Estée Lauder · Foundation & Primer
Estee Lauder Set + Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist
Waterproof cosmetic mist; PFAS risk unclear without ingredient disclosure.
Aerosol makeup setting sprays often contain water-resistant polymers that may use PFAS, but Estee Lauder does not publicly disclose full formulation or PFAS status. No independent testing data available for this product.
The better-graded swap
Bare Minerals
bareMinerals Prime Time Original Foundation Primer
100/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
liquid aerosol spray with silicone/polymer water-resistant finish
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Estee Lauder Set + Refresh Makeup Mist is made of, ingredients and materials
This product is a liquid aerosol spray containing silicone and polymer-based water-resistant coatings designed to set and refresh makeup. The 'water-resistant finish' language typically signals fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or silicone polymers that repel moisture; Estée Lauder has not publicly disclosed which chemistry they use. Aerosol delivery means propellants and fine particle inhalation are exposure routes beyond skin contact, and the silicone/polymer matrix can deposit on skin, inhalation surfaces, and cosmetic brushes.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Water-resistant makeup mists commonly use PFAS to repel moisture. Estée Lauder has not disclosed whether this product contains PFOA, PFOS, GenX, or other fluorinated alternatives. Skin absorption risk is low, but inhalation of fine spray particles may deposit PFAS in respiratory tissue.
Source, ATSDR ↗Aerosol propellant safety and inhalation
Typical propellants (dimethyl ether, hydrocarbons, or HFC/HFO blends) are used; repeated inhalation, especially near face, can cause dizziness, respiratory irritation, or CNS effects at high exposure. No specific propellant information is published for this product.
Silicone polymer accumulation on skin and tools
Silicone-based setting sprays can build up on makeup brushes, sponges, and skin over repeated use, potentially trapping bacteria and exacerbating acne or irritation in sensitive users. Estée Lauder mists are silicone-heavy formulations.
Fragrance allergens and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Estée Lauder cosmetics typically contain fragrance blends; this mist may include fragrance to complement makeup. Fragrance compounds can volatilize from aerosol spray and trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Specific allergen profile is not disclosed.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or public reports of lead, cadmium, or arsenic contamination in Estée Lauder setting sprays. Standard cosmetic-grade pigments and stabilizers are unlikely to pose acute risk, but full assay data is not published.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Estée Lauder has not published a comprehensive PFAS policy or ingredient transparency statement for this product line. The brand does not disclose whether water-resistance is achieved through PFAS, silicone, or other chemistry. No recalls or public safety warnings specific to this mist are on record. The brand is not a signatory to organizations like ZDHC or campaigns pledging PFAS phase-out.
How it compares in its category
Setting and refreshing mists are increasingly common; many competitors (MAC Fix+, Urban Decay All Nighter) either disclose PFAS-free formulation or use silicone/glycerin without fluorine. Estée Lauder's silence on the water-resistant polymer is a notable gap compared to brands offering transparent ingredient lists. Price point and formula efficacy are competitive, but ingredient clarity is not a differentiator here.
If you buy it
Use in well-ventilated spaces to minimize aerosol inhalation; do not spray near face repeatedly. Store away from heat and direct sunlight, as propellant pressure and polymer stability degrade over time. Replace every 12-18 months; expired aerosols may spray unevenly and expose you to propellant leakage. If you have respiratory sensitivity or are pregnant, consider requesting the full ingredient and propellant list from Estée Lauder before purchase.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Estée Lauder has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Estee Lauder Set + Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist?
- mineral powder, silicones, mica
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergen sensitization
- mineral powder, silica, mica, talc
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Talc inhalation
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- mineral pigments, glycerin, plant extracts, silicones
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More foundation & primer grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.