NYX Professional Makeup Worth The Hype Waterproof Mascara
Waterproof mascara formula likely uses synthetic coatings; PFAS risk unclear without full ingredient disclosure.
NYX does not disclose waterproofing chemistry or PFAS status for this mascara. Waterproof cosmetics often contain fluorinated polymers, but no public lab data confirms presence here.
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
wax, film-forming polymers, waterproofing agent (unspecified)
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.
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Mascara formulas often contain fragrance compounds; NYX does not list fragrance separately on most product pages. Individuals with sensitive eyes or contact dermatitis may react to undisclosed fragrance, causing irritation or allergic conjunctivitis.
Bacterial or fungal growth if tube is unmaintained or shared
Waterproof mascara wands are high-moisture environments; if not replaced every 3 months or if applicators are double-dipped or shared, bacterial and fungal colonization can occur. This is a use-practice risk, not a formulation defect specific to NYX.
PFAS
NYX does not disclose the waterproofing mechanism on the label. Industry standard practice suggests synthetic polymers or fluorinated compounds; without transparency, PFAS or other persistent substances cannot be ruled out. This opacity is the primary non-PFAS concern for this product.
Source: ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No published recalls or test reports of elevated lead or cadmium in NYX Worth The Hype mascara exist in public records. Mascara pigments are typically iron oxide or synthetic pigments; risk is low for this product class, but no third-party verification is available.
Source: FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Mascaras do not typically require formaldehyde as a preservative due to low-water formulations. No established reports of formaldehyde releasers in NYX mascaras; this is a low-concern hazard for this product category.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
NYX Worth The Hype uses wax (likely beeswax or synthetic wax), film-forming polymers (typically acrylates or silicones), and an unspecified waterproofing agent. The waterproofing component is the critical unknown: waterproof mascaras commonly use either Teflon-type coating-based coatings, silicone-based water barriers, or synthetic polymers that may contain PFAS to achieve water resistance. Without full ingredient disclosure, the exact chemistry of the waterproofing layer cannot be independently verified, creating ambiguity around potential fluorinated compound exposure.
The brand's record and disclosure
NYX Professional Makeup (owned by L'Oreal) does not publicly disclose PFAS stance or waterproofing chemistry on product labels or websites. The brand has not faced major recalls tied to heavy metals or formaldehyde releasers in mascara formulations. However, NYX maintains minimal ingredient transparency beyond regulatory minimums in most markets, and does not voluntarily certify products against PFAS or other emerging contaminants. No independent third-party testing of this specific product for PFAS or heavy metals in pigments has been published in accessible sources.
How it compares in its category
Most drugstore waterproof mascaras (Maybelline, Covergirl, Rimmel) use similar opaque waterproofing strategies without disclosure. Premium brands (MAC, Clinique) offer more detailed ingredient lists but rarely specify waterproofing agents. Brands explicitly PFAS-free (Ere Perez, Ilia, Glossier Clean) either omit waterproof claims or use documented silicone or plant-based alternatives. NYX sits in the mid-market transparency gap: affordable pricing but below-average ingredient openness compared to both budget and premium tiers.
If you buy it
Apply only to lash tips and upper lashes; avoid contact with eyelid skin and inner eye to limit exposure contact time. Replace every 3 months (or sooner if formula dries or clumps) to avoid bacterial growth in the tube. Remove with dedicated makeup remover or micellar water; rubbing or tugging stresses lashes and skin. If eyes water excessively, itch, or redden during use, discontinue and patch-test another formula to identify sensitivity.
What we don’t know
- 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.
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.