Do MAC cosmetics have PFAS?
MAC cosmetics average 64 out of 100 on PFAS Authority's PFAS and toxin screen across the 9 MAC cosmetics graded as of November 2026, below the 72 out of 100 median for the 17 other cosmetics brands graded alongside it.
MAC cosmetics average Good on our four-band scale. 3 of the 9 we graded are worth buying. That is above 29% of the cosmetics 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 MAC says and does about PFAS
In November 2023 CBC Marketplace lab testing found PFAS in two MAC products, Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 foundation and Stack Waterproof Mascara, including two PFAS that Canada restricts when used intentionally, found in two of the three MAC foundation samples. MAC told Marketplace it does not intentionally add PFAS as an ingredient to any of its makeup. MAC is also covered by the Center for Environmental Health’s 2022 court-enforceable settlement on intentionally added PFOA, and Ulta’s ingredient list for one MAC mascara includes PTFE.
- Independent testCBC Marketplace’s 2023 lab testing named MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 in NC5 and MAC Stack Waterproof Mascara in black among five makeup products found to contain PFAS. CBC News ↗
- Independent testTwo fluorotelomer alcohols that Canada restricts when used intentionally were found in two of the three MAC foundation samples. CBC News ↗
- Brand statementMAC told Marketplace it does not intentionally add PFAS as an ingredient to any of its makeup, and that it constantly reviews the latest safety and environmental data on its products. CBC News ↗
- Legal caseThe Center for Environmental Health’s March 2022 court-enforceable settlement with Estée Lauder names MAC among the brands whose foundations and concealers will not contain intentionally added PFOA or ingredients known to degrade to it. Center for Environmental Health (archived page) ↗
- MaterialsUlta’s ingredient list for MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Volumizing Black Lash Mascara includes PTFE. Ulta Beauty ↗
- Regulatory filingA Proposition 65 notice of violation filed with the California Attorney General named MAC Mineralize Concealer in NC42, 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 Make-Up Art Cosmetics Inc. among the responsible parties. 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 MAC specifically. Environment and Climate Change Canada ↗
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.
MAC cosmetics worth buying Good or better, best-graded first
- liquid foundation, silicones and pigments
- Fragrance allergens. Product contains fragrance compounds (typical in MAC tinted products) which can trigger…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- powder (talc or mica base), pigments, binders
- Heavy metals, MAC does not disclose talc source, mining standard, or independent purity testing. Refined…
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- pigments, waxes, oils, silica (typical for skin tint sticks)
- Lead, MAC does not publicly disclose pigment sourcing or third-party heavy-metal testing for this product.…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Which MAC cosmetics contain PFAS? Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
- cream-to-powder blend, talc or silica base with pigments and binders
- Talc or silica base - mineral identity undisclosed, MAC does not publicly specify whether Studio Fix Tech…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- liquid foundation base, emollients, pigments
- 1,4-dioxane (preservative contaminant). Liquid foundations often use polyethylene glycol (PEG) emollients or…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- liquid foundation with emollients and silicones
- Fragrance allergen (undisclosed components), MAC lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without component…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- liquid foundation with silicones, polymers
- Fragrance allergen sensitivity, MAC Studio Fix Fluid contains fragrance as a minor ingredient (common in…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- liquid foundation with water and silicones
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed ingredients, MAC Studio Waterweight does not list fragrance as an…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- liquid foundation with waterproof polymer coating (unspecified)
- Fragrance allergens and skin sensitizers, MAC Pro Longwear lists fragrance in the INCI but does not disclose…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonBetter cosmetics from other brands
Graded higher than the MAC average of 64.
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Lead
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens and essential oils
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
The same question, asked of the other cosmetics brands
Best average grade first. MAC averages 64.
See every MAC product we grade on the MAC brand page, or the full cosmetics ranking.