PFAS30/ 100Poor
Overall8/ 100Bad
(2 pack) Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara Duo Pack, 001 Black, 0.27 fl oz

Rimmel · Waterproof Mascara

(2 pack) Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara Duo Pack, 001 Black, 0.27 fl oz

Poor

Waterproof mascara often contains PFAS-based water repellents; brand silent on composition.

Verdict · SkipWaterproof mascara likely contains PFAS; Rimmel silent on composition. Review ingredient list for formaldehyde releasers and heavy metals in pigments before purchase.

Rimmel does not disclose PFAS use in this waterproof mascara. Waterproof cosmetics frequently employ fluorinated compounds; no third-party testing or PFAS-free claim available.

The better-graded swap

Burt's Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown

Burt's Bees

Burt's Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown

75/100 safety

75Excellent

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 mascara, waterproof formula, unspecified coating agents

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

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.

  • 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

Avocado

Vegan Mattress

100ExcellentPFAS grade
✓ MADE SAFE Certified✓ Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
  • 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 (2 pack) Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara fl is made of, ingredients and materials

Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara is a liquid formula designed to resist water and humidity. Waterproof mascaras typically use polymer film-formers and hydrophobic agents to create a water-resistant barrier on lashes; the specific coating chemistry of this product is not disclosed by the brand. The 0.27 fl oz size suggests a standard wax-polymer emulsion base, but without ingredient transparency, the exact resins, preservatives, and pigment sources remain unspecified.

What’s concerning

♾️

Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment

Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.

65/ 100
♾️

Category baseline

The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.

80/ 100
♾️

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.

85/ 100
💨

Formaldehyde / VOCs

Preservative systems in liquid mascaras may include formaldehyde-releasing compounds (such as DMDM hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea) to prevent microbial growth. Rimmel does not specify preservative chemistry; exposure via eyelid skin contact is possible, though regulatory limits (US FDA, EU) restrict levels in cosmetics.

Source, ATSDR ↗
70/ 100
🎨

Heavy metals

Black pigments in mascara (typically iron oxides or carbon black) may contain trace lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals as impurities, depending on pigment source and batch. No product-specific testing data is on record; regulatory limits exist (US FDA, EU) but do not eliminate all risk, especially in budget-tier products with less stringent supplier controls.

Source, FDA ↗
70/ 100
⚠️

1,4-dioxane (process contaminant)

Surfactants and emulsifiers used in waterproof mascara formulations may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct of manufacture. This contaminant is not intentionally added but can persist in finished cosmetics; Rimmel does not disclose testing or removal steps for this impurity.

70/ 100
🍳

Eye irritation from coating buildup

Waterproof mascaras can accumulate on lashes and eyelids over repeated applications, potentially causing irritation, dryness, or folliculitis if not removed thoroughly. Users with sensitive eyes or contact lens wearers should patch-test before full use and ensure complete removal daily.

45/ 100

What’s reassuring

✅

Fragrance allergens

Rimmel waterproof mascaras are not typically labeled as fragranced; however, if masking agents or fragrance compounds are present (undisclosed), they could trigger contact dermatitis or allergic reaction on eyelids or during eyelash contact. Without full ingredient disclosure, this cannot be ruled out.

95/ 100

How is this PFAS grade calculated?

The brand's record and disclosure

Rimmel (owned by Coty Inc.) does not publicly disclose PFAS use or avoidance in waterproof cosmetics, despite industry awareness that water-repellent mascaras often rely on fluorinated compounds. The brand has not published ingredient safety statements or third-party certifications (such as MADE SAFE or EWG verification) for this product line. No major recalls specific to this mascara formulation are on record, but the silent stance on composition limits independent safety assessment.

How it compares in its category

Waterproof mascaras as a category carry higher concern for PFAS use than standard mascaras, since water resistance typically requires fluorinated or silicone-based polymers. Rimmel's budget price point and lack of transparency place it lower in the disclosure hierarchy compared to brands that list ingredients in full or hold certifications. Many mainstream competitors (Maybelline, L'Oreal, Revlon) also remain silent on PFAS, making this a category-wide issue rather than Rimmel-specific.

If you buy it

Check the full ingredient list on the product box or Rimmel's website before purchase; look for polymer names (like dimethicone copolyol, acrylates, or fluoroalkyl compounds) that hint at formulation. Apply mascara only to lashes, avoiding contact with eyelids and mucous membranes. Replace every 3 months or sooner if the formula dries out, separates, or develops odor, as waterproof mascaras can accumulate bacteria if left open. Use a gentle makeup remover to avoid tugging lashes during removal.

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
Rimmel has made none

Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.

What are the PFAS-free alternatives to (2 pack) Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara Duo Pack, 001 Black, 0.27 fl oz?

Burt's Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown

Burt's Bees

100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown

75ExcellentPFAS grade
  • Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base)
  • Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers

2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara

Chanel

Le Volume de Chanel Mascara

65GoodPFAS grade
  • pigments, waxes, polymers (unspecified)
  • Lead

5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

Find an alternative on Amazon
Estée Lauder Lash Drama Mascara Gift Set

Estée Lauder

Lash Drama Mascara Gift Set

65GoodPFAS grade
  • pigments, waxes, film-formers in liquid mascara
  • Heavy metals

5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

Find an alternative on Amazon

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.