Wet n Wild · Waterproof Mascara
Wet n Wild Mega Volume Waterproof Mascara
Waterproof mascara formulas often contain water-resistant coatings; ingredient transparency unclear.
Wet n Wild does not disclose PFAS status or ingredients for this mascara. Waterproof cosmetics sometimes use fluorinated compounds; without testing or brand statement, risk cannot be ruled out.
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
pigments, waxes, film-forming polymers in waterproof formula
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.
Heavy metals
Iron oxides and carbon black are generally recognized safe pigments, but sourcing and impurity profiles are not disclosed by Wet n Wild. Lead and cadmium contamination in pigments is rare in regulated cosmetics but possible if quality control is minimal.
Source: FDA ↗Polymer irritation and lash damage from incomplete removal
Waterproof film-forming polymers that bond to lashes can cause brittleness, breakage, and follicle irritation if left on overnight or removed harshly. This is a user-behavior hazard more than a formulation defect, but waterproof mascaras carry higher risk.
Bacterial or fungal growth in applicator tube
Mascara tubes are moist, warm environments where bacteria (including eye-pathogenic species) can proliferate. Budget mascaras may have less effective preservative systems; replacement every 3 months is critical to avoid infection risk.
Eye irritation from fragrance or preservative allergens
Wet n Wild does not list fragrance ingredients on retail packaging. Mascaras applied near the eyelid margin and tear film can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals if fragrance or preservatives (e.g., methylisothiazolinone) are present.
PFAS
Waterproof mascara chemistry almost always relies on fluorinated or silicone polymers; Wet n Wild's silence on PFAS avoidance and lack of fluorine-free claims suggest probable PFAS presence. This is graded separately at Poor (30/100), reflecting high water-resistance dependency on synthetic coatings.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Wet n Wild Mega Volume Waterproof Mascara uses pigments (typically iron oxides or carbon black), waxes (often beeswax or synthetic analogs), and film-forming polymers to create water resistance. Waterproof mascaras inherently require either silicone-based or fluorinated polymers to resist moisture, which raises PFAS concerns. The pigment load and polymer matrix can accumulate on lashes over time if not properly removed, risking lash brittleness and eye irritation.
The brand's record and disclosure
Wet n Wild (owned by Coty Inc.) does not publicly disclose full ingredient sourcing, heavy metal testing, or PFAS avoidance commitments in mascara formulations. The brand offers budget-tier cosmetics with minimal third-party certification or transparency statements. No major recalls specific to this mascara product are on record, but the parent company has faced general scrutiny for limited ingredient transparency compared to premium or indie brands.
How it compares in its category
Mass-market waterproof mascaras (including this one) typically carry higher undisclosed PFAS risk than water-based or tubing mascaras from brands with explicit fluorine-free claims. Wet n Wild's price point reflects lower regulatory overhead and testing investment than mid-range alternatives like Maybelline or Clinique. Non-waterproof mascaras or tubing formulas avoid waterproofing chemistry altogether, though they sacrifice durability in wet conditions.
If you buy it
Remove thoroughly each night with oil-based cleansers or dedicated makeup remover to prevent lash damage and reduce cumulative chemical exposure. Avoid sleeping in mascara, which traps polymers against the eye and eyelid skin overnight. Replace every 3 months to prevent bacterial growth in the tube and degraded polymer integrity. Do not apply to waterline or inside the lash line where contact with the eye surface is direct.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Wet n Wild 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.