Cosmetics, ranked by PFAS safety
8 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. 4 grade Good or better and are worth buying.
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The best non-toxic cosmetics, ranked safest first
Buyer’s guide
What to look for in cosmetics, and which brands grade best and worst
Bad · Better · Best cosmetics
The quickest read, what to skip and the top-graded picks worth buying instead.
Maybelline
Maybelline Mascara
Medium-high risk. Waterproof mascara typically contains PFAS compounds.
Glossier
Glossier Makeup
Low-medium risk. Minimal water-resistance features reduce PFAS need.
bareMinerals
bareMinerals Mineral Makeup
Low risk. Mineral-based makeup avoids PFAS entirely.
Worth buying Good or Excellent, safest first
bareMinerals
Mineral Makeup
Inhalation risk from powder format
Limited concern
Microbial growth in powder due to low or absent preservatives
Limited concern
Low risk. Mineral-based makeup avoids PFAS entirely.
⚠Risky category by default
Ilia Beauty
Clean Makeup
Lead
Limited concern
Low risk. Clean formulations avoid PFAS-based chemistries.
⚠Risky category by default
RMS Beauty
Organic Makeup
Lead
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Limited concern
Pesticide residue
Limited concern
Oxidation and rancidity of plant oils
Limited concern
Low risk. Organic formula avoids PFAS-based ingredients.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Glossier
Makeup
Talc contamination and respirable mineral risk
Limited concern
Fragrance allergen disclosure gaps
Moderate concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane in emulsifiers or surfactants
Limited concern
Low-medium risk. Minimal water-resistance features reduce PFAS need.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
L'Oréal
Foundation
1,4-dioxane (solvent/emulsifier contaminant)
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Moderate concern
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Medium risk. Foundation formulas may contain PFAS-based polymers.
⚠Undisclosed proprietary coating
Generic
Waterproof Mascara (generic)
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Lead
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane contamination
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
Medium-high risk. Waterproofing ingredients typically require PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Generic
Waterproof Eyeliner (generic)
Lead
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane contamination
Limited concern
Contact dermatitis and sensitization from fragrance or colorants
Limited concern
Medium-high risk. Waterproofing chemistry typically involves PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Maybelline
Mascara
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Bacterial contamination risk from improper storage or use
Moderate concern
Medium-high risk. Waterproof mascara typically contains PFAS compounds.
⚠Lab test found PFAS
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