Maybelline · Lip Balm & Long-Wear Lipstick
Maybelline Superstay Gloss
Proceed with caution as waterproof cosmetics may contain PFAS.
Long-wear waterproof lip gloss likely uses water-resistant polymers and coatings typical of the category. Maybelline makes no PFAS disclosures. Waterproof cosmetics are a known PFAS use case, but no published lab data exists on this product.
The better-graded swap
Laura Mercier
Laura Mercier Lip Glace (4.5g/0.15oz
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
Film-forming polymers, silicones, waterproof coating
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Maybelline Superstay Gloss is made of, ingredients and materials
Maybelline Superstay Gloss uses film-forming polymers and silicones as its base, combined with a waterproof/water-resistant coating to extend wear time and glossiness. These polymers trap moisture on the lip and create a protective barrier, which is why waterproofing agents are necessary. The specific waterproofing chemistry is not fully disclosed by Maybelline in public ingredient lists, raising concern about potential PFAS use (a common water-repellent in cosmetics). Silicones themselves are stable on skin and not typically toxic, but the undisclosed additives are the main safety question.
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
Maybelline does not disclose the water-resistant agent used in Superstay Gloss. PFAS compounds are widely used in waterproof cosmetics to repel moisture; no public testing or commitment to avoid them exists for this brand.
Source, ATSDR ↗1,4-dioxane contamination
Film-forming polymers and certain silicone-based ingredients used in long-wear glosses can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. Maybelline does not publish 1,4-dioxane testing or removal data for this product.
Fragrance and colorant allergens
Superstay Gloss contains fragrance (listed on packaging) and synthetic colorants; some users may experience contact sensitization or lip irritation, particularly with repeated daily application over months.
Silicone accumulation and irritation
Heavy silicone-based glosses can occlude the lip barrier and trap bacteria or sweat over time if not removed thoroughly, potentially leading to chapping or low-grade irritation in sensitive individuals.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or public reports of lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Maybelline Superstay Gloss. FDA-regulated colorants in cosmetics are screened, but Maybelline does not publish independent heavy-metal testing data.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (owned by L'Oreal) does not publish detailed ingredient transparency reports or waterproofing-agent sourcing information for this product. The brand has no known major lip-product recalls or documented formaldehyde-releaser issues in the U.S. market. However, Maybelline has not signed commitments to PFAS elimination or published PFAS testing data, placing it in the middle-ground for cosmetics disclosure. No third-party certifications (cruelty-free, vegan, clean beauty) are prominently listed for this specific product line.
How it compares in its category
Long-wear lip glosses universally rely on film-forming polymers and water resistance; Superstay is typical in this regard, not a standout for either safety or transparency. Brands like Revlon and Covergirl use similar chemistry, while premium brands (MAC, Charlotte Tilbury) often disclose ingredients more fully but do not necessarily avoid waterproofing agents. Natural-focused alternatives (Burt's Bees, RMS Beauty) use plant waxes and oils instead of synthetic polymers, eliminating waterproofing but sacrificing longevity. Superstay sits in the mainstream mass-market segment with no significant safety or transparency advantage over competitors.
If you buy it
Apply sparingly; the thicker the layer, the longer synthetic polymers remain on lips and the greater any ingestion risk. Remove with a gentle lip balm or oil-based cleanser at night, not harsh scrubbing, to avoid irritation from residual film. Avoid applying to broken or severely dry lips, as the waterproof coating may trap irritants. Replace every 12-18 months or if the gloss separates, thickens, or develops an off smell, as older cosmetics can harbor bacterial growth or polymer degradation.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% 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 Superstay 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.