Maybelline Green Edition Mascara
Unknown PFAS status; no brand disclosure available.
Maybelline has not publicly disclosed PFAS content or absence in this mascara. Cosmetic mascaras typically contain waxes and polymers, some of which may include fluorinated compounds, but no lab testing or brand statement is publicly available for this product.
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 Green Edition Mascara is made of, ingredients and materials
This mascara uses wax (likely beeswax or synthetic wax) as the base to coat and thicken lashes, combined with film-forming polymers that set the formula and pigments for color. Wax is a low-toxicity, well-tolerated ingredient in cosmetics. The polymers (typically acrylates or cellulose derivatives in mascaras) form a flexible film that adheres to lashes without hardening into a brittle shell. Pigments used in black mascaras are typically iron oxides or synthetic colorants; the Green Edition variant may include chromium oxide or organic dyes for its shade.
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.
1,4-dioxane (solvent contaminant)
Mascaras that use certain film-forming polymers or emulsifiers may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a contaminant from manufacturing. Maybelline does not publish ingredient-level solvent residue data; no 1,4-dioxane recall on record for this product.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some mascaras use formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., imidazolidinyl urea, dmdm hydantoin) to prevent microbial growth in the wet formula. Maybelline Green Edition ingredient list does not specify preservative type; formaldehyde release is low in rinse-off products but cumulative exposure over months is possible.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens
Maybelline Green Edition may contain undisclosed fragrance compounds; the brand lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient rather than naming individual allergens. If applied near sensitive eye area, fragrance components can trigger irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals.
Bacterial or mold growth (product degradation)
Wet mascaras are high-risk for bacterial and mold colonization if not replaced regularly or if applicator is exposed to moisture or contamination. This is a category-wide issue, not specific to Maybelline, but replacement every 3 months significantly reduces risk.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Iron oxide black and chromium oxide green are regulated colorants in eye cosmetics and do not bioaccumulate in the eye or skin at cosmetic-use levels. No reports of lead or cadmium contamination in Maybelline mascaras; synthetic iron oxides meet FDA purity standards.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (L'Oréal-owned) does not publicly disclose ingredient safety testing, allergen screening protocols, or PFAS contamination status. The brand has no documented major mascara recalls related to toxic contaminants, but maintains minimal transparency on heavy metal limits or fragrance allergen labeling in the US market. No third-party certifications (dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic) are prominently marketed for this line, though the formula is water-resistant and designed for sensitive eyes in some variants.
How it compares in its category
Mascaras as a category carry lower contamination risk than foundation or blush because they do not contain talc, silica powder, or lead-based pigments (which are banned in eye cosmetics in the US). Maybelline Green Edition sits at the mainstream price point and safety profile; premium and indie brands often disclose ingredient sourcing more explicitly, while drugstore formulas typically offer similar hazard profiles with less transparency. The wax-polymer combination is industry-standard and not a differentiator in safety.
If you buy it
Replace mascara every 3 months or if it dries out or develops odor, as mascaras are breeding grounds for bacteria in the wet, warm applicator. Do not share applicators or tubes. Store upright with the cap sealed tightly to prevent air exposure. If eye irritation, redness, or swelling develops, discontinue and rinse thoroughly; mascaras can harbor mold or bacterial growth if used past shelf-life. Avoid contact with contact lenses during application.
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.
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2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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