Lipstick, ranked by PFAS safety
15 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. 5 grade Good or better and are worth buying.
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The best non-toxic lipstick, ranked safest first
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The quickest read, what to skip and the top-graded picks worth buying instead.
Maybelline SuperStay
Maybelline (2 pack) SuperStay 24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick Long-Lasting Lip Color, Continuous Coral
Moderate concern due to waterproofing claims and lack of PFAS disclosure; safer alternatives exist.
MAC Fix+
MAC Frost Lipstick
Lower risk from standard lipstick formula, though MAC makes no PFAS statement.
Worth buying Good or Excellent, safest first
MAC Fix+
MAC Frost Lipstick
wax, oils, pigments, emollients (typical lipstick base)
Lead
Limited concern
Azo dyes and synthetic colorants (allergic sensitization)
Limited concern
Fragrance and flavor oils (allergen, aspiration risk)
Limited concern
Lower risk from standard lipstick formula, though MAC makes no PFAS statement.
⚠Risky category by default
MAC Fix+
MAC Sleek Satin Lip Set
liquid/cream lipstick with standard pigments and emollients
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
Coating or formula instability causing separation or contamination
Limited concern
Lower risk for typical cosmetic formula without known PFAS drivers, though brand remains silent on PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
NARS
Powermatte Lipstick
Pigments, waxes, oils in standard lipstick base
Talc contamination (asbestos trace)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitivizers
Limited concern
Lower risk for standard cosmetic without PFAS triggers, though brand makes no transparency claims.
⚠Risky category by default
Burt's Bees
Suede Splash Lipstick
Wax, oils, pigments, beeswax base
Fragrance allergens (essential oils, fragrance compounds)
Limited concern
Oil rancidity and skin irritation over time
Limited concern
Lower risk for standard lipstick formula with no known PFAS trigger materials.
⚠Risky category by default
Charlotte Tilbury
Hot Lips Lipstick
Wax, oils, pigments, and traditional cosmetic binders
Lead
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Oil oxidation and rancidity over time
Limited concern
Lower concern for traditional lipstick formula with no known PFAS trigger materials.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
NARS
Afterglow Sensual Shine Lipstick
Wax, oils, pigments, emollients (typical lipstick base)
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and 1,4-dioxane
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
BPA & bisphenols
Limited concern
No public PFAS warning signals, but brand does not provide third-party testing or transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
NARS
Explicit Lipstick
Wax, oils, pigments; waterproof coating unspecified
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance compounds
Moderate concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Avoid until NARS discloses waterproofing agent or obtains third-party testing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Maybelline SuperStay
Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
Liquid film-forming acrylate polymer with waterproof binders
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane (solvent contaminant)
Limited concern
Contact sensitization from preservatives or film-formers
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern, though waterproof cosmetics merit caution without public testing available.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Maybelline SuperStay
24 2-Step Lipstick
film-forming polymers, liquid pigments, waxes, oils in a two-step long-wear system
PFAS
High concern
Lead
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Microplastic particles in pigment or glitter additives
Limited concern
Avoid until Maybelline discloses PFAS use in waterproofing agents.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Maybelline SuperStay
Ink Crayon Lipstick
Wax/oil-based crayon formula with waterproofing
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
PFAS
Moderate concern
Waterproof claim raises concern without public PFAS testing or brand disclosure found.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Maybelline SuperStay
Maybelline Striking Vinyl Ink Longwear Liquid Lipstick
polymeric film, silicones, acrylates, waterproof binder
Fluorinated polymers (likely Teflon-type coating or polyfluoroalkyl compounds)
High concern
Acrylate resin irritation and sensitization
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
Avoid until brand discloses PFAS status, since waterproof liquid lipsticks commonly use fluorinated polymers.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Maybelline SuperStay
24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick
liquid pigments, film-forming polymers, waterproof topcoat
PFAS
Limited concern
Contact dermatitis or lip sensitization from film-forming polymers
Limited concern
Oral ingestion risk and polymer safety if ingested
Limited concern
Waterproof cosmetics carry moderate PFAS risk without public testing or brand disclosure available.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
MAC Fix+
MAC Locked Kiss 24HR Lipstick
pigments, waxes, film-forming polymers with waterproof binder
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Polymer film degradation and micro-particle shedding
Limited concern
PFAS
High concern
Avoid until MAC reveals waterproofing chemistry, since waterproof cosmetics frequently contain fluorinated polymers.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Maybelline SuperStay
Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 65 Seductress - 0.17 fl oz: Paraben-Free, Lip Brightening, Matte Finish
liquid lipstick with waterproofing agent (unspecified polymer/resin)
Undisclosed waterproofing polymer or resin (inhalation and ingestion risk)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens (sensitization risk)
Limited concern
Bacterial or fungal contamination (if container or applicator compromised)
Limited concern
Matte liquid lipstick with undisclosed waterproofing leaves lower certainty on PFAS risk.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Maybelline SuperStay
Maybelline (2 pack) SuperStay 24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick Long-Lasting Lip Color, Continuous Coral
liquid lipstick with synthetic polymers and waterproofing agents
PFAS
High concern
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in solvent base
Moderate concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Moderate concern due to waterproofing claims and lack of PFAS disclosure; safer alternatives exist.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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