Even Better Makeup vs Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation: which is safer?

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Clinique Even Better Makeup

Clinique

Even Better Makeup

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Poor 43/100

Verdict

Buy with care

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Pigments, oils, waxes, polymers (typical liquid foundation/makeup base)

Confidence

72%

PossibleFormaldehyde-releaser preservatives

ReportedFragrance allergens (undisclosed components)

LikelyApplicator sponge bacterial growth

Our pick

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

MAC

Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 63/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Talc, mica, pigments, standard cosmetic powders

Confidence

72%

PossibleTalc inhalation and respiratory exposure

PossibleFragrance allergens and irritants

PossibleCoating degradation and separation over time

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Formaldehyde-releaser preservatives, Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components) and Applicator sponge bacterial growth on the Clinique and not on the MAC.
  • We flag Talc inhalation and respiratory exposure, Fragrance allergens and irritants and Coating degradation and separation over time on the MAC and not on the Clinique.
  • The Clinique is Pigments, oils, waxes, polymers (typical liquid foundation/makeup base) where the MAC is Talc, mica, pigments, standard cosmetic powders, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.

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 makeup: see the full ranking