Maybelline · Lip Balm & Long-Wear Lipstick
Maybelline Lifter Plump Plumping Lip Gloss
Skip until Maybelline discloses waterproof ingredients.
Waterproofing and plumping polymers are advertised but specific coating agents aren't publicly disclosed. Cosmetic waterproofing sometimes uses PFAS, but ingredient transparency is absent.
The better-graded swap
Maybelline
Maybelline Lifter Gloss
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
emollient blend with waterproofing agents
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Maybelline Lifter Plump Plumping Lip Gloss is made of, ingredients and materials
Lifter Plump is an emollient-based lip gloss with waterproofing agents and plumping actives (likely peptides or capsaicin derivatives). The waterproofing component is the critical unknown, Maybelline does not publicly disclose whether Teflon-type coating, siloxanes, or fluorinated compounds are used to achieve water resistance. This opacity is the primary safety concern, since waterproof lip products often rely on fluorinated chemistry to prevent breakdown during moisture exposure.
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 lip glosses commonly use fluorinated polymers or per/polyfluoroalkyl substances to achieve water resistance. Maybelline does not disclose the specific waterproofing chemistry, making direct assessment impossible; however, the 'Poor' PFAS grade assigned suggests fluorinated compounds are probable.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens
Lip glosses typically contain fragrance compounds listed as 'fragrance' or 'parfum' on labels. Individual sensitivity varies; potential allergens include linalool, limonene, or other fragrance components not itemized on packaging. Lip products pose higher allergen risk due to oral proximity and potential ingestion.
Ingestion of non-food-grade emollients
Lip glosses are designed to be worn on lips where saliva and normal oral contact will cause partial ingestion of the formula. While cosmetic-grade emollients are permitted in small amounts under regulatory frameworks, chronic low-level ingestion of non-food-grade oils and thickeners has not been extensively studied in regulatory literature.
Irritation from plumping actives
Plumping glosses commonly cause temporary mild tingling, swelling, or irritation as intended cosmetic effects. Some users report persistent irritation or allergic contact dermatitis; causation is typically linked to peptide or capsaicin-like ingredients rather than broad safety failure, but individual sensitivity is unpredictable.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or public reports link Maybelline Lifter Plump to lead, cadmium, or other heavy metal contamination in pigments. Maybelline operates under FDA and EU cosmetic regulations, which set limits on metallic impurities in colorants, though enforcement and testing transparency remain limited.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (owned by L'Oreal) has not published ingredient-level transparency reports or commitments to eliminate PFAS from color cosmetics. The brand lists standard cosmetic ingredients on packaging but does not flag waterproofing agents by chemical class. No major safety recalls specific to this product line are on record, but Maybelline's silence on PFAS use in waterproof formulas is consistent with industry-wide avoidance of the topic.
How it compares in its category
Plumping glosses are a high-trend category with heavy reliance on waterproofing to maintain wear time. Lifter Plump sits mid-market; drugstore alternatives (e.g., Revlon, Wet n Wild) often use similar non-disclosed waterproofing chemistry, while prestige brands (e.g., MAC, Fenty) offer some transparency but rarely specify PFAS status. Few lip glosses in any price tier disclose full waterproofing ingredients, making this a category-wide opacity issue.
If you buy it
Use as intended, apply to lips only, do not ingest or leave on skin for extended periods between use. Avoid applying near eyes or to irritated lip skin, as plumping actives can cause temporary tingling or sensitivity. Remove with standard makeup remover or oil cleanser; waterproof formulas do not require harsh scrubbing. Replace if formula separates, changes odor, or shows signs of degradation after 12 months of storage.
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 Lifter Plump Plumping Lip Gloss?
- Glycerin, silicones, pigments, film-formers (typical liquid cosmetic gloss)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
- Liquid lipstick, likely pigments, oils, and waxes
- Fragrance allergens or sensitizers
- Natural waxes and oils (beeswax, plant oils, pigments)
- Lead
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More lip balm & long-wear lipstick 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.