Maybelline Great Lash BIG Washable Mascara
No public PFAS disclosure; low-risk category but unverified.
Maybelline makes no PFAS claims for this mascara. Cosmetic mascaras rarely contain intentional PFAS, but the brand provides no transparency or third-party verification.
The better-graded swap
Bare Minerals
bareMinerals Mineral Makeup
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
wax, film-forming polymers, pigments
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Maybelline Great Lash BIG Washable Mascara is made of, ingredients and materials
Maybelline Great Lash BIG is a wax-based mascara with film-forming polymers (likely acrylates) and iron oxide or synthetic pigments for color. Wax formulations are the baseline for mascara and do not require Teflon-type coating or volatile solvents for application. The "washable" claim means it uses water-soluble polymers rather than waterproof synthetic latex, reducing solvent load during wear and removal.
What’s concerning
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.
Fragrance allergens
Maybelline Great Lash contains fragrance (ingredient listed on packaging) but does not disclose specific fragrance components. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity or periorbital skin reactivity should patch-test or choose fragrance-free alternatives.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No published contamination reports or recalls for Maybelline Great Lash mascara. Iron oxide and synthetic pigments are FDA-approved colorants; however, brand does not disclose third-party heavy metal testing results.
Source, FDA ↗1,4-dioxane (solvent contaminant)
Washable formulations typically use lower solvent concentrations than waterproof mascaras. No specific data on 1,4-dioxane levels in this product; independent testing by non-profit organizations (e.g., Campaign for Safe Cosmetics) has not flagged Maybelline mascaras as high-concern.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Mascara formulations use preservatives to prevent bacterial growth in the wet, open container. No public reports of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in this product, but brand does not transparently list preservative systems.
Source, ATSDR ↗Talc contamination
Mascara formulations do not typically include talc; this product uses wax and polymers as the base. Talc concern does not apply to mascaras in this material class.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (L'Oreal USA) does not publicly disclose full ingredient sourcing or third-party testing for heavy metals, allergens, or 1,4-dioxane. The brand complies with FDA cosmetic regulations but provides no transparency beyond ingredient listing on packaging. No recalls or contamination reports are on record for this specific product line.
How it compares in its category
Washable mascaras are broadly lower-concern than waterproof formulations, which often use synthetic latex or silicone polymers that require harsher removers. Maybelline's price point and mass-market distribution mean ingredient sourcing is not certified organic, cruelty-free, or heavy-metal tested by third parties, unlike premium or indie brands with published lab reports.
If you buy it
Remove with lukewarm water and gentle pressure; do not scrub or use oil-based removers, which can degrade the polymer coating on lashes. Replace every 3 months or if mascara dries out, begins to flake, or shows signs of bacterial growth (odor, color change, clumping). Store upright with cap tightly closed to prevent air exposure and contamination.
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
- Maybelline 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 Maybelline Great Lash BIG Washable Mascara?
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
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- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens and essential oils
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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