Urban Decay · Foundation & Primer
Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer
Silent on PFAS; waterproof cosmetics may use fluorinated compounds.
Urban Decay does not disclose PFAS use in this water-resistant primer. Waterproof cosmetics sometimes contain fluorochemicals, but no public lab testing or brand statement available.
The better-graded swap
Bare Minerals
bareMinerals Prime Time Brightening Foundation Primer
100/100 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
silicone-based primer with water-resistant polymers
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer is made of, ingredients and materials
Urban Decay All Nighter is a silicone-based primer formulated with polymeric film-formers and water-resistant compounds to extend makeup wear. The silicone backbone (typically dimethicone) is generally recognized as low concern in cosmetics, but water-resistant primers often rely on fluorinated polymers or fluorocarbon compounds to repel moisture, which introduces PFAS exposure risk. The product's durability mechanism, designed to lock makeup in place for 16+ hours, directly depends on materials that may persist in skin and bioaccumulate.
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.
PFAS
Water-resistant cosmetics commonly use fluorinated compounds; Urban Decay does not confirm or deny PFAS in this formula. Exposure through repeated facial application over years may accumulate in blood and organs.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Product contains fragrance listed as a single ingredient; INCIs do not break down fragrance blend components. Individual sensitivity to fragrance mixes in primers is common and may trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory irritation in susceptible users.
Silicone film occlusion and skin barrier effects
Heavy silicone primers can occlude pores and trap moisture if not properly removed, potentially worsening acne or dermatitis in acne-prone individuals. This is a wear/usage issue rather than a toxicity issue, but long-term daily occlusion may compromise skin health.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or third-party testing reports document heavy metal contamination in this primer. Standard cosmetic regulations limit lead and cadmium in colorants, and Urban Decay products are generally screened, but independent verification is absent.
Source, FDA ↗1,4-dioxane or dioxane precursors
No public testing or reports indicate 1,4-dioxane in this formula. Silicone-based primers carry lower dioxane risk than emulsion-based formulas, but full ingredient transparency would confirm absence of ethoxylated compounds that can generate dioxane in manufacturing.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Urban Decay (owned by L'Oreal) does not publicly disclose PFAS content or commit to PFAS-free formulations, despite the industry-wide shift toward transparency on fluorinated compounds. The brand maintains no published third-party certifications (Clean Beauty, non-toxic seals, etc.) specific to this primer. No product recalls or documented contamination incidents are on public record for this specific formula, but the silence on PFAS in water-resistant formulations is notable given competitor disclosure trends.
How it compares in its category
Face primers without water-resistant claims typically avoid fluorinated polymers and carry lower PFAS burden. Urban Decay's positioning as a long-wear, sweat-proof product places it in the higher-PFAS-risk subset of the primer category. Alternatives like Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist or bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Prep Priming Moisturizer avoid explicit water-resistance claims and carry less fluorination risk, though not all competitors disclose full ingredient transparency either.
If you buy it
Apply sparingly to clean, moisturized skin to minimize total PFAS exposure per application. Do not use on broken or irritated skin, as primer films may reduce skin barrier function and increase dermal absorption of residual compounds. Replace if stored above 25°C (77°F) or after 18 months, as silicone polymers can degrade and leach components. Wash hands thoroughly after application and consider patch testing first if you have sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivities.
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
- Urban Decay has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer?
- mineral powder, silicones, mica
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- Fragrance allergen sensitization
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- Talc inhalation
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- mineral pigments, glycerin, plant extracts, silicones
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More foundation & primer 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.