Urban Decay · Waterproof Mascara
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara Travel
No public PFAS disclosure. Waterproof cosmetics pose moderate concern.
Urban Decay does not disclose PFAS in this product. Waterproof mascaras often contain fluorinated compounds for water resistance. Insufficient transparency to confirm safety.
The safe 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
mascara formula with waterproof treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Waterproof mascara formulations commonly use preservatives such as DMDM hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea, which release trace formaldehyde. Urban Decay does not publicly disclose preservative chemistry for this product, making presence unconfirmed but typical in the category.
Source: ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Pigments in mascara formulations may carry trace cadmium, lead, or chromium as manufacturing byproducts. No specific testing data is available for Urban Decay Perversion Mascara; risk is consistent with conventional mascara production but unquantified.
Source: FDA ↗1,4-dioxane residue in emulsifiers
Waterproof mascara bases often contain PEG or polysorbate emulsifiers, which can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane during synthesis. This product does not list ingredient sources or purity standards, so contamination level is unknown.
Fragrance allergen sensitivity
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara contains fragrance ingredients (not itemized in public labeling), which may trigger contact dermatitis or sensitization in susceptible individuals, particularly around the delicate eye area.
Bacterial or fungal contamination if applicator not maintained
Mascara applicators are wet, warm environments prone to microbial growth if not stored properly or if contaminated through repeated use. Waterproof formulas with high film-former content may support biofilm formation if the product is used beyond 3 months or exposed to moisture.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara Travel is a waterproof mascara formulation, which typically contains film-forming polymers, waxes, and pigments suspended in an emulsion base. Waterproof mascaras rely on synthetic water-resistant resins and silicones to adhere to the lash and resist moisture. The 'Travel' version is a smaller size intended for portability, but uses the same core formula as the full-size product. Waterproofing agents in mascara often include acrylates or other polymeric compounds that may contain or require manufacturing with PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") to achieve water repellency, though Urban Decay has not publicly disclosed PFAS presence or absence in this product.
The brand's record and disclosure
Urban Decay (Estee Lauder Companies) does not publish ingredient safety disclosures, certifications, or third-party testing summaries for PFAS, heavy metals, or solvent contamination in cosmetics. The brand has not signed the Cradle to Cradle, EWG verification, or similar transparency commitments. No public recalls or regulatory actions specific to this product line have been recorded. Estee Lauder Companies has made broad sustainability commitments but has not issued category-specific PFAS or formulation safety statements for color cosmetics.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof mascaras across the category (drugstore to prestige) carry similar PFAS risk due to water-resistance chemistry; Urban Decay sits in the mid-to-prestige segment with pricing above drugstore alternatives but without enhanced transparency. Brands like Physicians Formula and Honest Company offer mascaras with public non-PFAS claims or third-party testing; most major prestige brands (MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, Dior) do not disclose PFAS status. Non-waterproof mascaras and mineral-based formulas from smaller indie brands present lower likely PFAS exposure if avoiding synthetic water-resistant polymers.
If you buy it
Remove thoroughly with an oil-based cleanser or micellar water; incomplete removal increases lash fallout and irritation risk. Do not pump the wand repeatedly, which introduces air and bacteria. Replace every 3 months or sooner if product dries out, smells off, or causes irritation. If you experience eye redness, swelling, or contact irritation, discontinue and consult an ophthalmologist. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat to prevent degradation of the formula.
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 Waterproof Mascara
Burt's Bees
100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown
Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base)
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
Limited concern
Bacterial growth and contamination in wax formula
Limited concern
Lower concern; conventional non-waterproof formula with no identified PFAS drivers.
⚠Risky category by default
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.