Wet n Wild · Waterproof Mascara
Wet n Wild MegaWear Waterproof Mascara, Very Black, 0.21 fl oz
Waterproof cosmetic formula, PFAS risk unclear due to no ingredient disclosure.
Waterproof mascaras often use fluorinated polymers to repel water, but Wet n Wild does not disclose ingredients or PFAS status. Limited public data makes assessment difficult.
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
liquid mascara formula with waterproof polymers, unspecified coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Wet n Wild MegaWear Waterproof Mascara fl is made of, ingredients and materials
Wet n Wild MegaWear is a liquid mascara with waterproof polymers and film-forming resins that create water resistance. The brand does not publicly disclose the complete ingredient list for waterproofing agents, which is standard practice in mass-market cosmetics but limits independent assessment. Waterproof mascaras typically rely on silicones, acrylates, or synthetic polymers; some legacy formulas used Teflon-type coating (Teflon), though this is uncommon in modern mascaras. The 'Very Black' pigment system likely uses iron oxides or carbon black, with concern depending on sourcing and purity controls.
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 contaminant)
Waterproof mascaras often contain surfactants and polymers that may carry trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. Wet n Wild does not disclose formulation details or byproduct testing, leaving this unconfirmed but consistent with the product category.
Bacterial contamination (due to product age or poor hygiene in manufacturing)
Waterproof mascaras are high-moisture products prone to microbial growth if manufacturing sanitation is inadequate or product sits on shelves for extended periods. Wet n Wild does not publish shelf-life testing or manufacturing audit reports.
What’s reassuring
Lead
Iron oxides and carbon black used in black mascaras are regulated by FDA, and no recalls or test results show contamination in Wet n Wild products. However, the brand does not publish third-party metal testing, so risk cannot be ruled out.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
No recalls or published warnings for formaldehyde in Wet n Wild mascara; however, the brand's ingredient opacity means preservative systems are not independently verified.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens and undisclosed aroma compounds
Mascaras typically contain minimal fragrance, but Wet n Wild lists 'fragrance' as a catch-all term without breaking down specific allergens. Risk is low for this product category but unquantified.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Wet n Wild (owned by Coty) has no published certifications (cruelty-free, vegan, or toxicology-based), and the brand does not voluntarily disclose waterproofing chemistry or test results for heavy metals or contaminants. The company has not faced major product safety recalls for mascara specifically, but this absence of recalls does not confirm safety testing. Wet n Wild products are not third-party tested by independent labs and ingredients are listed only to regulatory minimums, leaving PFAS and other additives opaque.
How it compares in its category
Mass-market waterproof mascaras (Maybelline, L'Oreal, NYX) share similar transparency gaps and PFAS risk profiles. Premium brands (Clinique, MAC) offer slightly better ingredient disclosure but at higher cost; many indie and clean-beauty mascaras explicitly avoid PFAS and synthetic polymers in favor of waxes and plant-based film formers. Wet n Wild's price point (budget-friendly) correlates with lower disclosure standards across the industry, not unique misconduct by this brand.
If you buy it
Replace every 3 months to avoid bacterial buildup in the tube and degradation of the waterproof film. Do not heat the mascara bottle or expose it to sustained temperatures above 77°F, as waterproof polymers can separate or break down. Remove with dedicated makeup remover or oil; avoid excessive rubbing, which can degrade the lens-coating on contact lenses if worn. If you experience irritation, redness, or eye infections, discontinue and consult a dermatologist, as formulation contaminants or poor manufacture hygiene can trigger reactions.
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
- Wet n Wild has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Wet n Wild MegaWear Waterproof Mascara, Very Black, 0.21 fl oz?
- Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base)
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- pigments, waxes, polymers (unspecified)
- Lead
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- 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.