NYX Professional Makeup · Foundation & Primer
NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Hydrating Jelly Primer
Lower PFAS concern, but no brand transparency on formulation.
Water-based gel primer with no known PFAS-prone ingredients or coatings. NYX makes no PFAS claims; full ingredient disclosure would strengthen confidence.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
hydrating gel primer, water-based cosmetic
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
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
NYX lists 'fragrance' as a catch-all ingredient; specific allergens (limonene, linalool, etc.) are not itemized on the label. Water-based gels are less likely to concentrate fragrance compounds, but sensitive individuals should patch-test before full-face application.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing byproduct)
No documented contamination of this product line with 1,4-dioxane has been reported. Water-based primers are lower-risk than emulsified creams, but NYX does not publicly test or disclose this risk.
Heavy metals
This primer contains no color pigments, only water and humectants, eliminating the typical pathway for lead, cadmium, or antimony contamination seen in eyeshadows or blushes.
Source: FDA ↗Talc or asbestos contamination
Bare With Me is marketed as talc-free and formulated as a jelly, not a powder; talc-associated risks do not apply to this product.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Water-based gel primers rarely include formaldehyde-releasers (preservatives like DMDM hydantoin); no recalls or documented issues exist for NYX primers in this category. Preservatives used are typically phenoxyethanol or benzoates, which do not release formaldehyde.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
NYX Bare With Me is a water-based hydrating gel primer, meaning its primary ingredient is water with humectants (likely glycerin or hyaluronic acid) and thickeners, not silicone oil or powder. Water-based formulas carry substantially lower contamination risk for heavy metals and persistent toxins compared to talc-based or oil-heavy primers. The jelly texture typically relies on polymers and gelling agents rather than mineral or synthetic coatings that pose leaching hazards.
The brand's record and disclosure
NYX Professional Makeup (owned by L'Oreal) does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing or third-party safety certifications on this product. The brand has not faced major recalls or documented heavy-metal contamination cases, but offers no transparency on fragrance allergens or 1,4-dioxane testing. No formal cruelty-free or clean-beauty certification is claimed for this line, though the parent company has publicly committed to reducing PFAS in products.
How it compares in its category
Water-based gel primers occupy the lower-risk end of the primer category, sitting well below talc-based or mineral-powder primers in contamination potential. Compared to silicone primers, water-based options eliminate concerns around silicone buildup and microplastic shedding, though they may offer less wear longevity. NYX's price point and formula align with mainstream drugstore primers, which typically lack third-party heavy-metal testing.
If you buy it
Store the product in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent polymer degradation or separation. Replace every 2, 3 years or if you notice separation, discoloration, or odor change. Use only as directed (primer layer under foundation); do not ingest or apply near eyes if irritation occurs. If you have fragrance sensitivity, patch-test on inner arm first, as the ingredient list typically includes fragrance compounds.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- NYX Professional Makeup has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More foundation & primer 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.