Makeup, ranked by PFAS safety
54 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. 43 grade Good or better and are worth buying.
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The best non-toxic makeup, ranked safest first
Buyer’s guide
What to look for in makeup, and which brands grade best and worst
Bad · Better · Best makeup
The quickest read, what to skip and the top-graded picks worth buying instead.
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup
Skip until Estée Lauder clarifies waterproof chemistry.
Clinique
Clinique Even Better Makeup
No known PFAS risk, but Clinique offers no public PFAS disclosure.
Worth buying Good or Excellent, safest first
Clinique
Even Better Makeup
Pigments, oils, waxes, polymers (typical liquid foundation/makeup base)
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Moderate concern
Applicator sponge bacterial growth
High concern
No known PFAS risk, but Clinique offers no public PFAS disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25
liquid foundation with pigments, emollients, silicones
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Fragrance allergen sensitization
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane contamination in emulsifiers
Limited concern
Lower concern. Liquid cosmetics rarely contain intentional PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Superbalanced Makeup
Talc, mineral pigments, silicone
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Inhalation risk from powder dust
Moderate concern
Lower concern. Typical mineral-based makeup with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
Clinique
Even Better Clinical Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Foundation
liquid foundation with mineral pigments and silicones
Fragrance allergens and irritants
Limited concern
UV filter irritation or photosensitivity
Limited concern
No known PFAS use in typical liquid foundations; limited public disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Rimmel
Stay Matte Foundation
talc, pigments, silicones, polymers
Talc contamination and inhalation
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and preservative sensitivity
Limited concern
Lower concern. No known PFAS-prone features identified.
⚠Risky category by default
Rimmel
London Lasting Finish Foundation
liquid foundation with pigments, emollients, silicones
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Bacterial or fungal growth if improperly stored or used
Limited concern
No known PFAS risk. Routine cosmetic formula.
⚠Risky category by default
Rimmel
Stay Matte Liquid Foundation
water-based liquid foundation, pigments and polymers
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Microbial contamination from inadequate preservation or contamination during use
Limited concern
Lower concern, but no public PFAS commitment from Rimmel.
⚠Risky category by default
Rimmel
Lasting Finish Foundation
Water-based liquid foundation with pigments and binders
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane as manufacturing contaminant
Limited concern
Lower concern. Liquid cosmetics rarely contain PFAS, no red flags identified.
⚠Risky category by default
Lancôme
Lancome Renergie Lift Makeup Foundation SPF 27
water-based liquid foundation with pigments, emollients, SPF filter
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane (preservative byproduct)
Limited concern
Parabens
Limited concern
Chemical UV filter absorption (systemic exposure)
Limited concern
Lower concern. Liquid foundation unlikely to contain PFAS, no waterproofing claimed.
⚠Risky category by default
Lancôme
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation
liquid foundation, likely water, silicones, pigments
Lead
Limited concern
Talc contamination (asbestos, talc ovarian toxicity)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
Bacterial or fungal overgrowth post-opening
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; typical cosmetic formula without known fluorinated coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Lancôme
Lancome Dual Finish Powder Foundation
talc, mica, mineral pigments, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
Talc inhalation risk (chronic exposure)
Limited concern
Cosmetic powder with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
Elizabeth Arden
Flawless Finish Skincaring Foundation
liquid foundation with mineral pigments and polymeric binders
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergen content
Moderate concern
Microbial growth from improper storage or applicator hygiene
Limited concern
Lower concern, typical cosmetic.
⚠Risky category by default
Elizabeth Arden
Flawless Finish Sponge-On Cream Makeup
cream makeup base, pigments, solvents
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Limited concern
Microbial contamination from sponge applicator
Limited concern
Cream makeup carries lower PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Elizabeth Arden
Ceramide Lift and Firm Cream Makeup
emollients, pigments, silicones, water-based cream
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding or coating instability over time
Limited concern
Cream makeup. Low PFAS risk, but brand silent on PFAS composition.
⚠Risky category by default
Elizabeth Arden
Intervene Makeup SPF 15
liquid foundation with mineral and organic pigments
1,4-dioxane contamination
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Moderate concern
Skin irritation from UV filters at high concentration
Limited concern
Lower concern cosmetic. No known PFAS drivers in typical formulas.
⚠Risky category by default
Dior Beauty
Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation
liquid foundation, pigments, silicones, glycerin
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane contamination in raw materials
Limited concern
Microplastic particles in formulation
Limited concern
Lower concern; typical cosmetic formulation without known PFAS drivers.
⚠Risky category by default
CoverGirl
Clean Invisible Foundation
liquid foundation with mineral and synthetic pigments
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance constituents
Limited concern
Bacterial growth from improper storage or use
Limited concern
Lower concern. No known PFAS-prone ingredients in liquid cosmetics.
⚠Risky category by default
CoverGirl
TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation
water-based liquid pigments, glycerin, silicones
1,4-Dioxane contamination
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed constituents
Limited concern
Lower concern. Typical liquid foundation without known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
CoverGirl
TruBlend Liquid Foundation Makeup
water-based liquid pigments, talc, silicones
Lead
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane (solvent contaminant)
Limited concern
Typical liquid foundation with low PFAS risk profile; no data contradicts safety.
⚠Risky category by default
CoverGirl
Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation
Water-based liquid foundation, pigments, glycerin, emollients
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Moderate concern
1,4-Dioxane (cosmetic contaminant, not intentional ingredient)
Limited concern
Lower concern, but verify ingredients list for added water-resistant coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Dior Beauty
Dior Forever Hydra Nude Foundation
liquid foundation with water, silicones, polymers, pigments
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Silicone accumulation and skin barrier effects
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Lower concern; liquid cosmetics rarely use intentional PFAS, but disclosure lacking.
⚠Risky category by default
Dior Beauty
Dior Forever Skin Wear Blurring Natural Matte Foundation
liquid foundation base with pigments, polymers, silicones
1,4-dioxane (solvent contaminant)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Lower concern. No known PFAS risk profile for liquid cosmetics.
⚠Risky category by default
Dior Beauty
Dior Complexion Perfected Forever Face Makeup Set-Dior Forever Skin Glow
liquid foundation, pigments, emollients, silicones
1,4-dioxane (contaminant from ethoxylated surfactants)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Moderate concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Lower concern for typical cosmetic formulation, no PFAS risk signals identified.
⚠Risky category by default
Estée Lauder
Futurist SkinTint Serum Foundation SPF 20
liquid foundation with mineral pigments, silicones, water
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing impurity)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Microbial contamination if unmaintained
Limited concern
Lower concern cosmetic. No known PFAS triggers identified.
⚠Risky category by default
- 75Estée Lauder Estée Lauder Estee Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Makeup SPF 45
- 75Chanel Chanel Les Beiges Eau de Teint
- 75Chanel Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
- 75Chanel Chanel Ultra Le Teint Flawless Finish Foundation
- 75Chanel Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation Hydration and Longwear
- 75MAC MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
- 75MAC MAC Studio Radiance Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation
- 75MAC MAC Pro Full Coverage Foundation
- 75MAC Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation Refill 129
- 75Estée Lauder Estée Lauder Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Matte Powder Foundation
- 75Fenty Beauty Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
- 75YSL Beauty Yves Saint Laurent Nu Bare Look Tint Foundation
- 75YSL Beauty Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Glow Foundation
- 75YSL Beauty Yves Saint Laurent Radiant Touch Touche Eclat
- 75YSL Beauty Yves Saint Laurent Skin Affair Soft Glow Cushion Foundation
- 75Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation Charlotte Tilbury
- 75Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation
- 75Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte Tilbury Award-winning Complexion Trio
- 75Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte Tilbury Mini Hollywood Flawless Filter
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
MAC
Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 24HR Matte Foundation Oil Control
liquid foundation with silicones, pigments, and emollients
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Moderate concern
Skin barrier disruption from silicone occlusion
Limited concern
Cosmetic PFAS risk is low for use-and-rinse products, but MAC makes no public disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
MAC
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation
liquid serum foundation with glycerin & emollients
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens undisclosed in 'fragrance' catch-all
Limited concern
No public PFAS risk signals, but cosmetic formula not disclosed.
⚠Risky category by default
MAC
Studio Fix Tech Cream-To-Powder Foundation
Cream-to-powder emulsion with talc, silica, oils, and pigments
Talc (asbestos contamination risk)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Silica inhalation risk (powder application)
Limited concern
Insufficient public data; standard cosmetic lacking known PFAS-linked ingredients.
⚠Risky category by default
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Foundation SPF 19
liquid foundation (water, silicones, emollients)
1,4-Dioxane (potential contaminant)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Moderate concern
Insufficient data; low suspected PFAS risk but no brand transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Lancôme
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation
liquid foundation with undisclosed water-resistant coating
PFAS
High concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitzers
Limited concern
Silicone bioaccumulation and skin barrier effects
Limited concern
Waterproof cosmetics may contain PFAS; brand discloses nothing publicly.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Longwear Matte Foundation
Liquid foundation with silicone base, waterproof polymers
PFAS
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Skin barrier irritation from silicone accumulation
Limited concern
Waterproof cosmetic foundation; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Estée Lauder
Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Estee Lauder
liquid foundation with waterproof polymers and silicones
PFAS
High concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane as synthesis by-product
Limited concern
Skin barrier disruption and pore clogging from occlusive silicone buildup
Moderate concern
Waterproof makeup, PFAS risk unclear.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
MAC
Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation
liquid foundation with water-resistant/waterweight polymer matrix
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed ingredients
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane (solvent/emulsifier byproduct)
Limited concern
Coating degradation and instability over time
Limited concern
PFAS
High concern
Unknown PFAS risk; waterproof cosmetics often use fluorinated polymers.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place Foundation
liquid foundation with silicone base and water-resistant polymers
Fragrance and fragrance allergens
Moderate concern
Preservative-related contact sensitization
Limited concern
Silicone and polymer film buildup on skin
Limited concern
Skip until Estée Lauder clarifies waterproofing chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup - 1.0 oz / 30 ml / Tan
liquid foundation with synthetic polymers and water-resistant binders
Fragrance allergens and sensitivizers
Limited concern
Silicone or polymer buildup on skin and pores
Moderate concern
1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing contaminant
Limited concern
Brand silent on PFAS; waterproof cosmetics often use fluorinated compounds.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup
Silicone, talc, volatile silicones, polymers (unspecified)
Talc contamination (asbestos risk, ovarian cancer concern)
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Moderate concern
Silicone buildup and skin microbiome disruption (long-term use)
Limited concern
Skip until Estée Lauder clarifies waterproof chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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