Clinique · BB Cream
Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream
Lower concern, cosmetic cream with no known PFAS-prone additives, but brand offers no explicit assurance.
Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream is a cosmetic emulsion without known PFAS-treatment triggers (no water-resistant, grease-resistant, or stain-resist claims). The brand does not publicly disclose or claim PFAS-free status.
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Water-based emulsion, glycerin, silicones (typical CC cream base)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream is a water-based emulsion stabilized with glycerin (humectant) and silicones (dimethicone derivatives typical in this category), plus iron oxides and titanium dioxide for color correction. The water-first formulation means lower volatility and fewer off-gassing concerns than oil-heavy or solvent-based cosmetics. Silicones in leave-on facial products are inert on skin and do not bioaccumulate; glycerin is a food-grade humectant with no known toxicity at cosmetic use levels.
The brand's record and disclosure
Clinique (Estée Lauder subsidiary) publishes full ingredient lists on product packaging and online, and complies with FDA and EU cosmetic regulations. The brand has no documented recalls for this specific product line and no known involvement in formaldehyde-releaser controversies. Clinique does not prominently advertise third-party certifications (such as EWG or Leaping Bunny) but maintains dermatologist testing claims on most products.
How it compares in its category
CC creams as a category rely on silicones and iron oxides for coverage and wear; Clinique's formulation is representative and not an outlier for ingredient complexity. Competitors like Revlon ColorStay or Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue use similar water-glycerin-silicone bases. This product sits in the mid-to-premium tier; it offers no special hazard reduction versus drugstore alternatives, but also no known added risk.
If you buy it
Apply a dime-sized amount to clean, moisturized skin and blend with fingers or a damp sponge; do not heat or expose to extreme temperature (e.g., prolonged car interior heat in summer) as silicone-water emulsions can separate. Replace the product within 12 months of opening to prevent microbial growth, especially if the bottle shows separation, discoloration, or odor change. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If irritation or rash develops, discontinue and consult a dermatologist.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Fragrance allergens (unspecified components)
Clinique lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient rather than disclosing individual components such as limonene or cinnamaldehyde. This is legal but limits transparency for sensitive individuals; potential for contact dermatitis in fragrance-reactive users.
Heavy metals in iron oxide pigments (lead/cadmium)
Iron oxides used in CC creams for tint are cosmetic-grade and regulated by FDA to exclude lead and cadmium above set limits. No recalls or complaints specific to this product have been documented; contamination risk is low in established brands but not zero in manufacturing.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Clinique's published ingredient list for this product does not include DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, or diazolidinyl urea (common releasers). The brand uses more modern preservative systems (methylisothiazolinone or similar), which do not generate formaldehyde.
Microbial contamination or mold growth in bulk emulsion
Water-based emulsions require active preservatives and are vulnerable to bacterial and mold colonization if stored improperly or kept beyond recommended use-by date, especially after opening. Risk increases in humid bathrooms; maintaining a tight seal and replacing within 12 months mitigates this.
Silicone bioaccumulation or skin barrier disruption
Silicones in cosmetics do not penetrate deeper skin layers and are not systemically absorbed; no established evidence links cosmetic silicones to barrier damage or cumulative toxicity. Some individuals report subjective 'breathability' concerns, but this is not a safety hazard.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More bb cream 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.