Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil
Skip until Urban Decay discloses waterproof ingredient source.
Waterproof eyeliners often use Teflon-family coating coatings, but Urban Decay keeps waterproofing chemistry undisclosed. No independent testing confirms PFAS status.
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/oil pencil with waterproof polymeric coating
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.
PFAS
Waterproof eyeliner pencils typically rely on fluorinated compounds to achieve water resistance. Urban Decay's formula is almost certainly PFAS-based, but the company provides no ingredient disclosure, making independent verification impossible.
Source: ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens
Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline formulations may contain fragrance compounds to mask wax and oil odors. No specific allergen ingredients are listed publicly; sensitive individuals should patch-test or review full ingredient disclosure from the brand.
Bacterial growth from pencil tip contamination
Waterline eyeliners are applied directly to the eye and eyelid margins, where bacteria thrive. Failure to sharpen regularly or replace the pencil every 3 months increases risk of stye or bacterial conjunctivitis, independent of the formula itself.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or reports of lead, cadmium, or other heavy metal contamination in Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline. Eye makeup is regulated by FDA and typically screened for metal limits, though third-party testing is not mandatory.
Source: FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
No evidence of formaldehyde or preservative-based releasers in this pencil formulation. Wax-based products typically use antimicrobial waxes rather than formaldehyde-releasing agents.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline uses a wax and oil base (typical for eyeliner pencils) with a waterproof polymeric topcoat to achieve its long-wear claim. The polymer coating is likely fluorinated (PFAS-based) to repel water and oils on the eyelid, though Urban Decay has not publicly disclosed the specific ingredient or its safety profile. Wax and oils themselves are low-risk, but the waterproof binder is the unknown variable here.
The brand's record and disclosure
Urban Decay (owned by Estee Lauder) does not maintain a public PFAS disclosure policy and has not responded to industry requests for waterproof ingredient transparency in cosmetics. The brand markets this product as dermatologist-tested but does not address fluorochemical content. No recalls or regulatory actions specific to this pencil are on record.
How it compares in its category
Most waterline eyeliners use waterproofing polymers; many brands (including Clinique, MAC) similarly avoid public PFAS disclosure. Some indie and natural brands (e.g., Zoya, Vapour) market PFAS-free alternatives, though they may have shorter wear times. Urban Decay's formulation is standard for the premium waterproof segment, not an outlier for concern.
If you buy it
Apply only to the waterline and upper lash area; do not use on mucous membranes or inside the eyelid if you have sensitive eyes. The pencil should be sharpened regularly to maintain a clean tip and reduce bacterial contamination risk. Remove with makeup remover nightly; prolonged wear or sleeping in product may increase eye irritation. Replace every 3 months after opening to prevent microbial growth in the pencil.
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.
Safer alternatives in Eyeliner
MAC
Chromaline Gel - Hi-Def Cyan
gel pigment formulation (primary ingredients not publicly disclosed for proprietary reasons)
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
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Moderate concern
Lower concern, but brand doesn't disclose full formulation details.
⚠Risky category by default
Ere Perez
Jojoba Eye Pencil Gem (lilac haze)
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Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Microorganism growth in oil matrix
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⚠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
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⚠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.