Maybelline · Lip Balm & Long-Wear Lipstick
Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipcolor
Waterproof cosmetics may contain PFAS; brand discloses nothing.
Maybelline has not disclosed PFAS presence or absence in this waterproof liquid lipstick. Waterproof cosmetics sometimes use PFAS-based polymers; no third-party testing is publicly available for this product.
The better-graded swap
EOS
eos Smooth 'n Sweet Lip Butter Bundle
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
liquid pigment suspension with waterproof polymer resin
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Maybelline Super Stay Liquid Lipcolor is made of, ingredients and materials
Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink is a liquid pigment suspension bound in waterproof polymer resin, designed to adhere to lips without transfer. The waterproof claim almost certainly relies on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) to repel moisture, though Maybelline does not publicly disclose this. The vinyl polymer base itself is not inherently hazardous, but the waterproofing mechanism is the major concern.
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.
1,4-dioxane (formulation byproduct)
Liquid cosmetics using polyethylene glycol polymers or emulsifiers may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. Maybelline does not list dioxane or test data publicly; no recalls exist for this product, but the risk is inherent to waterproof liquid formulations and cannot be ruled out.
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Maybelline lists fragrance as an ingredient but does not itemize fragrance components. Waterproof formulations often include fragrance masking to hide resin odor, creating risk for sensitization in users with perfume allergies or asthma.
Bacterial contamination from open-container use
Liquid lipsticks are applied directly to mucous membranes and share a brush applicator, creating risk for bacterial colonization if caps are left unsealed or product is used beyond 12 months. No brand-specific outbreak data exists, but this is a usage risk inherent to the product class.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No specific heavy metal contamination (lead, cadmium, chromium) has been reported in Maybelline lipsticks. Most major cosmetic manufacturers screen pigments to comply with FDA limits, though independent testing is rare and public data is minimal.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
No established data indicates formaldehyde releasers in this specific product. Modern cosmetics increasingly avoid DMDM hydantoin and imidazolidinyl urea; Maybelline's formulations typically meet current safety standards, though full preservative chemistry is not disclosed.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (owned by L'Oreal) does not disclose PFAS use in this product or category-wide. No specific recalls or regulatory actions target this product for cosmetic safety violations. The brand maintains basic FDA compliance but does not publish ingredient transparency beyond legal minimums or pursue third-party certifications like EWG verification or cruelty-free standards that might suggest higher disclosure standards.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof liquid lipsticks across the category (MAC, Urban Decay, Fenty) face the same PFAS disclosure gap, making this product typical rather than an outlier. Non-waterproof or water-resistant liquid lipsticks from indie or certified-organic brands often avoid PFAS entirely, though they trade longevity for transparency. Among mass-market waterproof liquid lips, Maybelline's formula is mainstream but offers no competitive advantage in ingredient openness.
If you buy it
Apply sparingly to minimize cumulative dermal and ingestible exposure, as liquid lipsticks migrate into saliva during wear. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat to prevent any polymer or pigment degradation. Replace every 6-12 months or when the formula thickens, as preservative loss increases bacterial growth risk in opened cosmetics. If you experience persistent irritation, swelling, or rash, discontinue and consider patch-testing alternatives.
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 Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipcolor?
- 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.