Waterproof mascara swap to Washable mascara

Keep waterproof for special days. Everyday washable mascara skips the water-resistant formulas most likely to carry PFAS.

Waterproof mascara, the old item this swap replaces

Our pick

Saie Mascara 101, black, 0.31 oz

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Written by Ken · Checked Oct 2026 · Sources below

Why make the swap

Why switch to washable mascara
A washable formula built on beeswax and plant waxes, with no ‘fluoro’, PTFE or ‘perfluoro’ ingredients and no acrylate film-formers.
What's the concern with waterproof mascara
In a 2021 screen of 231 products, 82% of waterproof mascaras had high fluorine, a marker for PFAS, among the highest of any product type. PFAS make makeup long-wearing and water-resistant, they’re often missing from the label, and mascara goes right next to the eye.
General information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing or have a health condition.
Good to know before you buy
Many PFAS weren’t disclosed, so a clean ingredient list isn’t proof. California banned added PFAS in cosmetics from 2025. The wand is plastic. There’s no plastic-free option yet.
Sources (3)
Health and safety facts on this page come from these sources. What a pick is made of comes from its maker's listing or website, as stated on the date we checked.

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