Maybelline Volum Express Colossal Washable Mascara
Skip until brand discloses waterproofing chemistry.
Washable mascara uses unspecified water-resistant coatings typical of cosmetics. Maybelline does not publicly disclose PFAS avoidance or waterproofing agents, limiting assessment.
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, oils, water-resistant polymers (unspecified)
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Maybelline Volum Express Washable Mascara is made of, ingredients and materials
Maybelline Volum Express Colossal Washable uses wax, oils, and water-resistant polymers as its primary matrix. The specific identity of the polymer is not disclosed on Maybelline's publicly available materials, which is the core issue, water-resistant mascaras typically achieve that property through film-forming agents, and in the mascara category, Teflon-type coating (Teflon), silicones, or fluorinated polymers are common choices. Without transparency on which polymer is used, the waterproofing mechanism cannot be independently assessed for inhalation risk or persistence.
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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Mascaras require preservatives to prevent bacterial and fungal growth in the wet matrix. Maybelline does not publicly disclose whether formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., dmdm hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) are used. Eye-area products have a heightened sensitization risk.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
If fragrance is listed in the formula, Maybelline is not required to disclose individual fragrance components ('fragrance' or 'parfum' on label masks allergen identity). Eye contact or inhalation of fragrance compounds can trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
Teflon-type coating inhalation risk from polymer matrix
If the undisclosed water-resistant polymer is Teflon-type coating or contains Teflon-type coating, application near the eye and mouth creates low but documented inhalation exposure risk. Teflon-type coating thermal decomposition is a known hazard; mascara itself is not heated, but Teflon-type coating dust inhalation during application or removal is theoretically possible if particles are aerosolized.
Polymer shedding and skin contact on lids and under-eye area
Water-resistant polymer coatings can degrade with time, heat, or moisture, potentially shedding micro-particles onto delicate under-eye skin. No published data exists on Maybelline Colossal specifically, but the undisclosed polymer composition prevents assessment of shedding behavior or degradation byproducts.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or independent testing reports specific contamination in Maybelline mascaras. Pigments are color-graded cosmetic-grade materials, but unspecified sourcing makes full traceability unavailable to consumers.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (owned by L'Oreal) has not made public commitments to PFAS-free formulation or disclosed waterproofing chemistry for this product line. The brand does list some certifications and safety compliance but does not proactively communicate polymer selection to consumers. No major recalls specific to this mascara's waterproofing agent have been documented in FDA or CPSC records, but absence of recall does not equal absence of concern when chemistry is opaque.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof and washable mascaras occupy a middle ground, they require more aggressive formulation than non-waterproof products but are marketed as easier to remove than traditional waterproof formulas. Many competitors in this segment (Clinique, CoverGirl, e.l.f.) also use undisclosed polymers, so this product is typical rather than exceptional. Brands that explicitly list Teflon-type coating-free or Teflon-family coating-free status (e.g., some indie or clean brands) are rarer and often more expensive.
If you buy it
Apply only to lashes; avoid contact with eyes, eyelids, and surrounding skin. Remove with gentle makeup remover or oil cleanser; do not rub vigorously, as the polymer coating can degrade and shed onto skin or into eyes. Replace every 3 months, or sooner if you notice clumping, drying, or an off odor, which indicates microbial colonization or polymer breakdown. If you have respiratory sensitivity or frequent inhalation exposure concerns, request the INCI list from Maybelline directly and ask specifically about Teflon-type coating and fluorinated polymer content before purchase.
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 has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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- Fragrance allergens and essential oils
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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