NYX Professional Makeup Worth The Hype Mascara
Waterproof mascara carries PFAS risk; NYX discloses nothing.
Waterproof mascaras often use PFAS-based polymers for durability. NYX makes no PFAS disclosure for this product, leaving composition unclear.
The safe 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
Film-forming polymers, waterproof film-former
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Waterproof mascaras commonly rely on PFAS-based polymers; NYX discloses nothing, making exposure probable though unconfirmed for this specific product. Graded separately (30/100) per brief.
Source: ATSDR ↗1,4-dioxane (synthetic polymer contaminant)
Film-forming polymers in waterproof mascaras may contain residual 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct of synthetic processing. No test data available for this specific product; risk is lower than in surfactant-heavy products but present in polymer-based formulas.
Fragrance allergens
NYX lists 'fragrance' in typical mascara formulations without specifying components. Mascara applied near eyes increases irritation risk; undisclosed fragrance mixtures may trigger contact dermatitis or eye sensitivity in users with known sensitivities.
Bacterial or fungal growth if tube is not maintained
Waterproof mascaras trap moisture in tubes, creating conditions for microbial growth if not replaced regularly. General hygiene (no double-dipping, cap closure) is user-dependent; this is a category-wide risk, not specific to NYX formulation.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Black mascara pigments are typically iron oxide-based and regulated in cosmetics; no recalls or testing issues reported for NYX mascara. Cosmetic-grade iron oxide is considered safe at application levels, though source and purity are not publicly disclosed.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Worth The Hype Mascara uses film-forming polymers as its waterproof binder, typical of waterproof mascaras in this price tier. These polymers coat lashes and require solvent-based removers or oil cleansing to break down. The waterproofing mechanism inherently raises PFAS probability, as fluorinated compounds are industry-standard for water resistance in cosmetics. No ingredient list detail on NYX's website specifies the polymer type or confirms PFAS-free formulation.
The brand's record and disclosure
NYX Professional Makeup is owned by L'Oreal, a major cosmetics conglomerate, yet maintains minimal public disclosure on PFAS use in waterproof products. The brand has no published PFAS elimination policy or third-party certifications (e.g., MADE SAFE, PFAS-free claims). Formulation transparency on their site is generic; no independent recalls or safety violations specific to this mascara are on record, but silence on waterproofing chemistry is notable in an industry increasingly pressured to disclose.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof mascaras across all price points carry PFAS risk; NYX's tier is mid-market with less accountability than prestige brands that sometimes publish PFAS testing. Water-resistant (non-waterproof) mascaras or oil-based formulas avoid the fluorinated polymer need entirely. Among drugstore waterproof mascaras, NYX offers no distinguishing safety transparency, making it typical rather than exceptional in a category where PFAS is largely undisclosed industry-wide.
If you buy it
Remove with oil-based cleansers (coconut, jojoba, mineral oil) rather than alcohol wipes, which stress the polymer and increase residue. Replace every 3 months (or sooner if dry or clumpy) to avoid bacterial overgrowth in the tube, a common issue with waterproof formulas that trap moisture. Avoid pumping the wand repeatedly, which introduces air and shortens shelf life. Do not use if eyes are irritated; discontinue if redness or itching develops.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% 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.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Mascara
Burt's Bees
100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown
Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base)
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
Limited concern
Bacterial growth and contamination in wax formula
Limited concern
Lower concern; conventional non-waterproof formula with no identified PFAS drivers.
⚠Risky category by default
More 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.