Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin
Skip; cosmetic formula not publicly disclosed for PFAS risk.
Revlon does not disclose PFAS in ColorStay formulas. Cosmetic makeup typically contains silicones and polymeric binders; many contain fluorinated compounds. No third-party testing or PFAS-free certification found.
The better-graded swap
Anastasia
Amazon.com: Anastasia Makeup
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
pigments, silicones, polymers, waxes, oils in liquid/cream base
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Revlon ColorStay Makeup Skin is made of, ingredients and materials
ColorStay is a liquid foundation combining silicones (for slip and wear), polymers (film formers), waxes and oils (texture and adherence), and inorganic pigments (iron oxides, mica, titanium dioxide primarily). The formula is designed for long wear and oil control on combination skin. Silicones are inert once set, but the pigment load and polymer system determine potential trace contaminants and sensitivities. The cream base can harbor bacterial growth if the applicator or cap is contaminated or left moist; this is a use-hygiene issue, not a manufacturing defect.
What’s concerning
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
Revlon ColorStay formulations typically include polymeric or phenolic preservatives (exact identity not disclosed) that can release trace formaldehyde over time or in warm/humid storage. No specific test result on record; this is a known risk class for long-wear liquid foundations. Individuals with formaldehyde sensitivity or asthma may experience irritation.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
ColorStay contains fragrance listed as a single ingredient without breakdown. Fragrance blends typically include limonene, linalool, and other common allergens. The brand does not provide allergen transparency. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity or contact dermatitis should note this formula is not fragrance-free.
Bacterial or fungal growth in applicator or bottle
Liquid foundations with oil and wax content and shared applicators are vulnerable to microbial colonization if hygiene is poor or the cap is left open. This is a use and storage issue, not a formulation defect, but ColorStay's long-wear claim can encourage infrequent replacement, increasing biofilm risk.
Silicone accumulation and skin barrier effects (chronic use)
Silicones in ColorStay provide slip and durability but are not biodegradable and can accumulate on skin over weeks or months if not removed daily with cleanser. This is not acutely toxic but may worsen congestion or acne in predisposed individuals. No specific study on Revlon ColorStay; this is a category-level concern for long-wear silicone-heavy foundations.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Iron oxide, mica, and titanium dioxide are approved colorants in US cosmetics. Revlon does not publish heavy-metal assay results for ColorStay. No lead, cadmium, or arsenic recalls are on record for this product line. Industry standard testing would catch major contamination, but absence of public data means third-party verification is unavailable.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Revlon does not publicly disclose full ingredient sourcing or third-party testing for heavy metals or formaldehyde releasers in foundation products. The brand has had no major product recalls for ColorStay specifically on record for heavy metal or microplastic contamination. Revlon is not certified by EWG, Leaping Bunny, or other third-party cosmetic safety bodies for this line. The brand's PFAS stance is undisclosed, creating a compliance transparency gap.
How it compares in its category
Liquid foundations are a high-use, leave-on cosmetic category with variable pigment and preservative standards. ColorStay is mainstream and widely distributed, with typical formulations. Brands with third-party heavy-metal testing (e.g., Beautycounter, Ilia) or EWG verification offer more transparency; Revlon sits in the mid-tier for voluntary disclosure. The long-wear claim relies on polymer and silicone load, which is standard and not inherently a hazard, but increases formula complexity and potential for trace contaminants.
If you buy it
Perform a patch test on inner arm or behind ear 24-48 hours before face application to screen for formaldehyde-releaser sensitivity or contact dermatitis. Use a clean applicator or your fingers; do not share the bottle or leave the cap open. Replace after 6 months or if odor, color separation, or mold appear. Do not heat or microwave the product. Wash hands and applicators with soap and water after use to avoid cross-contamination with eyes or other skin.
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
- Revlon has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin?
- water, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, pigments, emollients
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- 1,4-dioxane contamination from emulsifiers
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- pigments, oils, waxes, polymers (standard cosmetic formulations)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens or 1,4-dioxane in fragrances
- pigments, waxes, oils, talc, mica
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens
More makeup 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.