Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin
Skip. No PFAS disclosure; cosmetics rarely require waterproofing treatments.
Revlon makes no PFAS claims or disclosures for this liquid foundation. Makeup typically has lower PFAS risk than treated textiles or cookware, but unspecified polymer coatings merit caution without transparency.
The better-graded swap
Chanel
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
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, waxes, oils, polymers (unspecified coating type)
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Revlon ColorStay Makeup Normal/Dry Skin is made of, ingredients and materials
ColorStay is a liquid foundation combining pigments (iron oxides, possibly titanium dioxide), film-forming polymers (likely acrylates or silicones to enable long wear), waxes, and oils as binders and emollients. The polymer matrix is key, it must adhere to skin without flaking, so formulas rely on synthetic resins whose exact composition Revlon does not disclose publicly. Waxes and oils are generally low-hazard, but undisclosed polymer types can occasionally harbor trace solvents or reactive monomers if manufacturing controls are loose.
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.
1,4-dioxane contamination in polymers or emulsifiers
1,4-dioxane is a trace contaminant in some synthetic polymers and ethoxylated surfactants used in long-wear foundations. Revlon does not publish distillation or testing data to rule this out. Risk is low but not independently verified.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
ColorStay contains fragrance listed as a single ingredient (INCI, Fragrance). Individual sensitization to undisclosed fragrance compounds has been reported anecdotally by users; those with fragrance sensitivity should patch-test first or choose unscented alternatives.
Polymer film irritation or occlusion from wear buildup
The synthetic polymer matrix that enables ColorStay's long wear can accumulate on skin if not fully removed daily, trapping moisture and bacteria and potentially triggering acne or contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals. This is a use-related hazard, not a formulation defect.
What’s reassuring
Lead
Revlon ColorStay uses standard cosmetic-grade iron oxides and titanium dioxide, both regulated and low-hazard. No recalls or formal testing reports of heavy-metal contamination in this product are on public record, though Revlon does not independently verify pigment purity.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) are listed in ColorStay's disclosed ingredient panel. Formaldehyde is not permitted in leave-on cosmetics at detectable levels under US and EU law, and no incidents are on record for this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Revlon publishes ingredient lists on packaging and website but does not independently test for or disclose heavy metals, 1,4-dioxane, or formaldehyde releasers in finished cosmetics, a practice increasingly expected by safety-conscious consumers. The brand has not faced major recalls or formal regulatory actions for ColorStay, but also maintains no certification from third parties (e.g., EWG, Clean Beauty Standard) that would verify absence of contaminants. Revlon's silence on PFAS reflects the broader cosmetics industry norm, but signals no proactive commitment to waterproofing without fluorinated compounds.
How it compares in its category
ColorStay is a mid-market foundation competing against drugstore staples (Maybelline, L'Oreal) and premium brands (MAC, Estee Lauder). Its long-wear polymer formula is typical of the category and carries no known elevated risk versus competitors. However, ColorStay lacks the third-party safety certifications or detailed heavy-metal testing that premium or clean-beauty alternatives (e.g., Beautycounter, Glossier) now publish, placing it in a middle ground of standard industry practice rather than leading transparency.
If you buy it
Apply sparingly and allow to set before touching face; the polymer coating can migrate into pores if over-applied. Remove with a gentle oil-based cleanser or makeup remover to avoid irritation from film buildup over time. If skin develops persistent redness, itching, or breakouts after starting ColorStay, patch-test on a small area and consider switching; individual sensitivities to undisclosed polymer types or fragrance compounds are not rare. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent polymer degradation and phase separation.
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 Normal/Dry 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.