Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner
Skip until Maybelline reveals waterproof chemistry.
Waterproof liquid eyeliners often rely on fluorinated coatings, but Maybelline keeps its mechanism secret. No lab data or PFAS certification is available.
The safe swap
Ere Perez
Ere Perez Jojoba Eye Pencil Gem (lilac haze)
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/waterproof coating (composition undisclosed)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Bacterial growth and contamination (brush applicator)
Liquid eyeliners with brush applicators can harbor bacteria and fungi if shared or if the cap is left open. This is a general category risk for all liquid eyeliners, not specific to Maybelline's formula.
Eye irritation from polymer film residue
Anecdotal user reports exist of irritation from waterproof polymer buildup on sensitive eyes, particularly when removed incompletely. This is not unique to Maybelline but applies to the waterproof eyeliner category.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or verified contamination reported for Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner. FDA-approved colorants are used in the US market, but independent third-party testing of this specific shade is not publicly available.
Source: FDA ↗Fragrance allergens and 1,4-dioxane
Maybelline does not list added fragrance in this product. No complaints or regulatory action related to fragrance contamination or 1,4-dioxane in this eyeliner are on record.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are typical in waterproof liquid eyeliners; Maybelline's formula does not declare these agents. No safety alerts have been issued.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner uses a proprietary liquid polymer film technology designed to resist water and smudging. The exact chemical composition is not publicly disclosed, but waterproof cosmetics typically rely on water-resistant polymers, silicones, and film-forming agents. The PFAS grade of 30/100 suggests this formula likely contains fluorinated compounds to achieve its water-resistant finish, which may persist on skin and in the environment.
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (L'Oreal USA) does not publicly disclose PFAS content or commit to PFAS phase-out timelines, despite growing industry pressure. The brand has no major historical recalls or safety controversies tied to heavy metals or banned colorants in eyeliners. However, the lack of ingredient transparency around waterproofing chemistry is a red flag for consumers seeking safer alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Most waterproof eyeliners carry similar PFAS concerns, though brands like Ilia and RMS Beauty market PFAS-free formulations. Maybelline's formula is mid-range in the mass-market category; premium waterproof eyeliners from Clinique and MAC also typically use polymer film systems without public PFAS disclosure. Water-based or non-waterproof eyeliners (pencil or cream formulas) generally avoid PFAS, but sacrifice durability.
If you buy it
Replace eyeliner every 3 months to minimize bacterial growth at the brush tip and skin irritation. Remove thoroughly each night with gentle oil-based cleansers to avoid polymer buildup on the eyelid. Avoid applying to the waterline (inner lid) where absorption is highest. If you have sensitive eyes or dermatitis, consider patch-testing on a small area first.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Maybelline has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Eyeliner
MAC
Chromaline Gel - Hi-Def Cyan
gel pigment formulation (primary ingredients not publicly disclosed for proprietary reasons)
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane (contaminant in polyethylene glycol or emulsifiers)
Limited concern
Eye irritation from film formers or fragrance compounds
Moderate concern
Lower concern, but brand doesn't disclose full formulation details.
⚠Risky category by default
Ere Perez
Jojoba Eye Pencil Gem (lilac haze)
Jojoba oil, waxes, pigments (typical pencil formulation)
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Microorganism growth in oil matrix
Limited concern
Eye irritation or sensitization from wax/oil breakdown
Limited concern
Lower concern. Natural formula shows no PFAS risk signals.
⚠Risky category by default
Ere Perez
JOJOBA EYE PENCIL Natural Black
Jojoba oil, waxes, pigments (natural eye pencil formulation)
Fragrance allergens or essential oil irritants
Limited concern
Microbial or oxidative degradation of oil base
Limited concern
Lower concern. Natural formulation unlikely to contain deliberate PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
More eyeliner 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.