Pressed Powder, ranked by PFAS safety

15 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. 15 grade Good or better and are worth buying.

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The best non-toxic pressed powder, ranked safest first

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Worth buying Good or Excellent, safest first

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

MAC Fix+

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

talc, mica, iron oxides, silica (mineral pigments)

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade63Good
🪨

Talc contamination (asbestos risk)

Limited concern

70
💨

Mica and silica inhalation during application

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Bacterial or mold growth in compact

Limited concern

70

Low-medium risk. Powder formula rarely needs waterproofing that would add PFAS.

Risky category by default

Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation Refill 129

MAC Fix+

Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation Refill 129

Talc and mineral pigments (pressed powder)

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade39Poor
💨

Talc inhalation and asbestos contamination risk

Moderate concern

45
🧠

Lead

Limited concern

70
🫧

Respiratory irritation from aerosolized particles

High concern

20
🏷️

Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components

Limited concern

70

Low-medium risk. Powder cosmetics rarely contain PFAS, though MAC doesn't disclose ingredient details.

Risky category by default

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

MAC Fix+

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

Mineral powder (talc or mica base)

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade63Good
🪨

Heavy metals

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Fragrance allergens

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Bacterial or mold growth (maintenance-dependent)

Limited concern

70

Low-medium risk. Powder formula typically avoids waterproofing agents associated with PFAS.

Risky category by default

Laura Mercier Pressed Setting Powder

Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

Laura Mercier Pressed Setting Powder

talc, mica, mineral pigments

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade67Good
💨

Talc inhalation risk

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Skin irritation or sensitization

Limited concern

70

Low-medium risk. No PFAS triggers found, though brand offers no explicit confirmation.

Risky category by default

Laura Mercier Translucent Pressed Setting Powder

Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

Laura Mercier Translucent Pressed Setting Powder

Talc, mica, silica powder base

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade67Good
🪨

Talc and asbestos contamination

Limited concern

70
💨

Inhalation hazard from fine particulates

Limited concern

70

Low-medium risk. Mineral powder base typical of this category with no documented PFAS use.

Risky category by default

Laura Mercier Real Flawless Luminous Perfecting Pressed Powder

Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

Laura Mercier Real Flawless Luminous Perfecting Pressed Powder

Talc, mica, pigments, silica (pressed powder)

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade61Good
🪨

Talc purity and asbestos contamination risk

Limited concern

70
💨

Inhalation of fine mineral particles

Moderate concern

45

Low-medium risk. Mineral-based powder with no obvious water or stain-resistant treatment.

Risky category by default

bareMinerals Original Talc-Free Pressed Powder Foundation Mineral SPF 15

Bare Minerals Original Foundation

bareMinerals Original Talc-Free Pressed Powder Foundation Mineral SPF 15

Talc-free mineral powder (mica, iron oxides, titanium dioxide)

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade71Good
💨

Inhalation risk from particulate powder

Limited concern

70

Low-medium risk. Mineral foundation rarely needs PFAS, though brand offers no transparency.

Risky category by default

bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Pressed Setting Powder

Bare Minerals Original Foundation

bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Pressed Setting Powder

Mineral powder (talc, mica, oxides)

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade63Good
🪨

Talc contamination (asbestos)

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Mica sourcing and child labor

Limited concern

70
💨

Inhalation risk during use

Limited concern

70

Low-medium risk. Mineral powder presents lower inherent PFAS risk, but brand silence on sourcing limits confidence.

Risky category by default

ORIGINAL Talc-Free Pressed Powder Foundation Mineral SPF 15 Brand New - 100% Fill Level / Fairly Medium 05 / 9 g / 0.3 oz

Bare Minerals Original Foundation

ORIGINAL Talc-Free Pressed Powder Foundation Mineral SPF 15 Brand New - 100% Fill Level / Fairly Medium 05 / 9 g / 0.3 oz

mineral powder (talc-free formulation)

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade67Good
💨

Inhalation of powder particulates

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Binder and gum resin residuals (silica, bismuth oxychloride)

Limited concern

70

Low-medium risk. Talc-free mineral powder presents lower PFAS concern, though brand offers no transparency.

Risky category by default

Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder

Coty Airspun

Loose Face Powder

talc, mica, mineral pigments

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade39Poor
🪨

Asbestos contamination (talc sourcing)

Moderate concern

45
💨

Inhalation particulate exposure

High concern

20
🎨

Heavy metals

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Microbial growth in loose powder packaging

Limited concern

70

Low-medium risk. Traditional mineral formulation unlikely to contain PFAS, though brand silence limits certainty.

Risky category by default

Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder Translucent

Coty Airspun

Loose Face Powder Translucent

talc, mica, mineral pigments

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade57Good
💨

Talc inhalation and respiratory exposure

Moderate concern

45
🪨

Talc contamination with asbestos or asbestiform minerals

Limited concern

70
🏷️

Mica contamination and labeling opacity

Limited concern

70

Low-medium risk. No known PFAS in standard talc and mica powders, but no brand transparency.

Risky category by default

Coty Paris silver air-spun powder compact

Coty Airspun

Coty Paris silver air-spun powder compact

talc, mica, powder; compact casing likely plastic or metal

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade61Good
🪨

Asbestos contamination in talc

Limited concern

70
💨

Inhalation risk from powder particles

Moderate concern

45

Low-medium risk. This powder itself presents minimal PFAS concern with no known drivers.

Risky category by default

Vintage 1930s 1940s Coty Air Spun L'Aimant SOLEIL D'or .63oz Powder Partial

Coty Airspun

Vintage 1930s 1940s Coty Air Spun L'Aimant SOLEIL D'or .63oz Powder Partial

talc powder with mineral pigments

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade21Bad
🪨

Asbestos contamination in talc

High concern

20
🧠

Lead

Moderate concern

45
💨

Talc particle inhalation

High concern

20
🏷️

Undisclosed additives and stabilizers

Limited concern

70

Low-medium risk. Vintage talc powder lacks modern waterproofing treatments typical of PFAS-risk cosmetics.

Risky category by default

Airspun By Coty 2.3 Oz / 65 Face Powder 070-11 Naturally Neutral R26

Coty Airspun

Airspun By Coty 2.3 Oz / 65 Face Powder 070-11 Naturally Neutral R26

Talc-based face powder with mineral pigments

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade57Good
💨

Talc inhalation risk

Moderate concern

45
🪨

Asbestos contamination in talc

Limited concern

70
🪨

Talc clumping and coating degradation

Limited concern

70

Low-medium risk. Traditional talc powder lacks typical PFAS triggers.

Risky category by default

THE NADREE: Coty Airspun Face Powder 65g

Coty Airspun

THE NADREE: Coty Airspun Face Powder 65g

Talc-based powder (likely talc, mica, mineral pigments)

PFAS Grade75Excellent
Overall Grade61Good
💨

Talc inhalation and asbestos contamination (historical risk class)

Limited concern

70
🪨

Talc sourcing and mining ethics opacity

Moderate concern

45

Low-medium risk. No known PFAS triggers, though talc sourcing opacity leaves modest uncertainty.

Risky category by default

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