBetter waterproof mascara from other brands
Graded higher than the Clinique average of 30.
- Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base)
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- pigments, waxes, polymers (unspecified)
- Lead
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- pigments, waxes, film-formers in liquid mascara
- Heavy metals
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonThe same question, asked of the other waterproof mascara brands
Best average grade first. Clinique averages 30.
See every Clinique product we grade on the Clinique brand page, or the full waterproof mascara ranking.