Mineral Makeup vs Waterproof Eyeliner (generic): which is safer?
bareMinerals Mineral Makeup is the clear pick. Waterproof Eyeliner (generic) carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Our pick
bareMinerals
Mineral Makeup
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleInhalation risk from powder format
PossibleMicrobial growth in powder due to low or absent preservatives
Generic
Waterproof Eyeliner (generic)
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleHeavy metals in pigments (lead, cadmium, chromium)
PossibleFormaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Possible1,4-dioxane contamination
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Inhalation risk from powder format and Microbial growth in powder due to low or absent preservatives on the bareMinerals and not on the Generic.
- We flag Heavy metals in pigments (lead, cadmium, chromium), Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, 1,4-dioxane contamination and Contact dermatitis and sensitization from fragrance or colorants on the Generic and not on the bareMinerals.
- The gap is 70 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the bareMinerals is the one to buy.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More cosmetics: see the full ranking