Maybelline · Foundation & Primer
Maybelline Superstay 24H Primer
Skip until PFAS status clarified by brand or testing.
Maybelline has not disclosed PFAS content for this waterproof primer. Waterproof cosmetics may contain PFAS-based repellent coatings; independent testing data is unavailable.
The better-graded swap
Bare Minerals
bareMinerals Original Prime Time Foundation Primer
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
Silicone, glycerin, polymer emulsion with waterproofing agents
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Maybelline Superstay 24H Primer is made of, ingredients and materials
Superstay 24H Primer is a silicone-based emulsion combining volatile silicones with glycerin humectants and waterproofing polymer additives to create a long-wear base layer. Silicones themselves are inert once cured and do not leach under normal use conditions on skin. The waterproofing agents embedded in the polymer matrix are where PFAS contamination risk is highest, as perfluorinated compounds are commonly used in cosmetic formulations to improve water resistance and durability.
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.
PFAS
Maybelline has not disclosed PFAS status; waterproofing polymers in long-wear primers commonly contain PFAS. No public test results or recalls exist for this specific product, but category-wide concern is established.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens (unlisted in 'fragrance' disclosure)
Product formulation includes fragrance components not individually named on label per regulatory allowance. Contact sensitivity has not been formally documented for this product, but silicone primers can intensify skin reactions in sensitive individuals.
Volatile silicone inhalation during application
Volatile silicones in primers evaporate during application; no occupational exposure limits are exceeded under normal consumer use, but poorly ventilated environments or occupational makeup application may warrant respiratory consideration.
What’s reassuring
1,4-dioxane (cosmetic manufacturing byproduct)
No specific testing or recall data available for Superstay 24H Primer. Dioxane risk in silicone emulsions is generally low if suppliers use purified ingredients, but Maybelline does not disclose supplier standards or trace levels.
Heavy metals
No talc or pigmented color additives are listed in publicly available ingredient information for this primer. Silicone and glycerin bases do not inherently concentrate heavy metals.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (owned by L'Oreal) does not publicly disclose PFAS content or commitment to PFAS-free reformulation as of available records. The brand has not published specific ingredient safety statements or third-party certifications addressing fluorinated compound use. This silence on an emerging regulatory concern, combined with industry-wide PFAS prevalence in waterproofing agents, creates a transparency gap that prevents confident assessment.
How it compares in its category
Silicone-based primers dominate the long-wear cosmetics market and typically carry similar PFAS exposure potential as Superstay 24H. Water-based or oil-based primer alternatives exist but often sacrifice the 24-hour wear claim. Most major brands in this segment (Smashbox, Urban Decay, Benefit) similarly lack public PFAS disclosures, making this product representative of category-wide opacity rather than uniquely problematic.
If you buy it
Apply a small amount to clean, dry skin and allow 1-2 minutes for full set before foundation application. Do not apply to broken or irritated skin barrier, as silicone primers can trap moisture and delay healing. Store below 77F away from direct sunlight; silicone formulations remain stable but waterproofing polymers can degrade if exposed to heat. If redness, itching, or contact dermatitis develops, discontinue and consult a dermatologist; consider requesting PFAS testing transparency from Maybelline before repurchase.
What we don’t know
- 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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More foundation & primer 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.