Maybelline SuperStay · Lipstick
Maybelline SuperStay 24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick
Waterproof cosmetics carry moderate PFAS risk without public testing or brand disclosure available.
This waterproof two-step liquid lipstick often involves PFAS-based coatings or film-formers to achieve water resistance in cosmetics. Maybelline has made no public PFAS claims or third-party certifications, with no independent lab data publicly available for this specific product.
The better-graded swap
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Pure Color Explicit Silk Matte Lipstick
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 pigments, film-forming polymers, waterproof topcoat
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Maybelline SuperStay 24 Liquid Lipstick is made of, ingredients and materials
SuperStay 24 is a two-part liquid lipstick system, a pigmented base layer (azo dyes, iron oxides, film-forming polymers like acrylates) and a waterproof topcoat sealant. The waterproofing mechanism typically relies on silicone-based or Teflon-family coating resins to create a long-wearing barrier. Waterproof cosmetics are where PFAS compounds most commonly appear in lipsticks because they provide water and oil repellency; Maybelline has not disclosed whether fluorine-based ingredients are used in the topcoat.
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
Waterproofing sealants in long-wear liquid lipsticks frequently contain fluorinated polymers or Teflon-type coating-based compounds. Maybelline has not disclosed ingredient sourcing or tested this product for PFAS content; risk is estimated moderate based on product category and brand opacity.
Source, ATSDR ↗Contact dermatitis or lip sensitization from film-forming polymers
Acrylate-based film-formers and silicones in long-wear formulas can trigger irritation, drying, or allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, especially with prolonged daily use. No specific adverse event data exists for this SKU, but the formula type and extended wear are known irritants for a subset of users.
Oral ingestion risk and polymer safety if ingested
Liquid lipsticks are not intended for ingestion but residues are inevitably swallowed during eating and drinking. The acrylate polymers and waterproof resins are approved for skin contact but are not food-grade; chronic low-level ingestion poses unknown long-term risk due to lack of toxicology data in cosmetic literature.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or test results on record show lead, cadmium, or arsenic contamination in SuperStay 24. Azo dyes and synthetic iron oxides are FDA-approved colorants; however, Maybelline does not publish independent heavy metal testing, so contamination risk cannot be fully ruled out.
Source, FDA ↗Fragrance allergens
SuperStay 24 formulations typically contain fragrance and/or flavor compounds. Maybelline does not disclose fragrance constituents (parfum is listed as single ingredient). Known fragrance allergens like limonene or geraniol may be present but are not disclosed on the label.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (owned by L'Oreal) does not publish ingredient safety certifications, PFAS sourcing statements, or third-party heavy metal testing results for this line. The brand has faced no major recalls or regulatory actions specific to SuperStay 24. However, the lack of voluntary transparency on fluorine chemistry and pigment sourcing is notable in a category where competitors increasingly disclose formulation data in response to PFAS concerns in cosmetics.
How it compares in its category
Long-wear liquid lipsticks as a category carry higher PFAS likelihood than traditional creams because waterproofing is a defining feature. SuperStay 24 is mainstream mass-market; alternatives like Revlon ColorStay or NYX Lip Lingerie also lack public PFAS testing. Premium and indie brands (MAC, Fenty, Glossier) increasingly provide ingredient transparency, though many still do not test for PFAS. None of these products have PFAS recalls on record, but absence of disclosure does not mean absence of risk.
If you buy it
Apply only to lips; do not ingest or use on broken skin. Remove with makeup remover or oil cleanser after 8-12 hours of wear to prevent pigment staining and resin buildup. If lips develop irritation, drying, or contact dermatitis, discontinue and patch-test the base and topcoat separately to identify the culprit. Store away from heat and direct sunlight; the polymer matrix can degrade under UV and temperature extremes, potentially altering formulation stability.
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 SuperStay has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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- Lead
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- pigments, waxes, oils in lipstick base
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- Formaldehyde / VOCs
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.