Maybelline The Falsies Surreal Extensions Mascara
Skip. Waterproof mascara likely uses PFAS; no brand transparency.
Waterproof mascaras commonly contain PFAS-based coatings for water resistance. Maybelline provides no ingredient disclosure or PFAS statements for this product, leaving exposure risk unclear.
The better-graded swap
Bare Minerals
bareMinerals Mineral Makeup
100/100 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
wax, polymers, unspecified waterproof coating
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Maybelline The Falsies Surreal Mascara is made of, ingredients and materials
Maybelline The Falsies Surreal Extensions uses wax, polymers, and an unspecified waterproof coating to create the mascara matrix. The exact polymer types (acrylic, silicone, nylon) and waterproof agent are not detailed on the label or in publicly available safety documentation. Waterproof mascaras typically rely on water-resistant polymers and binders that may include PFAS or siloxanes; without ingredient transparency, exposure risk cannot be independently verified. The wax base itself is low concern, but the undisclosed coating formulation is the primary chemical uncertainty.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
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.
1,4-dioxane (secondary contaminant in polymers/emulsifiers)
Waterproof mascaras often use polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate emulsifiers that can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane during manufacture. Maybelline does not disclose 1,4-dioxane testing or removal; presence cannot be ruled out without independent lab analysis.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some waterproof polymer coatings or preservatives can off-gas or release trace formaldehyde. No formaldehyde-releaser ban is listed for this product; undisclosed polymer identity makes assessment difficult.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens (if present)
The product ingredient list does not explicitly name fragrance components; mascaras often contain fragrance for aesthetic appeal. Undisclosed fragrance may trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, especially on the delicate eye contour.
Coating degradation and leaching over time
Waterproof mascaras are prone to separation, thickening, and polymer breakdown after 3-6 months of use. As the waterproof coating degrades, polymers and binders can flake or leach into tears, increasing eye exposure; replacement timing is critical.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Standard iron oxide and titanium dioxide pigments in black mascaras are generally low-concern, but Maybelline does not publish heavy metal (lead, cadmium, arsenic) limits or testing. FDA guidelines apply, but voluntary disclosure is absent.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (L'Oreal subsidiary) does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing, manufacturing disclosures, or PFAS avoidance commitments for individual products. The brand does not claim third-party dermatological certifications or submit mascaras to voluntary safety audits beyond regulatory baseline (FDA cosmetic registration). No recalls or substantiated safety incidents are on record for this specific product, but the absence of transparency is notable in an industry where competitors increasingly disclose preservatives, fragrance allergens, and waterproofing agents.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof mascaras are inherently higher concern than conventional ones because the waterproofing mechanism is often proprietary and undisclosed. Many conventional mascaras use disclosed silicones or polymers; Maybelline's silence on this product's waterproof agent places it below brands that name polymers (e.g., acrylates, siloxanes) or certify PFAS-free formulations. Budget-tier waterproof mascaras generally offer less ingredient transparency than prestige lines, though formulation risk is not inherently tied to price.
If you buy it
Apply to the lash line only; avoid heavy eyelid contact to reduce systemic absorption of polymers and waterproofing agents. Remove with makeup remover or oil cleanser within 12 hours to prevent polymer buildup and eye irritation. Replace the product every 3 months (standard for mascaras) or sooner if the formula thickens, separates, or smells chemical. Do not heat the mascara tube or expose it to direct sunlight, as wax-polymer blends may degrade or leach constituents of the coating.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% 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.
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2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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