NARS Review, Is NARS Non-Toxic?
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.
Across 12 graded products, NARS averages Good (70/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 10 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Worth buying from NARS Good or better, safest first
NARS
Powermatte Lipstick
Pigments, waxes, oils in standard lipstick base
Talc contamination (asbestos trace)
Product is not labeled talc-free, suggesting talc is likely present as a slip agent. Talc…
Fragrance allergens and sensitivizers
Lipstick typically contains fragrance compounds (not all disclosed individually on…
Lower risk for standard cosmetic without PFAS triggers, though brand makes no transparency claims.
⚠Risky category by default
NARS
Mini Radiant Creamy Concealer
emollient cream base (likely silicone and wax)
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
NARS Mini Radiant lists 'fragrance' without specifying composition. Cream concealers in…
Parabens
No NARS ingredient label is publicly available for this specific mini size. Standard…
Bacterial or mold growth in cream container
Pot-based packaging increases contamination risk versus airless tubes. Damp applicators…
Lower concern than waterproof cosmetics, though NARS offers no PFAS disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
NARS
Soft Matte Complete Concealer
pigments, silicones, glycerin, talc, iron oxides in a liquid/cream base
Heavy metals
Iron oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499) are approved cosmetic colorants but may contain…
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components
NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer does not list fragrance in the standard ingredient…
Preservative-related irritation or contact dermatitis
This concealer contains preservative systems (typically phenoxyethanol or parabens…
Lower concern, typical liquid concealer without waterproof claims, though no third-party PFAS verification.
⚠Risky category by default
NARS
Radiant Creamy Concealer
Water-based emulsion (glycerin, silicones, wax-based binders)
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed composition)
NARS concealers typically contain fragrance or essential oil derivatives, but full…
Bacterial or fungal contamination from packaging or storage
Pump or jar packaging may allow air exposure during use, creating conditions for…
Lower concern cosmetic; no public PFAS signals but brand offers no explicit assurance.
⚠Risky category by default
NARS
Foundation & Concealer Bundle
pigments, emollients, silicones, talc/mica, polymers
Talc contamination (asbestos risk)
NARS does not specify talc sourcing or testing for asbestos fiber. FDA-regulated US talc…
Fragrance allergens
NARS formulations may contain fragrance compounds not fully disclosed on labels.…
Silicone pore occlusion and skin irritation
High silicone content can trap bacteria and sweat in pores, triggering acne or irritation…
Lower PFAS concern typical for foundation and concealer; brand discloses nothing.
⚠Risky category by default
NARS
Natural Matte Longwear Foundation and Soft Matte Complete Concealer 2-Piece Set
pigments, binders, silicones in liquid/powder cosmetics
Talc contamination and respiratory exposure
NARS does not disclose talc sourcing or asbestos testing. Talc in liquid formulations…
1,4-dioxane as manufacturing contaminant
Silicone-based liquid cosmetics may contain trace 1,4-dioxane from ethoxylated…
Fragrance allergens
NARS Matte Longwear Foundation contains fragrance listed generically on label. Some users…
Silicone accumulation and skin occlusion
High-silicone formulations may trap bacteria or impair transepidermal water loss if…
Lower PFAS risk for typical liquid foundation and concealer, but brand discloses nothing.
⚠Risky category by default
NARS
Conceal & Blend 4-Piece Makeup Set
pigments, waxes, oils, polymers (standard cosmetic emollients)
Fragrance allergens and irritants
NARS concealer formulas contain fragrance or essential oil components that may trigger…
Skin irritation from preservative or emollient sensitivity
Silicone-heavy or wax-based concealers can cause congestion or milia (whiteheads) in…
Lower concern, typical makeup formula with no known PFAS triggers, but brand offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
NARS
Hot Escape Afterglow Lip Oil
Oil blend (jojoba, argan, vitamin E); typical lip oil formulation without aqueous content
Fragrance allergens
Nars does not disclose fragrance components on the label; essential oils and fragrance…
Oxidation and rancidity of botanical oils
Jojoba and argan oils are subject to lipid peroxidation over time, especially if exposed…
Lower concern; lip oil formulation unlikely to require water-resistant or grease-resistant treatments, but NARS makes no public PFAS commitment.
⚠Risky category by default
NARS
Mini Afterglow Liquid Blush & Lip Shine Duo
liquid blush & lip shine, pigments, humectants, film-formers in water or solvent base
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Liquid blushes and lip shines typically contain synthetic fragrance compounds (not…
Parabens
Liquid cosmetics require antimicrobial preservatives; NARS does not publicly state which…
Microbial contamination after opening
Liquid blushes in pen or squeeze bottles are vulnerable to bacterial and fungal growth if…
Lower-concern cosmetic with no known PFAS triggers, but brand discloses nothing about ingredients or PFAS policy.
⚠Risky category by default
NARS
Lip Gloss Bougainville
Pigments, oils, waxes, resins in liquid/gel formula
Formaldehyde / VOCs
NARS does not publish a detailed preservative system breakdown. Some lip gloss…
Fragrance allergens and contact sensitization
NARS Bougainville contains fragrance compounds, though the full allergen profile is not…
Lower concern; lip gloss formulas rarely contain PFAS, but NARS discloses nothing.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
NARS
Afterglow Sensual Shine Lipstick
Wax, oils, pigments, emollients (typical lipstick base)
Heavy metals
Iron oxides and mica-based colorants in lipsticks can be contaminated with cadmium, lead…
Fragrance allergens and 1,4-dioxane
Lipsticks marketed as 'sensual' or scented typically contain fragrance compounds that can…
Microplastics
Premium wax lipsticks may include synthetic polyethylene or polypropylene waxes for slip…
BPA & bisphenols
The lipstick tube is typically aluminum or plastic composite. If plastic or epoxy-lined…
No public PFAS warning signals, but brand does not provide third-party testing or transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
NARS
Explicit Lipstick
Wax, oils, pigments; waterproof coating unspecified
Heavy metals
Iron oxide pigments are generally low-risk, but NARS does not publish supplier testing or…
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance compounds
NARS Explicit lists 'fragrance' as an ingredient but does not itemize components.…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
While NARS does not disclose preservatives, wax-oil formulations typically use…
Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
The undisclosed waterproof coating may degrade under heat, friction, or saliva exposure…
Avoid until NARS discloses waterproofing agent or obtains third-party testing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →