Does MAC cosmetic color products 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 MAC cosmetic color products products, averaging Excellent (77/100). 8 of them grade Good or better.
MAC cosmetic color products worth buying Good or better, safest first
MAC
Studio Matte Overlacquer
liquid cosmetic spray, alcohol and resin based
Alcohol inhalation from spray
Ethanol-based sprays create fine aerosol particles; chronic inhalation in unventilated…
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
MAC products typically contain fragrance compounds; no specific allergen declaration is…
Resin irritation on compromised skin
Film-forming resins can accumulate on skin and may irritate eczema, active acne, or…
Low risk. No known PFAS triggers in this cosmetic spray.
⚠Risky category by default
MAC
Nail Lacquer Nail Polish Al Fredo
nail lacquer film-forming resins, pigments, solvents
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) / Solvent Inhalation
Standard nail lacquers contain toluene, xylene, and acetone that evaporate during…
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) Plasticizer
MAC Nail Lacquer is not marketed as 'phthalate-free' or 'DBP-free,' suggesting it may…
Fragrance Allergens and Sensitivizers
MAC Nail Lacquer formulations may contain fragrance compounds to mask solvent odor, which…
Low-medium concern. Standard nail polish unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
MAC
Nail Lacquer
Organic pigments, resins, solvents in liquid lacquer
Volatile organic solvents (VOCs)
Nail lacquers inherently release toluene, ethyl acetate, and xylene during application…
Phthalates
MAC does not market this product as phthalate-free or '5-free,' implying potential…
Fragrance and allergen sensitizers
MAC Fix+ likely contains fragrance compounds typical of cosmetic nail lacquers, which may…
Standard nail lacquer; no known PFAS risk identified.
⚠Risky category by default
MAC
Nail Polish, Quiet Time, Beige
nail polish, organic pigments and resins
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and solvent inhalation
Nail polish lacquers contain toluene, xylene, and other organic solvents that evaporate…
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and plasticizers
Many conventional nail polishes historically used DBP as a plasticizer to improve…
Fragrance allergens and irritation
Beige shades often contain fragrance additives and coalescent solvents that may trigger…
Skin and nail bed absorption during application
Wet nail polish can make contact with cuticles, lateral nail folds, and skin during…
Lower concern. Nail polish rarely contains PFAS intentionally.
⚠Risky category by default
MAC
Nail Lacquer 10 ml / 0.34 oz ( CHOOSE
Nail lacquer, organic pigments and film-formers
Volatile organic compounds (toluene, xylene) from solvents
Nail lacquers inherently contain solvents to suspend pigments. MAC Fix+ formulation…
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or phthalate plasticizers
DBP is a common plasticizer in nail lacquers to improve flexibility and shine. MAC does…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some nail lacquer resins (tosylamide-formaldehyde resin) can release trace formaldehyde.…
Skin sensitization from fragrance or preservatives
MAC Fix+ contains fragrance (undisclosed specifics) and preservatives common in…
Lower concern. Nail lacquer formulations rarely contain intentional PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
MAC
Cosmetics Makeup | Mac Nail Lacquer Polish Over-Accessorized (Pink Gold Glitter ) Boxed | Color: Gold/Pink | Size: 0
nitrocellulose, plasticizers, pigments, resins
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and solvent inhalation
Nitrocellulose lacquers release toluene, xylene, and other VOCs during and shortly after…
Phthalate plasticizers
MAC does not disclose whether this formula uses dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or newer…
Heavy metals
Gold and pink glitter pigments (likely iron oxides, titanium dioxide, or synthetic…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some lacquer resins (tosylamide/formaldehyde resin) release low levels of formaldehyde…
Nail polish poses lower PFAS concern.
⚠Risky category by default
MAC
Nail Polish
water-based nail polish, pigments, resins
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Water-based polishes may use formaldehyde-releasing resins or preservatives to prevent…
Heavy metals
Synthetic and natural pigments used in nail polish can contain trace cadmium, lead, or…
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) and respiratory irritation
Even water-based formulas emit VOCs from synthetic resins and binders. Inhalation during…
Contact allergens and sensitization
Fragrance additives, specific resin components, or pigment stabilizers may trigger…
Lower concern; typical nail polish without known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
MAC
Nail Lacquer Polish Coffee Break (BROWN) Size
Nail lacquer polish, organic solvent base with pigments
Volatile organic compound (VOC) inhalation from solvents
Toluene, xylene, and other solvents in nail lacquer emit during application and drying.…
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) dermal and systemic exposure
DBP is a plasticizer common in nail polish formulas. It is readily absorbed through skin…
Contact dermatitis and sensitization from fragrance/resin compounds
Nail lacquers contain fragrance compounds and resin allergens (e.g.…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Tosylamide/formaldehyde resin is used in many nail lacquers for hardness; it does not…
Lower concern. Nail polish is unlikely to be a PFAS source versus cosmetic treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
See every MAC product we grade on the MAC brand page, or the full cosmetic color products ranking.