Laura Mercier Pressed Setting Powder vs MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation: which is safer?
Laura Mercier Pressed Setting Powder is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
Laura Mercier Pressed Setting Powder
PFAS grade
Excellent 75/100
Overall grade
Good 67/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
talc, mica, mineral pigments
Confidence
72%
PossibleTalc inhalation risk
PossibleSkin irritation or sensitization
MAC Fix+
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
PFAS grade
Excellent 75/100
Overall grade
Good 63/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
talc, mica, iron oxides, silica (mineral pigments)
Confidence
72%
PossibleTalc contamination (asbestos risk)
PossibleMica and silica inhalation during application
PossibleBacterial or mold growth in compact
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Talc inhalation risk and Skin irritation or sensitization on the Laura Mercier Translucent Powder and not on the MAC Fix+.
- We flag Talc contamination (asbestos risk), Mica and silica inhalation during application and Bacterial or mold growth in compact on the MAC Fix+ and not on the Laura Mercier Translucent Powder.
- The Laura Mercier Translucent Powder is talc, mica, mineral pigments where the MAC Fix+ is talc, mica, iron oxides, silica (mineral pigments), 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 pressed powder: see the full ranking