100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown vs In Extreme Dimensions Waterproof Lash Mascara: which is safer?
Burt's Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown is the clear pick. MAC In Extreme Dimensions Waterproof Lash 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
MAC
In Extreme Dimensions Waterproof Lash Mascara
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
LikelyPFAS in waterproof film-forming base
PossibleHeavy metals in pigments (iron oxides, manganese violet)
ReportedSilicone polymer buildup and lash brittleness
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 MAC.
- We flag PFAS in waterproof film-forming base, Heavy metals in pigments (iron oxides, manganese violet) and Silicone polymer buildup and lash brittleness on the MAC and not on the Burt's Bees.
- The Burt's Bees is Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base) where the MAC is proprietary waterproof formula with wax, silicones, and film-forming polymers, 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 MAC grade, at 45% confidence against 78%, because it discloses less.
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 waterproof mascara: see the full ranking