Revlon · Lip Balm & Long-Wear Lipstick
Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer
Skip until Revlon discloses waterproofing chemistry or commits to PFAS-free testing.
This waterproof cosmetic product is a category historically prone to PFAS-based water and transfer-resistant coatings. Revlon makes no public disclosure of PFAS content or waterproofing chemistry.
The better-graded swap
Becca Cosmetics
Becca Cosmetics Liquid Crystal Lip Topper Glow Lip Gloss
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
liquid lacquer with waterproof film-forming polymers
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer is made of, ingredients and materials
Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer is a liquid film-forming cosmetic that uses waterproof polymer resins to create a long-wear, glossy finish. The 'waterproof' claim typically relies on either silicone-based polymers or fluorinated compounds (PFAS-class chemistry); Revlon has not publicly disclosed which. The lacquer formula also contains solvents, plasticizers, and pigments that sit on and may be partially ingested from lips during eating or drinking.
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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Liquid lacquers commonly use formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin) to prevent microbial growth. Revlon's full preservative list is not always disclosed on labels; ingestion risk is low but cumulative dermal contact over time can sensitize lips.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens and undisclosed ingredients
Revlon does not typically break down 'fragrance' into constituent allergens on packaging. Lip lacquers often contain cinnamate, limonene, or linalool derivatives that can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals; patch testing is recommended for fragrance-sensitive users.
Solvent volatility and mucosal irritation
Long-wear lacquers rely on volatile organic solvents (typically dimethicone, isododecane, or acetyl tributyl citrate) that can dry or irritate lips with repeated application. User reviews document occasional lip irritation, swelling, or peeling; susceptibility varies by individual lip-barrier sensitivity.
Waterproofing polymer composition uncertainty
The specific film-forming polymer(s) responsible for waterproofing are not declared. If PFAS-based (Teflon-family coating), ingestion during eating carries systemic exposure risk; if silicone-based, ingestion risk is lower but accumulation in organs is theoretical. Lack of disclosure prevents accurate hazard stratification.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or reports of lead, cadmium, or arsenic contamination in Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer have been documented. FDA regulates colorant purity in cosmetics, but independent third-party testing of this specific product is not publicly available.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Revlon has not issued public statements on PFAS presence or absence in its waterproof cosmetic lines. The brand holds no major third-party clean-beauty certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Cradle to Cradle) for lip products. No FDA recalls specifically for heavy metals or formaldehyde releasers in Revlon lip lacquers have been issued as of available records, though the company has faced broader supply-chain transparency criticism.
How it compares in its category
Long-wear lip lacquers across the market typically use either Teflon-type coating-free silicone or Teflon-family coating waterproofing; neither is disclosed for this product. Certified alternatives (e.g., Alima Pure, RMS Beauty) explicitly avoid PFAS and synthetic polymers. Mass-market competitors (MAC Fix+, NYX) similarly lack transparency on waterproofing chemistry, making this a category-wide issue rather than a Revlon-specific outlier.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, exfoliated lips to minimize barrier damage and ingestion of solvents. Avoid prolonged contact with mucous membranes; remove before eating when possible, or accept that some polymer and solvent ingestion will occur during meals. If lips become irritated, dry, or inflamed after use, discontinue and test on inner arm first with next application. Replace after 18-24 months or if the formula separates, thickens, or smells rancid.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% 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 Ultra HD Lip Lacquer?
- Glycerin, silicones, pigments, film-formers (typical liquid cosmetic gloss)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
- Liquid lipstick, likely pigments, oils, and waxes
- Fragrance allergens or sensitizers
- Natural waxes and oils (beeswax, plant oils, pigments)
- Lead
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More lip balm & long-wear lipstick 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.