Rimmel London 100% Waterproof Mascara
Waterproof mascara; PFAS risk unclear without ingredient disclosure.
Rimmel does not disclose waterproofing chemistry or PFAS status. Waterproof cosmetics often use Teflon-family coating or PFAS-based ingredients, but this product's formula is opaque.
The better-graded swap
Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown
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
wax, film-forming polymers, waterproofing agent unspecified
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Rimmel London 100% Waterproof Mascara is made of, ingredients and materials
Rimmel's 100% Waterproof Mascara uses wax and film-forming polymers as the base, standard for long-wear products. The waterproofing agent is not named on the label or in publicly available safety data, which is the primary concern, waterproofing in cosmetics often involves silicones or synthetic polymers that require specific removal steps. Wax itself is inert, but the unlisted waterproofing polymer cannot be assessed for eye safety without full ingredient disclosure.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
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.
Undisclosed waterproofing polymer
The specific waterproofing agent is not listed on packaging or in public ingredient disclosures. Without knowing whether it is silicone, acrylate, or another polymer, eye irritation or allergic sensitization risk cannot be fully assessed. Some synthetic polymers used in waterproof cosmetics can accumulate on the lid if not fully removed.
Eye irritation from incomplete removal
Waterproof formulas are designed to resist water and are inherently harder to remove than conventional mascara. Buildup from repeated application without full removal is a primary complaint with waterproof mascaras and can lead to contact dermatitis or folliculitis on the lash line.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde-releasing preservatives or known allergen preservatives are publicly documented for this product. Standard mascaras use DMDM hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea rarely; Rimmel's formula is not detailed enough to confirm or rule this out definitively.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Iron oxides and synthetic colorants in black mascara are typically low-migration and regulated by cosmetic law. No recalls or testing reports document heavy metal contamination in Rimmel mascara products.
Source, FDA ↗Fragrance allergens
Rimmel mascara formulations are not typically fragrance-heavy, and no specific fragrance allergen incidents are recorded. Eye-area products carry lower fragrance load than skin care, reducing sensitization risk.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Rimmel London (owned by Coty Inc.) has not published transparency reports on PFAS use or broader chemical disclosure policies. The product label lists no waterproofing agent by name, making independent hazard assessment impossible. No recalls or formal safety controversies specific to this mascara are on record. The brand does not hold third-party certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Cruelty-Free) that would indicate higher disclosure standards.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof mascaras across brands typically rely on silicones, acrylates, or (rarely) Teflon-type coating-based polymers to achieve water resistance. Rimmel's refusal to name the waterproofing agent is less transparent than brands that specify 'silicone-based' or list polymers by INCI name. Non-waterproof mascaras and those with named, well-studied polymers (e.g., acrylates) are easier to assess for eye irritation risk. This product sits in the middle-tier budget range with lower transparency than prestige or indie brands.
If you buy it
Remove mascara completely each evening with appropriate makeup remover or oil to prevent buildup and eye irritation; waterproof formulas require deliberate removal effort. Do not sleep in it. If you experience eye redness, stinging, or irritation after application, discontinue use and rinse thoroughly with water. Replace mascara every 3 months to avoid bacterial contamination. Avoid application if you have known sensitivities to acrylates or silicones, since you cannot confirm which is used here.
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 Rimmel London 100% Waterproof Mascara?
- Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base)
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- pigments, waxes, polymers (unspecified)
- Lead
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- pigments, waxes, film-formers in liquid mascara
- Heavy metals
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore 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.