Urban Decay · Waterproof Mascara
Urban Decay Tubb Lash Augmenting Tubing Mascara Intense
Waterproof mascara formula; PFAS status undisclosed by brand.
Urban Decay has not publicly disclosed PFAS status for this tubing mascara. Waterproof cosmetics often contain fluorinated compounds, but specific ingredient composition is proprietary and unverified.
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
proprietary tubing formula, water-resistant polymers
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Urban Decay Tubb Lash Mascara Intense is made of, ingredients and materials
Urban Decay's tubing mascara uses a proprietary water-resistant polymer formula that wraps around lashes rather than coating them. The 'tubing' mechanism means synthetic polymers are the primary film-forming agents; water resistance in mascaras typically requires either PFAS-based repellents or silicone-heavy formulations. Urban Decay has not publicly disclosed whether their tubing polymer contains fluorinated compounds or the specific polymer type, leaving the actual chemistry opaque to consumers.
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.
1,4-dioxane (solvent/byproduct)
Water-resistant mascara formulas sometimes contain or generate trace 1,4-dioxane during synthesis of polymeric film-formers. Urban Decay has not published analytical testing for this contaminant; no recall exists for this product.
Fragrance allergens
Urban Decay Intense mascara may contain fragrance compounds; the brand does not disclose full fragrance component breakdown. Eye-area fragrance exposure is uncommon at high risk, but sensitive individuals may experience irritation.
Polymer microparticles from formula degradation
Tubing mascaras shed polymer fragments by design when removed; these particles are rinsed away and not inhaled. Long-term ocular accumulation is not documented, and removal is straightforward with makeup remover.
Bacterial growth in formula reservoir
All wet mascara formulas can harbor bacteria if applicator is contaminated or formula is kept beyond 3 months. Urban Decay does not disclose preservative system; standard cosmetic preservatives are used but efficacy depends on storage and hygiene.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Iron oxides and synthetic colorants in mascara are regulated cosmetic pigments. No documented contamination reports or recalls for Urban Decay mascaras; standard FDA oversight applies.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Urban Decay (owned by Estee Lauder) does not maintain a public PFAS reduction commitment or transparency statement specific to mascaras. The brand has no documented recalls for this product, and it carries standard FDA cosmetic compliance. However, the brand's silence on water-resistant chemistry in tubing formulas is notable given industry movement toward transparency on fluorinated ingredients in waterproof products.
How it compares in its category
Tubing mascaras as a category occupy a middle ground, they avoid heavy film-coating ingredients but require strong water-resistant polymers, which often involve PFAS or high silicone loads. Urban Decay's formula is competitively mainstream; alternatives like MAC or Benefit offer similar tubing technologies with equivalent opacity on chemistry. Conventional waterproof mascaras from budget brands sometimes disclose polymer types more clearly, though data is still sparse industry-wide.
If you buy it
Mascaras are leave-on products with brief, localized contact; systemic absorption risk from mascara is low compared to skincare. Remove daily with makeup remover to prevent polymer buildup on lashes and lash-line irritation over weeks of use. Replace every 3 months to avoid bacterial colonization of the wet formula. If eye irritation, redness, or lash breakage develops, discontinue and consult a dermatologist.
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
- 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 Tubb Lash Augmenting Tubing Mascara Intense?
- Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base)
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
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- pigments, waxes, polymers (unspecified)
- Lead
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- 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.