Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Waterproof Eye Pencil
Waterproof cosmetics carry inherent PFAS risk. Skip without brand disclosure.
This waterproof pencil's durability likely comes from Teflon-family coating or similar water-resistant compounds. Urban Decay shares no ingredient transparency, PFAS statement, or test results.
The safe swap
Ere Perez
Ere Perez Jojoba Eye Pencil Gem (lilac haze)
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/pigment pencil with waterproof film-forming polymer
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Lead
Cosmetic eyeliner pigments are not FDA-regulated for heavy metal limits in the US, and Urban Decay does not publish pigment sourcing or testing data. Iron oxides and synthetic organic pigments are standard; lead and cadmium contamination is rare but documented in some imported eyeliners. No recalls or testing results are on record for Urban Decay 24/7 specifically.
Source: ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance constituents
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On pencils are scent-free or lightly scented; fragrance is not a primary concern. However, some users report sensitivity to the polymer film or wax constituents themselves, which may be misattributed to fragrance. Individual reactions are documented anecdotally but not systematically studied for this product.
Polymer coating degradation and microplastic shedding with use
The waterproof film-forming polymer can degrade with repeated sharpening, friction during application, and removal with oil-based solvents, potentially releasing fine polymer particles into the eye area. No long-term safety data exists on repeated microplastic exposure from eyeliner use, though the quantity per use is expected to be minimal. Sharpening into a clean container rather than directly o
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Wax-based pencil formulas typically do not require formaldehyde releasers due to low water content and natural antimicrobial properties of wax. Urban Decay does not list formaldehyde in disclosed ingredients for this product, and no reports suggest contamination in this category.
Source: ATSDR ↗1,4-dioxane contamination from non-ionic surfactants
Pencil eyeliners do not typically contain emulsifying surfactants, so 1,4-dioxane contamination is not a known pathway for this product category. This hazard is relevant to liquid or cream cosmetics, not wax-based pencils.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On is a wax-based pencil eyeliner formulated with film-forming polymers to achieve waterproof staying power. The waterproof coating typically requires water-resistant synthetic polymers, which frequently incorporate PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") to repel water and oil, though Urban Decay has not publicly disclosed the specific polymer chemistry. The pencil core combines waxes, pigments, and binding agents; wax itself is generally low-hazard, but the pigments and preservatives warrant scrutiny.
The brand's record and disclosure
Urban Decay (owned by Estée Lauder) does not publicly disclose PFAS content or waterproofing chemistry for its 24/7 line, which is a significant transparency gap for a product explicitly marketed as waterproof. The brand has not published environmental or chemical safety reports specific to PFAS or heavy metals in cosmetics. Estée Lauder parent company has faced criticism for limited cosmetic ingredient transparency compared to competitors like Coty brands, though neither formal recalls nor regulatory violations are on record for this specific product.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof gel and pencil eyeliners inherently carry higher PFAS risk than non-waterproof formulas because water resistance typically requires fluorinated polymers or silicone-PFAS hybrids. Urban Decay's 24/7 line is premium-priced and widely used; comparable waterproof pencils from MAC, Fenty, and drugstore brands (NYX, Maybelline) face the same disclosure gap. Some brands like Beautycounter offer waterproof eyeliners marketed without PFAS, though independent testing is sparse; the Urban Decay formula is not notably safer or worse than mainstream competitors without lab data.
If you buy it
Store pencils in a cool, dry place away from heat; wax-based formulas can soften above 75 degrees Fahrenheit and may release pigment unevenly. Sharpen with a clean pencil sharpener before each use to minimize bacterial growth and preserve polymer coating integrity. Remove with dedicated makeup remover or oil-based cleanser, as waterproof polymers resist standard water removal and may require vigorous rubbing that irritates the delicate eye area. Replace every 12 months or if the tip becomes visibly frayed, chipped, or develops a waxy film buildup.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Urban Decay has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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MAC
Chromaline Gel - Hi-Def Cyan
gel pigment formulation (primary ingredients not publicly disclosed for proprietary reasons)
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane (contaminant in polyethylene glycol or emulsifiers)
Limited concern
Eye irritation from film formers or fragrance compounds
Moderate concern
Lower concern, but brand doesn't disclose full formulation details.
⚠Risky category by default
Ere Perez
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Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Microorganism growth in oil matrix
Limited concern
Eye irritation or sensitization from wax/oil breakdown
Limited concern
Lower concern. Natural formula shows no PFAS risk signals.
⚠Risky category by default
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Fragrance allergens or essential oil irritants
Limited concern
Microbial or oxidative degradation of oil base
Limited concern
Lower concern. Natural formulation unlikely to contain deliberate PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
More eyeliner 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.