NYX Professional Makeup Hype Waterproof Mascara
Waterproof cosmetics may use PFAS; no brand disclosure available.
NYX does not publicly disclose PFAS content or sourcing in this waterproof mascara. Waterproof cosmetics formulations sometimes contain fluorinated compounds, but no lab data or brand statement confirms or rules out PFAS here.
The better-graded swap
Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown
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
Mascara with waterproof formula and unknown coating/resin system
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What NYX Professional Makeup Hype Mascara is made of, ingredients and materials
NYX Hype Waterproof Mascara uses a waterproofing resin system to create water-resistant film on lashes; the exact polymer chemistry is not disclosed by the brand. Waterproof mascaras typically rely on either silicone-based resins, acrylates, or fluorinated compounds to repel moisture. The 'Hype' line does not publish ingredient transparency beyond FD&C colorants and preservatives, making independent assessment of coating chemistry difficult. Waterproof formulations inherently pose higher scrutiny for PFAS use, as fluorocarbon chemistry is industry-standard for water resistance in cosmetics.
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
Waterproof mascaras commonly use preservatives such as dmdm hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea, which release formaldehyde over time. NYX Hype does not disclose its specific preservative type; if present, chronic eye exposure to formaldehyde vapor or leachate poses irritation and allergic sensitization risk.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens and undisclosed compounds
If fragrance or botanical extracts are included in the waterproof formula, they may trigger contact dermatitis or ocular irritation in sensitive users. NYX does not itemize fragrance components ('fragrance' is a permitted trade secret), masking potential allergens like limonene or linalool.
Polymer degradation and particle shedding
Waterproof resin coatings degrade with age, heat, and friction (e.g., rubbing eyes); breakdown products may shed as microparticles onto the eyelid and conjunctiva. Long-term safety of chronic exposure to synthetic polymer particles in sensitive ocular tissue is not well characterized.
Eye irritation and allergic sensitization (formulation-dependent)
Waterproof mascaras as a class are among the top cosmetic triggers for eye redness, itching, and contact dermatitis; NYX Hype user reviews on retail sites include scattered reports of irritation, though causation cannot be confirmed without product testing.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
FD&C-approved colorants (likely CI 77499 iron oxides or carbon black) in mascara are typically screened for lead and cadmium. No recalls or reported contamination specific to NYX Hype on record; compliance with FDA limits is presumed but unverified by independent testing.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
NYX (owned by L'Oreal) does not maintain a public PFAS policy or disclose waterproofing polymer sources for this mascara line. The brand has no known recalls specific to Hype Mascara related to heavy metals or banned colorants, though L'Oreal parent company has faced scrutiny over PFAS in waterproof cosmetics elsewhere. NYX provides basic safety data sheets but does not voluntarily list fluorinated or PFAS-adjacent ingredients. Absence of disclosure is not absence of hazard; it reflects industry-standard opacity on proprietary formulations.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof mascaras as a category carry higher PFAS risk than non-waterproof formulas; NYX Hype is positioned as a budget mass-market product with no certified PFAS-free or transparency badges. Brands like Glossier, RMS Beauty, and Ilia publish ingredient lists and some avoid waterproof claims altogether to sidestep PFAS concerns. NYX Hype sits in the mid-tier price range ($7-10) where cost pressures may favor cheaper fluorinated polymers over greener alternatives. Competing waterproof mascaras from Maybelline and L'Oreal itself show similar opacity on waterproofing chemistry.
If you buy it
Use standard makeup remover or micellar water; waterproof formulas require more vigorous removal, risking lash and lid irritation with daily use. Do not heat the product or store it above 25C, as thermal stress may alter polymer stability or leach additives. Replace mascara every 3 months or if clumping, separation, or odor occur, as old formulas are prone to bacterial growth. If you experience redness, itching, or swelling around the eye after use, discontinue and consult a dermatologist; waterproof mascaras are a known irritant trigger in sensitive individuals.
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
- NYX has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to NYX Professional Makeup Hype Waterproof Mascara?
- Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base)
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- pigments, waxes, polymers (unspecified)
- Lead
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- pigments, waxes, film-formers in liquid mascara
- Heavy metals
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore waterproof mascara 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.