Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink City Edition Liquid Lipstick Founder
Waterproof liquid lipstick; PFAS use in cosmetics undisclosed by brand.
Maybelline hasn't disclosed PFAS presence or absence in this waterproof matte liquid lipstick. Waterproof cosmetics often contain fluorinated polymers without independent testing.
The better-graded swap
Kylie Cosmetics
Kylie Cosmetics Matte Lip Kit
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 polymer film with synthetic colorants
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.
Aqua Pure
3M Aqua-Pure AP802B Whole House Filter Housing
- 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. See all of them.
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. See all of them.
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. See all of them.
What Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink City is made of, ingredients and materials
Superstay Matte Ink is a film-forming liquid lipstick built on acrylate copolymer resins that harden when dry, holding color and matte finish for hours. The formula contains synthetic organic colorants (likely iron oxides, mica, and FDA-approved dyes) plus plasticizers and humectants to prevent cracking. This polymer matrix is designed to adhere to lips without transferring, meaning minimal ingestion risk compared to traditional lipsticks, but the synthetic base raises questions about ingredient transparency and potential skin irritants in sensitive individuals.
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.
Synthetic colorants and azo dyes
Liquid lipsticks typically use FD&C dyes and iron oxide pigments, which are FDA-approved but can trigger contact dermatitis or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Maybelline does not disclose dye source or purity testing on this product.
Acrylate polymer skin irritation
Film-forming acrylate resins are known to cause lip irritation, dryness, or allergic contact dermatitis in a subset of users; anecdotal reports exist in online reviews and dermatology literature for this product line.
1,4-dioxane as processing byproduct
Ethoxylated ingredients (common humectants in liquid lipsticks) may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a contaminant from synthesis. Maybelline does not test for or disclose this; risk from lip application is low given minimal ingestion, but chronic users may accumulate exposure.
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed)
If fragrance is listed, components are typically not disclosed individually; common allergens include limonene and linalool. Maybelline formulations may include fragrance masking agents that can cause contact sensitization.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Iron oxide pigments (reds, yellows, blacks) are widely used in approved cosmetics and subject to FDA purity limits; no recalls or testing failures on record for Maybelline Superstay Ink line specifically.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (L'Oreal subsidiary) meets FDA baseline cosmetic ingredient rules but does not publish full formulation disclosures or third-party safety certifications beyond regulatory compliance. The brand has no known major product recalls for this line, though individual sensitivities to acrylates or synthetic dyes are reported in user reviews. Maybelline does not publicly commit to PFAS-free formulations or provide ingredient traceability; PFAS presence in waterproofing agents is undisclosed industry-wide for most liquid lipsticks.
How it compares in its category
Liquid lipsticks as a category rely on synthetic polymers; Maybelline's formulation is mainstream and not outlier in safety profile versus Urban Decay, NYX, or MAC equivalents. Brands with certified clean beauty claims (Ilia, RMS) use plant-based film formers and disclose ingredients more fully, though cost is higher. Maybelline offers affordability and proven wear performance at the cost of opacity on ingredient sourcing and PFAS testing.
If you buy it
Apply sparingly to avoid excess ingestion through saliva. Do not use if you have diagnosed sensitivity to acrylates or synthetic dyes; patch test on inner lip first. Remove with oil-based cleanser or micellar water; do not scrub harshly as the film can irritate if rubbed raw. Replace if the formula separates, thickens, or develops odor, typically within 12-18 months depending on storage temperature and cap seal integrity.
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.
Better-graded alternatives in Lipstick
Burt's Bees
Suede Splash Lipstick
- Wax, oils, pigments, beeswax base
- Fragrance allergens (essential oils, fragrance compounds)
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Charlotte Tilbury
Hot Lips Lipstick
- Wax, oils, pigments, and traditional cosmetic binders
- Lead
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Coty
(2 pack) Coty Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick, 0.14 oz
- pigments, waxes, oils in lipstick base
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Formaldehyde / VOCs
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
More 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.