100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown vs Professional 3-in-1 Waterproof Mascara: which is safer?
Burt's Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown is the clear pick. Covergirl Professional 3-in-1 Waterproof Mascara carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Our pick
Burt's Bees
100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleFragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
PossibleBacterial growth and contamination in wax formula
CoverGirl
Professional 3-in-1 Waterproof Mascara
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleUndisclosed waterproofing chemistry (fluorinated vs. silicone polymers)
PossibleContact allergens and fragrance sensitivity
PossibleFormaldehyde releasers in preservatives
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers and Bacterial growth and contamination in wax formula on the Burt's Bees and not on the CoverGirl.
- We flag Undisclosed waterproofing chemistry (fluorinated vs. silicone polymers), Contact allergens and fragrance sensitivity, Formaldehyde releasers in preservatives and Lash and lid irritation from film buildup and removal stress on the CoverGirl and not on the Burt's Bees.
- The Burt's Bees is Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base) where the CoverGirl is wax and polymer film-forming ingredients, waterproof treatment unspecified, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- The gap is 45 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Burt's Bees is the one to buy.
- We are less certain about the CoverGirl grade, at 35% confidence against 78%, because it discloses less.
Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers 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 waterproof mascara, see the full ranking