Waterproof Mascara, ranked by PFAS safety
47 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. 1 grade Good or better and are worth buying.
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The best non-toxic waterproof mascara, ranked safest first
Bad · Better · Best waterproof mascara
The quickest read, what to skip and the top-graded picks worth buying instead.
Laura Mercier
Laura Mercier Caviar Extravagant Mascara Trio
Waterproof mascara may contain PFAS.
Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown
Lower concern; conventional non-waterproof formula with no identified PFAS drivers.
Worth buying Good or Excellent, safest first
Burt's Bees
100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown
Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base)
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
Limited concern
Bacterial growth and contamination in wax formula
Limited concern
Lower concern; conventional non-waterproof formula with no identified PFAS drivers.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Clinique
Lash Power Mascara
wax, film-forming resins, pigments, waterproof polymer blend
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens (if scented)
Limited concern
Eye irritation from resin film or pigment leaching
Moderate concern
Waterproof mascara likely contains PFAS-adjacent coatings; insufficient disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Clinique
High Impact Waterproof Mascara
pigments, resins, waxes, waterproofing agents unspecified
Lead
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing contaminant)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed ingredients)
Limited concern
Bacterial or fungal growth if unmaintained
High concern
Waterproof mascara ingredient list lacks PFAS disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Clinique
High Impact Hi-Fi Full Volume Waterproof Mascara
Waterproof mascara formula with undisclosed film-forming polymers and resins
1,4-dioxane (solvent contaminant)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Moderate concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Waterproof cosmetics carry PFAS risk; Clinique discloses nothing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Clinique
High Impact Waterproof Mascara - 8ml/0.28oz, Black
polymeric film, wax, and pigment blend with waterproofing agents
PFAS
Limited concern
Preservatives and 1,4-dioxane
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitization
Moderate concern
Polymeric film durability and microflaking
Limited concern
Waterproof mascara with undisclosed coating.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Bobbi Brown
Smokey Eye Longwear Volumizing Mascara Duo $82 Value
pigments, waxes, film-forming polymers, waterproof treatment
Lead
Limited concern
PFAS
High concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Limited concern
Bacterial and fungal contamination risk from water exposure
Moderate concern
Waterproof mascara likely contains water-repellent coatings; Bobbi Brown silent on PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Bobbi Brown
Smokey Eye Mascara
wax, film-forming polymers, waterproof coating
Bacterial and fungal growth in mascara tube
High concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Contact lens incompatibility and particle shedding
Limited concern
Waterproof mascara carries modest PFAS risk; brand silent on ingredients.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Urban Decay
Perversion Waterproof Mascara
polymeric film-forming agents, waxes, unspecified waterproofing
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Incomplete removal and polymer residue buildup
Moderate concern
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from film-forming resins
Limited concern
Waterproof cosmetics use unclear coatings; limited public data available.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Urban Decay
Perversion Volumizing Mascara
waterproof mascara formula with unspecified coating/resin system
PFAS
High concern
1,4-dioxane contamination (manufacturing byproduct)
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Waterproof mascara; potential PFAS in film-formers.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Urban Decay
Perversion Mascara Travel
mascara formula with waterproof treatment
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane residue in emulsifiers
Limited concern
Fragrance allergen sensitivity
Limited concern
No public PFAS disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Urban Decay
Tubb Lash Augmenting Tubing Mascara Intense
proprietary tubing formula, water-resistant polymers
1,4-dioxane (solvent/byproduct)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Polymer microparticles from formula degradation
Limited concern
Bacterial growth in formula reservoir
Limited concern
Waterproof mascara formula; PFAS status undisclosed by brand.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Bobbi Brown
Kajal Eyeliner & Mascara Duo
pigmented wax blend, waterproof formula
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and irritants
Limited concern
Eye irritation from wax matrix degradation
Moderate concern
Waterproof cosmetics carry PFAS risk; brand silent on composition.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Bobbi Brown
Eye Opening Mascara
Liquid pigment blend, waterproofing agents unspecified
PFAS
Limited concern
Bacterial or fungal contamination from liquid formula over time
Limited concern
Eye irritation or allergic reaction from fragrance or essential oils
Limited concern
Waterproof mascara with undisclosed waterproofing chemistry; insufficient transparency.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lancôme
Lancome Lash Idole Mascara Waterproof
Film-forming polymers with waterproof treatment, ingredient list not fully disclosed
1,4-dioxane contamination
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Polymer microparticles and ocular irritation
Moderate concern
Waterproof mascara ingredient transparency lacking; PFAS risk unclear but plausible.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lancôme
Lancome Hypnose Drama Waterproof Mascara
Polymeric film-forming agents, waxes, water-resistant resins
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers (undisclosed components)
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane as manufacturing byproduct in emulsifiers
Limited concern
Microparticle shedding and eye irritation over time
Moderate concern
Waterproof mascara; PFAS risk unclear, no brand disclosure available.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lancôme
Lancome Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara
Undisclosed waterproof mascara formula with unknown coating
Undisclosed waterproof polymer composition and potential VOC/fragrance content
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitization risk
Limited concern
Lash and eye irritation from incomplete removal or product buildup
Moderate concern
Waterproof cosmetic with unknown PFAS status; insufficient transparency.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lancôme
Lancome Definicils Mascara Waterproof
Waterproof film-forming resins and pigment suspension, unspecified coating
1,4-dioxane (solvent contaminant)
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and irritants
Moderate concern
Lash and eye irritation from incomplete removal
High concern
Waterproof mascara, coating unspecified.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Maybelline
Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara
film-forming polymers, pigments, water-resistant film
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Bacterial or fungal growth if formula is contaminated or stored improperly
Limited concern
Contact dermatitis or eye irritation from polymer film or preservatives
Moderate concern
Waterproof mascara may contain PFAS; Maybelline discloses nothing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Maybelline
Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
water-resistant polymer film, pigments, waxes
PFAS
High concern
Polymer film flaking and microplastic ingestion
Limited concern
Allergic reaction to fragrance or wax
Limited concern
Skip until brand explains waterproof treatment chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Maybelline
Great Lash Waterproof Mascara
wax, film-forming polymers, water-resistant film coating
PFAS
High concern
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Bacterial growth in mascara wand and tube
Moderate concern
Waterproof cosmetics carry inherent PFAS risk; Maybelline silent on formula.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
MAC
Stack Waterproof Mascara
Waterproof film/coating (unspecified polymer)
Formaldehyde / VOCs
High concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
Polymer film residue and lash damage
Moderate concern
Skip until MAC discloses waterproofing chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
MAC
In Extreme Dimensions Waterproof Lash Mascara
proprietary waterproof formula with wax, silicones, and film-forming polymers
PFAS
High concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Silicone polymer buildup and lash brittleness
Moderate concern
Waterproof claim raises PFAS concern; MAC provides no transparency.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
MAC
Stack Mascara
wax, film-forming polymers, waterproofing agents (unspecified)
PFAS
Moderate concern
Film-forming polymer residue and microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and ocular irritation
Limited concern
Bacterial colonization if stored or capped improperly
Limited concern
Skip until MAC discloses waterproofing chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Burt's Bees
Natural Nourishing Mascara
Wax, oils, and pigments (waterproof mascara base)
1,4-dioxane (processing contaminant)
Limited concern
Bacterial growth and contamination (mascara brush)
High concern
Eye irritation from formula or removal difficulty
Limited concern
Lower concern than synthetic waterproof cosmetics; no PFAS disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Burt's Bees
All Aflutter Waterproof Mascara
waterproof film-forming polymer coating (unspecified)
PFAS
Limited concern
Eye irritation and sensitization from polymer film
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Bacterial or fungal growth in the tube
Moderate concern
Skip until brand improves transparency; waterproof cosmetics contain PFAS risk.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
- 30Clinique CLINIQUE High Impact Waterproof Mascara, Size: .28 Oz, Black
- 30Clinique Clinique High Impact Mascara
- 30Clinique Clinique High Impact Zero Gravity Mascara
- 30Clinique Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
- 30Lancôme Lancome Lash Idole Waterproof Mascara
- 30Lancôme Lancôme Women's Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara
- 30Revlon Mascara Revlon So Big Bad Lash
- 30NYX NYX Professional Makeup Worth The Hype Waterproof Mascara
- 30NYX NYX Professional Makeup Worth The Hype Mascara
- 30NYX NYX Professional Makeup Hype Waterproof Mascara
- 30NYX Nyx: Worth The Hype Mascara
- 30Revlon Revlon ColorStay Full Time Mascara
- 30Revlon Revlon Ultimate All-in-One Waterproof Mascara
- 30Revlon Revlon ColorStay Xtensionnaire Mascara
- 30Wet n Wild Wet n Wild Mega Length Waterproof Mascara
- 30Wet n Wild Wet n Wild Mega Volume Waterproof Mascara
- 30Wet n Wild Wet n Wild MegaWear Waterproof Mascara, Very Black, 0.21 fl oz, Size: 0.24 Fl Oz
- 30Wet n Wild Wet n Wild Breakup Proof Waterproof Boosting Mascara
- 30Laura Mercier Laura Mercier Caviar Extravagant Mascara
- 30Laura Mercier Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Shadow and Extravagant Mascara Bundle
- 30Laura Mercier Laura Mercier Caviar Volume Panoramic Mascara
- 30Laura Mercier Laura Mercier Caviar Extravagant Mascara Trio
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