PFAS30/ 100Poor
Overall18/ 100Bad
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 65 Seductress - 0.17 fl oz, Paraben-Free, Lip Brightening, Matte Finish

Maybelline SuperStay · Lipstick

Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 65 Seductress - 0.17 fl oz, Paraben-Free, Lip Brightening, Matte Finish

Poor

Matte liquid lipstick with undisclosed waterproofing leaves lower certainty on PFAS risk.

Verdict · SkipMaybelline SuperStay Matte Ink is a mainstream cosmetic with paraben-free formulation and no established heavy metal or formaldehyde concerns on record; PFAS waterproofing risk is the primary uncertainty.

This matte waterproof liquid lipstick's water-resistant coating remains unspecified, and Maybelline makes no PFAS-related claims. Waterproof liquid lipsticks historically may contain fluorinated polymers, but no lab data or warnings exist for this specific item.

The better-graded swap

Estee Lauder Pure Color Creme Lipstick

Estée Lauder

Estee Lauder Pure Color Creme Lipstick

75/100 safety

75Excellent

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 lipstick with waterproofing agent (unspecified polymer/resin)

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

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✓ MADE SAFE Certified✓ Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
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What Maybelline SuperStay Matte Finish is made of, ingredients and materials

Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink is a liquid lipstick based on film-forming polymers and resins that dry to a waterproof matte finish. The exact waterproofing polymer is not disclosed by Maybelline, which is standard industry practice for proprietary formulations. Liquid lipsticks in this category typically use acrylates, silicones, or synthetic film-formers; the undisclosed waterproofing agent is the primary opacity in the safety profile. The product is paraben-free and contains no reported talc, reducing two common lipstick concerns.

What’s concerning

♾️

Category baseline

The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.

80/ 100
♾️

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.

85/ 100
♾️

Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment

Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.

65/ 100
🏷️

Undisclosed waterproofing polymer or resin (inhalation and ingestion risk)

The specific waterproofing agent is not named on the label or in public ingredient disclosures. Liquid lipsticks with undisclosed polymers carry low but unquantified risk of exposure to synthetic film-formers during reapplication; no recalls or adverse events are on record for this specific product.

70/ 100
⚠️

Fragrance allergens (sensitization risk)

Maybelline SuperStay formulations typically contain fragrance compounds to mask the polymer and resin odor. Individual fragrance ingredients are not itemized; lip products with fragrance carry reported risk of contact dermatitis and allergic reactions in sensitive users, though this is category-wide rather than product-specific.

70/ 100
⚠️

Bacterial or fungal contamination (if container or applicator compromised)

Liquid lipsticks with applicator wands stored in moist environments or used on broken skin can harbor microbial growth over time. This is a user-maintenance risk rather than a manufacturing defect, but users should discard the product if odor, separation, or color change occurs.

70/ 100

What’s reassuring

🧠

Lead

No FDA recalls or independent testing results showing heavy metal contamination in SuperStay Matte Ink are publicly available. Maybelline sources pigments from regulated suppliers, and the paraben-free marketing suggests quality control oversight, but full pigment safety data is not independently verified or published.

Source, ATSDR ↗
95/ 100
💨

Formaldehyde / VOCs

Maybelline does not list formaldehyde or formaldehyde-donors (dmdm hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) in published ingredient information for SuperStay Matte Ink. The paraben-free claim does not guarantee absence of other preservative classes, but no adverse events tied to formaldehyde exposure from this product are documented.

Source, ATSDR ↗
95/ 100

How is this PFAS grade calculated?

The brand's record and disclosure

Maybelline (owned by L'Oreal) does not publish detailed ingredient transparency or third-party safety certifications for this specific shade or formula variant. The brand has no major recalls or regulatory actions specific to SuperStay Matte Ink. However, Maybelline's parent company L'Oreal has faced periodic scrutiny over fragrance allergen labeling and heavy metal testing in color cosmetics, though SuperStay Matte Ink has not been individually flagged. The paraben-free marketing reflects consumer demand but does not indicate broader safety testing beyond regulatory compliance.

How it compares in its category

Liquid lipsticks are a high-exposure oral cosmetic category because of frequent reapplication and ingestion risk. SuperStay Matte Ink sits in the mainstream mass-market tier; premium alternatives (e.g., MAC Fix+, Charlotte Tilbury) often disclose waterproofing agents more explicitly. Budget alternatives from drugstore brands typically use similar undisclosed film-formers. The paraben-free claim is now common across most major brands, so it does not differentiate SuperStay in safety profile compared to competitors.

If you buy it

Apply sparingly to reduce ingestion during eating and drinking; liquid lipsticks are designed for all-day wear but should be removed with makeup remover or micellar water at night to minimize skin barrier disruption. Do not apply to lips with visible cuts or inflammation, as the film-forming polymers may irritate compromised skin. Replace if the formula separates, thickens, or develops odor, indicating bacterial or fungal growth in the container. Store upright at room temperature and avoid direct sunlight, which can degrade the polymer matrix over time.

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 SuperStay has made none

Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.

What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 65 Seductress - 0.17 fl oz, Paraben-Free, Lip Brightening, Matte Finish?

Burt's Bees Suede Splash Lipstick

Burt's Bees

Suede Splash Lipstick

75ExcellentPFAS grade
  • Wax, oils, pigments, beeswax base
  • Fragrance allergens (essential oils, fragrance compounds)

2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick

Charlotte Tilbury

Hot Lips Lipstick

75ExcellentPFAS grade
  • Wax, oils, pigments, and traditional cosmetic binders
  • Lead

3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

  • pigments, waxes, oils in lipstick base
  • We found no PFAS statement from the brand
  • 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.