Maybelline · Waterproof Mascara
Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara
Waterproof cosmetics carry inherent PFAS risk; Maybelline silent on formula.
Waterproof mascaras commonly rely on PFAS to create durable water repellency. Maybelline discloses no ingredient details or PFAS status.
The better-graded swap
Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown
75/100 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, water-resistant film coating
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara is made of, ingredients and materials
Great Lash Waterproof uses wax (likely paraffin or beeswax), film-forming polymers, and a water-resistant film coating to achieve its waterproof claim. The coating mechanism almost certainly involves fluorinated compounds (PFAS) because conventional polymers alone cannot repel water effectively in mascara formulations. Maybelline's ingredient list on the product does not explicitly name PFAS compounds, which is standard industry practice; these are typically embedded in proprietary film-forming agent blends.
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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Waterproof mascara formulations depend on fluorinated polymers or siloxane-fluorine hybrids to create water-repellent barriers. No waterproof mascara achieves durability without PFAS-class chemistry; Maybelline does not disclose the specific compounds or their concentrations.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Mascara formulas typically contain fragrance to mask waxy and polymer odors. The Great Lash formula lists 'fragrance' as a catch-all category; individual allergens such as limonene or linalool are not itemized on the package or standard ingredient databases.
Bacterial growth in mascara wand and tube
Waterproof mascaras retain moisture in the wand longer than washable formulas, creating a humid environment favorable to bacterial and fungal growth. Studies have documented Staphylococcus and Pityrosporum species in unused mascara tubes after three to four months; replacement schedules should be shorter for waterproof products.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Mascara black pigments are typically iron oxides (CI 77499) or carbon black, which are regulated and low-risk at cosmetic application levels. No recalls or warnings for lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Great Lash Waterproof are documented.
Source, FDA ↗Talc contamination in pressed or mineral pigments
Great Lash Waterproof does not list talc as an ingredient. Iron oxide pigments and wax bases are talc-free, and no asbestos risk is documented in this product line.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (owned by L'Oreal) has not issued public statements specifically addressing PFAS in mascara or waterproof cosmetics. The brand does not list certifications such as Clean Beauty, EWG Verified, or PFAS-free claims on this product. L'Oreal's overall corporate transparency on PFAS use in cosmetics remains limited compared to competitors like Unilever or Estee Lauder, which have issued targeted PFAS reduction pledges. No recalls or safety warnings specific to Great Lash Waterproof are on record.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof mascaras across all brands carry inherent PFAS risk because the chemistry required for water resistance typically depends on fluorinated compounds. Great Lash Waterproof is a budget-tier product; premium waterproof mascaras from brands like MAC or Clinique show similarly opaque ingredient disclosure. Non-waterproof alternatives (including Maybelline's own Great Lash Washable) have lower concern for PFAS but may not perform as well in wet conditions. This product sits at the industry standard for transparency and risk in the waterproof segment.
If you buy it
Apply mascara to the lash base and tip, avoiding direct contact with the eyelid skin where absorption risk is highest. Replace the mascara tube every three months to prevent bacterial colonization in the moisture-rich wand; waterproof formulas are more prone to drying out and harbor microbes longer. Remove with dedicated makeup remover (oil-based removes waterproof formulas more effectively than water alone) to avoid aggressive rubbing that stresses the eyelid. Do not apply near the waterline or inner eye; waterproof residue in tear ducts can accumulate.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% 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 Waterproof Mascara?
- Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base)
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- pigments, waxes, polymers (unspecified)
- Lead
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- pigments, waxes, film-formers in liquid mascara
- Heavy metals
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore waterproof mascara 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.