Foundation & Primer, ranked by PFAS safety
20 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. 17 grade Good or better and are worth buying.
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The best non-toxic foundation & primer, ranked safest first
Buyer’s guide
What to look for in foundation & primer, and which brands grade best and worst
Bad · Better · Best foundation & primer
The quickest read, what to skip and the top-graded picks worth buying instead.
Urban Decay
Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer
Silent on PFAS; waterproof cosmetics may use fluorinated compounds.
NYX Professional Makeup
NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler Primer
Lower concern. Silicone-based primer unlikely to contain PFAS.
Worth buying Good or Excellent, safest first
NYX Professional Makeup
Pore Filler Primer
silicone, talc, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), pigments
Talc contamination and inhalation risk
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane and other solvent contaminants
Limited concern
Lower concern. Silicone-based primer unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
NYX Professional Makeup
Can't Stop Won't Stop Full Coverage Foundation
liquid foundation with water, silicones, pigments, preservatives
Lead
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane as preservative byproduct
Limited concern
Liquid cosmetics pose minimal inherent PFAS risk; no specific concern signals.
⚠Risky category by default
CoverGirl
TruBlend Skin Enhancer Primer
silicones, glycerin, water, pigments
Fragrance and fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Silicone occlusion and skin comedogenicity
Limited concern
Lower concern. Primer lacks PFAS-risk features typical of cosmetics.
⚠Risky category by default
CoverGirl
Olay Simply Ageless Serum Primer
Water, glycerin, silicones, emollients
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed component)
Limited concern
Lower concern. Cosmetic primer without known PFAS risk factors.
⚠Risky category by default
CoverGirl
TruBlend Base Business Face Primer
silicones, glycerin, water-based emulsion
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane contamination in water-based formulations
Limited concern
Lower concern; no PFAS-typical triggers identified in formula.
⚠Risky category by default
NYX Professional Makeup
Blurscreen Primer SPF 30
liquid primer, typical cosmetic emulsion base
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane (solvent contaminant)
Limited concern
Lower concern; no known PFAS-prone materials, no public disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
NYX Professional Makeup
Bare With Me Hydrating Jelly Primer
hydrating gel primer, water-based cosmetic
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern, but no brand transparency on formulation.
⚠Risky category by default
Estée Lauder
Double Wear Smooth & Blur Primer
silicone and mineral-based cosmetic primer
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed composition)
Limited concern
Skin sensitization from silicone or polymeric film-formers
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane (contaminant in ethoxylated surfactants or emulsifiers)
Limited concern
Lower concern liquid cosmetic; no confirmed PFAS risk factors identified.
⚠Risky category by default
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Double Wear Second Skin Cream Primer SPF 20 PA++ 40ml
Emollients, silicones, polymers, SPF actives in water-based cream base
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane (contaminant in emulsifiers)
Limited concern
Contact dermatitis from polymers or silicones
Limited concern
SPF photostability (avobenzone degradation)
Limited concern
Lower concern cosmetic primer.
⚠Risky category by default
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Futurist Peptide Power Serum Primer
water-based peptide serum with glycerin, silicones, polymers
Preservative system / bacterial contamination if unmaintained
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens / sensitization
Limited concern
Lower concern; no known PFAS-linked ingredients in typical formula.
⚠Risky category by default
Urban Decay
All Nighter Ghosting Paste Primer
silicones, polymers, pigments, water-based
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane (formulation impurity)
Limited concern
Skin barrier disruption from occlusive silicones
Limited concern
Cosmetic primer with no known PFAS risk indicators; standard formulation.
⚠Risky category by default
Urban Decay
All Nighter Ultra Glow Face Primer
water-based primer with silicones, glycerin, polymethyl methacrylate
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; typical face primer with no known fluorochemical triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
Urban Decay
All Nighter Face Primer Long Wear Fondation Grip 5 Ml
Cosmetic liquid primer, water and silicone-based
Fragrance sensitization and allergens
Limited concern
Preservative-related contact irritation
Limited concern
Silicone occlusion on pore-prone skin
Limited concern
Lower concern cosmetic. Brand silent on PFAS, no public testing.
⚠Risky category by default
Bare Minerals
bareMinerals Prime Time Original Foundation Primer
Mineral pigments, silica, dimethicone
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
Mica and silica particle inhalation (minor risk)
Limited concern
Lower concern cosmetic primer without known PFAS-prone ingredients.
⚠Risky category by default
Bare Minerals
bareMinerals Original Prime Time Foundation Primer
mineral powder, silicones, mica
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Silicone skin sensitivity or occlusion
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; mineral cosmetics rarely use fluorinated compounds.
⚠Risky category by default
Bare Minerals
bareMinerals Prime Time Daily Protecting Primer SPF 30
mineral powder, silica, mica, talc
Talc contamination (asbestos or talc-related health claims)
Limited concern
Talc inhalation risk during application
Limited concern
Lower concern. Mineral-based cosmetics rarely need PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Bare Minerals
bareMinerals Prime Time Hydrate & Glow Primer
mineral pigments, glycerin, plant extracts, silicones
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Silicone accumulation and pore occlusion
Moderate concern
Lower concern cosmetic primer, mineral-based formula.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
CoverGirl
Outlast All Day Primer
silicone, glycerin, polymers, waterproofing agents (unspecified)
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane contamination
Limited concern
Polymer accumulation on skin
Limited concern
Skip. Waterproof cosmetics often contain PFAS; no disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Set + Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist
liquid aerosol spray with silicone/polymer water-resistant finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Aerosol propellant safety and inhalation
Limited concern
Silicone polymer accumulation on skin and tools
Moderate concern
Fragrance allergens and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Limited concern
Waterproof cosmetic mist; PFAS risk unclear without ingredient disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Urban Decay
All Nighter Face Primer
silicone-based primer with water-resistant polymers
PFAS
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Silicone film occlusion and skin barrier effects
Moderate concern
Silent on PFAS; waterproof cosmetics may use fluorinated compounds.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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