Does Clinique waterproof mascara have PFAS?
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.
We graded 8 Clinique waterproof mascara products, averaging Poor (30/100). None of them grade Good or better. Against the other 10 waterproof mascara brands we grade, where the middle brand sits at 30/100, Clinique is about typical, scoring above 45% of them.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
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
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
Better waterproof mascara from other brands
Graded higher than the Clinique average of 30.
Burt's Bees
100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown
Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base)
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
Limited concern
Bacterial growth and contamination in wax formula
Limited concern
Lower concern; conventional non-waterproof formula with no identified PFAS drivers.
⚠Risky category by default
See every Clinique product we grade on the Clinique brand page, or the full waterproof mascara ranking.