Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation Refill 129 vs MAC 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.

Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation Refill 129

MAC Fix+

Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation Refill 129

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Poor 39/100

Verdict

Buy with care

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Talc and mineral pigments (pressed powder)

Confidence

72%

ReportedTalc inhalation and asbestos contamination risk

PossibleHeavy metal pigments (iron oxides, manganese, lead in colorants)

LikelyRespiratory irritation from aerosolized particles

Our pick

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

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 and asbestos contamination risk, Heavy metal pigments (iron oxides, manganese, lead in colorants), Respiratory irritation from aerosolized particles and Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components on the MAC Fix+ 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 MAC Fix+.
  • The MAC Fix+ is Talc and mineral pigments (pressed powder) 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